The SBL Podcast

Being able to sing and play bass gives you a real head start on those who only work the fretboard. Even if you think your singing voice sounds like a strangled cat doing karaoke, everyone can learn to sing, and bass players absolutely should! But it can also be a daunting challenge, whether you have a dynamite voice or can barely carry a tune. In today’s episode we dig into some top tips to maximi...

Freud never put anyone from SBL on the couch, but when it comes to life as a bass player, there can often be a sense that you need to remain outwardly grateful, even if you’re struggling. In this episode, we talk through the effects of negative self-talk, the addictive nature of social media and why Scott is heading to therapy.

When Ben Williams won the prestigious Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competition in 2009, he did so by impressing a panel of judges that included bass greats Charlie Haden, Ron Carter and Dave Holland. Lately he’s been keeping himself busy with a host of impressive side projects with artists like Pat Metheny, Sting and vocalist Syndee Winters. In this episode, we get the lowdown on his career...

Every touring bass player’s worst nightmare is arriving at their destination only to find their precious bass case smashed to smithereens. Even with airlines allowing guitars as a carry-on, it can still be up to the crew’s discretion. Luckily, there are a few things you can do to make sure that your bass makes it in one piece. In this episode, Ian shares a TSA horror story along with some of his t...

What makes a truly great bass guitar? Is it the way it plays? The way it sounds? How it was built? Or is it all in the hands of the player? Scott and Ian are the knights in today’s virtual round table discussion, and the first thing they’re turning their attention to is the myth that it’s all down to the wood! In this episode you’re going to learn: Why Scott is still searching for ‘excalibur’  Do...

Richard Bona is arguably one of the greatest bass players since Jaco. He’s someone you can learn a LOT from at any level of your playing. In this special interview recorded for Bass Space 2022, we tracked Richard down to Mark Bass HQ in Italy, to talk about his long-standing love affair with the bass. 

We all love our bass guitars, right? But what if your dream instrument sounds off? Or your longtime favorite bass isn’t playing as well as it did the day you bought it? By repairing instead of replacing, you can bask in the glory of knowing that you’re the kind of bassist who’s axe would survive an apocalypse movie. In today’s episode, Ian and Scott run through the basses they’ve transformed from...

Recording your bass at home can be a complicated process if you’re just starting out, but luckily it’s within easy reach of anyone with a smartphone! In today’s episode Scott and Ian talk through everything you need to know before you hit that red button, including what gear you need, how much it might cost, and what to expect during the process.  In this episode you’re going to learn: The simples...

Most of us instinctively know when we need a new bass, and it’s all so easy to devote time and effort to finding the next best thing, but starting your own bass collection can easily spiral out of control and end up costing you if you don’t think it through. In this episode Scott and Ian talk through the pros and cons of guitar collecting, including the INSANE bass that’s kicked off Scott’s own ha...

To many musicians making an album has always been the epitome of their art, but with digital streaming taking a hold of the industry, do full length albums still matter? That depends on who you ask! Having recently released the first live album of his incredible career, John Patitucci has put together one of the standout recordings of 2022. In this episode, we quiz John about his need to still be...

There are scores of cool slap bass players out there, but who are the truly great ones? In today’s episode Scott and Ian finish up their talk about slap bass, and why you need to check out their brand-new slap program, the Slap Bass Accelerator. If you want to get properly geeky about all things slap bass, this episode is most certainly for you.

Slap bass is the ultimate in-joke of bassists everywhere. But it’s also an amazing rhythmic tool that can be found in everything from Flea’s thumps to the sublime grooves of Marcus Miller and Victor Wooten. In the first of a two part special, we trace the course of its Marmite appeal and pick our top 3 slap bass players that you need to hear!

Despite there being countless benefits, many bass players never think beyond learning to play their first instrument. But for the few that do, a whole world of opportunities awaits. In this episode, Scott and Ian debate over whether or not you should learn to play more than just the bass, and unravel some insights that just might convince you to go for it.

Playing bass on a cruise ship is a great chance to hone your chops, save up some money and see the world. Sounds like an amazing gig, right? Cruise ship life can also be intense with long working hours and no days off for months. Ever wondered if gigging on ships is really worth it? In today’s episode, Scott and Ian talk through the pros and cons of gigging at sea!

If you take a punt on an electric bass as a financial investment, how do you know which one to invest in? In terms of making money, big returns are far from guaranteed. But still, if you stick to the biggest names and time your purchase right, you may get lucky and have a hit on your hands. In today’s episode, Scott and Ian discuss whether you can predict which brand is going to be worth the big m...

Turning on the radio or pushing play on your favorite Spotify playlist often means a few minutes to relax, but if that's the only way you listen to music then you're missing out on an invaluable skill that every bass player should have. In today’s episode, we dive into the science behind intentional listening, and how it can give you the full sonic picture as a musician.

If you’ve got a few thousand dollars to spend on a bass, the chances are that you’re looking for more than just another bog-standard 4-string. This kind of money gets you into boutique territory and a world’s worth of luxury instruments. However, with a big budget comes a big responsibility. In this episode Scott and Ian dig into what the future holds for boutique brands like MTD, Ken Smith and Fo...

Many of us will want to own a certain axe because it’s what our favourite bassist plays, be it Victor Wooten’s Fodera, Flea’s Fender Jazz Bass or Nathan East’s Yamaha. We’ve all done it when choosing gear. In today’s episode, Ian and I compare notes on our newly found Ken Smith basses, and discuss what makes them the most playable basses that money can buy!

Have you always been curious about effects, but just don’t know where to start? Clever use of a stompbox can transform even the most ordinary bass tone into classic. In today’s episode, Ian Allison answers your questions about how they work and some of the obscure differences between them - plus, he offers some pointers for finding your own tone. Time to get stomping!

From geeking out on Michael Jackson’s Earth Song to meeting Marcus Miller, upcoming Slap Accelerators to a dedicated SBL marketplace, in today’s episode Scott and Ian take a deep dive into SBL’s future plans. So grab your coffee, take a seat, and let’s go!

Most bass players can’t afford to shell out thousands of dollars on a wall of classic amps to do their creative bidding, yet a good amp sim can save you  tons  of time and money. Run your bass through one of these plugins and you’ll have hundreds of iconic bass tones at your fingertips. In this episode Ian sets out to compare the flexibility of both recording options.

As gloriously varied as it is hugely popular, playing bass on a church gig is no small feat. In this episode, Ian Allison takes a closer look at church music: what it is, what you should expect and some of the best bass players to listen to.

Tony Levin’s intuitive bass work can be heard on Peter Gabriel’s ‘Sledgehammer’ or Kate Bush’s ‘Don’t Give Up’, while his talent pool as a gifted multi-instrumentalist has also been tapped by the likes of King Crimson, John Lennon, Paul Simon and David Bowie. In this special interview for Bass Space 2022, Ian Allison looks back over his remarkable career.

In this episode Ian Allison talks to Chuck Rainey, one of the most admired bass players in popular music. Chuck has played and recorded with the likes of King Curtis, Sam Cooke, Etta James, The Supremes, Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye, Steely Dan, Roberta Flack and Quincy Jones. This is an excerpt from Bass Space 2022.

Having 70 million songs at your fingertips has never been easier, but is Spotify evil when it comes to paying artists? There are various opinions floating around about the platform, but the opportunity for musicians to reach a larger audience and potentially get paid is surely a good thing? In this episode Scott and Ian set out to debunk the biggest myths about one of the world’s most successful s...