The SBL Podcast

Latest Episodes:

101 - Is he playing the MOST HISTORIC gig ever?! Amos Heller Aug 10, 2023

Show notes

A veteran of the Nashville studio scene, Amos Heller has occupied the bass chair for Taylor Swift’s backing band The Agency since 2007. Whether you’re a Taylor Swift fan or not, when Amos agreed to check in with SBL after the record-breaking Eras tour, we knew we were in for one of our most fun and entertaining interviews to date!
In today’s episode, we get a full run down on Amos Heller’s gig with one of the biggest pop stars in the world.
Amos Heller YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@AmosHeller
Amos' Latest Video: https://youtu.be/lw2LgyatO40
In this episode you're going to learn:

How Amos got the gig with Taylor Swift.
What life’s like on the highest grossing tour of all time.
Why Nashville is the place to be for studio work.
His top tips for making it as a pro bassist.
And much, much more!

100 - The Truth About Tone Wood / Getting Into Bass Building / Purchasing A Cheap Bass Aug 03, 2023

Show notes

We were delighted to welcome Wil DeYoung, Carey Nordstrand, Spencer Lull and Joe Zon at our luthier panel discussion at Bass Space 23 this year. The session was undoubtedly one of the highlights of the summit and a true pleasure to attend, as four masters of the field dug into all of the different aspects of being a bass builder.

In this episode you're going to learn:

How much tone wood truly affects your tone
Some solid entryway strategies for getting into building your first bass
What to keep in mind when purchasing an affordable bass
The story behind Michael Manring’s Zon Hyperbass
And much, much more!

99 - Ra Diaz: The Blueprint to Getting the Gig Jul 27, 2023

Show notes

When it comes to naming bass players with a unique style and approach to the instrument, Ra Diaz is well and truly up there. Having formed one of Suicidal Tendencies’ most exciting rhythm sections alongside legendary Slayer drummer Dave Lombardo, Ra’s work with nu metal band Korn is also indelibly etched on the rock landscape for all to see. Sounds like the perfect guy for anyone looking to improve as a bass player.

In this episode you're going to learn:

How being a real fan is always the first step
Why success is a long game
The right attitude to preparing for a gig
How Ra came to be part of Suicidal Tendencies & Korn
And much, much more!

98 - Why Reverb.com Sucks / Analog vs Digital pedals / YouTube Channel Update Jul 20, 2023

Show notes

Is buying a bass guitar online a bad idea? If you’re anything like us, you probably browse the guitar sections of both brick-and-mortar stores and online fairly often! Also in today’s episode; we explore the pros and cons of digital and analog stompboxes, and walk you through the tactics we’re using to grow our YouTube channel.

In this episode you're going to learn:

Buying basses online… why it sucks!
Did Scott really choose a Tokai Jazz over a Fender?
Analog vs digital pedals: who wins?
Who would you love to see on our YouTube channel?
And much, much more!

97 - Billy Sheehan Talks Rock Bass Technique And The Key to Creative Practice Jul 13, 2023

Show notes

Whether you know him best as part of Mr Big, Talas, The Winery Dogs or as the guy from David Lee Roth’s Eat 'Em and Smile, Billy Sheehan is one of the most recognisable rock bassists of his generation.
In this special interview from Bass Space 2022, Billy talks us through the ins and outs of his rock roots, how he likes to plan his practice and how he developed his ferocious string bending skills.

In this episode you're going to learn:

- How Billy maintains his three-finger technique.

- The one piece of advice he would give to his younger self.

- Why his practice routine has become way more focussed.

- The inspiration behind his Yamaha Attitude Bass.

- And much, much more!

96 - Ian's New Sig Bass / Scott Gets Roasted in the Studio and MORE Jul 06, 2023

Show notes

Any signature bass guitar is one of a kind and unique. However, it entirely depends on what side of the fence you are. In today’s episode Ian unveils his own collaboration with Mike Lull Custom Guitars! Scott also speaks about his recent studio project and shares some early details about the next one!

In this Episode you're going to learn:

Why Ian has launched his own signature bass.
And how many minutes it took to sell out!
What bass Scott used in the studio.
Some of the challenges he faced.
Why there’s a new level of Players Path coming!
And much, much more!

95 - Sleeping on Alembic / Vintage Vs Modern Basses / Scott's New Bass Hero Jul 04, 2023

Show notes

Ever since Jack Casady first used an Alembic to hot-wire his bass sound with Jefferson Airplane, boutique builders have maintained legendary status throughout the bass world. But can the right player make any bass sound good? In this episode, we discuss one of the most recognisable and idolised bass guitar designs of all time (and Scott’s new bass hero who played it.
In this episode you're going to learn:

Why we’ve called out Alembic in recent episodes.
Who is Scott’s new bass guitar hero?
Do vintage basses actually sound better?
Why Ian rents out his upright bass.
And much, much more!

94 - Are Signature Basses DONE? Jun 29, 2023

Show notes

For some bass players, there's no better way to capture the legendary sound of their idols than bagging a signature axe with their name on the headstock, but are things about to change? In today’s episode we dig into what the future holds for signature basses.

In this episode you're going to learn:

How signature models help manufacturers sell more basses.
Who was the first bass player to get one?
What made them a standard perk of bass stardom.
Are they a blessing or a curse?
Why Irn-Bru is nothing like La Croix.
And much, much more!

93 - Why does everyone always talk about JAZZ?! Jun 28, 2023

Show notes

Learning about jazz might not be at the top of your to-do-list, especially if the only time you hear it is when you go to Starbucks! BUT if you want to get really good at bass then jazz is the ultimate genre of music to learn. In this episode, Scott explains how learning some jazz can unlock a musical superpower!

In this episode you're going to learn:

Why all musicians should study some jazz.
Why Scott used to suck at functional theory.
Why you don’t need to be a Jazzer to take part in our Jazz Accelerator.
We send virtual high-fives to Gary Willis and Michel Camilo.
And much, much more!

92 - Is Versatility on the Bass Overrated? Well, it depends… Jun 22, 2023

Show notes

Can you play heavy metal and smooth jazz and pop, all in one day? Or are you strictly the bassist for one act and one act only? It used to be taught that versatility would equal more opportunity for success in your bass playing career, but is that still the case? In today’s episode we ask if it’s actually better to flip this idea on its head and focus your energy in just one direction!

In this Episode you're going to learn:

Why Ian has always valued versatility.
How to know which path is right for you.
What Scott learned from a Gary Willis ‘mic drop moment’
Why you need to check out drummer Dave Elitch
And much, much more!

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