The SBL Podcast

Latest Episodes:

71 - The Confusing World of Bass Pickups - Part 1 Jan 26, 2023

Show notes

Hey, Scott here... and we’re back with another brand-new podcast for you!

At some point, we all wonder what life would be like with different pickups in our bass. Yet it’s the ONE thing that most of us dare not mess with! Even to experienced bass players, terms like impedance, inductance, resonant frequency and ohmic load can make things pretty confusing. In today’s episode, we dig into some of the technical basics and get to grips with everything a bass player needs to know on the topic of pickups.

In this episode you’re going to learn:

Why pickups are important.
How they impact your tone.
Does the positioning matter?
Series vs Parallel wiring.
Single Coil vs. Humbucker. Which is Better?
And much, much more.

70 - We're giving away $50,000 worth of bass gear?! WTF! (full gear breakdown) Jan 19, 2023

Show notes

Ready to win $50,000 in awesome bass prizes? Up for grabs is Scott’s Ken Smith Black Tiger 6-string, Ian’s StingRay 5 and a 1978 Fender Jazz Bass! Our latest giveaway is also a great opportunity to help us raise money for Pencils of Promise, which is a global organization that brings life-changing education to children living in poverty around the world. To date the SBL community has raised over $173,000 and this year we're trying to raise even more! Find out everything you need to know in today’s episode.

In this episode you’re going to learn:

Why are we giving away $50,000 worth of bass gear?
From a Collector Series Jazz Bass to a Dingwall D-Roc!
How you can enter (and gain bonus entries).
Why Eric Clapton is still awesome!
And much, much more.

69 - Sing?! Don’t make me SING. Why you MUST Jan 12, 2023

Show notes

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 maximize your magic as a singing bassist.

In this episode you’re going to learn:

The benefits every bassist can get from singing.

Why it takes practice.

How it can help you get more gigs!

And much more…

68 - Why Scott is going to therapy. Seriously. Jan 05, 2023

Show notes

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.

203 - From Charlie Parker to Prince: The Ben Williams Interview Dec 29, 2022

Show notes

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 so far, and how he juggles life as a bandleader, singer, songwriter and bassist.

In this episode you’re going to learn:

How Ben got started with the double bass.
Why he always wanted to be like Prince.
How he approaches upright bass and bass guitar.
All about his new project, Butterfly Black.
And much more.

202 - TSA took EVERY SCREW out of my bass Dec 22, 2022

Show notes

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 top travel hacks.

In this episode you’re going to learn:

Why you should give your bass some extra padding when you fly.
Which is the best bass case to invest in.
How to successfully board a plane with your bass.
Why you should never check your bass in at the gate.

And much more.

201 - The Search for Excalibur (Scott’s Album Bass Search!) Dec 15, 2022

Show notes

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 basses from different eras really have a different vibe?

Why you should commit to just one bass.

Scott gets super geeky over fingerboard inlays and pickup placement.

And much more!

200 - Richard Bona: "I’m a student of music until I am gone" Dec 08, 2022

Show notes

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.

199 - This bass is (was) a NIGHTMARE! The worst we ever bought Dec 01, 2022

Show notes

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 duds into dream machines!

In this episode you’re going to learn:

Ian reveals the worst bass he’s ever bought (it’s not what you think)

Why Scott’s 1974 Jazz Bass behaves like the Millennium Falcon

Ian’s Gaffer tape hack for treating noisy pickups

Why it’s OK to invest in a bass that isn’t perfect

And much more.

198 - How to RECORD your bass (at home) and get a BADASS sound on a budget Nov 24, 2022

Show notes

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 simplest ways to record for social media

Why Roland’s audio mixer for smartphones is so awesome!

All about Ian’s favorite DI pedals

Why we’re revamping the SBL YouTube channel

And much more...