NAMM 2018: Way Huge Pork and Pickle

Way Huge have unveiled the Pork and Pickle Bass Overdrive and Fuzz. For those that aren't a follower of Mr. Tripps, this looks like a combination of the Pork Loin overdrive and the Swollen Pickle fuzz. Bass player rejoice. Although maybe bass players already use Way Huge pedals in their sound, This pedal is designed with them in mind. The two blend knobs give the low-end thumpers the control over just how dirty they want to get. This pedal looks pretty spectacular.

The Details:

-Combines two great bass-friendly effects in a single housing
-The Pork Loin OD circuit provides warm, soft-clipping overdrive
-Russian-Pickle Fuzz provides thick, fatty fuzz
-Blend a sauced up clean signal with either circuit
-Control interface offers a wide range of tweakable tones

The Way Huge® Pork & Pickle™ Bass Overdrive & Fuzz™ serves up a perfectly balanced diet of gnarly tones for bass players who like to get down and dirty. The first ever bass pedal from Way Huge, this delectable dish combines the warm, soft-clipping tones of the Pork Loin Overdrive and the rich, fatty tones of the Russian Pickle Fuzz in a single package. To toggle between the two, just flip the OD/Fuzz switch.

The Volume, Tone, and Drive controls perform their standard functions, applying to whichever dirt circuit is selected. This pedal has the Pork Loin Overdrive’s distinct sauced up clean channel from the Pork Loin Overdrive—a modified classic British style preamp—but it can be used with either mode. That means that, for the first time, you can run the Russian-Pickle Fuzz signal alongside that super sweet sounding clean channel. Stir in as much of the clean signal as you need with the Clean Blend control, and then use the Clean Tone control to season it to taste. If you’re the adventurous type, internal controls allow you to concoct more complex tonal recipes.

The Pork Loin and Russian-Pickle circuits each have a level control so you can set how much overdrive or fuzz is unleashed by external Volume control. Curve and Presence controls let you further refine the tone of the Pork Loin signal.

Pretty Basses From Ibanez At Summer NAMM 2016

Ibanez has done a great job at making a instrument that uses tried and true feature with unique looks and finishes that standout next to their more mainstream counter parts. What stood out to me was not their use of a P/J configuration or the offset body. It wasn't the coral color and stylish appointments that peaked my interest. It was that you wouldn't look at this instrument and assume it was under 3 bills.

 The next Bass that caught my eye was this hollow body with a distressed vintage finish. It's just pretty. Can I say that I'd play a bass like this? Probably not. But I would have one in my studio to show off.

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The Most Important Rule For Getting Better At ANY Instrument

I teach music and several instrument. I am asked all the time, "What will help me get better at ____". You can fill that blank in with anything you want and my answer will be the same. My guitar student ask me how they can get better at switching between chords. My drum students ask how to help they right/left independence. This is my best tip/hint/trick whatever, and I'm giving it to you for free on the internet. I am a guitarist of nearly 20 years and I use this in my practice (when I'm doing it right).

Practice.

That's it. Practice makes you better, but it makes you better at what and how you practice. If you practice sloppy, you'll play sloppy. If you practice clean and perfect, then you'll play clean and perfect. Practice makes perfect, but only at what you practice. Slow down and get it right. Speed comes with time. Also, the more consistent your practice, the faster you progress. So how do you get better? Practice. How do you get better faster? Practice consistently. Instead of playing for 2 hours once a week, try to play everyday for 15/30 minute.

There you have it. That's my most valuable tip/trick/hint I can get. There is not magic bullet. It comes with work. but you can make the most of you practice by following these rule. Get out there, practice, and be AWESOME!

The Ugly Truth About Playing Multiple Instruments

If you read any of my other posts, you probably know that I am a guitarist. Yes, I do play guitar and it is my main instrument, but if you are bad at context clues, let my let you in on a secrete: I play multiple instruments. I couldn't imagine not playing more than one instrument now, but there was a time that I did good just playing my six-string. Being able to throw-down on other instrument is great. I can rock out on other instruments and that's cool, but everything isn't as awesome as it may seem.

Each Instrument Add More Practice Time. 

Yes, I have a favorite instrument. obviously I play the guitar much more than the other instrument that I play. Although, if you don't use it, you lose it. So I have to keep up the other instruments that I want to continue to play. I currently have five instrument that I feel comfortable playing. Other instruments I am familiar with but not to the point were I could join other musicians with it. The first instrument that I added after the guitar was the drums. My friend asked if I wanted to join his band. I said, "Yes, I play guitar". He said, "Great, you can be our drummer." and that was how I learned how to play the drums. This started a passion for learning instrument that has yet to stop. I've since added Bass, Ukulele and Banjo to the list of instrument I am competent in. Each one of the instruments adds hours a practice to my routine. Being able to play these instruments is great, but it comes with work.

You Can Become The Back-up For Everyone. 

I'm not going to lie, I like being the guy that people call. It's like when Commissioner Gordon picks up the Bat-Phone. Except it's a cell phone and I don't get to punch crime in the face with a "Ka-POW!". Close enough though... It started out innocent enough. I wanted to help. I noticed that the bass player would be out occasionally so I offered to fill it. After all, I was lost in the mix playing acoustic behind two pianos. Bass seemed like a more significant addition. Being the guy that can fill in made me feel important. Even if I didn't play as well as the guys I filled in for.

You Probably Won't Be As Good As Someone Who Focuses On One Instrument

I know many people who play several instruments on an expert level. I'm not saying that you can't be good at more than one instrument, but there is a point where one instrument will be will win out and the others suffers. I could, rather easily rank my ability on the instrument that I play. In a since it's like riding a bike. I'll never forget how to play G, C, and D on the guitar, but how to play a D flat minor on banjo? It sort of like the conversation about having more than one child (which I do). Can you spend the same amount of time with both of them? The same amount of attention? (well this took a weird turn) The true is that it's hard to keep all those plate spinning, but sure is rewarding.

The Ugly Truth about Fender's new Rumble V3 Series

The other day I was in my local music store and I had some extra time. I wouldn't normally sit down with a bass when spending time at the music store (just too much other stuff to look at). But I did see something that caught my eye. It was the new look of the Rumble series amps. I was surprised by how much I liked it. Fender's bass amps have been somewhat of a eye sore. I love their classic line of their guitar amps. The tweeds and silver grills add something to the mojo of the tone that a modern looking amp just doesn't seem to have. I've played Fender's Rumble amps before. In fact, a band mate of mine use one of the larger combos for his bass rig. No only did I play through it pretty often, but when he snapped off a knob, I took it in and worked on it. I really spent some time playing with all the features and finding out what it was capable of. There is nothing that I can really rant about. It wasn't very standout. Everything have very simple and everything worked as advertised. All in all, I'd call it a "safe bet". It was relatively inexpensive and decent sounding. It was heavy. It was a combo with a 15 inch speaker. Fender also offered the same set up in a head/cab form. When moving this thing I wish my band mate would have decided to go that route.

The new Rumble:
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When you look at these amps you think "Fender Twin". Its hard not to. Black tolex, silver grill, but it has an odd shape so maybe its more "Vintage Bassman". Despite the throwback looks, the real beauty of these amps are the modern features. Forever the bass player has had little in the way of features. Sure there are "options" in bass amps, but most of those center around EQ. There may be a "Bass Boost" or "Ultra Bass" button, but often these features don't really add to the function of the amp. The V3 Rumble has added a real feature that has really been missing from the bass amp game for too long. The most notable addition to these amp is the overdrive. Finally something that most bass player can use the expand the range of sounds in a useful way. I'm not a huge fan of over saturated bass sounds. Many times a bass can loose the very nature of the bass sound when overdriven or distorted too much, It can start to sound hissy, or worse, like a guitar. The V3 Rumble has struck a good balance between adding a useful feature and making something novel. It is easy to add a little gain and get a little bit of grit while still sounding very much like a bass. I sat down with the 40 watt version of this amp and was surprised at what I could get out of it.

The Ugly side:

Pretty exterior, useful and modern features, lightweight make this amp sound like a dream boat, Well I wouldn't call it a ten out of ten just yet. Lets look at the small combos in this line. After all, these are priced to appeal to the beginner and hobbyist. The smallest model is the 15 watt with a 10 inch speaker. Sounds exactly like what a beginner would buy. With a street price below $100 it is a deal, but no one it their right mind should buy one of these. Why? Because for twenty dollars more you can get the 25 watt combo with the same speaker. That is 2 dollars per watt, not a bad deal for just under $100. What I can figure out is why the next step up in this line (another 15 watts up) is double the price! You still have the same 10 inch speaker with a little more power, but they tack on an extra 80 buck to let you control the overdrive and have a couple buttons to push (nothing special there). Really the price jump is more like due to the fact that this unit might appeal to someone who would actually play outside the house, meaning they might be willing to part with a little more money. So for a $20 upgrade you wind up paying $100. Not cool. Speaking of cool, The new compact, lightweight designs are nice. They are great selling points when considering the other options. Both of those things paint a positive picture when imagining owning a piece of equipment. Keep in mind why those other units are big and heavy. The old Rumbles were tanks, but these new one are untested. Thinner sides to the cab and less bracing might account for the weight loss. Also, amps make heat. That compact design is going to trap that heat. I don't remember seeing a fan on any of the units I tried. sorta scary when planning a purchase.

In closing, These amps are really a step forward. It meets all of my part-time bass playing needs. If there was a tuner on this thing, all I would need is a bass and a chord and I'd be ready to rock. However, when looking at amps in this price range its important to consider how they are able to offer these product for the price. Chinese manufacturing doesn't hurt. These are great little amps. I really enjoyed playing through them and for a bedroom combo these are a solid option. Are they perfect? No. But they are a step above most of what is out there at the price range. At a glance these are pretty little amps, but look hard enough and you'll see the ugly truth.

5 Ugly Truths About Being a Bass Player

1) You Have The Heaviest Gear

Everyone's least favorite thing about being a musician is moving gear. If you've ever moved a piano you know what I mean. Instrument are some of the greatest things that grace the earth, but packing them up and hauling them across town can be a nightmare. If you are like me then you have your rig set up and tuned-in to sound perfect in your particular room. Depending on your gear and the distance you have to travel, packing up some of your most treasured possessions may mean a few minute or a couple hours of work. A drummer probably have the most pieces, if you count a pedal board as a single piece, but the weight-per-piece for the bass tops the list. Bass gear is very similar to a guitar rig, only heavier. If you play bass you'd had better start working on your muscles.

2)Chicks Dig Guitarist, But Not Bass Guitarist

This I know from first hand experience. No, not because I was a bass player and didn't get a girl, but because when I was in a regularly playing and traveling band, our bass play didn't. Poor guy. Why is does this happen? It probably has something to do with the previous point. Of course everyone notices the singer. They are the one whining into the microphone. There is something that the ladies respond to when a "grown" man "sings" into a mic about what someone else in the band wrote. The guitarist has his solos and dominates the musical attention. Drummers are noticeable, but are quickly dismissed because of their tendency to be repetitive. No disrespect to drummers, not that they can read anyways, its just that they are limited to the number of pieces they have in their set. Its sad that the foundation of the sound doesn't get much notice. It would be missed if it wasn't there. It like a concrete foundation, it is important, but its not sexy.

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I'll just leave this here.

3)No One Really Hears The Bass

As I've stated before. The bass is the foundation of the sound. I appreciate the contribution that they make, but unless you lesson for those particular frequencies, all that people will think of the bass players performance is, "meh". So the years of practice and perfecting skill adds up to an underwhelming sigh. Sorry bass players. There is one exception to the rule. Flea. Flea has been able to break the plain. Even non-bass players will respect the skill of Flea. Try to imagine The Red Hot Chili Pepper without his iconic bass lines. No one would lesson to that mess.

4)No One Likes You

So lets recap. You have heavy gear that no one wants to help move. The chicks don't dig you because they are too busy connecting to the singer over the song that you wrote. Your bandmates have no idea what you are doing over there during a gig. Face it, no body likes you. You are late to rehearsal because your gear weighs as much as the vehicle that you used to get it there. The sound guy tends to make the bass sound more like the parents and teachers of the peanuts cartoons than a musical instrument. Forget about solos. The fact is that most people just think that you are a guitarist that didn't quite make the cut. Sorry guys, the truth isn't pretty.