The SBL Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

In today’s video, we asked Tony Franklin to dig into the fretless bass lines that helped define his long resume of gigs with artists such as Blue Murder, The Firm, and Whitesnake. We asked him about his time with Kate Bush, the history behind his allegiance to the Fender Precision and why he feels "liberated” playing an unlined fretless bass.

In this podcast, Ian and Sharon explore the highs and lows of playing a six-string bass, from the extra range it offers to the challenges of controlling those extra strings. They share their favorite models, riffs, and tips for anyone curious about diving into six-string territory. Curious about why they think every bassist should try one? Tune in to find out.

Bass guitars are beautiful and they can make anyone look good, but during its 70-year history there have been a few that are gloriously gaudy or just plain ugly (Precision Bass Lyte, anyone?!) In this episode we’ve set out to name and shame some of the ugliest bass guitars of all time! 

In this episode:

• Does Ernie Ball make the world’s ugliest bass guitar?
• Why aren’t Rickenbacker basses more popular?
• Some history behind Fender’s Antigua finish.
• Why Scott loves the Ovation Magnum bass.
• The Spector NS-2 - love it or hate it?
• And much, much more!

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.

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...

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 habit.

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 making albums, the basses he’s played over the years, his chance backstage meeting with Jaco Pastorius, and his Italian tour with Chris Potter and Brian Blade!

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.