The SBL Podcast
If you’re a bassist — you’re in the right place. Join Scott Devine and Ian Allison from SBL as they dissect every aspect to being a bass player - professional or hobbyist - from basses and gear hacks, to musicianship and gig tips, all the way to mental health and what the future might hold for the music industry.
Episodes
339 episodes
203 - Joe Dart and the INCREDIBLE Bass Lines of Vulfpeck
Scott sits down with the one and only Joe Dart to talk all things Vulfpeck. From the iconic grooves that put the band on the map to the lines that fans can’t stop playing, Joe breaks down the stories, ideas, and moments behind his most loved ba...
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1:11:50
202 - MXR Bass Synth: The Bass Pedal that BROKE the internet
What happens when you’re not just handed a brand-new bass pedal, but asked to help design the sounds inside it? That’s where Ian found himself with the MXR Synth Pedal. In this episode, he and Sharon finally spill the story—from the fi...
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58:15
201- We’re Finally Talking About This…
For the past three years, the Blueprint has quietly been helping bass players work through the same hurdles we all face. In this episode, Scott and Ian bring on the coaches who’ve been working one-on-one with students every week to talk about w...
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1:09:00
199- Bass Travel NIGHTMARE… what NOT to do!
Ian and Sharon swap travel horror stories and share their biggest lessons from years of touring and bass travel. From packing light to gate check debates, things get real (and occasionally frustrating). Expect strong opinions, a few surprises, ...
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59:17
198- Our biggest bass struggles - the stuff we felt shame about
Ever felt embarrassed about something you couldn’t do on bass? In this episode, Scott and Ian get real about the things that used to make them cringe, from slap bass fails to technique gaps they kept under wraps. What about you? This o...
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1:07:56
197- Slap Bass Tone (6 Things Everybody Does WRONG)
Think your slap sound is dialed in? Think again. In this episode, Scott and Ian break down six things almost everybody gets wrong when chasing a great slap sound. They dig into the impact of string type, pickup settings, and technique—...
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41:32
196- The Legendary Bass Lines of Ready Freddie Washington
Scott sits down with Ready Freddie Washington to talk about the bass lines that changed the game — starting with the iconic groove on Forget Me Nots by Patrice Rushen. From Herbie Hancock to Anita Baker, Freddie breaks down th...
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58:38
195- New Bass Day… all the juicy details
Scott’s got his hands on a brand new Lull Jazz Bass—and this one’s custom. In this episode, he and Ian dive into the juicy details: how the idea came together, what makes a signature bass really special, and all the nerdy gear goodness...
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54:02
194-The Darkglass Anagram: Worth the Hype?
Is the Darkglass Anagram really worth the hype? In this episode, Scott and Ian dive into the new analog multi-effects unit and pit it against the ever-popular HX Stomp. Could this be the gear that finally gets Scott to ditch his pedalboard for ...
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52:22
Live Q&A - All your questions answered about our biggest program
Check out the Full Stack Bassist program here 👉 https://sbl.link/3FDuEx8In this episode, Scott and Ian host a live Q&A to answer your most important questions about the Academy’s flagship 1...
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1:04:11
193 - My new program: everything you need to know
What makes a bassist go from stuck and second-guessing… to confident, creative, and finally sounding like themselves? In this episode, Scott and Ian dive into that exact question—sharing stories from the road, Scott’s health scare, and how it a...
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1:00:26
192- I dismissed Pino Palladino (The Truth)
Ever look back and cringe at your early bass choices? Scott and Ian swap stories about the mistakes they made chasing speed and flash — including the time they dismissed players like Pino Palladino, Michael League, and Jonathan Maron as “boring...
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54:32
190- The Dark Side of YouTube
Scott and Ian get real about the ups and downs of learning music on YouTube. It’s one of the most powerful tools available to musicians today, but it also comes with some serious pitfalls. From confusing advice to the pressure of chasing views,...
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1:03:12
189- I took a lesson from a LEGEND (and was disappointed)
Music theory gets thrown around a lot—but what does it really mean? In this episode, Scott and Ian break down why the term is often too broad to be helpful, sharing stories from their own journeys (including lessons with legends) and how those ...
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55:26
188- OK. Let’s talk about Giacomo Turra… and the bigger questions behind the controversy.
Scott and Ian dive into the recent firestorm around guitarist Giacomo Turra—from miming and monetizing others’ solos to what it really means to be a musician on social media today.But this isn’t just about one creator—it’s about blurred lin...
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51:20
187- Why MOST bassists are DOOMED :(
Scott and Ian dig into 12 common (and surprisingly relatable) reasons bassists hit a wall—and spoiler: it’s not just about not practicing. This episode gets honest (in a good way), with plenty of insights, laughs, and “wait… that’s me” moments....
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1:18:00
186- Rating 10 GREATEST Bass Lines of ALL TIME (according to WatchMojo)
Scott and Ian take on WatchMojo’s list of the 10 Greatest Bass Lines of All Time—do they live up to the hype or fall flat? From feel and pocket to creativity, tone, and those unforgettable hooks, they’re rating what really makes a bass line leg...
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57:10
185 - Rex Brown: The BONECRUSHING bass lines of Pantera
What makes a bass line cut through in a heavy band like Pantera? In this episode, Ian Allison sits down with Rex Brown to find out. Rex walks us through a few of his most iconic lines—including the growling groove of “I’m Broken” and shares wha...
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34:24
184 - Berklee College of Music - The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
What really happens when you go to one of the most famous music schools in the world? In this episode, Sharon pulls back the curtain on her time at Berklee College of Music as Scott digs into the highs, the lows, and the stuff you don’t hear in...
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1:12:15
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183 - NEW 5 string arrived. It's INSANE.
Scott’s got a brand new 5-string, and it’s shaking things up. In this episode, he and Ian dig into what makes it so special and why 5-strings deserve way more love. From tone and feel to gig-ready setups, it’s a deep dive into the g...
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58:35
182 - 5 ICONIC Bass Lines that use EVERY. LAST. FRET.
Ready to stretch out beyond your usual comfort zone? In this episode, Scott and Ian explore five epic bass lines that make full use of the fingerboard. We're talking top to bottom, end to end.Along the way, you’ll pick up tips on fretboa...
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56:03
181 - Lee Sklar: The Working Bass Player
What’s it like to be one of the most recorded bass players of all time?In this episode, Scott sits down with session legend Leland Sklar, the bassist behind classic records from Carole King, Phil Collins, James Taylor, Dolly Parton, Toto...
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1:26:07
180 - BIG changes coming to our YouTube channel
Exciting things are on the way!Scott and Ian sit down to talk about major updates coming to the SBL YouTube channel, including a brand-new series featuring some of the best bassists in the world. With 12 days of back-to-back sessions in ...
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52:31
179 - Writing 365 Bass Lines in 1 Year?... INSANITY.
What happens when you commit to writing a brand-new two-bar bass line every single day for a year?In this episode, Scott sits down with Ian Trusheim to talk about his 365-day bass line challenge. From the creative process to the quality ...
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1:31:27
