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
331 episodes
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
178- Rating the technique of Bass LEGENDS
What makes a bass legend? Is it flawless technique or breaking the rules in just the right way? Today, we’re having a raw, unfiltered conversation about bass technique—what works, what doesn’t, and when “bad” technique actually makes a player g...
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1:10:07
177- Record your bass (at home) and get a BADASS sound ($100 - $20K)
It’s never been easier to capture pro bass tones at home without waking up the neighbours. Whether you’re taking your first steps into home recording or planning a multi-layered bass masterpiece, in today’s podcast, we break down some essential...
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52:55
176- Vintage vs Boutique? Don't throw your money AWAY
There's something about playing a bass guitar that’s older than you that just feels incredible. But just because it’s old doesn’t mean it’s great. Mojo aside, do vintage basses really sound better than their new counterparts? In today’s episode...
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54:25
175- Our Fav Bass FX Pedals (and Preamps) of 2024
2024 was the year of the HX Stomp, Jad Freer’s Capo, Boss being bosses and more effects than we knew what to do with! We seem to say this every year, but there's been so much competition for your cash in 2024, with the bass effects market bigge...
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49:00
174- The 6 Basses that DEFINED the 1990s (why Fender is ABSENT)
As the hair-metal spandex of the previous decade met its end, the ‘90s ushered in a new breed of bass guitar. From Ken Smith to Lakland, to Spector to Tobias, basses of the '90s packed a memorable punch to the gut. In today’s podcast, we're run...
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57:27
173 - 37 AWESOME gifts for bass players ($1 - $1000)
We get it: bass players are extremely difficult to buy for and everything we want costs a small fortune. Well, you needn’t worry, as we’ve trawled through the Internet to compile a list of bass-friendly gifts that we'd be more than happy to rec...
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1:16:16
172- Let’s talk about P Basses (and my Freddie Washington Obsession)
While Leo Fender will be forever revered for his iconic electric guitar designs, without doubt his greatest contribution to the advancement of popular music was unveiled in October 1951 – the first year of the Fender Precision. Today’s podcast ...
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55:40
171- My Health Scare and the MADNESS that prevailed
If you’ve ever suffered from wrist pain after spending hours perfecting a John Entwistle bass solo, you’ll know that spending extended periods hunched over a bass guitar can cause all kinds of hand and arm problems, back pain, and even nerve da...
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40:17
