The SBL Podcast

Scott's Bass Lessons

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.

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20 episodes
Updated July 13

Episodes20

Newest first

July 13 · 38 min
221-My bass teacher was a NIGHTMARE!
Ever walked out of a lesson feeling worse than when you walked in? Scott and Ian swap stories about incredible teachers, downright traumatizing lessons, and why learning bass has never been one size fits all. Hit play... you might never look at bass lessons the same way again.
June 2 · 16 min
220- 10 Things Mike Dirnt Can't Live Without
What does Green Day bassist Mike Dirnt never leave home without? Scott sits down with Mike to uncover the 10 things he can't live without, from always having a bass within reach to the surprisingly personal items that keep him comfortable on the road. Expect great stories, a few unexpected picks, and a peek into the daily life of one of punk rock's most iconic bass players.
May 29 · 28 min
219- Fender Just Started a WAR… Are Basses Next?
Fender just lit the gear world on fire. Scott and Ian dive into the backlash surrounding Fender's cease-and-desist letters, why builders across Europe are furious, and what this could mean for some of the most iconic guitar and bass shapes ever made. Is Fender protecting its legacy, or creating a PR nightmare?
May 6 · 57 min
218- From Thrash to Funk: Josh Paul Breaks Down Iconic Bass Lines from Infectious Grooves and Suicidal Tendencies
Josh Paul’s bass playing has powered everything from the aggressive energy of Suicidal Tendencies to the deep funk grooves of Infectious Grooves. In this conversation with Ian, he breaks down the lines, tone, and gear behind some of his most recognizable parts, along with the stories and approach that shaped his playing along the way. Turn it up and dig in.
April 14 · 22 min
217- The Band the BROKE the Internet: Angine de Poitrine
This band broke the internet… and you’re not ready for who’s behind it. In this episode, we dig into Angine de Poitrine, where one player is somehow covering guitar and bass at the same time, stacking warped microtonal riffs while the drummer drives these unpredictable, high-wire grooves. It’s chaotic, it’s locked in, and it keeps you on edge the whole time. Trust us… the reveal is worth it.
March 11 · 51 min
216- This Pedal Made the Internet FURIOUS: The Walrus Mantle
Scott and Ian dive into the story behind the Walrus Audio Mantle DI, the pedal that somehow managed to make the internet furious. Ian shares why he reached out to Walrus to build it, what he was chasing after years of using boxes like the Noble and Jad Freer Capo, and the studio gear that inspired the design. Along the way they get into transformer tone, simple vs overcomplicated pedals, gig reliability, and what bass players actually want from a great DI.
March 2 · 50 min
215- Mike Dirnt and the INCREDIBLE Bass Lines of Green Day
Ian is joined by Mike Dirnt to break down the bass lines that shaped the sound of Green Day. From “Longview” to “Basket Case,” Mike shares how he builds his parts, what inspired them, and how simple ideas turn into massive, melodic bass lines that drive the song. Tone, attack, feel, and singing while playing — it’s all here.
February 4 · 19 min
214- EllenPlaysBass' Favorite Bass Lines
Scott sits down with bassist Ellen Alaverdyan to break down some of her favorite bass lines, from iconic grooves like Money by Pink Floyd to Come On, Come Over and more. Ellen shares what makes these lines stand out, how she learns them, and the practice habits that help her really lock them in and make them feel great.
January 21 · 24 min
213 - Joe Dart Breaks Down His Favorite Bass Lines
What makes a bass line stick with you for life? Joe Dart sits down with Scott to talk through some of his all time favorite bass lines and the songs that shaped his playing from day one, digging into influences like Sly and the Family Stone, Tower of Power, and Red Hot Chili Peppers that still influence him today.
January 5 · 48 min
212- Bass Players to Watch in 2026
Ian and Sharon start 2026 by putting the focus on bass players you should be paying attention to right now. No throwbacks, no nostalgia, just ten modern players who are shaping the sound of today. They each bring five picks and talk about what makes these players stand out and why bass is moving in exciting directions.
Dec 22, 2025 · 1 hr 2 min
211- 2025 Bass Gear & Basses in Review – The Best and the Worst
A full year of bass gear, boiled down to what actually ruled and what absolutely missed the mark. Scott and Ian run through the best surprises, the biggest disappointments, and the gear from basses to pedals to the truly questionable ideas of 2025. Hit play, grab your bass, and see how your picks stack up.
Dec 15, 2025 · 1 hr 21 min
210 - The Top 10 Gifts To Get For The Bassist In Your Life
What do bass players actually want for Christmas? Ian and Sharon make it easy (and fun), running through gift ideas by category and taking it all the way from budget friendly to full bougie. In-ears, straps, strings, pedals, amps, gig bags, bass recs, and a few wildcard picks — it’s the ultimate bass player wish list, minus the guesswork.
Dec 10, 2025 · 25 min
209 - Danny Sapko and THE TRUTH
What really happens when you post a bass video every day for two years? Scott sits down with Danny Sapko to dig into how he picked up the bass, what pushed him onto YouTube, and the honest truth about what worked and what didn’t. Dive in and see what really powered it!
Nov 19, 2025 · 1 hr 2 min
208 - The LEGENDARY Bass Lines of Nathan East
Here it is — the full, uncut conversation between Scott and the one and only Nathan East. Nathan opens up about the sessions and stories that shaped his career, from laying it down for Barry White and Hubert Laws to hitting the road with Phil Collins, Eric Clapton, and countless others. It’s a rare, behind-the-scenes look at one of the most recorded bassists in history. Dive in and enjoy.
Oct 21, 2025 · 1 hr 13 min
207 - The Top 10 Funk Bass Lines (According to Reddit)
Scott and Ian take on Reddit’s picks for the Top 10 Funk Bass Lines. From the undeniable classics to a few surprises they’ve never played before, they dig into what makes these lines so iconic—and whether Reddit really nailed it. Tune in and see if your favorites made the cut! Enrollment for our brand new FUNK Accelerator open now! —Sign Up Today
Oct 7, 2025 · 1 hr 26 min
205 - The Legendary Bass Lines of Sean Hurley
Scott catches up with the great Sean Hurley to talk all things bass — from the lines that made him a go-to player to the gear behind his unmistakable tone. They chat about studio life, what it takes to craft a bass part that really sticks, and his time with John Mayer and beyond. Hit play and get the inside scoop from one of the best in the game.
Sep 29, 2025 · 1 hr 4 min
Have Fender Lost Their Minds?
Scott and Ian dive into the new Adrian Younge Jazz Bass from Fender’s Custom Shop. The build is flashy, the details are cool, but the price? Absolutely outrageous compared to other signature models. So who’s this bass really for—or has Fender completely lost the plot?
Sep 24, 2025 · 1 hr 9 min
204 -The Fenders that Failed
Scott and Ian plug in for a wild ride through Fender’s weird and wonderful bass history—from the Bass VI that gave us Patsy Cline’s “tic tac” sound and Beatles chaos, to the world’s first five-string Fender Bass V. It’s all about Fender’s boldest experiments and the players who turned them into classics.
Sep 3, 2025 · 1 hr 11 min
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 bass parts. Tune in for some bass wisdom and a closer look at what makes Joe’s lines so addictive.
Aug 26, 2025 · 58 min
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 first prototype that blew him away, to the sounds he programmed, and why this pedal left every other synth in the dust.