Brian F. Wright – No Treble

Brian F. Wright, an Assistant Professor of Music History at the University of North Texas, has a unique passion for American popular music, especially when it comes to the electric bass. His brilliant new book, The Bastard Instrument – A Cultural History of the Electric Bass, dives deep into the story of our instrument and the players who made it essential to the sound of jazz, rock, R&B, and beyond.

During our conversation, Brian talked about the journey that led him to write this book — a journey that took 12 years and a ton of research. This book sheds light on the bassists who helped shape popular music but rarely got the recognition they deserved. Brian uncovered some surprising facts along the way, and it turns out, the history of the bass is full of these kinds of stories — details that have been overlooked or misunderstood for years. Leo Fender, the man behind the iconic Fender Precision Bass, is a big part of the story. While Fender is often celebrated for his work on guitars, Brian’s book shows how his innovations in bass design were just as groundbreaking. The Precision Bass and the Bassman amplifier helped give the bass its own voice, allowing it to be heard clearly in live performances and recordings, and setting the stage for the bass to become a lead instrument, especially during the psychedelic era of the 1960s and 70s. Brian also talks about how different regions influenced the development of the bass. For example, in the UK, where import restrictions made it hard to get American instruments, German manufacturers stepped in. This led to a unique scene where early bass players, many of whom started out in skiffle bands, helped pave the way for legendary groups like The Beatles and Pink Floyd. The book also covers the evolution of bass playing techniques — from thumbing and fingerstyle to picking and slapping.

Brian pointed out how versatile the bass is and how it plays a crucial role in shaping the feel of a song, no matter the genre. While The Bastard Instrument focuses on the early years of the electric bass, there’s still so much more to explore. He’s particularly interested in the contributions of women bass players, whose stories are just beginning to be told. In The Bastard Instrument, Brian has done more than just write a book — he’s filled a huge gap in music history. By shining a light on the electric bass and the musicians who played it, he’s giving our players the credit they deserve and showing how this “bastard instrument” became a cornerstone of popular music.

Enjoy the conversation…