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The International Institute of Bassists (IIB) was founded in 1997, and since then, the IIB has become regarded as one of the premier bass-related web sites online today. The IIB began as a free resource aimed specifically toward the art of contemporary bass playing and the study of the bass tradition, and one of our primary goals since the IIB's inception has been to offer our viewers the highest quality web site available for free. However, the IIB does require a considerable amount of funds just to stay online each month.

Over the years, as the IIB has continued to grow, so have our costs. In June, 2005, we launched the latest generation of the IIB on InstituteOfBass.com. With the launch of this greatly expanded web site, we now employ a staff of professional bass players that will be sharing their years of experience and knowledge with our viewers through online lessons and masterclasses. Compensating our lesson columnists will continue to be one of our greatest expenditures along with web site hosting, database updates, design costs, and software renewal fees.

By becoming a subscriber, you will help keep this resource online for you and others to enjoy in the future.

The IIB Giveaways - Each month, the IIB gives its viewers the opportunity to participate in various monthly giveaways. To become eligible to win products including basses, amplifiers, speaker cabinets, combo amps, effects, strings, instrument cables, pickups, gig bags, straps, gift certificates, DVD's, CD's, books, lessons, t-shirts, and more, ... Read More.

The IIB MP3 Bass Samplers Volumes 1 & 2 - You'll receive access to the IIB MP3 Bass Samplers which feature 22 selected tracks that have been recorded by many of today's premier bass artists including Michael Manring, Marcus Miller, Stuart Hamm, Gary Willis, Ray Riendeau, Adam Nitti, Norm Stockton, Todd Johnson, Jeff Schmidt, Yves Carbonne, Tom Kennedy, Gerald Veasley, Chris Tarry, Chuck Bianchi, David Hughes, and many more. 2 HOURS OF MUSIC! ... Read More.

Bass Tips Of The Week - You will have access to a huge database of lesson material that has been written on subjects such as Classical & Jazz Music Theory, Sight Reading, Ear Training, Bass Line Construction, Right & Left Hand Technique, Soloing, Jazz Improvisation, Slapping, Tapping, Chordal Techniques, Harmonics, Fingerstyle Funk, Altered Tunings, and Concepts For Solo Bass Playing. All of the lessons are available as downloadable PDF files.

There are over 90 individual lessons and over 100 MP3 play-alongs currently available for download within the IIB Subscriber's Area. Click the graphic below to download a sample lesson.

1 Year Subscription - With a 1-year subscription, you will receive all of the subscription benefits as outlined above for the duration of 1 year from the date of placing your subscription.

Lifetime Subscription - The IIB has been online since 1997, and with a lifetime subscription, you'll continue to receive all the benefits of a standard 1-year subscription for many years to come.

To become a subscriber, simply choose your IIB subscription level from the drop down menu provided below (1 Year Subscription or Lifetime Subscription), include your desired Username & Password, click on the "Subscribe" button, and then you will be redirected to PayPal where you can complete the subscription. All fields are required to process your subscription. Please allow us a few hours to setup and activate your subscription after submitting your payment. As soon as your IIB Subscriber's Area account has been activated, you will receive an e-mail notification that will confirm your subscription. If you would prefer to become a subscriber of the IIB by using a personal check or money order, please read the instructions below. Your contribution is greatly appreciated!

Check/Money Order - You can use a check or money order to purchase a 1 year subscription or a lifetime subscription to the IIB. Please make your subscription payable to "The IIB" in United States dollars, and submit it to the address below. Be sure to include your e-mail address along with your desired username and password so that we may setup your account.

If you have any questions regarding your subscription, e-mail: InstituteOfBass@Yahoo.com.

The new sound of steel! ProSteels are D'Addario's brightest and most magnetic bass strings. A specialized alloy delivers harmonically rich, brilliant high-end coupled with deep, tight lows that work in tandem to create the coveted "piano-like" tone steel players crave. ... Read More.

Gold-Plated 1/4" Angled - Straight Instrument Cable. 8 banana-like compression springs in the shank of the plug compress, making excellent contact while providing additional mechanical holding force. Near-perfect frequency response, double-insulated/double-shield coverage, and the lowest triboelectric (handling noise) of any cables on the market. The plug is soldered, covered with an internal copper shield tube, and then over-molded, first with a rigid PVC to encapsulate the solder joints and then with a flexible polymer for unprecedented strain relief. ... Read More.

Tired of those shoulder and back aches after a long session with your heavy guitar or bass? The Planet Waves Padded Comfort Strap helps relieve the discomfort of playing a heavy instrument by distributing the instrument's weight across a wider area. This 3" wide, heavy-duty tubular strap is equipped with an internal pad that is designed for weightier instruments. ... Read More.

This unique pick-sized tuner uses Planet Wave's revolutionary strobe-on-string technology. Barely bigger than a guitar pick, the S.O.S. bass tuner emits 2 out-of-phase LED light beams directly onto the vibrating string. When the string is out of tune, the two lights will visually dance on the string being tuned. As you approach in-tune status, the movement slows down and eventually stops when you are perfectly in tune. A thumbwheel selects the right LED output for each string of a 4, 5, or 6-string bass guitar. Since it relies strictly on visuals, this tuning system enables precision tuning in dim or noisy environments without the need for audible sound or sensing of any kind. ... Read More.

Designed and developed from the ground up by LightWave, the Saber SL is a high performance, professional bass featuring the exclusive, patented LightWave optical pickup system. The LightWave pickup's transparent response delivers harmonically rich, deep, and powerful sound, spanning a wide range of tones from pure, natural string sound to super aggressive and cutting edge with the use of EQ or signal processing. Extremely low noise characteristics eliminate the annoying background hum and buzz typical of conventional pickups, and with no magnetic field pulling on the strings, sustain is long and natural, like a grand piano. Highly sensitive to even the most subtle nuances, the LightWave pickup delivers the true sound of the strings, the instrument, and your playing. The Saber's high performance design makes it perfect for heavy road work, the sonic demands of digital recording, or long hours of playing and practicing. Since the LightWave pickup does not rely on body mass for its extended bass response and long sustain, the Saber is exceptionally light in weight and designed with a natural, familiar feel for outstanding performance in all styles of music, from hard rock and heavy metal to pop and jazz. ... Read More.

Saber SL Specifications
- Solid alder body
- Ultrablack, infrared or xenon blue finish
- Rosewood fingerboard
- 3-piece hard maple neck
- LightWave optical pickup system
- Custom GraphTech monolithic bridges
- iceTone saddles
- Switchcraft output jack
- Noble potentiometers
- Master volume
- Bass boost and cut
- Mids boost and cut / mids sweep
- iceTone blend
- Warm / cool toggle switch
- NiMH rechargeable battery pack
- Rapid-charge system (1 hour recharge)
- 16 hours playing time per charge
- Hear the true sound of the string
- Transparent response
- No magnetic field = long, natural sustain
- Extremely low noise
- Extended bass response
- Lightweight, comfortable design
- 34" scale length
- 4 and 5-string, fretted and fretless
- 2-octave fingerboard
- ProTec gig bag

The latest generation of BTB basses takes the traditional BTB formula that combined a massive body with a substantial neck and moved it forward. BTB's continue to have the right mixture of select woods and high-tech appointments which supply the huge tones and sustain that BTB players have come to love. The new BTB's feature neck-thru construction and deeper cutaways that enhance playability and make upper fret navigation effortless. With its 5-piece maple/bubinga thru-neck and figured maple top, it's an electric bass that will stand out in any situation on aesthetics alone. Soundwise, the mahogany body produces plenty of smooth tones and depth which is enhanced by the dual Bartolini MK2-5 pickups. The 35-inch scale length provides superior articulation and is perfect for 5-string basses where "flopping" can occur on the low B-string with standard neck scales. The Bartolini MK2 pickups deliver fat sound and precise response while the Bartolini 3-band EQ offers detailed tone control. ... Read More.

BTB575FM Specifications
Body: Mahogany body with figured maple top
Neck: 5-piece BTB5 maple/bubinga thru-neck
Fingerboard: Rosewood with abalone dot inlay
Scale: 35"
Frets: 24 medium
Pickups: Bartolini MK2-5 neck pickup/MK2-5 bridge pickup
Electronics: Bartolini MK2 3-band EQ
Bridge: Mono-Rail II bridge
Hardware: Cosmo black

The Markbass Little Mark 250 is a stunning bass amplifier that combines great sound, compact size, and light weight. Featuring a solid-state preamp and an analog power amp, the Little Mark 250 is the little brother of Markbass' top-selling Little Mark II. It is a smart and inexpensive choice for those who don't need the full power of a 500-watt head. It delivers 250 watts of power into a 4 ohm cabinet or 150 watts into an 8 ohm cabinet. Its small size makes the Little Mark 250 easy to transport, yet with a 4-band EQ, VLE (vintage loudspeaker emulator) and VPF (variable preshape filter), its tone is nothing short of professional. The front panel includes an input that can handle both passive and active basses along with an extra XLR balanced input for acoustic bass pickup systems or a microphone. On the rear panel, you'll find a neutrik speakon combo jack output that accepts both speakon and 1/4" speaker cable as well as a second 1/4" speaker out jack. You'll also discover a balanced XLR out, unbalanced tuner out so you can tune as you play without passing your signal through pedals and an effects loop which saves you from losing your signal if one of your pedals dies or a cable in the chain gives out.

Little Mark 250 Specifications
Input: Impedance 500 Kohm, max. voltage 15 Vpp
Balanced Input (XLR): Impedance 22 Khom, max. voltage 25 Vpp
Effect Return: Impedance 22 Kohm, max. voltage 25 Vpp
Gain: –80 dB to +23 dB range
Master Volume
Ground Lift: Switch on rear panel
Low EQ: Center frequency: 40 Hz; level: ±16 dB
Low Mid EQ: Center frequency: 360 Hz, level: ±16 dB
High Mid EQ: Center frequency: 800 Hz, level: ±16 dB
High EQ: 10 kHz shelf, level: ±16 dB
VPF (Variable Pre-shape Filter): Center frequency 380 Hz (cut)
VLE (Vintage Loudspeaker Emulator): Frequency range 250 Hz–20 kHz (cut)
Line Out: Balanced XLR, max. voltage 10 Vpp
Effects Send: Unbalanced, max. voltage 20 Vpp (pre-EQ)
Tuner Out: Unbalanced, max. voltage 25 Vpp
Speaker Out: Speakon, 1/4"
Weight: 5.73 lbs
Dimensions: 10.87"(W) x 2.8"(H) x 10.1"(D)
Output Power: 150W RMS @ 8 ohm, 250W RMS @ 4 ohm

The innovative Italian bass amp manufacturer Markbass, after shaking up the industry with their popular Little Mark II amplifier and a varied product line of high-quality and lightweight amps, cabinets, and combos, are reconfirming their reputation for lateral thinking and cutting-edge technology by introducing a dynamic recording plugin called the Mark Studio 1. The plugin, one of very few on the market that accurately models bass amps and speaker cabinets, is based on three Markbass amp heads and six Markbass cabinets. It also incorporates six different microphone choices plus control over compression, mic position, tweeter level, room ambience, and more. The amps featured are the all-tube Classic 300, the tube-preamp R 500, and the solid state (with tube compressor) TA 501. The cabinets modeled in the plugin are the Standard 151HR (rear-ported 1x15"), Standard 152HR (rear-ported 2x15"), Standard 104HR (rear-ported 4x10"), Standard 104HF (front-ported 4x10"), Standard 106HF (front-ported 6x10"), and Classic 108 (sealed 8x10"). Users can combine and adjust any combination of heads, cabinets, and microphones and store their settings in one of 64 user presets. They can also browse through 64 factory presets which have been designed by project engineers as well as top Markbass artists. The plugin can be applied to a bass track either during or after recording, and a "standalone" version, which operates on its own without recording software, is also included. Both Mac and PC versions are offered. The plugin gives users a wide array of sound choices for bass, providing a convenient, high-quality alternative to recording with bass amps and cabinets, while accessing more exciting, realistic sounds than are generally achieved by simply recording direct. The plugin is useful to not only bassists but also producers, engineers, songwriters, and anyone who uses hard disk recording software to create music.

Plug into complete platinum bass tone with the Bass PODxt Pro. Whether you're laying down tracks in a high-dollar studio or taking your songs on the road, Bass PODxt Pro gives you everything you need for professional-grade bass tone. All the studio-standards are built right in. You get models of 28 classic and modern bass amps, 22 essential speaker cabs, and over 50 stompbox, studio, and synth effects. With all these options, creating your own signature bass tone has never been easier. Bass PODxt Pro also comes equipped with all the elaborate pro connections that you need for a truly professional studio or stage experience. In addition, Bass PODxt Pro features A.I.R. II cabinet/microphone modeling, which allows you to choose from 4 mic models, along with the ability to adjust the amount of room you hear. The ability to mix and match speaker cabs and mics will help you find the exact vibe you're looking for. ... Read More.

Bass PODxt Pro Specifications
- 28 modern and classing amp models
- 22 cab models
- 50 stompbox/synth/studio effects
- Compressor
- 6-band semi-parametric EQ
- 4 mic models
- A.I.R. cab/speaker/mic emulation
- MIDI I/O/Thru
- Chromatic tuner
- 64 channel memories
- USB digital I/O
- 1/4" and XLR stereo outputs
- AES/EBU and S/PDIF digital I/O
- Effects loop
- Analog re-amping in and out
- Biamp mode with selectable crossover
- Ability to mix direct signal with modeled signal
- Headphone out
- Foot controller connector

We spend a lot of time in the clubs talking with and listening to players of all skill levels and musical styles. Epifani will always explore emerging technologies - innovating and evolving our existing product lines - but it became apparent that we needed to take what we've learned and design a line of amps and cabs capable of delivering the Epifani sound at a price that just about anyone could afford. If we were to put our name on these products they were going to have to meet the Epifani standards: always reliable, natural sounding, and no gimmicks. Our products have to perform anywhere - not just in a bedroom but also on a stage with other musicians in front of an audience, and always knowing that your reputation is on the line. We're proud to introduce the Epifunky Series - real sound for the real world.

Epifunky 410 Specifications
- 4 x 10" 100 watt proprietary drivers
- 400 watts @ 4 ohms
- 1" compression tweeter
- Off-flat-hi tweeter level control
- Frequency response: 39 Hz - 16 kHz
- Sensitivity: 102 dB (1 W @ 1m)
- 2 x 1/4" output connector
- Dado joint construction void-free plywood cabinet
- Covered in tough "elephant skin" tolex
- High-impact metal corners
- Recessed handles
- 18 gauge steel grill
- Dimensions: 26.5" H x 23" W x 18" D
- Weight: 66 lbs.

Guitar Player Magazine's 2004 Readers' Choice Awards - Best Accessory. The best cable Evidence Audio produces. The Lyric HG is a line-level cable especially well-suited for high gain amplifiers or passive pickups where microphonics can be a challenge. The Lyric HG is an intelligent blend of materials and design which results in a new level of sonic transparency. ... Read More.

In order to overcome the distortion found in most other cables of lesser quality, Evidence Audio's Lyric is a directional instrument cable which utilizes high-grade IGL copper conductors, solid core conductors, a balanced design, foamed polypropylene insulating material, a high-density pure copper braid for shielding to keep out interference, Wonder Solder from TRT, and Neutrik plugs. ... Read More.

The Melody signal cable has been designed for use with instruments, as well as for studio, pedal-board, and rack wiring. The Melody is built by designer Tony Farinella to be what he calls a "coax cable done right." Based on years of research in cable theory and design and most importantly time spent listening, the Melody incorporates fundamental features pioneered by Evidence Audio that allow signal transmission with minimal degradation. It is designed to pass audio with as little change as possible for an honest presentation of associated equipment and playing styles. ... Read More.

The Siren II is the next generation Siren speaker cable. ... Read More.

The NJ4 is a vintage single coil J-style pickup made with '60's-era correct heavy formvar wire and alnico V magnets. In winding these pickups, Nordstrand uses a simulated hand wound pattern that lowers the resonant peak of the pickup resulting in a pleasing yet present high end. These pickups have a very even and full sound with that snap and grind associated with the classic basses of that time. The NJ4 includes black covers with exposed pole pieces. ... Read More.

The Zon Pro Series Gig Bag is a premium quality gig bag that is constructed from heavy-duty, waterproof codura fabric and fits all bass guitars. It features thick padding, plush lining, zipper, adjustable dual-padded shoulder straps, and three storage pockets. ... Read More.

The Pro Bass Series consists of a wider design through the shoulder area, providing added support for the typically heavier bass instrument. Neoprene pad tapers to 3" from 3.5" and is available in three lengths:
Pro Bass Short 33" - 37"
Pro Bass Long 38" - 45"
Pro Bass Extra Long 42" - 54" ... Read More.

Damian Erskine - "Spain"

Damian Erskine - Bass
Ramsey Embick - Piano; Reinhardt Melz - Drums; Israel Annoh - Percussion
Release Date - 2007
Record Label - Notnek Music
Contact - DamianErskine.com

John Flitcraft - "Digging Out"

John Flitcraft - Bass
Jeff Miley - Guitar
Steve Holmes - Drums
Release Date - 2005
Record Label - Flitcraft Music
Contact - JohnFlitcraft.com

Stuart Hamm - "Outbound"

Stuart Hamm - Bass
Jude Gold - Guitar; John Mader - Drums; John Seppala - Keyboards
Release Date - 2007
Record Label - Ubik Musik
Contact - StuartHamm.net

Steve Jenkins - "Merkaba"

Steve Jenkins - Bass
Tony Escapa - Drums, Percussion
Dan Brantigan - Trumpet, Flugelhorn
Release Date - 2004
Record Label - Jenkadelic Productions
Contact - SteveJenkinsBass.com

Bernhard Lackner - "We Try To Fly"

Bernhard Lackner - Bass
Scott Bernhard - Guitar; Blair Masters - Keyboard; Derico Watson - Drums
Release Date - 2006
Record Label - Bernhard Lackner Music
Contact - BernhardLackner.com

Jonni Lightfoot - "Flutterbys"

Jonni Lightfoot - Solo Piccolo Bass Guitar
Release Date - 2006
Record Label - DreamAttik Productions
Contact - JonniLightfoot.net

Joseph Patrick Moore - "Mystery"

Joseph Patrick Moore - Bass
Buzz Amato - Programming; Al Smith - Keys; Jon Chalden - Drums; Emrah Kotan - Percussion; Al McSpadden - EWI
Release Date - 2006
Record Label - Blue Canoe Records
Contact - JosephPatrickMoore.com

Brady Muckelroy - "Love Song For The Mountains"

Brady Muckelroy - Solo Bass Guitar
Release Date - 2004
Record Label - Brady Muckelroy Records
Contact - BradyMuckelroy.com

Jeff Schmidt - "Satori"

Jeff Schmidt - Solo Bass Guitar
Release Date - 2007
Record Label - Jeff Schmidt Music
Contact - Beautiful-Bass.com

Chris Tarry - "There Was One"

Chris Tarry - Bass
Pete McCann - Guitar; Kelly Jefferson - Saxophone; Dan Weiss - Drums; Jon Cowherd - Piano
Release Date - 2006
Record Label - Cellar Live
Contact - ChrisTarry.com

Chuck Bianchi - "December"

Chuck Bianchi - Solo Bass Guitar
Release Date - 2002
Record Label - Dreaming Out Loud Music
Contact - DreamingOutLoud.net

Carbonne - Di Piazza - Manring - "Holy Spirit"

Yves Carbonne - Solo Bass Guitar
Release Date - 2005
Record Label - Yves Carbonne Music
Contact - YvesCarbonne.com

David Hughes - "Swoosh"

David Hughes - Bass, Keyboards, Programming
Release Date - 2003
Record Label - ABZ Music
Contact - SwedeBass.com

Todd Johnson - "Goin' Home"

Todd Johnson - Electric Bass
Kristin Korb - Acoustic Upright Bass
Kendall Kay - Drums
Release Date - 2004
Record Label - GraceBase Productions
Contact - ToddJohnsonMusic.com

Tom Kennedy - "Suede Shoes"

Tom Kennedy - Electric Bass & Acoustic Upright Bass
Kara Baldus - Keyboard
Miles Vandiver - Drums
Contact - TomKennedyMusic.com

Michael Manring - "I Left America"

Michael Manring - Solo Acoustic Bass Guitar
Release Date - 2005
Record Label - Manthing Music
Contact - Manthing.com

Marcus Miller - "3 Deuces"

Marcus Miller - Bass
Poogie Bell - Drums; Dean Brown - Guitar; Roger Byam - Sax; Bruce Flowers - Keyboards; Michael Stewart - Trumpet
Release Date - 2002
Record Label - 3 Deuces Records
Contact - MarcusMiller.com

Adam Nitti - "Skitzo"

Adam Nitti - Bass & Keyboard
Bill Hart - Guitar; Tom Knight - Drums; Sam Skelton - Sax
Release Date - 2001
Record Label - Renaissance Man
Contact - AdamNitti.com

Ray Riendeau - "Living For The City"

Ray Riendeau - Bass
Jesse McGuire - Trumpet; Ted Belledin - Saxophone; Joe Morris - Cajon, Shakers & Tamborine
Release Date - 2001
Record Label - Groove Theory Records
Contact - RayRiendeau.net

Norm Stockton - "The Race"

Norm Stockton - Bass
Rod Lincoln - Drums & Loops; Steve Laury - Guitar; Scott Wilkie - Keyboards; Larry Williams - Trumpet
Release Date - 2001
Record Label - Stocktones Music
Contact - NormStockton.com

Gerald Veasley - "On The Fast Track"

Gerald Veasley - Bass; Chris Farr - Saxophone; Will Brock - Keys; Peter Kuzma - Organ; Eric Greene - Drums; Pablo Batista - Percussion; Matt Cappy - Trumpet; Jeff Bradshaw - Trombone
Release Date - 2005
Record Label - Heads Up
Contact - GeraldVeasley.com

Gary Willis - "Hipmotize"

Gary Willis - Bass
Dennis Chambers - Drums; Scott Kinsey - Keyboards; Steve Tavaglione - EWI
Release Date - 1998
Record Label - Alchemy Records
Contact - GaryWillis.com

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