The Scott's Bass Lessons Podcast

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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 what the program’s really like, the common problems that keep showing up, and how players move past them. If you’ve ever felt stuck on your bass journey, this one’s for you.

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, and plenty of what not to do next time you fly.

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 the mindset, the feel, and the moments behind the low end that made history.

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 you’d expect. From pickups to playability, it’s all here.

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 good? They break down the strengths of each, share their own setups, and ask the big question—which one’s right for you?

Check out the Full Stack Bassist program here 👉 https://sbl.link/3FDuEx8 In this episode, Scott and Ian host a live Q&A to answer your most important questions about the Academy’s flagship 12-month program. They explain how the course is structured, what kind of time commitment you can expect, and how it’s designed to be flexible around your schedule. Whether you're wondering how to stay on track, how the live sessions work, or how much support is included, this conversation will give you a clear picture of what to expect—and how to get the most out of the journey.

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 all led to building the Fullstack Bassist program. Whether you’ve been playing for years but still feel behind, or you’re ready to break out of the rut, this one’s packed with insights, laughs, and a real look at what a year of focused bass playing can do.

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.” They break down how your ear (and your priorities) change over time — and why it matters.

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, they break down eight common issues that can affect how we learn and teach online. The good news? When used thoughtfully, YouTube can still be an amazing place to grow as a musician.