THE BASS VAULT
By Chris Jisi
Bass Player Magazine, 2007
Already the most accessible, fan-friendly pair to strap on ash, Victor Wooten and Steve bailey have gone all out to make their new web site a jammed-packed bassist's delight. The home page has a tidy, neutral look, which includes a vault and a rolling screen with the latest news. Clicking on photos of Steve or Vic will get your their daily video updates, with more news. A sampling of the menu found "Steve's Fretless Corner" and "Victor's Thoughts on Soloing" under LESSONS; footage of concerts and studio jam under CONCERTS; sit-downs with bassists and non-bassists under INTERVIEWS; files of Bailey and Wooten mp3 tracks and (PDF) charts under DOWNLOADS; and blogs and forums under COMMUNITY.
Especially cool is the LABS section, which includes an interactive bass. You can click on any fret and hear the pitch, as well as see it written on a staff. Three "trainers" ask you to identify notes, intervals, and key signatures within a set time; Steve and Vic add their trademark humor in telling you if your selection is right or wrong. Best of all are the interactive features: Click on "chat" and four video screens come up, in which you can type in questions to Vic, Steve and guests (Will Lee most recently). You'll also find streaming footage from gigs, clinics, and camps, and a new member cam that allows you to place your own videos. At $15 per month or $100 per year (you can sample the site for four minutes, free) The Bass Vault is a great bargain.