electric bass eq alterations

alexio · #1 07-07-2008, 10:05 AM

does anybody know the closest way EQ wise you can make an electric bass sound similar to a double/fretless bass?

obviously i no there will still b grave differences

**Francois Blais** · #2 07-07-2008, 10:52 AM

Do you have a fretless?
It's the first step I think.
Then get some flatwound strings, or even black-nylon tapewounds.
Some players put a piece of foam near the bridge to mute the tone.
Play with the finger's meat instead of the tip.

MingusAmongUs · #3 07-07-2008, 11:01 AM

grave differences indeed... but it doesn't hurt to try.

Raise up your action. Use the meat of the finger as Francois says. Flatwounds are a must. Whatever gives you the warmest, darkest sound. Fretless will certainly help. EQ out as much brightness as you can. Use a bass with passive electronics preferably. Ultimately you will come to the conclusion that close is not good enough. Get you an upright and a good teacher.

mattfong · #4 07-07-2008, 11:04 AM

get this bass, or the newer version:

I've never played a BG that sounds more like a double bass than this one (of course, there are still big differences). You could dampen the strings a bit if you wanted, but it's already got a very woody tone from the hollow body, wood bridge, and piezo pickup. Awesome bass. They go pretty cheap used too, I got mine for about $400 CAD.

By the way, I haven't tried flats on it yet. It'll probably come even closer, but yeah, theres nothing like playing an actual double bass.

**dkpawlowski** · #5 07-08-2008, 07:06 AM

I embarked on this quest a few years ago. You can lead yourself to believe you are getting close- until you compare your grail side-by-side with a real DB.
Then you give up.

Ike Harris · #6 07-08-2008, 07:28 AM

Line 6 makes a "modelling" bass that has an upright patch that's sort of in the neighborhood of the sound.

alexio · #7 07-09-2008, 09:10 AM

cheers to all replies, i shall research the patch.

p.s.
does anyone know who the double bass player on Charlie Parker's "I love Paris" is?
Tis my favourite jazz number.

MingusAmongUs · #8 07-09-2008, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alexio

cheers to all replies, i shall research the patch.

p.s.
does anyone know who the double bass player on Charlie Parker's "I love Paris" is?
Tis my favourite jazz number.

don't have the liner notes handy but according to this page it's either:

Teddy Kotick, Ray Brown, Percy Heath, Billy Hadnott, or Charles Mingus

juuzek · #9 07-09-2008, 12:06 PM

Listen to and watch Steve Swallow. He plays an electric bass guitar, fretted, with a pick. I have heard him playing and his sound and phrasing is quite upright-like. He used to play upright before he switched to electric basss guitar, exclusively.

alexio · #10 07-10-2008, 08:12 AM

wow, Steve Swallow is amazing. Though to the extent where i just get jealous.

juuzek · #11 07-10-2008, 10:01 AM

He is amazing. And the likeness to the upright is not simply the bass but the manner in which he plays it.
Just something to consider in your quest for the sound.
Good luck and have fun!