electric vs acoustic?

[spike thomas]

Hi, My name is Aaron and I am trying to save up for an uprigt bass. I have a small car and so I have been told that an electric would be better. But I love the sound of an acoustic. So, can you get the same sound out of an electric or do I need to look into another ride?

[damonsmith]

You can't get the same sound. Some EUBs are close to or better than amplified uprights.
FYI, a normal acoustic bass will fit in any car. Normally you lay back the passenger seat and put it there. My girlfriend has a mini cooper and it fits well.
EUBs are good to have around and I think they are a better investment than a cheap plywood bass.

[tornadobass]

Certainly they're two different instruments, although a good EUB can often produce a better amplified sound...especially in louder venues...than can a URB with a pickup. Just as damonsmith says.

For most of what I do (electric or acoustic blues), I find the EUB has a more focused and defined sound that's helpful in noisy rooms with boomy acoustic.

OTOH, a URB is so much more scenic than a EUB, and when sound conditions are right, produces a nicer, more organic sound.

Then there's the practicality of the stage space. I'm usually stuck in such small spaces that there's nowhere to stash the URB during breaks or while doubling with electric bass.

[ChasFL]

Originally Posted by tornadobass

OTOH, a URB is so much more scenic than a EUB...

Good call Tornadobass. I've found that often the visual affect is what many of the regular audience members (not so much the fellow musicians in an audience) pick up on just as much as the music when going to hear a band play. IMHO, though they are unique looking, some of the smaller size EUB's just don't have the visual appeal that a URB or the larger size EUB's have. I play both a 5-string and 4-string EB, but also play a double URB as well as an EUB (one of these below) and have all on stage on stands during the shows and the variety is what people pick up on, (after the chops of course).

Of course, like you were saying, the room you would have on stage is also a factor. But I find the larger size EUB's tend to give a more deeper, warmer tone than the walking stick and smaller size EUB's do.

[tornadobass]

There's sort of a hierarchy of coolness as well.

If bring my EUB to double at a blues gig with electric bass, there's a certain cool factor to the idea that I'm playing "more than" electric bass.

OTOH, if I bring a URB to a small restaurant gig, the owner can say, "Wow, look what they brought to my restaurant." Electric bass just wouldn't have that same cool level, and probably not EUB, either.

Here's a pic with that "cool factor," complete with colored lights

[ChasFL]

Just my opinion, but I think the level of coolness of the EUB's, at least in the eyes of a standard audience, is in relation to the size and shape dimension of the instrument. These "necks on a stand" type and bug basses and walking sticks just don't have the prominence type of stage presence as say the Ampeg / Azola baby bass and Silver Creek types do, which at least have a kind of recognizable shape feature to them. I thought the Chinese one I bought had a unique look to it and because of it's double bass size, it makes it relatable to the general audience to playing an electric version of an acoustic DB.

Even the Allegros' just look like some kind of funky electric cello.

[Mojo-Man]

My Azola EUB, has better playability and tone than my KAY Upright.
It's eazier to travel with.
And can be played at a louder vol.

That said.
I like them both.

[ChasFL]

Originally Posted by Mojo-Man

My Azola EUB, has better playability and tone than my KAY Upright.
It's eazier to travel with.
And can be played at a louder vol.

That said.
I like them both.

No question Mojo-man, EUB's provide a better convenience for mobility and tone/volume control than URB's do, but the URB still gives a classic sense of stage presence that an EUB can't achieve.

However, an EUB still gives off a unique sense of stage presence that because is not obeserved that often will usually project a heightened atrraction of attention and remembrance.

[Francois Blais]

Very interesting thread, guys.
I also like the looks of a regular DB much more than a EUB, except the semi-acoustic models like the Eminence.
I was never very pleased with the stick-like appearance of most EUB.
I found my old Azola BugBass look more esthetic than my Carruthers.
The Azola's rounder shape recalls the DB while remaining slim and not bulky, but the 2"x4" squarish shape of the Carruthers in quite ugly in my book.

[damonsmith]

Originally Posted by francois

Very interesting thread, guys.
I also like the looks of a regular DB much more than a EUB, except the semi-acoustic models like the Eminence.
I was never very pleased with the stick-like appearance of most EUB.
I found my old Azola BugBass look more esthetic than my Carruthers.
The Azola's rounder shape recalls the DB while remaining slim and not bulky, but the 2"x4" squarish shape of the Carruthers in quite ugly in my book.

I like the bare minimum look of Ergos, the solid block of wood shaped like a bass neck seemed like just a subtraction of the parts you don't need if you are amplifying.
It is especially great for a travel instrument. Having 7 strings and a nice gut provides a more substantial look.

[Ed Fuqua]

I don't play an acoustic instrument because of the way it LOOKS, I play it because of the way it SOUNDS. If I could get THAT sound out of a Casio Mickey Mouse watch, I would play a Casio Mickey Mouse watch.

[Callused Finger]

Something like my CR4M maybe look small in comparison to a DB but on its own a 42" scale eub is the largest instrument on stage besides maybe the baby grand piano. It basically dwarfs everything in my apt.

[BigBeatNut]

Originally Posted by ChasFL

... I play both a 5-string and 4-string EB, but also play a double URB as well as an EUB (one of these below) ...

Chas what IS that bass ? Looks amazing

[BassPulsar]

Hi.

Can anyone tell me if an acoustic upright bass is to loud to play in a flat?
I work all day and I practice mainly very early in the morning or at night... With an acoustic bass this is impossible, right?

Maybe this is one thing to add in favor of the EUB...

Thanks.
Kind Regards,
Nuno.

[TheSuzie]

It can cause problems with neighbors especially if you plan to play w a bow or use a bow in order to improve your intonation. Even without the bow it may be a problem.

Peace,
S

[fingers]

Originally Posted by Ed Fuqua

I don't play an acoustic instrument because of the way it LOOKS, I play it because of the way it SOUNDS. If I could get THAT sound out of a Casio Mickey Mouse watch, I would play a Casio Mickey Mouse watch.

+1!!!

[war_n_peace]

Originally Posted by BassPulsar

Hi.

Can anyone tell me if an acoustic upright bass is to loud to play in a flat?
I work all day and I practice mainly very early in the morning or at night... With an acoustic bass this is impossible, right?

Maybe this is one thing to add in favor of the EUB...

Thanks.
Kind Regards,
Nuno.

They do make an acoustic upright bass mute that will deaden the sound to the level of an EUB.

[BigBeatNut]

Originally Posted by TheSuzie

It can cause problems with neighbors especially if you plan to play w a bow or use a bow in order to improve your intonation. Even without the bow it may be a problem.

So you're saying errors in intonation are more apparent when bowing ?

[damonsmith]

Originally Posted by Ed Fuqua

I don't play an acoustic instrument because of the way it LOOKS, I play it because of the way it SOUNDS. If I could get THAT sound out of a Casio Mickey Mouse watch, I would play a Casio Mickey Mouse watch.

True enough. I love my acoustic bass and I am playing it tonight on a gig. My favorite sound is the acoustic bass.
But EUBs open up a lot of options, they work better ampilfied and travel easier.
I never liked amplifying my double bass, and I just was not very into BG.
The EUB is great for loud gigs and electric contexts. It opens up a lot of new situations for double bass technique - imagine actually being able to have FUN playing with a loud drummer or even two.

I actually think it is exactly the stigma about looks that has kept the EUB from being widely accepted.

Also, my ergos and my double bass are made out of nice woods and are not bad to look at as a objects.
Part of being a bass player is developing a relationship to wood anyway.
The Ergo retains that at least.

[TheSuzie]

Originally Posted by BigBeatNut

So you're saying errors in intonation are more apparent when bowing ?

They sure are to me and to many others. Also one way to practice intonation and ear training is to bow a note while having either the same note or a related tone droning at the same time. You can use a computer or a keyboard to generate the drone tone. This is something my luthier, who is also one heck of a player, taught me.

You can also play against your open strings to check intonation. Pluck one string and than bow another against that tone.

Peace,
S