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Originally Posted by Pbassred Obviously it I wanted a double bass, I would buy a double bass. Ocasionally I would like to get a sound closer to DB for jazzy things. How do I get my frettless to do that? Is it tone or action?
Should I be looking at a piezo pickup? Was asking 2 questions inviting trouble? (Oops.That was 3) |
I use TI flats and a bit of medium density foam (rubber, not Styrofoam which does not have elastic qualities) under the strings at the bridge. Too much pressure against the strings dulls the sound too much. You need to esperiment with bits of foam until you get it to your liking. The foam I use is about 1" wide. I play fingerstyle.
Strangely enough, I find that fretted basses get closer to to an upright sound than do fretless basses, which seem to lose something of the initial attack needed although in the upper register the fretless can sound a bit closer. Overall I prefer the fretted.
If you can find some recordings of long time upright jazz bassist Bob Cranshaw playing straight ahead jazz on electric you'll get an idea of how good it can sound. Do a Google search for a discography. There are numerous other jazz upright players who doubled on electric (usually a Fender P) who also got a great sound using similar techniques.
Playing technique and strings are important. I had a P bass with piezos in the brige saddles that could be combined with the P pickup or soloed. I didn't find it added anything I liked and went back to the stock bridge.
I have a Godin acoustic-electric fretless with only a piezo pickup and strung with flatwounds. It has it's own sound and is a well made bass, but does not sound at all close to an upright.
I myself don't care at all for that "mwah" sound. I've heard it used by some good players and one example that I did like was in a very good Latin jazz group ( don't recall who) that was stunningly good- no doubt the player and not the bass, but for the most part I find the "mwah" distracting.
