How can I get a more piano-like sound?

[MX21]

What factors contribute to getting a clear, more piano-like sound, especially for the E and low-B strings? Neck density/stiffness? Pickups? Compressor? EQ settings? Tubes? Cab design? Strings? Something else?

[scorpionldr]

I'll beat everyone and say "Entwistle chose rotosound strings"

[chaosMK]

35" scale neck & heavier gauge strings might help. Both those factors will increase string tension.

[MX21]

So it's simply due to string tension?

[Jazzdogg]

Learn to play the piano

[Ric5]

Originally Posted by MX21

So it's simply due to string tension?

No but you don't want loose strings ...

Some will say a neck through bass like a Rickenbacker will do it. Some will say a heavy bass (over 10 pounds) will do it. Also a high mass bridge, fresh round wound strings, low action. Also technique.

[Munjibunga]

New roundwounds, boost your treble a little.

[jollygiantchris]

Bartolini pups always sounded piano-esque to me. Or an 8/12 stringer.

[David1234]

Strings. Everything else a bit, but mostly strings.

Try Blue Steels or Rotosound Swing Bass or Warwick Black Label or ... most stainless steel strings have some of that quality, but it goes away quicker on some brands. And fades quicker on all brands if you play with greasy hands so keep your bass really clean!

Other considerations:

Humbuckers (including P pickups) will tend to reduce treble in favour of bass and mids, and this will lose that wiry bright edge that you're looking for. So watch that; you might prefer single coil pickups or at least a different type of humbucker.

Cabs without tweeters are unlikely do do as nice a "piano" sound as cabs with tweeters, again because of the treble content.

[cassanova]

Roundwounds and some boosted treble might work.

I think speaker cabs and volume play a little into this. If you're expecting clarity from the B string through a small practice amp or 2x10 cab and loud sound levels don't expect too much clarity. Especially if the cab is rated say 55-15 with a spl of less than 100. I had a Carvin RL410 and IIRC it was rated 55-15 and had an SPL of 98 or 100 and when I needed to get loud all clarity was shot.

[Howlin' Hanson]

This:

[Zooberwerx]

I stumbled across a combination by accident...wasn't looking for a "piano" tone but I sure have it now!

*Graphite necked fiver with roundwounds.

*Hi-fi preamp (e.g Demeter HBP-1) coupled with a decent power amp. Oh, don't underestimate the importance of a properly voiced parametric EQ.

*4 X 10 cab with midrange and HF drivers.

Riis

[Philbiker]

Originally Posted by Jazzdogg

Learn to play the piano

Yup. How about going for a BASS GUITAR sound instead?

[cnltb]

Originally Posted by MX21

What factors contribute to getting a clear, more piano-like sound, especially for the E and low-B strings? Neck density/stiffness? Pickups? Compressor? EQ settings? Tubes? Cab design? Strings? Something else?

Not having any electronics in the instrument may help.
Finding the "right" strings may help-exposed core perhaps.
A long scale may help(36"?).
A "clean " amp may help

Or just get a piano :-)

[Richard G]

Dress like Elton John and play the bass!

[guroove]

For a piano-like tone, you need piano string-like strings. Something round wound with stepped windings, like Rotosound Superwound, or Dean Markley SR2000s. You also want a clean sound through an amp with lots of headroom and a full range cabinet. Play close to the bridge with your tone wide open if your bass is passive, or with bass boost completely off if you have an active bass.

[Deluge Of Sound]

Tape tiny hammers to your fingers.

[guroove]

Originally Posted by Deluge Of Sound

Tape tiny hammers to your fingers.

[StrangerDanger]

TI Jazz Flats

[Zooberwerx]

Originally Posted by guroove

Shave your head. Bald = piano-like tones.

Riis