DB/BG Sound

bassist1962 · #1 02-15-2010, 04:27 AM

When I was younger, I was always told that I would never get my bass guitar to sound like an upright bass.

I read articles where someone thought that a bass guitarist was playing upright due to the speed and fluidity of the playing.

I have been told personally that my bass guitar sounds like a guitar, and not a bass.

Upon finding this site in 2006, I was immediately told to find a certain recording with Danny Thompson as the bassist. I had this recording for years, and never knew it was an upright bass being played.

In the last two days I have seen ads, and videos that describe strings and sound of certain players technique.

The string ad said that these strings will not make your upright sound like a bass guitar like other strings have a tendency to do.

The video described a well know, and respected bassist's tone/technique as being almost guitar like in his fluidity.

At what point did this turn around happen? When did BGists stop being compared in tone and technique to DBist, and the opposite start happening? Is this really a threat to anybody, or is awareness being raised? Should I continue my studies on DB, or should I just go on with the BG? If they both are starting to sound that much alike, what is the difference when recording with one v the other?

What's the deal?!?!

Uncletoad · #2 02-15-2010, 06:09 AM

Can you provide more detail and links. My experience doesn't jive with anything you are saying.

bassist1962 · #3 02-15-2010, 04:46 PM

I know that the string reference was on the Pirastro website, but I can't find it now. The player reference is NHOP:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-Ik-...7AE57&index=19

Bootzilla · #4 02-15-2010, 04:58 PM

The dude in the vid compared his playing fluidity to that of a guitar player. He did not compare his tone to that of a guitar. It is very difficult to get that sound out of a BG so the difference between the two is the sound they make. If you like the sound of a DB than you should consider learning DB. It is possible to make a BG sound like a DB but it won't be spot on and it will be difficult.

JtheJazzMan · #5 02-15-2010, 05:30 PM

Not to generalise, but you can play any instrument however you want to, and get whatever sound you want. Conformity is just so dull.

Col E Loc · #6 02-15-2010, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JtheJazzMan

Not to generalise, but you can play any instrument however you want to, and get whatever sound you want. Conformity is just so dull.

GENIOUS

Bass Guitar has Frets and Shorter-Thinner strings.

Upright bass has it's Child Bearing Hips for Booming Bass Tones.

other than that, they are both equally good tools for making the frequncies 20-250Hz. Both Instruments are struck with your fingers, which is where are the tone Resonates from - which is why keys never pull off a Bassline to a Bass Player.

also, the reference to NHOP in the video was a reference to his ear. If an upright bass player is really good, he will always hit the right frequency like a fretted instrument.

I am not one of those guys.

bassist1962 · #7 02-15-2010, 06:30 PM

One of the first things I was warned of when I picked the DB back up, was that if I wanted to amplify my DB, that it could very easily start sounding like a fretless bass guitar with a 43" scale.

I am not trying to start a debate, just really coming to the realization that my mentor on DB was at least 10 years retired, never played amplified, and absolutely hated steel strings. So when I bought a set of Spirocores, even though he was a ('open minded') jazz player, he freaked out on me about the bright sound. Talking about how thin it was, etc. Just like a bass guitar.

Uncletoad · #8 02-15-2010, 07:13 PM

There is a pretty big difference in sound between new Spirocores and Gut strings.

Nobody even hearing a recording of my playing would ever mistake me for playing guitar or even electric bass. I use spirocores most of the time.

It's all in how you play.

Play what ever instrument you like in whatever setting you prefer. Who cares what anyone else thinks.

JtheJazzMan · #9 02-15-2010, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassist1962

One of the first things I was warned of when I picked the DB back up, was that if I wanted to amplify my DB, that it could very easily start sounding like a fretless bass guitar with a 43" scale.

I am not trying to start a debate, just really coming to the realization that my mentor on DB was at least 10 years retired, never played amplified, and absolutely hated steel strings. So when I bought a set of Spirocores, even though he was a ('open minded') jazz player, he freaked out on me about the bright sound. Talking about how thin it was, etc. Just like a bass guitar.

I think of it like this: You are a painter, your instrument is your paintbrush, and your colours and subject matter are the styles and manner in which you play.

Your choice in instruments will affect the final product, but how do you objectively claim 1 artist outcome is better than another? You cannot.

As for amplification, the same scorn of technology occurs in the visual arts realm.

Personally, a magnetic pickup on a DB does sound very similar to a fretless BG. But to say any kind of amplification of a DB sounds makes it sound like a BG is demonstrably and objectively wrong.

There is nothing wrong or less valid with treating a DB like an electro acoustic instrument.

bassist1962 · #10 02-16-2010, 03:55 AM

Thanks for the responses guys. I just do what I do, and am going to sound the way I sound no matter what I am playing.

I have had numerous band mates tell me that my BG to sounds like a guitar. (of course it does, it's a bass what?) They want it to sound more like a DB. They are amazed when they find out that I know how to play (let alone own) a DB. Even more amazed when they hear that it has a lot more midrange definition than low end boom. Most people that have given me this attitude have never heard one up close and personal, only recordings.

Paul Warburton · #11 02-16-2010, 06:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bootzilla

The dude in the vid compared his playing fluidity to that of a guitar player

Unbelievable.

bassist1962 · #12 02-17-2010, 04:00 AM

I found the string reference. From Gollihur Music refering to EP's:

'Their sound is akin to Pirastro's popular Obligato strings, but they also have marked differences. They have less sustain than most metal-core strings; their damping is such that their sustain is nice, but isn't overdone or "electric-bassy" sounding. '

Eric Hochberg · #13 02-19-2010, 10:48 AM

Seems like this confusion might be only a matter of relative tone to non-bass players. More high mids and highs = bass guitar, less high mids and highs = double bass, no matter which instrument you play.

bassist1962 · #14 02-20-2010, 09:14 AM

Please, don't get me wrong. I know there is a difference in tone between acoustic and electric, gut and steel. In my personal experience, everyone I have played for in the electric medium wants my electric to sound like the acoustic, but then when these same people actually hear the acoustic up close and personal, they are amazed that it doesn't actually sound the way they preconceived it due to the fact that they have never heard one up close before, only recordings. And they all think I am doing something to make it sound that way. Yeah, I am. I am letting the string and the wood speak for themselves.

There is a distinct difference in the sound of the acoustic and electric guitar, and everyone accepts that. But IME, no one wants to accept that fact when it comes to bass.

By the way the same people that have a problem with me playing the electric with a pick, slightly distorted, and melodic, accuse me of being a wannabe guitarist, have no problem asking me to use the bow and play cello parts on the acoustic. What a mindset!