Double bass sound

[MF1018]

I tried searching this but I couldn't find an answer, so here it goes. Are there any effects pedals out there that makes your electric bass sound like a double bass? Has anybody out there experimented to find that sound? I am really new at effects, so any input would be appreciated. Thanks!!

[totalimmortal08]

To my knowledge, I don't think something like that exist. Learn to play one, they are a lot of fun.

[Spacelordmother]

"Many men have tried."

"They tried and failed?"

"They tried and died."



...don't put your hand in the box.

[moggieman]

buy a fretless bass and hold it vertically. pluck the strings closer to the neck. haha

[Geist]

Originally Posted by Spacelordmother

"Many men have tried."

"They tried and failed?"

"They tried and died."



...don't put your hand in the box.

It's not quite that extreme, but I'm no kwisatz Haderach.
The closest you can get to the upright sound without having an upright is by using a fretless acoustic bass guitar with a well tuned eq and the right finger technique

[Jim Carr]

Originally Posted by MF1018

I tried searching this but I couldn't find an answer, so here it goes. Are there any effects pedals out there that makes your electric bass sound like a double bass? Has anybody out there experimented to find that sound? I am really new at effects, so any input would be appreciated. Thanks!!

This is a popular topic, so be sure to do a search if you haven't yet. I am not certain if you are seeking the sound of a double bass played pizz. in Jazz style, bluegrass style, electric bass-like style, or even classical pizz. Then of course there is arco, which has been discussed in the effects forum fairly recently. I am assuming you want a Jazz style Pizz sound. We all "know it when we hear it," though "it" is made up of a lot more than just the instrument itself.

When searching, you may have not have found the answer you wanted, but IMHO, there IS an answer. I am reposting the answer I gave to a related question in the technique forum, because I believe is applies here, too. YMMV.

Here it is:

Flat wounds, tape wounds, playing over the 20th fret, fretless, adding a mute, palm muting, EQ, [effects] etc., ALL, IMHO don't do it.

My sincere suggestions:

1) Before you can get a really fine upright sound, you need to honestly understand what it is. A lot of it is style, including incredible time, superb walking skills, harmonic sophistication, imagination and artistic mastery of the demands of one of the MOST difficult instruments. I suggest listening to Paul Chambers, Scott LaFaro, Ray Brown, Charles Mingus, and Christian McBride a great deal, if you have not done so.

2) At the same time, own and learn to play a reasonably good double bass, n.b., pizz AND arco. Explore the joys of assorted strings, pickups, pre-amps, small specialized amps, etc.

3) With a clear tone ideal now in mind, and solid idea of what the expressive world of the double bass is, then try the 20th fret pluck (or fretless), flats, mutes, EQ, etc. on electric again. Realize that it FAILS.

4) Buy a bigger car (if needed) and haul the upright knowing there is no substitute, except maybe a Rob Allen with an ebony fingerboard. They come closest of all those I have heard or played. Not the same or very close, but closest.

I am serious.

[ga_edwards]

I find for some styles a little slap back echo added to the above suggestions can help can that rockabilly string slap vibe.

A cheaper option than a proper double bass would be an Ashbory if you can find one. Smaller than a bass guitar, but can get very close to double bass tones.

BTW, I assume you mean a plucked double bass. Somone else here posted some examples of a simulated arco (bowed) double bass sound acheived with a gated reverb pedal. Sounded quite convincing.

[dmusic148]

Originally Posted by Jim Carr

This is a popular topic, so be sure to do a search if you haven't yet. I am not certain if you are seeking the sound of a double bass played pizz. in Jazz style, bluegrass style, electric bass-like style, or even classical pizz. Then of course there is arco, which has been discussed in the effects forum fairly recently. I am assuming you want a Jazz style Pizz sound. We all "know it when we hear it," though "it" is made up of a lot more than just the instrument itself.

When searching, you may have not have found the answer you wanted, but IMHO, there IS an answer. I am reposting the answer I gave to a related question in the technique forum, because I believe is applies here, too. YMMV.

Here it is:

Flat wounds, tape wounds, playing over the 20th fret, fretless, adding a mute, palm muting, EQ, [effects] etc., ALL, IMHO don't do it.

My sincere suggestions:

1) Before you can get a really fine upright sound, you need to honestly understand what it is. A lot of it is style, including incredible time, superb walking skills, harmonic sophistication, imagination and artistic mastery of the demands of one of the MOST difficult instruments. I suggest listening to Paul Chambers, Scott LaFaro, Ray Brown, Charles Mingus, and Christian McBride a great deal, if you have not done so.

2) At the same time, own and learn to play a reasonably good double bass, n.b., pizz AND arco. Explore the joys of assorted strings, pickups, pre-amps, small specialized amps, etc.

3) With a clear tone ideal now in mind, and solid idea of what the expressive world of the double bass is, then try the 20th fret pluck (or fretless), flats, mutes, EQ, etc. on electric again. Realize that it FAILS.

4) Buy a bigger car (if needed) and haul the upright knowing there is no substitute, except maybe a Rob Allen with an ebony fingerboard. They come closest of all those I have heard or played. Not the same or very close, but closest.

I am serious.

^ Yep. He's right. I was gonna suggest the Guild Ashbory bass. They have a sound that reminds you of a DB. Not the same, but reminiscent.
I've heard Steve Swallow get a convincing sound from his Citron.

[Jim Carr]

Originally Posted by dmusic148

^ Yep. He's right. I was gonna suggest the Guild Ashbory bass. They have a sound that reminds you of a DB. Not the same, but reminiscent.
I've heard Steve Swallow get a convincing sound from his Citron.

Steve Swallow's playing and mastery are what makes it really work, IMHO.