What makes a good solo bass?

[funkalicious101]

Hi, I have been working on some solo bass tunes lately and have thought that i could use a bass better suited for solo bass.

I [try to] play Steve Lawson-esque melodic looping bass and I currently use two fender jazz basses, one fretted and one fretless, they sound great but i have decided that they are somewhat restrictive (4 strings and only 20 fets, yikes!) so I am looking for something with 6 strings.

So I am wondering, what makes a bass well suited for solo bass. Im not only lookinf for brands and models but also sounds and dimensions that make a good solo bass bass (that sounds kinda weird).

Thank you,
Sam

[spade2you]

The number of strings doesn't need to limit your creativity. Sometimes the lack of strings can force you to come up with some creative fret tapping patters like Stu Hamm has been doing for years.

Whilest Steve and Michael are doing other important stuff, here is my 2 centavos......

Probably one of the more important things for any bass for soloing or solo work is to have low action. Honestly, with me it's 50% technique, 50% good action on my basses. Give me something with high action and I can't really do what I want to do.

Fortunately, most stuff from luthiers can give you some action that would make guitarists jealous.

After that, it's all about your personal preferances.

[Supernova67]

I really don't think 4 strings is to restrictive. I get by with a Schecter Stiletto Studio 4, and a fretless jazz. I think I cover plenty of range.

My Solo Bass Myspace

[chadds]

are they applauding because you really got them or they are happy you stopped soloing?

[hasbeen]

I have a 4, 5 and 6 string fretless. I also bought a 6 string fretted with "solo bass" in mind. Funny thing, I still do most of my solo stuff on the 4 string fretless.....without looping.

If I were to do some solo bass like Mike Dimin (which I don't......whish I did), I would use the 6 string more. He uses MTD. Why, well, you'd have to ask him but I think its because of the balance and clarity. He does lots of chords and that tone helps.

[chinjazz]

What I usually do before buying another bass is re-string my bass to a higher register like A-D-G-C. or on a 5 string E-A-D-G-C. It's a cheap way to experiment (the cost of a new set of strings). Also, you may find that some strings may buzz, etc. If you're handy with this stuff then it's not a big deal.

[Jazz Ad]

I think a good solo bass is a bass you know very well, on which you feel really comfortable.
This way you can think about music and forget mechanics.

[Bruce Lindfield]

Jaco only needed....

[c_joseph_lier]

What makes a good solo Bass? ... Your hands ... Seriously ... I used to own a Ken Smith 6 String bass, and thought that having this more expensive, and tonally wide-ranged instrument would inspire me, but it was uncomfortable for me to play, and it brought out no inspiration... If you can sit down with a Bass Guitar, noodle around and lose track of time (hours passing like minutes) then you have your creative tool. Don't look at the color, the make or the price tag to find what inspires you. But that's just my thoughts.

Joe

[Alun]

I wouldn't worry too much about only having four strings - listen to Jeff Berlin's chordal work or some of Jaco or Michael's work on four string, at no point do I find myself wishing they had more range available.

My personal preference (in total contradiction to the above ) is a six string, but that's also my main "normal" bass. as a result, I don't use a particularly low action, I leave it set up as I would on a normal gig. Low action can make the instrument easier to play but it can sometimes stifle the tone a bit too.

Cheers,
Alun

[sublime0bass]

i took my mexican 4 string squier and made it into a tenor bass (ADGC)

even with that crappy p-pickup and my poor soldering job, it still sounds pretty

[funkalicious101]

well, I would just like more range sometimes, even in a band situation so a 6 string was in my cross-hairs in the first place.

I also figure I should look for something with a clearer tone aswell, something like a P-bass or a Stringray tone just wouldnt seem to compliment solo bass.

[Alun]

Originally Posted by funkalicious101

well, I would just like more range sometimes, even in a band situation so a 6 string was in my cross-hairs in the first place.

I also figure I should look for something with a clearer tone aswell, something like a P-bass or a Stringray tone just wouldnt seem to compliment solo bass.

I know what you mean, but you might want to listen to Colin Hodgkinson, who has played both Precisions and Stingrays as solo instruments - it's not the typical "solo bass" tone but works for the bluesy type of music he plays.

I personally prefer a clearer, active bass for solo gigs - particularly if I'm going to be going straight into the PA as the onboard EQ gives me more control.

Cheers,
Alun

[Basslover]

I definitely agree that the number of strings doesn't matter - it is all about a combination of musicality and heart plus technique.
Check out this youtube video, when victor breaks a string and is using only three: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9tg4okrbYVE

I do think that you should have a clear crisp tone so that when strumming chords or tapping, the notes are distinguishable. You don't want to sound too muddled. Therefore, I think you should have a decent amount of treble in your sound.

It also might be an idea to look into piccolo strings: you can tune them just about across the range of a whole octave. You could then tune two strings on your bass low and two strings high to create interesting voicings, etc... Manring uses these strings on his hyperbass and Jeff Schmidt uses them as well.

As previously stated, the action being low is very important - especially for tapping I think. Also, I think that for solo bass, being able to achieve rich harmonics is essential (but that depends on style of course). The type of pickups on your bass can play a key role in this.

cheers