Electric Standup....

Joaquin · #1 11-16-2012, 07:06 PM

Any electric standups I should look at. Looking for something that will mix in well with a jazz fusion band.......

john m · #2 11-16-2012, 07:18 PM

My Azola Bug bass is my main instrument.
It has a floating top and 5 strings (high C).

Look for a used one. Strings make all the difference.
Thomastiks for straight ahead jazz, something softer and thumpier for a less sustaining sound.

For fusion--- NS CR5M would fit the bill if you like the feel. I don't like the version (not sure of the model),
with the "channeled out back of the neck".

pointbass · #3 11-16-2012, 07:18 PM

Look no further than a Barker Vertical Bass. I'm a jazz (fusion & traditional) guy, have some incredible basses, but this Barker smokes them all

. I have a ton of clips in live settings if you'd like to hear what it can do ...

tkozal · #4 11-17-2012, 04:59 AM

the folks on the DB side have some good opinions on this. I use a NS Design CR4M. But my shoulder is gone, so is playing that for now.

One Bad Monkey · #5 11-17-2012, 05:23 AM

I have a NS Design CR5M myself that I use for anything that my upright would've done. The neck and scale was a very big consideration for me, since I was buying my NS to replace my upright; it had to be the same scale and radiused so I could bow it. It also had to sound as authentic as something like this can, and with a set of actual URB strings, it's great.

pointbass · #6 11-17-2012, 06:01 AM

The thing I really didn't / don't like with so many of the stick basses is the skimpy body. I just can't get comfortable with that "2x4" look. DB is my first and primary instrument, but after lugging that thing around since I was a kid I'm tired of fighting for space. Also, as a primarily jazz player, I was initially concerned about bringing an electric upright to many of these gigs.

It was even more of a concern using the Barker, since it's just a bass guitar played vertically. I'm rarely worried about what others think, but a vertical bass guitar with a strange body might have been pushing things a bit. Once they heard it, no worries at all, if anything I think they appreciated having come extra square footage on the stage

I'm an old (61) DB guy that comes from a classically trained rigid background with hard core jazz roots, and even I don't get the grumpy old man thing associated with the DB side. All I know is that when I go on the gig with the Barker, the players don't care what it looks like. Personally, I love the Barker, love playing it, love not having to fight for physical and sonic playing room ....

The only other axe that seems interesting is the Eminence 5 string, but I haven't had the opportunity to gig one. I'd love to hear opinions on that, too ....

mongo2 · #7 11-17-2012, 06:02 AM

I've used a NS CR4M, built/converted several of my own 34" scale basses to work as electric uprights, but I now use purpose-built a 30" scale DIY EUB.

bongomania · #8 11-17-2012, 06:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joaquin

Any electric standups I should look at. Looking for something that will mix in well with a jazz fusion band.......

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f101/
^^^^ here ^^^^

nukes_da_bass · #9 11-17-2012, 06:54 AM

Ergo upright. Affordable and they have the "feel" of upright action.

Turxile · #10 11-17-2012, 07:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pointbass

Look no further than a Barker Vertical Bass. I'm a jazz (fusion & traditional) guy, have some incredible basses, but this Barker smokes them all

. I have a ton of clips in live settings if you'd like to hear what it can do ...

Is that a 34" scale EB neck on a large body? Good idea I must admit. Easy to play, I can see it, sounding good, and has the looks if 1st impressions are important.. Any clips?

khutch · #11 11-17-2012, 07:36 AM

I don't play one myself, I've only tossed around the idea of trying one and now that I am unemployed even that is on the back burner. I did go so far as to chat with Jesse at Ergo Instruments and found him to be very helpful and generous with his time. I was torn between a cello and a bass so I approached him with the notion of making an instrument with a 34 inch scale which I am of course quite familiar with that could use bass guitar strings. It seemed even more attractive to me since I tune my bass guitar like a cello and I would basically have a bowable upright hybrid instrument that I could feel right at home on. His comment to me was that if I wanted to bow the instrument I would not be happy with bass guitar strings. Double bass and cello strings are made to be bowed as you would expect, bass guitar strings are not and they do not bow well as a consequence. Something to keep in mind if you intend to bow the instrument. Ergo seemed like a nice option though. It is reasonably priced, made in the US, and can be customized if you like.

Ken

pointbass · #12 11-17-2012, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Turxile

Is that a 34" scale EB neck on a large body? Good idea I must admit. Easy to play, I can see it, sounding good, and has the looks if 1st impressions are important.. Any clips?

Yes, EB neck, but 35"scale .... the visual appearance of an upright does help a bit, but mostly to the non-musicians. My bass was custom built, it's the only 6 string Barker has ever made. The BVB's are all 34" scale, fretted or fretless, 4 or 5 string.

Here's some live clips, recording quality isn't great but not terrible, either (Zoom H2). I host an open jazz jam with my trio and these are clips from there. Then first is my trio, the 2nd has some sit-in's on drums, vocals (that gal is in her mid-'80's

, sings pretty good) and horn .... amp is the backline GK something through a GK 210...

https://www.onlinefilefolder.com/1swBTmicKc5zAo

https://www.onlinefilefolder.com/1slXlVEmrzqJAQ

A few more pics

Turxile · #13 11-17-2012, 10:35 AM

Thanks pointbass.
Good sound, good playing.
I'm tempted.
I think that the visual fit to the music is very important, it's like a costume. I bet if you play in exactly the same way, the same bass, but with an EB body strapped around your neck, the audience's perception will be different.

Mojo-Man · #14 11-17-2012, 11:02 AM

Azola Bug, love mine.

mongo2 · #15 11-17-2012, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Turxile

Thanks pointbass.

I think that the visual fit to the music is very important, it's like a costume. I bet if you play in exactly the same way, the same bass, but with an EB body strapped around your neck, the audience's perception will be different.

Very true. Since I've started playing electrics modded to mount on my CR4M EUB stand a few years ago, I've lost count of how many people have commented that whatever bass I'm using sounds just like an upright. I know the basses don't sound anywhere close to an upright (I have an upright to compare them to), and they aren't intended to sound like an upright, but the visual effect seems to imply that sound to a lot of folks.