Bass For Rockabilly

[KrZyJr]

Just wondering what type of bass guitar you guys use for any type of Rockabilly music and what advantages P vs J bass for this type of music.

 

[6Steve6Harris6]

In an ideal situation, you probably want a stand-up bass for rockabilly.

However, given the choice between a P and a J, I'd probably use a muted Jazz.

 

[Jjango]

You might get beat up, showing up at a rockabilly gig with an electric.

 

[6Steve6Harris6]

Really, we're just concerned about your well-being.

 

[KrZyJr]

I been wanting the Upright Bass but i cant afford it quite yet and its too big to carry around in my SUV, but its something im considering for the future. But its nice to learn it on an electric bass for small occassions.

Im Just a big fan of rockabilly sound

 

[elgecko]

It helps if the upright has flames painted on it

 

[newbold]

get a guild starfire.

 

[experimental bassist]

Just wondering what type of bass guitar you guys use for any type of Rockabilly music and what advantages P vs J bass for this type of music.

If it was me it would be a P-bass with this required sticker:

Link Removed

The advantage of the P is less knobs, and you don't have the added weight of that burpy sounding pickup by the bridge.

 

[rcarraher]

Just wondering what type of bass guitar you guys use for any type of Rockabilly music and what advantages P vs J bass for this type of music.

The Fender Bass VI was kind of designed with rock a billy in mind....

 

[elgecko]

Whatever you get, string it with flatwounds and maybe a mute of some sort.

 

[dgce]

P bass with flats will do the trick. And I see no harm in playing rockabilly with a P bass. Its a hell of a lot more practical and authentic as well. They were around in the 50s after all.

 

[blues_bassist]

P-bass without a doubt. A jazz bass has too much of a forward sound (which is why people like John Paul Jones and John Entwistle used a J-Bass). P-basses have more of a classic sound.

 

[SKATE RAT]

if your gonna go with an electric use a hollow or semi hollow.

 

[rcarraher]

if your gonna go with an electric use a hollow or semi hollow.

I bet the Ibanex Artcores would be good, and not too expensive either. Chris Issacs bass player plays a hollow body.

 

[que-ever]

I been wanting the Upright Bass but i cant afford it quite yet and its too big to carry around in my SUV, but its something im considering for the future. But its nice to learn it on an electric bass for small occassions.

Im Just a big fan of rockabilly sound

what the hell is the point of the SUV if you can't fit anything in it! sell it, get a volvo station wagon, have enough money to buy an upright and room enough to carry it around.

 

[ooyy3]

p VS j?Go get yourself a 019-1500

 

[Eric Perry]

Gretsch

 

[JimmyM]

P bass with flats will do the trick. And I see no harm in playing rockabilly with a P bass. Its a hell of a lot more practical and authentic as well. They were around in the 50s after all.

Nobody used them in rockabilly back then, though. Actually, they didn't get much use at all until the early 60's. Took until the very late 50's-early 60's for the electric bass to catch on. However, since then, there have been some rockabilly style bands that use electric. But upright is greatly preferred.

 

[troyus]

Semi Hollowbody has a great tone for that. The Cassidy, Starfire, gretsch, etc.

 

[Metaltronix]

I just saw 3 Rockabilly / Psychobilly bands this past Tuesday and everyone of them had uprights. Not once have I ever witnessed any Rockabilly band on stage with anything but an upright. I would love to learn to play like that though.