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Bass For Rockabilly
- Thread starter KrZyJr
- Start date
seriously, you can fit an upright in ANY car. Ive seen it done. Not to mention, rockabilly on an electric is down right boring.
Yes, I had forgotten about that one.
I used to use a Dano RI Longhorn (with the stick bridge) with Labella nylon tapewounds and sometimes a foam mute...it worked very well indeed.
I was going to mention Danelectros as well...they were part of the "tic-tac" sound, after all.
If you're a purist, get a stand up.
If you want a good bass sound, bring a short scale electric bass with flats.
If you want a good bass sound, bring a short scale electric bass with flats.
Back in /80's I was in a rockabilly band called the Rockaholics; I played a p-bass with flats thru an SVT stack and never heard anybody complain about the sound.
My upright fits easily in my SUV, with plenty of room for an amp and two passengers.
You can't really slap upright style on an electric. For those that don't know, slapping on an upright is different than on a electric. The goal is to make a click sound between notes, for drum like rhythm.
This is my Rockabilly trio... a 1960 Hofner 500/3, a 3/4 size upright, and a CiJ '51 Precision...
Obviously the upright is first call for the majority of Sun-type rockabilly, and most purist audiences will want to to see one. But in later post-Sun styles, 'straight eighth' rhythms are quite common and these are often ineffective on an upright, so the electric is sometimes preferable (particularly Eddie Cochran, and the faster Jerry Lee Lewis stuff).
By the way, an electric basses can be slapped rockabilly-style by plucking the root/5ths with 1st or 2nd finger, then slapping twice with the palm of the hand to create the ''boom-chakka boom-chakka" effect. It's tricky but with practice and the right strings/eq the effect is pretty convincing, particularly on a hollow body, (try practicing it along with Johnny Cash's early stuff). It's good fun and the technique can be transferred across to the upright when you get hold of one.
Obviously the upright is first call for the majority of Sun-type rockabilly, and most purist audiences will want to to see one. But in later post-Sun styles, 'straight eighth' rhythms are quite common and these are often ineffective on an upright, so the electric is sometimes preferable (particularly Eddie Cochran, and the faster Jerry Lee Lewis stuff).
By the way, an electric basses can be slapped rockabilly-style by plucking the root/5ths with 1st or 2nd finger, then slapping twice with the palm of the hand to create the ''boom-chakka boom-chakka" effect. It's tricky but with practice and the right strings/eq the effect is pretty convincing, particularly on a hollow body, (try practicing it along with Johnny Cash's early stuff). It's good fun and the technique can be transferred across to the upright when you get hold of one.
Where is the rulebook that says rock-a-billy has to be played with a double bass?
True rock-a-billy would mostly be played with an upright, but you can do your own thing, play the style with your own feel to it.
Actually, it wouldn't be unheard of to play electric bass and early rock or rock-a-billy. The Beatles did a lot of rock-country or rock-a-billy type stuff early on and McCartney did it all on his Hofner.
True rock-a-billy would mostly be played with an upright, but you can do your own thing, play the style with your own feel to it.
Actually, it wouldn't be unheard of to play electric bass and early rock or rock-a-billy. The Beatles did a lot of rock-country or rock-a-billy type stuff early on and McCartney did it all on his Hofner.
Maybe i should of mentioned that my SUV isnt a Tahoe or Yukon, im taking about a 2 door ford explorer, so it is half the size of your average SUV... i do know that a Upright is the main bass used but i was just asking because i wanted to know what would be preferred between P or J, when i could i will buy the Upright but until then i cant, You guys gave me some great ideas and i respect every single one of them, this forum is awesome you guys respond right away and give very different ideas, I will go with the Flatwounds with a P bass then i will get the Upright after i get my bonuses at work and that will seal the deal.... Thanks alot guys
