Bass guitar with upright like tone?

[Rich48]

I 'm sure this has been asked before, but I did not have much luck with my search.
I'm sitting here listening to some Charlie Haden and being blown away with his tone. I know a bass guitar is never going to sound exactly like an upright, but is there anything that even gets in the ballpark? And just to make it harder I would prefer something with frets. Thanks, and sorry if something like this has already been posted

 

[Bodeanly]

Ibanez SRH500, preferably in Dragon Eye Burst. I've played the fretless and it was as close as I've ever heard. I'd imagine, tonally, that the fretted version will sound similar, but you're aware that uprights are fretless, yes? You'd be missing a key ingredient for that dish.

 

[bholder]

Enjoy some pleasant reading on the subject here: Electric bass guitars that "sound like an upright"

 

[Rob Martinez]

Kay re issue with flats can do it. Hofner hollowbody violin or club bass with flats too.

 

[LeSonyr]

Rob Allen Mouse. Just sayin'

 

[Rib 13]

but is there anything that even gets in the ballpark?

For ballpark, on any bass: you can use any string, including roundwounds, but tapewounds work best (just not practical for me if I need to get Marcus Miller slap on the following song).....if you have two pickups, use the one closest to the neck (Roll down tone to taste for passive bass; roll down highs for active...the type of string dictates how much you remove)....Move your plucking hand to the area where you normally would play slap bass toward the neck.....Using the side of your thumb, gently "pick" the string with a palm mute...It takes a little practice to get the thumb pick/palm mute timing correctly. For left hand, slide into some of the hanging notes..Back in the 80s, this was the "faux upright" technique used by us working bass players in Top 40 bands
....Doesnt sound like an upright by itself but works very well in the context of the band

 

[MrLenny1]

Rob Allen

 

[Stumbo]

Ibanez SRH500, preferably in Dragon Eye Burst. I've played the fretless and it was as close as I've ever heard. I'd imagine, tonally, that the fretted version will sound similar, but you're aware that uprights are fretless, yes? You'd be missing a key ingredient for that dish.

Possibly buy the fretless and have it lined.

 

[mikeoso]

A big-body acoustic bass guitar, tapewounds, and an under-saddle transducer. Use the side of your fingers or your thumb, and get close to the neck. Use damping when you can.

 

[Bodeanly]

Possibly buy the fretless and have it lined.: Thumbsup

I believe it's already lined. I can't recall for sure, but I'm trying to forget about that bass. I'm trying really hard.

 

[buldog5151bass]

Best I have found is a big ABG with flats. Part of it also is the technique. I've been playing jazz for a decade trying to get the tone. It can't really be done.

 

[jd56hawk]

You won't get closer than the right acoustic bass with tapewounds.
Had to block some guy on Facebook after he said I was miming playing my Dean Exotica along to this song when anyone with ears can tell the difference.

(New improved recording. Headphones are recommended.)

 

[TolerancEJ]

If your budget allows it, you could look into an FBass ACC (Alain Caron Classic). Alain had this particular model designed specifically to sound as close as possible to an upright.
ACC - Classic | F Bass, Inc

 

[hrodbert696]

A big-body acoustic bass guitar, tapewounds, and an under-saddle transducer. Use the side of your fingers or your thumb, and get close to the neck. Use damping when you can.

This, though I wouldn't say it has to be big-body. I use a fretless Godin A4 ultra, and I'd say it's as close as anything I've heard.

 

[Mantis Tobaggan]

fretless p bass with tone knob turned all the way to the right.

 

[amper]

I 'm sure this has been asked before, but I did not have much luck with my search.

This question has been asked ad infinitum. My recommendation is:

a fretless bass
flatwound strings
piezo pickups
mutes
a preamp designed for acoustic instruments with piezo pickups
a transparent compressor
play using upright technique

I am currently using a Boss AD-2 Acoustic Preamp pedal and BC-1X Bass Comp, but I have also used a tc electronic BodyRez and SpectraComp to good effect. I would like to try the Fishman Pro Platinum someday.

That is as close as you are ever going to get to an upright bass sound without actually using either an actual upright bass, or something like a Toby Chennell Arco Acoustic Bass or maybe a Takamine TB-10 archtop acoustic bass.

You can hear the Chennell Arco in this video at 0:13

 

[TL23NC]

I 'm sure this has been asked before, but I did not have much luck with my search.
I'm sitting here listening to some Charlie Haden and being blown away with his tone. I know a bass guitar is never going to sound exactly like an upright, but is there anything that even gets in the ballpark? And just to make it harder I would prefer something with frets. Thanks, and sorry if something like this has already been posted

Uke bass with rubber strings. I have a Gold Tone Microbass and with the original Thundergut strings it sounds like an upright. They come in fretless or fretted versions

 

[Bill Staudt]

Fretless Kala U-Bass.

 

[oren]

Charlie Haden did have the most amazing huge tone ever. He is truly missed.

The Godin Acoustibass was specifically designed to sound like an upright, with a piezo pickup and Preamp designed by LR Baggs, and a set of resonating tines inside its hollow body. They were only made for a few years in the 90s. I recently posted about mine, with a sound clip, at
OBD - Godin Acoustibass

Mine has Chromes on it, perhaps it would sound more like an upright with tape wounds.

 

[bholder]

Just my nominations from other threads:

Christopher Double Bass Guitar:

As close as I've ever heard.

Wendler Electrocoustic 5 string fretless:

Also very very close, a little less expensive.