Bass with the most piano-like sound?

[Led Hendrix]

So I found this video on youtube of John Entwistle playing from the DVD "The Kids Are Alright", except it's just him isolated. Me and my dad both agree that his sound is irregular from most bass sounds, and instead sounds more like a piano. Do you guys know what bass will give you this kind of sound? I'm looking in the "used" market and my budget is probably around 400-500 tops. I was also thinkin' that using these strings will help:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/prod...ular-Light-Long-Scale-Bass-Strings?sku=104382
The description does say piano-like sound, so I'm going to trust them.

 

[fenderhutz]

Tons of treble and if it's the video I saw an Alembic.

Technique (light touch) and a killer bass. I guess the player is ok too.

 

[poomwah]

I know noone is going to believe this, but its true, you can get that sound out of a bc rich heritage classic mockingbird. everyone that checked mine out so far freaked out and that was the most common comment that it had that piano like sound to it.
they are 600 dollars new, so a used one should be well within your budget

 

[mccartneyman]

Round wound strings -- Entwistle used Rotosound Swing Bass. I've found that two-pickup basses work best because they give you a better blend of front pickup to balance the extreme treble of the bridge pickup.

 

[Mike Shevlin]

When i read this post the first thing that came to mind was Alembic (what John ususally played), but I don't think that you will see one for 500 bucks.

 

[Illbay]

Do you guys know what bass will give you this kind of sound?

A Steinway.

(N.B. Didn't you figure out from the video what he was playing? I know he played a Firebird from time to time, but I have to admit I'm not an Entwhistle expert).

 

[bassist 4 life]

First thing that came to mind was alembic too.

 

[alembicbones]

Piano like is a very common description of the type of tone that can be congered up by an Alembic. I would tend to agree. However, and as stated before, the player's technique is definitely a big factor too.

Bones

 

[waterdog]

+100 on the RotoSounds. Try 'em on somethin' you already own.....
Jim

 

[Baryonyx]

When i read this post the first thing that came to mind was Alembic (what John ususally played), but I don't think that you will see one for 500 bucks.

No chance.

 

[Barkless Dog]

RD ARTIST, I find rotosounds too trebley for the RD . I like roundwound Carvin strings. Fenderbird- roundwounds of coarse, Ken Smith lights

 

[joeyl]

the taperwound E that comes on stock Am Std Fenders has that piano like clarity to it. I changed the strings because the E was too different from the other 3 strings but it did sound good though

 

[The Hammer]

the isolated bass from the "Kids are Alright" is John playing his Alembic Exploiter. You might want to look at something with active electronics and a treble eq but the amp you use is just as important for the Entwisle sound

 

[lefty007]

US Spector neck-through with bright rounds. Sounds like a Steinway.

 

[kevteop]

I would imagine a 12-string probably sounds closest to a piano.

 

[Baryonyx]

US Spector neck-through with bright rounds. Sounds like a Steinway.

+1

I was just thinking that my Spector sounds like a piano with that amazing clarity and "bang", and it's a bolt on...perhaps even more condusive to piano tones!

 

[Stay Gold 1337]

i used to have a washburn bantam steinberger copy that sounded very piano-like.

 

[Baryonyx]

i used to have a washburn bantam steinberger copy that sounded very piano-like.

I hear nothing but good things about the tone of those bantam basses!

 

[bobyoung53]

Round wound strings -- Entwistle used Rotosound Swing Bass. I've found that two-pickup basses work best because they give you a better blend of front pickup to balance the extreme treble of the bridge pickup.

Yup, Rotosound RS-66 strings, they have very little bottom compared to most strings including most round wounds, they are mostly overtones which is what your hear from a piano. As long as you have a bass which can reproduce all the sounds out of these strings you should be OK, which I also agree two pickup basses. Rotos were designed for that sound specifically at Entwistle's request. The problem with them is that they die in about a month if you play a lot or play hard.

 

[SRT80]

I was on musiciansfriend the other day checkin' out strings and someone had made a complaint about some strings makin' their bass sound like a piano. I can't think of the strings to save my life. Might be the ones others has listed here. Just can't remember...

Steve