Best strings to emulate an upright bass

[sonojono]

La Bella's it is. I do recall some moons ago using d addario black nylons when I was in a Beatles funk although I had a bad experience with the d addario and was not using proper technique or knew the foam under the bridge

Now that I've been taking my bass playing more seriously I will definitely try out the foam trick and will absolutely try the La Bella blacks

 

[hsp-sandiego]

Thomastik-Infeld JF344 - soft and supple, huge mwah.

 

[static0verdrive]

I liked La Bella Low Tension Flexible Flats on my fretless jazz, neck pickup turned down a little (bridge pup all the way up), tone knob turned down a little. Especially with a little less neck relief so there was a little more mwah - very cool approximation of an upright for much cheaper Squier VM!

 

[ldryder]

Use LaBella 0760M (Jamerson set), and then stuff some foam under the strings and up against the bridge. That should give you the upright bass sound that you're looking for.

 

[lz4005]

I find that muting either with your palm or a hunk of foam at the bridge goes a lot farther at getting that upright sound than any particular string.

Technique, muting, EQ and maybe adding a tiny bit of reverb are all more important than string type for getting the sound OP is after.

 

[jg42]

I also use LaBella Black Nylon Tapes on my G&L 2500 fretless. I own 2 2500s and have modified them to full passive and run both pickups on the outer coils.
I also run my amps with the EQ set mostly flat so the sound I hear is just my bass.
with that I also pluck higher up the neck using the side of my index finger. This combination gives me a very close upright sound.
I hopened this helps.
View attachment 656167

That is a beautiful & classy looking bass! is it a stock color?

 

[theduke1]

That is a beautiful & classy looking bass! is it a stock color?

I have seen 4 other swirl finishes besides mine but only in pictures.
I am the 2nd owner of this 1997 fretless. I don't know how many of the swirl finishes are out there, when it was offered or if it can be had again. I have been told that the swirl finishes are rare.
Oh and BTW
it plays and sounds as good as it looks.
Thanks

 

[jg42]

Oh and BTW
it plays and sounds as good as it looks.
Thanks

Now THAT IS expected. I've never seen a G&L that sounded bad.

 

[000_Unknown]

 

[P-oddz]

Tape wounds. With foam at the bridge. In an acoustic.

 

[devnulljp]

Chuck a big wad of foam under the strings down by the bridge and roll the tone off a bit. After that, you might not even have to change strings, but if you do Labella tapewounds would be my choice (I did this for a while with a jazz band, then eventually just gave up and bought an upright).

 

[Jay2U]

Upright strings?

 

[CatSquare]

I remember doing a bunch of string research chasing the upright tone, and then realizing that changing my technique did way more than all the gear in the world ever could (other than an upright bass). It's all about having the right touch whilst playing over the fingerboard. The tapewound strings are a step in that direction, but they also leave you with an unnecessarily limited tone. I can make my bass sound quite woody and uprighty with chromes of all things!

 

[1954bassman]

I find that muting either with your palm or a hunk of foam at the bridge goes a lot farther at getting that upright sound than any particular string.

Same here.

 

[1954bassman]

+1 for the La Bellas. Add a foam mute at the bridge. Play over the end of the neck and use a soft attack. I angle my right hand so I am hitting the strings with the side of my finger or I use my thumb.

Again, ditto

 

[chuck3]

Technique, muting, EQ and maybe adding a tiny bit of reverb are all more important than string type for getting the sound OP is after.

Second adding a tiny bit of reverb. Here's my rig if I'm trying to do what you're talking about.

 

[pnchad]

Yes, yes & yes

1. Technique
2. LaBella white or black tapes
3. Technique

Oh, and that tiny touch of 'verb is a good recommendation too.

 

[thebassguy86]

I also use LaBella Black Nylon Tapes on my G&L 2500 fretless. I own 2 2500s and have modified them to full passive and run both pickups on the outer coils.
I also run my amps with the EQ set mostly flat so the sound I hear is just my bass.
with that I also pluck higher up the neck using the side of my index finger. This combination gives me a very close upright sound.
I hopened this helps.
View attachment 656167

I can't believe no one has mentioned how BEAUTIFUL the finish on this bass is. I've owned (what I consider) high end basses, but I can't stop looking at this bass! Can I bother you for what the finish is "called"?

 

[theduke1]

I can't believe no one has mentioned how BEAUTIFUL the finish on this bass is. I've owned (what I consider) high end basses, but I can't stop looking at this bass! Can I bother you for what the finish is "called"?

It is no bother at all.
I don't know what the G&L official name is, but it is referred to as the swirl or the bowling ball finish.
and to repeat myself
it plays and sounds as good as it looks.
Thanks for noticing.

 

[fakeneckplate'65]

I think it's a combination of things. Sometimes I feel my Gibson SG bass w/ roundwounds sound very upright-esque with the tone rolled back & the neck pickup soloed, played just behind the neck pickup.