Double Bass Defretted acoustic bass with tapewounds - DB 'substitute'?

[Guz2]

Hi guys

I've always really liked the sound of the double bass, and as I've been getting into jazz more and more recently I've decided that I'd like to own one. The problem is, I just don't have the money at the moment. So my question is, would a standard acoustic bass, defretted and fitted with tapewound strings, sound anything like a double bass? Obviously it wouldn't sound as authentic (hence 'substitute' rather than 'alternative') but would it work as a sort of temporary 'halfway house' between electric bass and double bass?

 

[Mushroo]

In my experience, that's something you'd have to discuss with the band leader.

If the gig requires upright bass, then the answer is probably "no."

If the gig doesn't require upright bass, then just play your electric, and save the money you would have spent on buying an acoustic bass guitar, defretting it, and installing tapewound strings toward your upright bass fund.

 

[MaxJohnson]

There is no substitute

 

[Stick_Player]

Hi guys

I've always really liked the sound of the double bass, and as I've been getting into jazz more and more recently I've decided that I'd like to own one. The problem is, I just don't have the money at the moment. So my question is, would a standard acoustic bass, defretted and fitted with tapewound strings, sound anything like a double bass? Obviously it wouldn't sound as authentic (hence 'substitute' rather than 'alternative') but would it work as a sort of temporary 'halfway house' between electric bass and double bass?

No.

But, there will be many (most) that are unable to tell the difference and will also think you are playing a guitar.

So, you are probably safe.

However, the playing technique is different. Make the move directly to a DB. Rent one. Take a few lessons. No one will think you are playing a guitar, either.

 

[Damon Rondeau]

I've actually tried this on a couple of jobs and the answer for me is "no". It sounds like a guitar. Acoustic bass guitars are *terrible* for volume, too, so you're going to have to amplify it. Then it just sounds like an electric bass guitar with feedback issues.

I've gotten a much closer faux DB sound with my Thumb bass and absolutey destroying any vestige of treble output from the pickups. "Closer" is the operative word. "Close" but definitely no cigar.

DB is DB is DB. Guitars are guitars.

 

[guroove]

IME, nothing sounds even close to a real upright bass, beside an upright. I have only found two electric uprights that get close. They are the Merchant vertical bass, and the [Invalid or Expired Link Removed].

 

[skychief]

There is no substitute

Sadly, this is true. I play a DB and sometimes a fretless J with tapes. They dont sound remotely similar, IMO.

The J with tapes still sounds like a bass guitar to me.

Im not saying you wont enjoy playing a fretless with tapes; just that don't expect too much.

 

[jallenbass]

Anything with a piezo pickup and tapewounds sounds pretty good in jazz to me. Does it sound like an upright? No. But if you transcribe Ray Brown, Paul Chambers etc. and play like that you'll probably be accepted in the jazz world. The notes/style you play is more important than the instrument.

 

[Marc Piane]

I need some aspirin or valium.

 

[MR PC]

To my ears, it sounds like what it is, but according to Bonnie Raitt's longtime bassist Hutch Hutchinson, an awful lot of people think he played double bass on "I Can't Make You Love Me' ..... in fact it's a Fretless Washburn AB 20 Acoustic Bass Guitar.

 

[lowfreqgeek]

Make the move directly to a DB. Rent one. Take a few lessons. No one will think you are playing a guitar, either.

Nope, they won't confuse it for a guitar, but they might confuse it for a cello.