I am an upright player for about 25 years. Because I'm now in a wheelchair, I find it easier to play electric bass. I can still play upright with the help of my standing wheelchair, but as I stated it's much easier to pick up the electric. I recently checked out Kurt Rosenwinel's album "Angels Around". The electric bassist Dario Deidda has a sound like an upright player. Does anyone know what kind of bass he plays and where I could find one? Any suggestions even on other instruments that emulate playing an upright are helpful.
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Electric bass that sounds like an upright
- Thread starter andkratz
- Start date
Before you get inundated with “there are a thousand threads about this already”, be forewarned it’s a topic that has been beaten to death here. But since you’re a DB player you likely already know that nothing really sounds just like an upright. You can get close by using a variety of electric basses, but most of it is in playing style and feel, with the actual instrument playing a lesser role.
I’ve been using an acoustic bass (Breedlove Solo Jumbo) that does a respectable job of mimicking an amplified DB, but so much is in the technique and phrasing that I think the bass itself is somewhat incidental.
I’ve been using an acoustic bass (Breedlove Solo Jumbo) that does a respectable job of mimicking an amplified DB, but so much is in the technique and phrasing that I think the bass itself is somewhat incidental.
The upright bass is generally known for the tonal aspect of a rapid note decay. Not that the instrument isn’t important (and strings, setup etc); but, there is quite a bit that you can get from certain techniques. As a reference, the first electric basses, which were intended to “mimic” the upright bass, were equipped with foam mutes near the bridge. In fact, they were standard equipment for at least the first decade of production at Fender.
You can use technique to achieve a similar result. Ed Friedland has an excellent video demonstrating the technique, well worth the time to study / digest.
You can use technique to achieve a similar result. Ed Friedland has an excellent video demonstrating the technique, well worth the time to study / digest.
technique and feel are most of the answer but, this with dead TI flats gets me within shooting range.
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Unless he's recently moved to something else for upright emulation duties, Dario Deidda plays a "Marcustico" by (Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain -based) luthier Joaquín Marco, of Marco Guitars and Bass.*
Link to the product page:
bajo acus
Several thousand bucks is the order of magnitude I'd expect it to cost.
...But yeah, dayum, is it uncanny how close it is!
* [Not to be confused with Brazilian-born, Portland, OR -based luthier Marco Cortes of Marco Bass Guitars.]
I'm guessing you've already heard "Nothing is going to sound like an upright because..." so I'll just say people really like this.
(Headphones are recommended)
Hi andkratz,
It looks like Deidda got that sound from a Marcustico bass.
Dario Deidda with Marcustico:
(More Marcustico videos: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=marcustico+bass)
You could get a similar sound from a Rob Allen or other semi-hollow bass with tapewound strings through a piezo pickup. I play a Rob Allen fretless and, though it's not going to sound exactly like an amplified upright, I think it does a decent approximation, while also being its own thing.
A less expensive alternative, using the same concept, would be an Ibanez SRH500f: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=ibanez+srh500f
Or, another approach you could perhaps take would be to use an electric upright, such as an NS Design or an Ibanez UB804 and lower the stand so you can play in a seated position?
NS Electric Upright Bass | EUB Brilliance by Ned Steinberger | NS Design
Omni Bass | Extraordinary 34" Scale EUB by Ned Steinberger | NS Design
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=ibanez+ub804
It looks like Deidda got that sound from a Marcustico bass.
Dario Deidda with Marcustico:
(More Marcustico videos: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=marcustico+bass)
You could get a similar sound from a Rob Allen or other semi-hollow bass with tapewound strings through a piezo pickup. I play a Rob Allen fretless and, though it's not going to sound exactly like an amplified upright, I think it does a decent approximation, while also being its own thing.
A less expensive alternative, using the same concept, would be an Ibanez SRH500f: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=ibanez+srh500f
Or, another approach you could perhaps take would be to use an electric upright, such as an NS Design or an Ibanez UB804 and lower the stand so you can play in a seated position?
NS Electric Upright Bass | EUB Brilliance by Ned Steinberger | NS Design
Omni Bass | Extraordinary 34" Scale EUB by Ned Steinberger | NS Design
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=ibanez+ub804
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In the words of Dave Pomeroy "any bass with LaBella tapewounds sounds like an upright"...
Rob Allen builds several models that support this theory.
Also there is a plethora of Uke basses that do an admirable job of sounding like an upright.
Good luck with your search.
Rob Allen builds several models that support this theory.
Also there is a plethora of Uke basses that do an admirable job of sounding like an upright.
Good luck with your search.
I've found plenty of comments about how decent the Ibanez Portamento is for imitating an upright. Not certain whether they're still in production, but there should be plenty around, and even new they're under $1000.
With 25 years of upright experience, you know how to play and articulate, and you know the sound you're going for. I'd think you could stuff a hair scrunchy in front of the bridge of one of these and do pretty great.
With 25 years of upright experience, you know how to play and articulate, and you know the sound you're going for. I'd think you could stuff a hair scrunchy in front of the bridge of one of these and do pretty great.
I don't know if this will help, but the NS Design NXT sounds amazingly like a real upright; yes it's an electric up, however a strap attachment can be purchased to hold it like a bass guitar.
The included stand adjusts to many different angles that it may be possible for you to position it on that to where you could comfortably play it.
They also make a shorter scale of that bass, I believe that it's called Omnibass. I cannot comment on how it sounds, but I like the sound of my NXT4, and know folks who play upright who've commented on how real it sounds.
The included stand adjusts to many different angles that it may be possible for you to position it on that to where you could comfortably play it.
They also make a shorter scale of that bass, I believe that it's called Omnibass. I cannot comment on how it sounds, but I like the sound of my NXT4, and know folks who play upright who've commented on how real it sounds.
Lots and lots and lots of us have been on this journey. There's no one answer. Some here will tell you that this bass or that bass sounds like an upright, kinda sorta. Some will tell you fretless basses sound more like an upright than fretted. Some will tell you it's more about the technique, to dull the sustain and play more thuddy. In the end, it'll be all up to you. I hope you will have a chance to try a few bass guitars and see if any of them get the sound you want. I'm doing well enough, sound-wise, playing an Epiphone Rumblekat bass (semi-hollow body) and using my thumb to pluck and my palm to kinda mute. Exactly like an upright? Nope. But about as close as I'm going to get, and it's okay by me. Good luck in your quest. It will likely be a long one, so enjoy it!
Look into WENDLER BASSES.
Gallery | Guitar Repair Kansas City | Luthier Acoustic Electric Guitar
I picked one up in a trade at my local shop and it’s a finely crafted instrument. It has a pickup.
Weighs about 6 lbs and sounds amazing. Fretless with Thomastiks.
Gallery | Guitar Repair Kansas City | Luthier Acoustic Electric Guitar
I picked one up in a trade at my local shop and it’s a finely crafted instrument. It has a pickup.
Weighs about 6 lbs and sounds amazing. Fretless with Thomastiks.
The Fender Rumble Studio/Stage moseling amp has 3 acoustic sim models, and if i run my EUB through #3 it sounds EXACTLY like my creaky old DB, pizz and arco. It's not so convincing with a fretted electric bass, but i think it would be just as effective with a fretless bass guitar or acoustic bass guitar.
None really. If it was me, precision with a foam, flats and higher action. It doesn't even have to be fretless. I play upright sometimes sitting. I hope you can keep playing it without much inconvenience.
Takamine TB10 can get closer than many fretless bass guitars. Still too much sustain though (IMHO).
The TB10 is 34" scale, but it has a neck contoured like an upright. Also it has an end pin, so you can play it vertically like an upright or cello, or you can play it horizontally like a bass guitar. No, despite reports, it's not possible to bow as there is not sufficient clearance. Not cheap.
There were also older versions with models such a B10 and PB30. The construction appears the same as the TB10 but they used different preamps, also some variation in wood selection. Not sure if all models were available in the US.
The TB10 is 34" scale, but it has a neck contoured like an upright. Also it has an end pin, so you can play it vertically like an upright or cello, or you can play it horizontally like a bass guitar. No, despite reports, it's not possible to bow as there is not sufficient clearance. Not cheap.
There were also older versions with models such a B10 and PB30. The construction appears the same as the TB10 but they used different preamps, also some variation in wood selection. Not sure if all models were available in the US.
Get a re-issue Kay electric hollowbody, throw on some Labella Flats, and then install a foam mute. It's close but no cigar.
As already stated, many have been on this quest for years without finding the grail. I have also been playing upright for about 20 years, but I started on electric bass many years before that. The members of the band where I use the upright prefer I play upright if possible, but in a lot of marathon jam sessions at festivals, hours on the upright translate into various levels of pain in several places on my body and extremities. For those occasions, I have moved to a downwrong electric bass. For several years I did everything possible to make my downwrong bass or acoustic downwrong bass sound like an upright. I finally figured out that I was the only one who cared about that. My band mates grew accustomed to my downwrong bass tone and actually prefer it now. Audiences could really care less or know less about the bass tone, so I’ve pretty much gone electric.
I usually play my Fender Mustang or newly acquired Epiphone EB-0 (both 30” scale basse) I use flat wound strings, I sometimes use a foam rubber mute under the strings and against the bridge. I have used a GK MB150e for years, but recently acquired an Ampeg SVT 210 AV that I use with a GK MB 500 and I prefer that rig to the single 12” MB 150e. This acoustic band is about the only circumstance where I use the tone knob on a bass. I roll off the tone 100% and sometimes cut the highs on the amp also. The EB-0 has very little high end to begin with, so it works well in this setting.
You will be able to take a similar rig and get plenty close enough to upright tone through playing technique. Eventually, those you play with will likely prefer your “downwrong” electric tone over your upright & everyone will be happy, you included.
