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Electric basses which sound like an upright?
- Thread starter jzucker
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You asked for opinions, you got them, then you argued with them. YOU are the one bringing the nonsense.
If you want upright tone use an upright. You can get close with any electric bass but the physics of 40+ inch strings and a huge hollow body simply can’t be replicated.
The complete list of horizontally played electric basses that sound just like an upright:
1.
End of list.
1.
End of list.
Kala UBass.
When I'm not watching the stage and I hear John Hiatt's bass player switch from a P to an upright and then look up to see a UBass.... That's what sold me.
When I'm not watching the stage and I hear John Hiatt's bass player switch from a P to an upright and then look up to see a UBass.... That's what sold me.
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Deleted member 165050
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Adios OP, but the thread continues...
So, +1 for the Takamine.
And a plug for the Rick Turner Renaissance bass.
Also, on another thread someone referred to Chris Brubeck getting a very upright-ish sound from a Rick neck pickup, no mention of what strings or amplification he was using though.
Re the Bace, I'd be concerned that a cello body might not be robust enough for bass gauge strings but no doubt the maker has done his research. But why not simply buy a 1/8 or 1/16 size upright bass rather than a cello with an FBG neck?
So, +1 for the Takamine.
And a plug for the Rick Turner Renaissance bass.
Also, on another thread someone referred to Chris Brubeck getting a very upright-ish sound from a Rick neck pickup, no mention of what strings or amplification he was using though.
Re the Bace, I'd be concerned that a cello body might not be robust enough for bass gauge strings but no doubt the maker has done his research. But why not simply buy a 1/8 or 1/16 size upright bass rather than a cello with an FBG neck?
I love the OP's books, I own both, but he brought similar vibes to the gear page.... entitled and generally argumentative. I see over the years not much has changed. With that outlook, if you say anything, it will be deemed 'wrong'. Maybe a secluded island would be the best fit, where there are no wrong people (other people) to deal with. That way conversations where folks are trying to help never 'devolve' . Grow. Up.
The Kala U is a remarkable instrument, really. It's amazing how much low end this thing carries, and I think it does a good job fooling the layman into hearing a facsimile of a double bass. My secondary in big band plays one of them. Love it.
A guy in California named Leo Fender kinda sorta addressed this issue back in the 50's sometime, I believe? Something about a more portable instrument that was louder than the UB and could be played with "precision" even at Jazz gigs?
I don't think his idea was for it to sound like the UB and, in fact, he didn't want it to.
To me, I think the proper solution to sounding like an UB is to just get an UB. But, hey, call me crazy.... NS designs and others have electric versions of UB's out there too, that may also fill the bill. Sound great, a lot like the UB, easier to carry and a heck of a lot cheaper too...
L
I don't think his idea was for it to sound like the UB and, in fact, he didn't want it to.
To me, I think the proper solution to sounding like an UB is to just get an UB. But, hey, call me crazy.... NS designs and others have electric versions of UB's out there too, that may also fill the bill. Sound great, a lot like the UB, easier to carry and a heck of a lot cheaper too...
L
Another vote for Kala U-Bass.
Heck, this sounds more upright than my actual upright once it's amplified.
Heck, this sounds more upright than my actual upright once it's amplified.
Well, as to the Fender bass, there's "sounds just like" and "functions just like". I'd submit that even though your P bass with flats and foam rubber won't sound just like an upright when you do your extended five minute solo, in the band context with a bunch of horns and the rest of a rhythm section banging away, it will FUNCTION just like an upright, if you play the kind of lines you would play on the upright.
Ta-ta, OP, don't let the, etc.
Ta-ta, OP, don't let the, etc.
By far...the Kala. I wish it didn’t look gimmicky. That thing is legit for upright tone on the fly.
Everyone seems to have a pony in this race, and we all will have to decide for ourselves. I personally think my Rob Allen Deep5 gets as close as anything. Its a little puzzling why someone would ask for advise, and then tell us all we are wrong.....
That's because there are none. I went down that road 15 years ago (after 20+ years on electric and ~10yrs on fretless), spent 5yrs doing everything possible to not get an upright, then got an upright about a decade ago. If you want to sound like one, then get one and learn to play it. There are approximations, but there is no substitute.
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This sounds incredible! Would any Kala do this? Any specifics when it comes to strings?
I believe he replaced the stock strings with something else - specifics might be somewhere in the comments or description of the video, but yeah...kinda makes me think about getting a similar setup and never move an upright again.
I actually have a good suggestion, but I'm sure it's wrong so I'll keep it to myself. Besides, they may drop the price to something that is more attractive.
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