Fretless Bass with an Octave-Up Pedal?

[Matthew_84]

My next bass will be a fretless. I'd like to get a 6 string for higher-pitched melodic playing, but I know I'm more comfortable on a 5'er, so I wondered what a fretless (with a coated board, rounds, and a ton of mwah) would sound like through an octave pedal going up one octave.

I know using a fretless with an octave pedal to blend in the lower octave isn't new (Pino did it in the 80's), but I can't find any samples of people using it to go up an octave on a fretless. I've also never used an octave pedal in my life so I don't know what to expect.

I think I'd prefer it to play only the octave above (and not the original signal), but I'd also like to be able to blend in the original signal if possible... I'd also want it to sound natural and not very synth-like. I might as well get one that can go an octave below as well, with the same desires, but going an octave above well is more important.

Anyone have any opinions on how this would sound, or any good octave pedals that would get me what I'm looking for?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Marial]

It wouldn't sound like a true six string. It can sound cool, I use the one and two octave up functions on my POG 2, but they sound synthy. I haven't heard an octave up that didn't.

Anyhow, the POG 2 gives you two up and two down, attack control and other features. The tracking is killer. It would be my recommendation.

 

[bassbrad]

Try to find An Akai UniBass or Fishman Fission works great with both my fretless basses and eub. I rarely use the solo octave but it is an option.

 

[Matthew_84]

Thanks guys!

I'll look up some reviews on all of these and see if one will work for me... I'm not a huge fan on the synth-like tones so I'm hoping it's not so strong, or the UniBass or Fission is a bit more natural sounding.

EDIT TO ADD:

After watching some videos, I liked the Akai UniBass the best. It sounded the most natural, but it doesn't seem able to solo the upper octave.

It seems like the ones that add a bit of distortion in the upper octave sound a bit less synthy, but I don't think that will work for what I'm looking to do...

I have a feeling I won't have much luck in this endeavor. I may need to try a few 6'es out to see if they are too uncomfortable for me. Thanks guys.

 

[pvj scotland]

Try the sub and up pedal you can use that with just the upper octave and it doesn't sound to synthy

 

[Matthew_84]

Try the sub and up pedal you can use that with just the upper octave and it doesn't sound to synthy

Thanks, it has pretty good reviews. I haven't had a chance to hear it yet, but I'll find some clips tomorrow. People seem to say it tracks well, but I'm curious how well it will track with slides and vibrato...

I'm not sure how octave pedals work, but I hear people say that octave pedals (in general) get lost on low notes. Do they get lost on upper register notes that are off-pitch/in between notes?

 

[bassbrad]

In one mode the UniBass will do octave up solo, once processed a bit it sounds ok.

 

[gadgetgirl]

Check out the Mooer Tender Octaver and the Digitech Ricochet. I've tried them both with a 5 string fretless and they sound good alone and with other effects.

 

[skydivingninja]

I might just try going to a local store and see if you can try it there, since it's not a usual sound AFAIK. People are usually happy to (or will grudgingly) help you out. Most stores stock TC stuff, so there may be a Sub n Up you can try nearby, which won't break the bank the way a POG or Octamizer might.

Pretty certain that whatever octaver you get, it'll sound synthy, so if you want that higher register to sound like a stringed instrument, a 6 string would be better. But try the other option if you can! Octave pedals are super fun.