He is getting a decent upright tone.

[Dr. Cheese]

The bass is an Ibanez SRH 505F. They have been around for for a while. It gets a decent upright sort of tone, but it won't fool double bassists.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

I think these are nice examples of real upright. I have fallen in love with double bass lately. If weren't a senior citizen who still messes up on electric, I would study the upright.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

I can't forget Christian McBride; his tone and playing is incredible!

 

[winston]

I think these are nice examples of real upright. I have fallen in love with double bass lately. If weren't a senior citizen who still messes up on electric, I would study the upright.

If you have the hankering GO FOR IT and play upright! Aren't you retiring soon?

 

[DJ Bebop]

I'm trying in my old age. I've acquired an old Kay M-1 to add to my fretless collection. It is making this old man work!

Pay no attench to the pool noodles

The cat says, "just stop already!"

 

[Dr. Cheese]

If you have the hankering GO FOR IT and play upright! Aren't you retiring soon?

I will be done at the end of June. Upright is a serious commitment of time and money, plus I don't have room for one in my music room. If I can continue to get better on electric, I will be happy.

 

[woodyng2]

"Baby,Everything's allright, uptight,outta sight"….
Yeah, that sound he's getting on the Ibby is really nice!

 

[Gilmourisgod]

I think maybe my cat is that ones long lost twin, at least part Maine Coon, and smart as hell.

 

[Jay Corwin]

The bass is an Ibanez SRH 505F. They have been around for for a while. It gets a decent upright sort of tone, but it won't fool double bassists.

Those Ibby's have been on my list of wants for a while. They sound great in the clips I've heard.

 

[scuzzy]

i knew there was a reason I wanted the 5-string version of this.

 

[JazznFunk]

Not at all like an upright, but I like the sound for what it is. It would be a good substitute if you're on a gig where you can't/don't want to haul a double bass, and don't want to play a regular EB on it. I'd much rather play this than an EUB if I had to choose. Nice sound.

 

[Steve Dallman]

Our cat, a Siberian, looks identical. Fantastic cat...just a dream.

 

[turf3]

In my opinion the key thing in substituting an electric bass (of any type) for double bass, is to play the SAME THINGS as you would on upright. As long as the tone's not TOO gnarly, it'll work fine. I think people get too wrapped around the axle trying to get the exact same tone, and then the discussion goes down THAT rabbit hole. But the reality is that when Fender introduced the Precision Bass, legions of upright players rushed the music stores to buy them. And the music didn't immediately start sucking, because they were still playing the same bass lines, just on a smaller thing that used electrons.

 

[Nunovsky]

I had one of those Ibanez SRH 505F and it sounded great. And I have to say that with a set of Labella Tapewounds, a foram mute and some eq it sounded very upright-ish.
It could not fool a double bassist but it did an amazing job as a substitute for that register, specially for guys like me that don't usually play the real deal.

 

[JazznFunk]

In my opinion the key thing in substituting an electric bass (of any type) for double bass, is to play the SAME THINGS as you would on upright. As long as the tone's not TOO gnarly, it'll work fine. I think people get too wrapped around the axle trying to get the exact same tone, and then the discussion goes down THAT rabbit hole. But the reality is that when Fender introduced the Precision Bass, legions of upright players rushed the music stores to buy them. And the music didn't immediately start sucking, because they were still playing the same bass lines, just on a smaller thing that used electrons.

The physical and tonal differences between the instruments often mean that you can't play the SAME THINGS on electric as you do on upright. It's a feel thing as much as a clinical note choice thing. It's why those of us who double on the regular know that there are some things that just work better on one vs the other. It's not just about 'getting the exact same tone.' There's more to consider. Yes, you can play the exact same line with the exact same notes.... but it's a different thing. This bass would be a better choice for sure than some other electrics if you're trying to get in the same 1,000 square feet in terms of 'acoustic bass vibe'. Steve Swallow is one of the few players to really get in the same 10 square feet in terms of tone and feel.... because he was an upright player to begin with.

 

[logdrum]

Too dark for an acoustic bass but great sound nonetheless

For comparison, instead of comparing it o a carved upright with metal strings, let's compared it to a Plywood Kay with guts and even so the Ibanez is way darker. Maybe when finally amplified and with the whole band, it may be indistinguishable

 

[logdrum]

Too dark for an acoustic bass but great sound nonetheless

For comparison, instead of comparing it o a carved upright with metal strings, let's compared it to a Plywood Kay with guts and even so the Ibanez is way darker. Maybe when finally amplified and with the whole band, it may be indistinguishable

Maybe this is a better comparison as this has a better recording setup

 

[Thumpin6string]

Great video and tone. I used to have a 5 string fretless that I built that had Bart J pickups and a piezo bridge. With some twiddling and plucking on the fretboard, it could sound pretty darn close to an upright. I think it was the piezo bridge and that the body was chambered. My 6 string doesn't get as close. Looking for a piezo bridge for that one to no avail.

 

[boogieman63]

I'm really loving the tone I'm getting from my Jack Casady fretless.

 

[bherman]

I had one of those Ibanez basses for a while and ultimately sold it - I also play upright, but thought that it might be a good substitute. Its not (at least in my experience). Too dark and it seemed to easily get lost in the mix.