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He is getting a decent upright tone.

#22
JazznFunk said:
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.
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I can certainly understand that there's a lot you can do on electric that'd be quite difficult to do on upright; but for basic playing, I don't think there's that much you can do on upright that you can't reproduce reasonably well on electric. I'm thinking the common uses for upright bass: jazz (1917 to last week); traditional country; folk; bluegrass; rockabilly. Obviously not including classical orchestral music.

Will it sound just like an upright bass? No, clearly no. Will the listener enjoy music with a clear bass line that outlines harmony and rhythm? Almost certainly yes.

And don't get me wrong, I'm an upright player and I far prefer it to the electric bass. I just think that too many people, finding themselves where they need to substitute the electric bass for upright, focus too much of their attention on trying to get the TONE as close as possible, while apparently paying insufficent attention to what they're playing and having it be suitable for the setting.
 
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#23
Dr. Cheese said:


I can't forget Christian McBride; his tone and playing is incredible!
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I have seen him play 3 times, and without a doubt in my wee mind, he's the best upright jazz man today, anywhere.

ALSO, had a chance to actually meet him and he was a gentleman, laid back and most always with that wonderful smile and attitude of his!
 
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#25
turf3 said:
I can certainly understand that there's a lot you can do on electric that'd be quite difficult to do on upright; but for basic playing, I don't think there's that much you can do on upright that you can't reproduce reasonably well on electric. I'm thinking the common uses for upright bass: jazz (1917 to last week); traditional country; folk; bluegrass; rockabilly. Obviously not including classical orchestral music.

Will it sound just like an upright bass? No, clearly no. Will the listener enjoy music with a clear bass line that outlines harmony and rhythm? Almost certainly yes.

And don't get me wrong, I'm an upright player and I far prefer it to the electric bass. I just think that too many people, finding themselves where they need to substitute the electric bass for upright, focus too much of their attention on trying to get the TONE as close as possible, while apparently paying insufficent attention to what they're playing and having it be suitable for the setting.
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You can indeed play the same music on either and make it feel good. A few salient points I've learned through the years are these: The double bass takes up a different sonic space in the music. Sustain is different. Note length/attack is different. I've played jazz on electric. I've played bluegrass on electric. I feel and play differently on upright in those specific genres. My ideas are different. I approach the 2 instruments differently. The songs get played, but there is a different level of 'spread' and support that the double bass gives which can never be fully replicated or emulated on electric. 'Better' isn't the right word... just 'different', as in the 2 instruments support everything else... differently. There are also some idiomatic things with upright, particularly in jazz, which can sound 'hokey' and clunky on electric if done exactly the same way. Just my experience after playing a lot of different music on both for almost 30 years. The average listener doesn't care. The seasoned listener.... might. Carry on.
 
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#26
Nunovsky said:
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.
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I have the same bass and I do the same thing for pit band work; it does the job nicely. I leave the mute off if there are arco parts and use a compressor for sustain and a volume pedal to fake that. Played near the neck it works well, especially in the lower register. It helps to use the right strings and a URB modeler (I have a Zoom A3 for that, and the compression).
 
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#35
"Great woody tone". If we did not mention the words upright or double bass, we would be enjoying the music instead.

Many times band leaders would like you to bring the upright for the looks. That was certainly the case in the old Latin band. He charged more for those gigs too. On the dance floor and on the stage it's what feel and notes you are playing that matter. Upright is only mandatory for bowed parts.
 
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#38
Dr. Cheese said:


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.
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I've always liked them, just not as much as this...definitely more versatile, too.
Sure, comfort might be an issue, but I've played my Exotica for two hours with no issues.


Slightly warmer tone here.

Picsart_22-09-28_22-03-09-362.jpg
 
#39
Dr. Cheese said:
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.
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As a senior citizen I play the upright without studying. I play what is within my grasp, and as I continue I try to extend my reach.
 
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#40
Well, try this... Check out Janis Ian's album "Between the Lines" Most of the album has Richard Davis on upright bass. It's very obvious, but there's one track that Don Payne plays on - and it sounds like an electric bass played through a B15. Don often played a Fender Mustang. See if you can find the track Don is playing on without looking at the album credits.

Don get's a pretty unique sound if that is indeed a Mustang, but like Dario's clips up top, it's more how the notes "stop" and how the gliss' kind of ratchet up that give away that it's not a double-bass.
 
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