Double Bass How do i get high end in my acoustic sound?

[threetone]

I was wondering how to get more high end out of my acoustic double bass sound. No amp involved.
Something like Dave Holland's sound on his album 'Gitane'. Sounds pretty acoustic with lot's of defenition.
I don't think this is the 'brand new strings' sound.
Is it setup? Quality of the bass? String type?

Any insights would be greatly appreciated !

 

[JoeyNaeger]

Spirocore strings. Also make sure your bridge isn't excessively thick. How high(in millimeters) are your strings off the fingerboard? Having a low string height will help get some of that growl and sustain you hear in David Holland's sound. Of course your technique and your bass itself will ultimately decide how you are going to sound.

 

[Stilettoprefer]

Rounds would get you some more brightness and lowering your action will add more highs and a little sustain too.

 

[Greg Clinkingbeard]

This is a big can of worms. Joey's tips are exactly right but you can also try a soundpost adjustment and a lighter tailpiece. Really though, it's strings, the bass and you.

 

[Andrew McGregor]

+1 to all that... I'd just add, aircraft cable tailpiece wire (as opposed to either coat hanger wire or synthetic).

Also bear in mind that with recorded music, it may well be in the hands of the producer, in terms of mic choice and placement.

 

[threetone]

Thanks for your reply's.
Ofcourse i meant Charlie Haden's album 'Gitane' in my original post.

I measured my string height at the E string it's 11 millimeters and at the G string it's 9 millimeters.
My strings now are d'addario helicore pizz, well broken in and sound nice and warm When played arco.

I have a set spiro weich's laying around, maybe i'll put them back on to find out if there is any impovement.

I'll talk to my luthier about bridge and soundpost solutions.

New question: would Evah's on G & D make any difference?

Thanks for the info, much appreciated!

 

[Greg Clinkingbeard]

Try spirocore reds at 5-6mm on the G and 8-9mm on the E. Evahs are quite a bit warmer.

Read this:http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f17/want-sound-like-insert-name-here-read-db-forum-thread-661319/

 

[nicechuck]

My bass sounds good and sustains well, but the high notes, especially above the octave G, not as much. I've been thinking about changing to a tailpeice cable, and I'll probably try that even if it means re-setting the soundpost lol

 

[Andrew McGregor]

It won't if you rest a heavy enough bag of something on the top while you're changing it; ten kilos ought to be OK. Big bag of flour or something like that.

 

[Matthew Tucker]

Spiros absolutely. And Wittner lightweight tailpieces work well for pizz too. Very little damping. If it's a ply bass though, there's only so much treble you can coax out!

 

[paulnixon]

As i know that the people buy the guitar for the shining and for the sound that comes out from the guitar. to check the finishing on the acoustic guitar is that take 2 coast of viny sealer on the bar wood and 4 coast of nitrocellulose lacquer. jay washk do the experiment on this . some of the other company made the guitar cheaply.

 

[Treyzer]

@Stilettoprefer & Paulnixon, I think you guys are very lost. This is the double bass forum. Get along little doggies.

 

[drurb]

Use a pick!

 

[timobee4]

hahahahaha! That was my first thought too Les! Bless you mate!

Use a pick!