How to get double bass tone on electric?

[nikolozj]

Of course it does matter what kind of bass it is, I mean electronics and more specifically - pickups!
My guessing is that it would be harder to succeed on jazz bass than on Precision Deluxe....

Also strings are very important I think. Dunno which is appropriate tho. Probably Flat-wound and thick?

I want very much to get this tone on my bass, which I'm actually trying to modify now. I have P-bass like Ibanez with one split-coil P-bass like pickup in the middle position. And I can't decide what to put in the bridge position - Ceramic Stingray humbucker pickup or single coil alnico jazz bass pickup?

I also have very nice 10 bend EQ from 31hz to 16khz... So I can mess around the sound however I want.

BUT!

One of the main problems of getting double bass tone on electric is.... that the electric basses have way too looooong sustain than double bass would have..

What do you guys think would reduce sustain? Compressor? Playing technique? (like palm muting or something?)...

any Thought? (besides "get a double bass!" )

 

[Hankenstein]

stop worrying about all that stuff. It's mostly in the hands. Roll of your highs and mids. Move your picking hand close to the neck. Develop a lighter touch. Flat wounds can help.

 

[bassbombs84]

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Rob Allen Mouse Bass

 

[phangtonpower]

If your worried about sustain, stuff some foam, sponge, etc under the strings in front of the saddles to get more thump. Flatwounds would hep too.

 

[GreenWithEnvy]

Did you ever consider getting a hollow body/archtop bass? I can get a very authentic double bass sound on that playing near the neck with flat wounds.

 

[boombloom]

Have you considered getting an upright? Of course, there is a huge range of sounds you can get from an upright. Have you got a particular upright tone in mind? Other than limited sustain, what are you going for?

 

[phangtonpower]

Use a P bass!

Seriously, it's mostly in the hands and avoiding active pups that give more of an "electric" sound. P's fit the bill.

This is what everyone says. I have EMG's with a foam mute and it sounds like my old upright amped using piezo.

 

[onosson]

Check out DB right (plucking) hand technique and try to use that. Tilt the neck so the angle is steeper (not vertical, but not straight horizontal either). Use the sides of your fingers not the tips. Agreed on a P-style pickup for tone - J pickups in series work even better IMO.

 

[chubfarm2001]

I mute the strings with the back of my hand just before the bridge, move the pickup selector all the was to the neck (when applicable), and use the meat of my thumb and fingers to pluck.

 

[Bassboy123]

you could get an electric upright they sound just like the real deal but are cheaper and easier to travel with

 

[Warfender]

good muting technique and touch

 

[deepdown]

mute

 

[nikolozj]

I guess there are a lot of ways!

Have you considered getting an upright? Of course, there is a huge range of sounds you can get from an upright. Have you got a particular upright tone in mind? Other than limited sustain, what are you going for?

Not really!
I have some favourite tones.. But I couldn't tell which one I like best.
The only thing I could tell is that I don't want very warm and dark uprigth tone.. I like to hear high frequencies on double bass.

This is just random video that found recently and I like the tone that this guy has:
Free Online Bass Lesson Video Minor Pentatonic Scale Fills - YouTube

Probably he's using both pickups and flatwounds, but the way he plays and the theme he plays also, makes it sound like upright.

This is not a good example but I can tell already with this tone that you can get good upright tone with this bass.

 

[waleross]

+1 to the Rob Allen Mouse but of course it ain't cheap...

 

[SBassman]

Do some research on the Kala UBass. You will thank me later.

 

[zeroncali]

The most uprught sound I have heard was a youtube vid of someone playing a fretless Stingray with mutes.

 

[Steve]

IME, and I do this alot, the only thing that really matters is the muting technique and playing in a sparse upright style. Mostly playing a LOT less and leaving a ton of air between the notes. The instrument / strings /....meh.

 

[dakpluto]

Ashbory basses are great also for upright sounds. People might laugh that your bass looks like a toy, but the sound will shut them up.

 

[Feral Feline]

I remembered reading an article about this some time ago. Found it in Premier Guitar Magazine. Author [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] has all the info you need to get as close as possible with the gear you have.

There's also this funny instructable I just came across when I searched Google for you...

Good luck in your tone quest.

 

[Steve]

People might laugh that your bass looks like a toy, but the sound will shut them up.

From about 2:45

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