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Is this tone possible to get with a BG??

H

holllowbody

Guest
Mar 25, 2009
148
0
#1
Listen to the first minute of this song...



...I understand that the instruments used are not bass guitars, but based on the sound it appears that this is within the capability of a bass.

So, can this tone be had with a BG and if so, whats the best way to get it?
 
#3
abarson said:
I bet you could get close to this sound with an acoustic bass guitar with some foam muting the strings at the bridge.
Click to expand...

Foam muting? What is that and how is it implimented?

As for the ABG, do you mean plugged in (some kind of pickup) or unplugged? Suppose you wanted to get this tone via amplification to be more specific.
 
#4
holllowbody said:
Foam muting? What is that and how is it implimented?

As for the ABG, do you mean plugged in (some kind of pickup) or unplugged? Suppose you wanted to get this tone via amplification to be more specific.
Click to expand...

"Foam muting" is a piece of foam--a sponge, foam insulation, a mouse pad, etc.--stuck underneath the strings near the bridge to mute the strings. Its similar to the foam mute that was originally attached to the bridge covers on early Fenders, to imitate the sound of a upright.

Flatwound strings would also help.

Mike
 
#7
If you were to record this with an ABG, I would record one track using the built-in preamp (standard today on almost all ABG's) and one track with a small condenser microphone pointed somewhere between the neck joint and the sound hole.
Set the onboard preamp EQ to cut most of the treble and boost some of the lows. This might give you some of the low/mid depth of the cello.
Use the mic track to emphasize the finger plucking, which is rather distinct. Mix between the two tracks to get the right balance.

Or you could just borrow a cello ;^)
 
#8
jibreel said:
Sounds like a cello. Plucked. Could be partially synthed.

Cello was my first instrument.

Fretless ABG plucked near the bridge with muting might get close.
Click to expand...

You are correct, it is a cello plucked.

Lets say I were to attempt to duplicate the tone with an ABG and I wanted to play through a PA.

What kind of pickup would you suggest? What kind of ABG....wooden one with a big soundhole in the middle or something more like an Ovation?
 
#9
abarson said:
If you were to record this with an ABG, I would record one track using the built-in preamp (standard today on almost all ABG's) and one track with a small condenser microphone pointed somewhere between the neck joint and the sound hole.
Set the onboard preamp EQ to cut most of the treble and boost some of the lows. This might give you some of the low/mid depth of the cello.
Use the mic track to emphasize the finger plucking, which is rather distinct. Mix between the two tracks to get the right balance.

Or you could just borrow a cello ;^)
Click to expand...

Lets say I were to play it live with an ABG, not record. Then exactly what kind of set up would you suggest?
 
#11
Yup, those are cellos, apocalyptica is a group that started out as a bit of a joke in a music academy. They begun as a heavy metal cover band, mostly playing metallica... with four cellos. Seems like they're got some audience in Germany these days. Even though I'm not a metal fan, I really like some of their early work Nothing else matters


Doing that cello sound live could be a bit challenging. In studio settings getting close would've been a lot easier. Also the fingering can be a problem, you'd probably have to experiment with tuning a bit.

But a fretless, some heavy eq and lot's of experimenting is probably what is going to get you closest. I don't think anyone will be able to just give you a straight out simple answer, especially when it's a live situation. But I think you can get close enough for it to sound good on a fretless ABG. Just make sure you have an opportunity for a loooooonnnggg soundcheck.

Borrow a cello? You'd probably be able to get closer with an electric upright bass/ electric cello if you don't feel like micin a classical instrument.
 
#13
Hi.

Yep, Apocalyptica.

Unfortunately they're driftin further and further from their original ideas. Ie. Metallica with 4 cellos.

The first time I heard them was on their first "big" gig. I was behind the monitor console and the experience was something I won't forget. They were using the alias "jailhouse band" on the posters so the performance was a total surprize to everyone in the audience. Sadly, there was only 3 cellos audible because of a stupid mistake by a newbie stage hand, but they blew everyone away anyway.

Just buy a cello if You're interested in the sound and want to broaden your horizons, a Chinese cheapos can be had for peanuts.

Regards
Sam
 

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