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Make hollow body sound like solid body?
- Thread starter Bodeanly
- Start date
I've never played a Gretsch hollowbody bass but a boost to drive your amp a little harder and EQ, either on your amp or a pedal (depending on how detailed you want/need to be with specific frequencies), were my thoughts for dialing it in.
You’re welcome!
And don’t be so sure about little stage time. I’ve got an ABG I never thought I’d use in a live performance. But this one fit the bill to a T one night when I needed to get an upright sort of feel going. So never say never.
Onward!
I knew it was a stretch, home slice, but I love the look and feel of this bass and wanted to try and find a way to make it work.
I have done the "set it and forget it" thing for so long that I was kinda hoping to be able to just plug and go by modding the bass some how. All my bands are ampless, but yes, I guess I could adjust my pedal whenever I use the bass... I dunno. I'm spoiled and lazy.
Tried that. Ended up with this.Not that?
I will maybe do a set with it after I've had a chance to adjust some stuff and check it outYou’re welcome!
And don’t be so sure about little stage time. I’ve got an ABG I never thought I’d use in a live performance. But this one fit the bill to a T one night when I needed to get an upright sort of feel going. So never say never.
Onward!
I play a full on hollow body Gretsch. It’s a unique, niche instrument for some people. I love different types of basses, which is also why I admire above all the versatility of a P or J Bass. Can’t beat them in the versatility dept.
Not all hollow/semi-hollow body basses are treated equal. I almost bought the Gretsch 5440LS in Gretsch Orange, but the reviews were not what I needed to hear to take the plunge. Instead, I bought an Epiphone Jack Casady in flame wine red a couple years back. Semi-hollow body, long scale with one pickup. I have TI Flats on it and even those growl on it. Has an almost P-Bass tone.
If you’re not married to it, flip it for a Jack Casady. There’s a Hollow Body Club and even a Jack Casady Club here for all the help you’ll ever need.
If you’re not married to it, flip it for a Jack Casady. There’s a Hollow Body Club and even a Jack Casady Club here for all the help you’ll ever need.
Don’t know if it’s the case with every hollow body out there. But with the ones I’ve played you needed to be careful with how much boosting you were doing on the EQ because if feedback. One notch up from flat at most was the limit for what you could get away with for a mid boost. Otherwise the ones I played would howl like a wolf. I pretty much play most hollows and semi hollows with the EQ set flat. Chambered basses seem more forgiving. I’ll lightly boost the high mids on mine most times.
As far as strings go, I think you’re better off with pressurewounds rather than flats (unless you’re using TIs) on hollow and semi basses. You get a richer (to my ears) sound and not too much fundamental push. Or at least I do when I’m playing.
Which brings up technique. That also has a lot to do with getting a hollowbody to behave itself but still sing. They do take a bit of focused practice to get a feel for their response characteristics and quirks. Because it’s very different from a solidbody in that respect.
Married to it. I have little problem just keeping it around for home use. It's just so pretty and comfy that I wanted to take it everywhere.
You’re welcome!
And don’t be so sure about little stage time. I’ve got an ABG I never thought I’d use in a live performance. But this one fit the bill to a T one night when I needed to get an upright sort of feel going. So never say never.
Onward!
I have a fretless ABG and it gets a good DB tone if required and played in the right way. I wish I'd kept the fretted ABG I had (can't even remember the model) as it was light, handy, and with flats nailed that classic retro semi-hollow bass sound, although as a one trick pony, and didn't get me drummed out of folk clubs. So if the OP doesn't bond with the Gretsch but wants the sound it might be an option. You'd need a feedback buster or to fill it with old, clean socks.
An acoustic guitar or other preamp or EQ with a tight notch might help. You can deaden an ABG but with f holes you'd need to carefully push in a scarf with a pencil each side of the centre block to make it reversible, and remove very catrfuy on the side with electronics.
Gretsch G5442BDC
I wish it had a cool model name. I've just been calling it Mr. Gretschypants.
I had one of those for a while and was later more impressed with the more "hollow" tone of a Hofner Club bass so I switched to the Hofner. If I want a solidbody tone I use a solidbody bass.
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Hi Bodeanly
Maybe use concrete?
Or fix it in the mix?
EQ + HPF + New Strings (Rounds)
May the bass be with you
Wise(b)ass
Maybe use concrete?
Or fix it in the mix?
EQ + HPF + New Strings (Rounds)
May the bass be with you
Wise(b)ass
Don't, the tone is mostly from the PUs. Fill it with spray foam and you'll have a huge mess, and a massively devalued bass that still sounds the same!
This reminds me of our trio: djembe, cajon, bass, guitar and mandolin; any three at any given time.
Agree with the posts. That bass has a very distinctive tone, just as a P or a J does, but it’s not going to sound like a P or a J.
For our acoustic work I play a Gretsch Electro Jet or sometimes an EB-0. They work work great for what we do, but I wouldn’t use them for modern rock, funk or Jazz.
I really dig hollow body shorties, so to me that bass is right on. Consider it another tool in your kit, but it probably isn’t going to be your go-to bass for most of what you play.
Interesting thread.
Well, I have some hollowbody basses and I never had this kind of problem in a live setting when I decide to play with a hollowbody. Perhaps the geezerbutlerian way I play (attacking the strings very hard) has something to do with it, I suppose.
My suggestions
1) Try to play harder.
2) Play the bass with a pick (to my ears, hollowbody basses sound very different when played this way).
3) You may also use pedals (An EQ, a booster or some distortion).
Good luck!
Well, I have some hollowbody basses and I never had this kind of problem in a live setting when I decide to play with a hollowbody. Perhaps the geezerbutlerian way I play (attacking the strings very hard) has something to do with it, I suppose.
My suggestions
1) Try to play harder.
2) Play the bass with a pick (to my ears, hollowbody basses sound very different when played this way).
3) You may also use pedals (An EQ, a booster or some distortion).
Good luck!
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