Setting up for stand-up bass sound

[forced ringer]

Hi all, first forum post here. Question: I play an Ibanez GSR -200 and right now am using a portable amp (while traveling) , Fender Rumble 15. My partner & I are working on a new song that would really benefit from an upright sound. Any setup ideas welcome, as this isn't my area of expertise- and I've only had this bass about a month, so I'm still getting to know it. Thanks.

 

[phangtonpower]

Nope. Not gonna happen. Closest you're gonna get is to use flats and a mute and play up at the neck. Also using a fretless may help.

 

[seamonkey]

There's many ways to play a DB, but if you're just looking for plucking
A keyboard can play an upright sound better than an electric bass an.

If you want to try the slab, get to midi with something like Sonuus i2M musicport, or Jam Origins Midi Bass
Pick a good bass sound from a sampler synth

If you want to also slide
Try out iFretless Bass if you have an iPad. It does a great job sound and playability

 

[forced ringer]

actually I found a totally cool, simple, and lowtech solution. By threading a large, plastic coated thing (like a giant bread-bag twist-tie) through the strings at the bottom, I deadened the strings just enough for it to sound "wooden" and close enough to a stand-up that it works on the song we're playing. Also muting with my palm helps that sound. Thanks for the advice, though- if I had a fretless, I'd sure use it, but right now I don't.
regards,
k

 

[walterw]

there's a simple technique that will get you in the right direction; bass up, treble down, rest the edge of your palm against the strings right in front of the bridge, thump the strings with your thumb and use your palm to deaden the strings after each note so that it dies at about the right time to sound like an upright.

joey spampinato from NRBQ is the acknowledged king of this style:



you see him doing it right at :50, and again at 1:12.

 

[Jebh]

there's a simple technique that will get you in the right direction; bass up, treble down, rest the edge of your palm against the strings right in front of the bridge, thump the strings with your thumb and use your palm to deaden the strings after each note so that it dies at about the right time to sound like an upright.

joey spampinato from NRBQ is the acknowledged king of this style:



you see him doing it right at :50, and again at 1:12.

I think Joey's actually plucking with his thumb, vs. slapping or thumping on the string, and, as you said, deadening the sustain with the heel of his right hand. The other thing he does is pluck with his index finger and thumb on the neck, vs. over the pickups. I have found plucking on the neck to be the best way to get an upright sound.

 

[walterw]

I think Joey's actually plucking with his thumb, vs. slapping or thumping on the string, and, as you said, deadening the sustain with the heel of his right hand.

yeah that's what i meant, he's plucking with the side of the thumb while palm-dampening.