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Tuba!
- Thread starter azureblue
- Start date
Synth with a tuba preset? Don't know if a bass/guitar FX will get close, maybe a POG or a HOG for the overtones but you'll need something else because those make basses/guitars sound like an organ.
Now about the real tuba, I was looking around to get one but they're too expensive... in fact, everyhing that is bass-something (bass clarinet, bass trombone, etc) cost more than the tenor/alto counterparts...
Now about the real tuba, I was looking around to get one but they're too expensive... in fact, everyhing that is bass-something (bass clarinet, bass trombone, etc) cost more than the tenor/alto counterparts...
Just eat a bunch of buffalo wings, bean burritos, Mexican lasagna, and drink a 6-pack of your favorite soda prior to the gig and you'll sound like a tuba all night long. 
In all seriousness, a tuba would have more sustain and much less attack than a bass. I'd research synths, compressor/sustainers, and maybe an ebow plus playing with the volume knob will get there. Also, I'm not as familiar with these types of effects as I am with others, so there's a chance I could be off in left field here. Hopefully someone who's done this before will jump in.
In all seriousness, a tuba would have more sustain and much less attack than a bass. I'd research synths, compressor/sustainers, and maybe an ebow plus playing with the volume knob will get there. Also, I'm not as familiar with these types of effects as I am with others, so there's a chance I could be off in left field here. Hopefully someone who's done this before will jump in.
In a hotel-based club, Gary Indiana, circa 1981, heard an electric bassist in a trombone-fronted quartet who had the most incredible tuba emulation going. No effects! IIRC, playing a fender jazz through a polytone amp. I'm guessing he was favoring the neck pickup, the tone was dialed back, and he had a sticky left hand - lots of legato connections between the notes. Wild that I remember it so well, from so long ago.
I would love to get back in to tuba. They are expensive. And actually, I'd want a Sousaphone. I couldn't see taking an upright to the beach, or even to a campfire, but an ABG, sure, but they're too quite. A brass Sousaphone would be perfect!
