Upright bass sound for electric?

[guitardefector]

Hello all, I'm new to the site. Can anyone tell me what are the best strings or amps/effects needed to get that nice, warm upright "thud" sound on a Fender Jazz bass?? Thanks a bunch.

 

[RickenBoogie]

Flatwound strings, and maybe a foam mute pad under the strings.

 

[Doc Halo]

Assuming that you play right-handed, position your right hand somewhere between the twelfth and 20th frets.

 

[w33nie]

Assuming that you play right-handed, position your right hand somewhere between the twelfth and 20th frets.

I do this too, you'll have to play more lightly

 

[Pilgrim]

Try tapewound strings and a mute....and brace your thumb on the side of the neck and pluck over the bottom end of the neck. Which fret doesn't matter.....geeeez.

 

[Doc Halo]

....and brace your thumb on the side of the neck and pluck over the bottom end of the neck. Which fret doesn't matter.....geeeez.

Which is why I said "somewhere." Geeeez indeed.

 

[thudfromafar]

what everyone else said, plus roll off the bridge pup. and i can't verify this personally from experience, but i've read a bunch around here that TI flatwounds seem to give the most thump DB kind of sound.

 

[GM60466]

GHS Tape wounds and a piece of sea sponge tucked under the strings near the bridge

GM

 

[Ian Perge]

Yeah, what everyone else said... or a Line 6 Variax Bass with the "Upright" modeling preset.

 

[Jim Carr]

I am quoting myself from this thread:
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=526590

Flats, playing over the 20th frets, fretless, adding a mute if you want, EQ, etc., ALL, IMHO don't do it.

My sincere suggestions:

1) Before you can get an upright sound, you need to honestly understand what it is. I suggest listening to Paul Chambers, Scott LaFaro, Ray Brown, and Charles Mingus a great deal, if you have not done so.

2) At the same time, own and learn to play a reasonably good double bass, n.b., pizz AND arco.

3) With a clear tone ideal now in mind, and solid idea of what the expressive world of the double bass is, then try the 20th fret pluck (or fretless), flats, mutes, EQ, etc. Realize that it FAILS.

4) Buy a bigger car (Escort, Camry or Accord station wagons are ideal) and haul the upright knowing there is no substitute, except maybe a Rob Allen with an ebony fingerboard. They come closest of all those I have heard or played. Not the same or very close, but closest.

I am serious.

 

[spade2you]

The Rob Allen/Godin type of piezo fretless with tapewound strings is about as good as it can get. My fretless CB can get a decent upright sound when I solo the Bartolini CB P picku with lots of bass and low mid boosted, but the actual sound is only part of the picture. Compared to magnetic pickups, piezos pick up a lot more finger noise that make the URB simulation a little more authentic, which most magnetic pickups would never reveal.

I wouldn't say that ebony is required for the Rob Allens.

 

[Bassman316]

The closest I've ever got to an upright sound is on my SX fretless Jazz strung with Chromes, neck pickup cranked/bridge rolled off, playing near the 12th fret, and a smidget of delay (so subtle that it's more a reverb effect). Sounds pretty tasty. My .02

 

[dakpluto]

Yes...it looks like a Fisher Price toy...but it's the best damn upright sound on an electric:

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[Vakmere]

Just go and buy an upright.....

 

[The Soloist]

GET A FRETLESS CONVERSION

fretless basses sounds INCREDIBLY close to upright.

also regarding that really small bass; those are awesome. my music teacher has one of those, and it really does sound orchestral. it would also make a really great travel bass too.

 

[Stephen]

Keep in mind that the OP asked how to make his existing bass sound the most like an upright. Not all the other options.

Having said that, the closest " upright sounding " actual bass guitar is the Takamine TB10. It is a 34" scale acoustic bass guitar.

The Takamine TB10 totally eclipses all other bass guitars for getting very close to an upright sound. This includes all Rob Allen, Turner , Villeite etc. I own three turners and have owned Allen basses which are amazing instruments. I prefer them and do not actually want the exact upright sound.

There is a sound clip of the Takamine in the second post of this thread:
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=546897&highlight=takamine

 

[RonChase]

What everyone says is correct but the jazz is not the most condusive for this technique.It is in the fingers and muting the strings lightly with your right hand.I have been getting an upright sound with hollowbodies for years but like breathing I cant explain it just practice and like I said kind mute the strings from fully ringing,Im not sure if this helps but I tried

 

[cnltb]

Yes...it looks like a Fisher Price toy...but it's the best damn upright sound on an electric:

Invalid Link Removed

A HHUUGGEE +1 on the Ash.
It is not your current bass, but rather than trying for that to sound like an upright which it won't, whatever you do,
you might as well get an ashbory, as they are not expensive and will most likelly get you a lot closer.
They are also a lot of fun!!

 

[rcarraher]

Flatwound strings, and maybe a foam mute pad under the strings.

Ditto, the Jazz is to "upfront" to really sound like an upright. If you want that sound from an electric, get a hold of a Hofner 500/1 Beatle Bass or even a Club Bass

 

[lonote]

A compressor can be helpful, too.