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Upright bass sound for electric?

#42
- Back in -

Those folks who flat-out recommended an Ashbory were exactly right. Notice that's the only thing they had to say. But they look so... odd. :hiding:

All the other tinkering that's been mentioned is really nibbling around the edges. An upright is the only thing that sounds like itself.

The way I think about it is that the combination I use gives me a sound that performs the same musical function as an upright. :hmm: Can't duplicate it, but it can substitute for it in the musical context. Don't know if that helps clarify or obfuscate the issue.
 
#43
billoetjen said:
- Back in -

Those folks who flat-out recommended an Ashbory were exactly right. Notice that's the only thing they had to say. But they look so... odd. :hiding:
Click to expand...

I'd say without hesitation that they probably a little closer to an URB than a Rob Allen AND cheaper, but somewhat difficult to play and I've heard lots of dudes complain about keeping the things strung. I struggle with lined fretless basses and found it even more difficult that the string could get very sharp as you bring the string to the fingerboard.
 
#44
ashbory: due to the latex strings, its hard to get vibrato without dusting your fingers with powder. The ukulele sized neck is pretty hard to dig into. On the positive, it fits in your trenchcoat.

I prefer my Rob Allen and NS WAV EUB.
 
#45
Having tried for YEARS to achieve an upright sound,I finally came to the conclusion that you need a "special" bass like a Wendler or a Rob Allen.If you want to sound like an upright...(as stated above) you NEED an upright to sound like an upright.
LOL.
Kent:bassist:
(What I am admitting is that I lack the technique to sound as good as I wanted to,so I just settle for how it sounds when I follow the instructions given by people above.I've never played a Rob Allen,but I did own a Wendler,and it had a pretty good upright sound.Hope you find the sound you're looking for.)
 
#47
K.Ross said:
Having tried for YEARS to achieve an upright sound,I finally came to the conclusion that you need a "special" bass like a Wendler or a Rob Allen.If you want to sound like an upright...(as stated above) you NEED an upright to sound like an upright.
LOL.
Kent:bassist:
(What I am admitting is that I lack the technique to sound as good as I wanted to,so I just settle for how it sounds when I follow the instructions given by people above.I've never played a Rob Allen,but I did own a Wendler,and it had a pretty good upright sound.Hope you find the sound you're looking for.)
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I think you'll find that a lot of Rob Allen owners are quite satisfied with the upright impression that you can get. Au naturale, there's no competition, but when you factor in amplification Rob Allen basses can do surprisingly well.
 
#51
Buy a bigger car......I love that. It just isn't going to sound like a real URB too much. You can make it thump plenty though by doing a bunch of the stuff mentioned already. Other than that, it's in your fingers. Knowing when to mute the string & how long to let it ring(if at all). Although I play a Jazz 5 a lot my Elrick 5 string sounds the closest to an URB of the solid body basses I own. The MK Dragonfly III 5 string fretless ABG strung with Dogal flats sounds alarmingly like one. Still, it's not the same.
 
#52
Moe Monsarrat said:
Buy a bigger car......I love that. It just isn't going to sound like a real URB too much. You can make it thump plenty though by doing a bunch of the stuff mentioned already. Other than that, it's in your fingers. Knowing when to mute the string & how long to let it ring(if at all). Although I play a Jazz 5 a lot my Elrick 5 string sounds the closest to an URB of the solid body basses I own. The MK Dragonfly III 5 string fretless ABG strung with Dogal flats sounds alarmingly like one. Still, it's not the same.
Click to expand...

Yeah, people keep telling me that, but somehow mine sound close enough and the convenience of a 8lb 6 string and 5.5lb 4 string are hard to argue with.
 
#53
Jim Carr said:
...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...
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Moe Monsarrat said:
Buy a bigger car......I love that...Still, it's not the same.
Click to expand...

Glad you enjoyed it, but that was a bit of a joke, as most cars can hold an upright. The real issue is learning to understand the expressive world of the double bass by listening and then actually studying and playing the instrument. What one plays and how one plays matters more than merely getting an "upright" tone quality.

Even though we agree "it is not the same," IMHO even getting a Rod Allen is futile if one does't truly understand the instrument one is attempting to imitate. :rollno:

What makes me laugh is that the word "Thump" is used to describe the upright. If I were a bassist merely getting a "Thump" on the gigs and sessions I do, I would not get hired back. Not only can the upright sustain quite well, but it contains a rich mid-range and top in the signal--much more complex than the typical electric bass.
 

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