Upright Bass Sound in a Pedal

[Bobby Bass]

Been wondering. Is there a pedal that reproduces the sound of an upright? There seems to be a pedal for just about everything.

 

[SteveC]

Nope.

 

[buldog5151bass]

Not even close.

 

[jimfist]

Been wondering. Is there a pedal that reproduces the sound of an upright? There seems to be a pedal for just about everything.

upright simulation pedal?

and this video at 33 seconds:


This video shows some good info on upright bass emulation by altering tone and technique, and of course, flat wound strings:

 

[buldog5151bass]

If you think that pedal sounds like an upright, you should spend some time listening to an upright.

 

[smo]

Been wondering. Is there a pedal that reproduces the sound of an upright? There seems to be a pedal for just about everything.

Depends what tones you're hunting, but mostly nope.
If you want upright bow or slap (upright slap style) tones, then no, you won't be able to nail it, but you might get close.

Playing with fingers, on a fretless (very big part of the sound), with something like a Pog2 or Hog2, I can get close enough to my finger-style amplified upright bass tone (running Fishman piezo pickups on the bridge with Fishman Pre & HPF), but then to play devils' advocate, an upright is a lot more fun. Playing with a bow is challenging (for me) but I enjoy the aggressive tones it can achieve

 

[Killed_by_Death]

If you want the sound of an upright on the cheap, get a u-bass.

2nd option, a SRH500:

 

[jimfist]

If you think that pedal sounds like an upright, you should spend some time listening to an upright.

Thankfully, this thread and the answer to the OP's question doesn't hinge on what you or I think is acceptable upright bass tone emulation. Just throwing ideas out there in an effort to guide the OP with more knowledge, that's all. ;-)

 

[Mushroo]

No pedal required; just slightly adjust your tuning pegs so every note you play is slightly out of tune. Taa daa!

 

[BassBrass]

No pedal required; just slightly adjust your tuning pegs so every note you play is slightly out of tune. Taa daa!

Just one string so it seem like there are hits and misses.

I'd try flatwound fretless into Malekko Sneak Attack w/ slight attack ramp but note quick cut off into a very dark reverb (not much highendreflectivity, keep it warm) to simulate the resonance of acc bass body. Then, I don't believe this will satisfy so I'd look for something other than simulated acc bass. Bowed bass I can do using EH Superego, a little grit and maybe phasor in it's loop, with Attack Decay

 

[Bander]

Eh, there's something that will kinda get that sound. Keyboards kinda have a patch that tries to do it. It may be close enough for what you want, but its not going to be very convincing if an upright is crucial (jazz, bluegrass, swing, etc).

 

[Bob_Ross]

I've never tried this on bass so I don't know what the results would be like, but I've tried the BOSS AC-3 Acoustic Simulator on electric guitar, and if you kinda squint your ears you can sorta convince yourself that it sounds more like a flattop acoustic than it used to.

I know, damning with faint praise...

 

[buldog5151bass]

Thankfully, this thread and the answer to the OP's question doesn't hinge on what you or I think is acceptable upright bass tone emulation. Just throwing ideas out there in an effort to guide the OP with more knowledge, that's all. ;-)

Opinions and everything. I play jazz on a weekly basis, in groups with an upright, an electric fretted and fretless bass. I took a good listen, and that clip did not sound like an upright to me at all. What can I say?

 

[jimfist]

Opinions and everything. I play jazz on a weekly basis, in groups with an upright, an electric fretted and fretless bass. I took a good listen, and that clip did not sound like an upright to me at all. What can I say?

That's fine, and I respect your opinion. But again, this is really up to the OP and his wants/needs and perception of an upright simulation. All we can do is present options, then he decides where to go from there, or ask more questions. Maybe he could weigh in again since his OP.

It's not that I necessarily disagree with you in a purist sense, but ultimately, it's not up to us what will fly in this scenario, right?

 

[GBBSbassist]

If you think that pedal sounds like an upright, you should spend some time listening to an upright.

It may or may not be an acceptable upright sound depending on the gig. In a mix, it might be fine.

 

[bass.slinger]

Fretless with a Nordy mute would be passable in a band situation.

 

[InhumanResource]

Muted rounds with the tone knob backed off gets me close enough for rock style upright but if you need it for something airy like jazz and tonal details matter... It would probably be much more effective to use an electric tone that sounds good with the mix.

Or buy an upright.

 

[buldog5151bass]

That's fine, and I respect your opinion. But again, this is really up to the OP and his wants/needs and perception of an upright simulation. All we can do is present options, then he decides where to go from there, or ask more questions. Maybe he could weigh in again since his OP.

It's not that I necessarily disagree with you in a purist sense, but ultimately, it's not up to us what will fly in this scenario, right?

OP asked a question, and for our opinions, so I think offering opinions is called does, not just throwing out a myriad of options. I could tell him to play while hanging upside down and holding his breath. That would be an option as well.

 

[Spectrum]

I knew a guy who would show up at jazz jams with a cheap Rogue acoustic fretless hollowbody bass guitar that had a piezo pickup on the bridge, that was the only bass guitar I've heard that tricked me for a few moments listening from the next room into thinking it was an upright. Not sure what strings he was using, flats or maybe even nylon or something?

 

[Bob_Ross]

Not sure what strings he was using, flats or maybe even nylon or something?

He was probably hanging upside down holding his breath.