- Dec 8, 2000
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- Endorsing Artist: Warwick Bass and Amp
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What do you use for jazz?
- Thread starter Fishbrain
- Start date
Fretless, fretted, or upright--all dependent on the gig. I use my fretless (Brubaker 5 string) for most things in my R&B/Jazz group. It sounds great, and I don't have to change between songs. That said, I'm using it in the pit for Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. When I did the same show 5 years ago, I used a fretted (Curbow Petite 5). I always use my upright for my Big Band gig--seems to drive the older ladies crazy! ;-)
I use my upright for everything fretless, and a fretless when there is going to be little room on stage to hold the upright. The ultimate decision on ever using a fretless is "can you play it in tune".
50% fretless 50% fretted, as the inspiration of the moment dictates to me! But always five strings anyway. Maybe also my Dean Stylist B1 hollowbody four strings, occasionally, but in general 5 strings.
^^^^^^
this
I use the upright for jazz assuming enough room. But I have a monthly gig at a restaurant where there's not enough room, so I generally use the fretless Sterling on the left for that gig.
the fretless '78 P on the right is a great bass too, but I prefer the Sterling for jazz. I use that fretless P for an early rock n roll type sound (Fats Domino, Elvis, early Stones).
Right now all I have is an American Standard Jazz, an old 70's P (both 4-string fretted) and my upright. If I am doing a "standards" gig I play upright. If the gig is more swing and dance/funky stuff I use my Jazz. I am toying with the idea of "de-fretting" an SX PJ that I bought to rent to my students, so I would have that option and am really Jonesing for a new 5-string. (Does it ever end??)
EUB about 90% of the time. I'll bring a fretted electric to a rehearsal if I'm too lazy to schlep the EUB.
definitely not; sorry! If you stop playing/listening to music, then you "might" even have a bare chance...
I use mostly upright, fretted electric when I can't bring the upright.
Frets are a big part of the difference between upright and electric, and when playing electric, I like to take advantage of that difference, if that makes sense.
That said, I have a fretless electric that I love to play. It has it's own voice that's distinct from a fretted and an upright, but I'll only use it for when I feel the gig calls for it.
I'm also significantly more proficient on a fretted electric, so that plays a factor in my decision.
Frets are a big part of the difference between upright and electric, and when playing electric, I like to take advantage of that difference, if that makes sense.
That said, I have a fretless electric that I love to play. It has it's own voice that's distinct from a fretted and an upright, but I'll only use it for when I feel the gig calls for it.
I'm also significantly more proficient on a fretted electric, so that plays a factor in my decision.
I am really GAS-ing for one of those NS EUB's. They look very cool and I'm sure they sound great.
Can't justify the cost, though. :scowl:
I scored my WAV for less than $700 a couple years back. I have a very nice stable of electrics but I usually play a cheap EUB.
If your planning on bring serious about jazz go buy an upright bass right now. The reality is that 99 percent of serious jazz gigs require one. Being a electric bassist in the jazz world is an uphill battle.
For jazz gigs, I primarily use my upright; sometimes use my Tony Franklin fretless P - trade off during the gig, or, if the stage is tiny, I might use only the fretless.
What I did to my jazz bass: half fretted half fretless. Still have the attack I need on the 1-12 fret then the expressiveness you can only get on a fretless on the 12-20 frets.
