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What Is a Good 5 String Bass For Smooth Jazz?
- Thread starter Gee Phil
- Start date
And dammit, it better have a tort guard.
My vote is anything with bartolini electronics and enough flexibility to get a scooped modern tone. Jazz basses are also superb as well as any high end solution (Smith/Elrick/Last-Name-Bass-I-Can-Afford).
I call down the "quiet storm" with these puppies.... Passive Delano/Villex pups and very modern styling.
I call down the "quiet storm" with these puppies.... Passive Delano/Villex pups and very modern styling.
I'd apply my own twisted logic. In every band I always start with the idea that I'll use my bass and they'll get me playing their songs. This is not set in stone though. I will change if I discover I'm wrong about what needs to be done.
Since I bought it, 4 years ago, I've taken my Lull PJ5 to every gig and it's always worked. If I'm not sure I'll take the Lakland as well, but it'll stay in the bag until it's blindingly obvious that the P isn't cutting it. The Lakland has never been out of the bag in the last 4 years.
Since I bought it, 4 years ago, I've taken my Lull PJ5 to every gig and it's always worked. If I'm not sure I'll take the Lakland as well, but it'll stay in the bag until it's blindingly obvious that the P isn't cutting it. The Lakland has never been out of the bag in the last 4 years.
On the smooth jazz channel on xm radio they play a lot of Culbertson, Euge Groove, Fourplay, Marcus, and Tisdale. On live clips their are lots of active jazz 5ers. Waymon plays his weird tenor bass thing but the other guy has a jazz. East plays his Yamaha.
I think just about anything with active electronics will get it done with the right strings and some knob turning.
Last edited:
Gentlemen,
I appreciate everyone's input.
I have thought about getting a Warwick 5 string Corvette or Streamer, MTD, maybe another Ibanez.
I currently have a 4 string Ibanez SRF700 Fretless, neck through, flats, 2 band EQ along with separate piezo vol & tone and it sounds great.
I like the sound of fretless, a 5 string with frets would definitely work.
I apologize, I should have mentioned somewhere between $500 and $1,000 price range for now.
Although some of the basses that you guys listed are within the price range I'm looking at.
And then when I can afford it, I could go into one of the pricier 5 stringers.
I'm glad I discovered TB last year, lot's of valuable info on this website.
Again Thank You Everyone
I appreciate everyone's input.
I have thought about getting a Warwick 5 string Corvette or Streamer, MTD, maybe another Ibanez.
I currently have a 4 string Ibanez SRF700 Fretless, neck through, flats, 2 band EQ along with separate piezo vol & tone and it sounds great.
I like the sound of fretless, a 5 string with frets would definitely work.
I apologize, I should have mentioned somewhere between $500 and $1,000 price range for now.
Although some of the basses that you guys listed are within the price range I'm looking at.
And then when I can afford it, I could go into one of the pricier 5 stringers.
I'm glad I discovered TB last year, lot's of valuable info on this website.
Again Thank You Everyone
String choice will be very important as well for SJB. I don't think flats will nail the sound if you need to slap or pop and I'm thinking nickel vs. steel maybe medium gauge something like 40 30 80 100 125. I'd love to hear what folks are using for this and it would help the OP outfit the bass as well.
Natthan East,one of best "smooth jazz" player on his Fourplay gigs play his signature Yamaha 5 and 6 strings basses. Two single coil pick ups jazz bass style are way to go for that smooth,round and warm tone.
I have an F Bass BN6 that would be perfect for you...... Very warm , organic sounding tone.
- Aug 21, 2003
- 11,621
- 18,707
- Disclosures
- A-Designs Mike Lull GK Tsunami Cables GHS Strings RMI Basswitch Nordstrand Pickups Darkglass
+1
Something with mid control
My preference is Bart or Audere
I also have to agree with the 35" scale for that defined B IMHO (please let's not turn this into a scale length debate) as someone who has to sit in the mix cleanly for instrumental music thats my personal choice.
So almost anything would work.
A nice 35" scale J with big singles comes to mind first
Good luck and share your results
- Aug 21, 2003
- 11,621
- 18,707
- Disclosures
- A-Designs Mike Lull GK Tsunami Cables GHS Strings RMI Basswitch Nordstrand Pickups Darkglass
Reminds me of an interview with Barney Kessel, a great Jazz guitarist. They asked him what he thought of smooth jazz and he said something along the lines of, "I don't know what it is, but it ain't jazz."
To the humor impaired - this is a small joke, not an indictment of Smooth Jazz. It's not my thing, but everyone should play the music that calls to them.
To the OP, I would look at what the players you admire and like are playing. It is always a good place to start.
just as no kid says I wanna be a roofer when I grow up; no kid picks up a bass and says I wanna play smooth jazz when i grow up; but alas...
Yes this should be taken with a fair amount of jest implied
Yes this should be taken with a fair amount of jest implied
The thing about Smooth style is that it is very melodic and people think there is no improv to it. But if you do fusion, there very well can be. That is why some jazz purists hate the smooth style. But every time there is a huge jazz concert, the smooth bands with really good, dynamic songs and arrangements seem to get the most reaction. I think this is because the music is a little less complex and easier to follow. Some of it can be really cheesy though - of course.
In terms of bass tone, I think it is one of the best genres for a really top tier level of clean tone, which is why I disagree with people who say "anything". It's just simply not true if you want to stand out and really grab people's ear.
In terms of bass tone, I think it is one of the best genres for a really top tier level of clean tone, which is why I disagree with people who say "anything". It's just simply not true if you want to stand out and really grab people's ear.
I actually did. Not because I love the genre and didn't enjoy rock and other things, but I always looked up to those players and I learned a lot about soloing and improv from many of them. So while you are joking you are also incorrect.
Mark Wilson
Supporting Member
Some of you people...
I'm a huge fan of smooth jazz. But, I don't think there's a specific bass for it. It's more your tone, and how you play. Rich Brown uses an fbass vf5, and a Ken Lawrence 6. Other dudes (can't recall names) use precision basses, or jazz basses.
I use an fbass, so I'm biased to those, but I prefer a jazz bass, or a soapbar style bass.
