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What Is a Good 5 String Bass For Smooth Jazz?

#61
Agree, but I think certain basses are better suited for getting an optimal clean tone that is balanced between a great slap sound AND a great finger style tone. Not always that easy to get.

FBass is a real nice option for sure. I also agree that the Jazz or Soapbar setup seems best.
 
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#64
Gentlemen I do appreciate your inputs,

Yes, whether a person likes smooth jazz, traditional jazz, acid jazz, fusion, or something like Dave Brubeck and Vince Guaraldi is all relative.
There are certain types of other jazz that I can listen too but smooth jazz appeals to me the most.
Followed by the likes of the Dave Brubeck and Vince Guaraldi style.
But all in all, jazz is a great genre in all its forms.
I've been looking at Carvin basses a swell.
 
#65
Jimmy Haslip -- enough said

the Yellowjackets inadvertently helped define smooth jazz

it's not all Brian Culbertson baby making music and Kenny G

Jeff Lorber is a world class Rhodes players and there's no denying Jimmy Haslip's work with Lorber and the Yellowjackets

it's a genre where the bass can have a well defined and prominent role and there's some meaty theory with extended chords
even in the more repetitious 'jams'
 
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#67
The best thing about the genre is the bass! I tend to refer to over-saturated artists like Kenny G as playing "smurf jazz" because it makes me turn blue!

I think you can use most any active bass but I really like the sounds of the MTD-type basses with the usual mix. The combination of deep low end and snap just hits it for me. YMMV.

Dan K
 
#68
Gee Phil said:
Gentlemen I do appreciate your inputs,

Yes, whether a person likes smooth jazz, traditional jazz, acid jazz, fusion, or something like Dave Brubeck and Vince Guaraldi is all relative.
There are certain types of other jazz that I can listen too but smooth jazz appeals to me the most.
Followed by the likes of the Dave Brubeck and Vince Guaraldi style.
But all in all, jazz is a great genre in all its forms.
I've been looking at Carvin basses a swell.
Click to expand...


A really great option (one that I am buying) is a Bacchus active J - handmade. They do make 5 strings. Really perfect for fusion and smooth jazz because they have the J setup with the Bartolini pre. I personally love that combo, plus many have ebony necks. That's just my personal tone preference but may be worth a look if you want a really versatile Jazz bass with a modern tone.
 
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#70
I've been getting calls for more smooth jazz type gigs lately and really enjoying them. I've been using my P with active EMG PJ pickups (see avatar) and it's been working well but I wanted a 5'er to better recreate some of the recorded grooves.

After a lot of investigation, I've ordered a Bromberg signature bass from Carvin. I'll check in here around the end of the month after it's delivered to report my findings.
 
#79
Gee Phil said:
Hello All,

I've been listening to a lot of today's smooth jazz and I've noticed they use a lot of 5 string basses.
Does anyone have a suggestion on what would be a good 5 string bass for jazz/smooth jazz?
Click to expand...

I'm not sure what your price range is, but Gerald Veasley has always gotten mileage out of Ibanez SoundGear basses, so it's possible to find a nice one of those for cheap.
 

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