What Is a Good 5 String Bass For Smooth Jazz?

[bucephylus]

Bucephylus, you lived in ABQ for a year?
Yes the OASIS is a pretty good smooth jazz station.
There were two other stations before that one at one time.
I've talked to Steve Hill at Grandma's a few times and bought a couple items from him.
They have some nice basses there.
I'll go back and see what could be worked out.

Closer to two years. The first year I lived in Eagle Ranch Apts, which was pretty close to Grandmas. The second not quite year was in Vist del Sol on the other side of the river. Did a few gigs with a blues group while I was there. Miss me some Flying Star and Satellite Coffee.

 

[Gee Phil]

AngelCrusher you're probably right.
One of the Sire Marcus Allen 5 string basses would probably be a good starter.
I've not played a 5 string before so I could learn on it and as I get better I could seriously look at one of the aforementioned basses.

Bucephylus, Flying Star and Satellite are still just as good as ever.
The Range as well.
Which Blues group did you do a few gigs with?

 

[Gee Phil]

How did I end up mistaking Marcus Allen's name with Marcus Miller?
Duh....

 

[AngelCrusher]

AngelCrusher you're probably right.
One of the Sire Marcus Allen 5 string basses would probably be a good starter.
I've not played a 5 string before so I could learn on it and as I get better I could seriously look at one of the aforementioned basses.

Bucephylus, Flying Star and Satellite are still just as good as ever.
The Range as well.
Which Blues group did you do a few gigs with?

boom - For Sale - Marcus Miller Sire 5 | TalkBass.com

Get it. Its going to be perfect to get your feet wet with. Great tone.

 

[bucephylus]

AngelCrusher you're probably right.
One of the Sire Marcus Allen 5 string basses would probably be a good starter.
I've not played a 5 string before so I could learn on it and as I get better I could seriously look at one of the aforementioned basses.

Bucephylus, Flying Star and Satellite are still just as good as ever.
The Range as well.
Which Blues group did you do a few gigs with?

Band was called Slim and the Bluetones. Haven't kept up with them and don't know if they are still gigging there.

 

[marmadaddy]

My Carvin Bromberg Signature B25S arrived two days ago, and as promised here are my impressions: You'll pry this instrument from my cold, dead hands.
Absolutely perfect for electric jazz. Incredible value for the money.

 

[bholder]

AngelCrusher you're probably right.
One of the Sire Marcus Allen 5 string basses would probably be a good starter.
I've not played a 5 string before so I could learn on it and as I get better I could seriously look at one of the aforementioned basses.

Bucephylus, Flying Star and Satellite are still just as good as ever.
The Range as well.
Which Blues group did you do a few gigs with?

That's Marcus Miller. Isn't Marcus Allen some pro sports guy? Anyway, yeah, I've said it before and I'll say it again - I believe Sire to be about the best new value for the money under $1K.

 

[Tom7]

Yes I find that I prefer flatwounds.
Believe it or not, I haven't heard of "F Bass"

I *love* Fbass! Here's a BN6 playing smooth jazz:

 

[Tom7]

I *love* Fbass! Here's a BN6 playing smooth jazz:

And here's the 5-string version with Snarky Puppy:

 

[Bob_Ross]

This is a legit question and I don't know why people see the need to make fun of it.

Because this is the internet!

fwiw, the first time I played a Lakland I instantly thought "wow, this is that tone that all the Smooth Jazz players use!" I've subsequently found I prefer my Lakland for rock rather than jazz, but it definitely can cop that "The Wave" sound.

I'm sure a butt-ton of folks have already mentioned Ken Smith basses as another go-to instrument for Smooth Jazz.

 

[Bob_Ross]

Here's a BN6 playing smooth jazz:

Whoa... I've never heard of bassist David Hughes, but I love his touch/feel/groove in this clip. He's got a stellar pocket, super deep. Thanks for posting that clip.

 

[btmpancake]

I think a good bass for smooth Jazz is the one that "speaks" to you. That being said, I suggest going to a music store during the day (if possible) and playing every bass you can. Find a bass that gives you a good version of the tone you are looking for without much tweaking.

I gave this a listen - not sure if it is exactly what you are going for:

A Spector Euro 5 or a Sadowsky dual humbucker or Sadowsky Jazz bass should do the trick. I think one of those basses coupled with a good finger playing technique should do it. Some sort of effect box is needed here, but I am not familiar in what you need. If I were playing on those tunes, I would just focus on a deep and thick bass tone. Not much high end needed here.

 

[btmpancake]

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?

 

[btmpancake]

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?

Gee Phil just because you see a lot of 5stringers out there,it is not the rule of thumb! You can get that smooth jazz bass tone with a decent (4),passive,flats,some tweaking,assuming you have decent gear.active basses may need more tweaking

 

[btmpancake]

?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

On which planet does this happen?

"Smooth" jazz (Oh how I hate that term) bassists play all kinds of rigs. Its less about the bass and far more about the approach to the instrument. Many play fivers, and most I have seen play round wounds cause there is no shortage of slap in that style. I have seen P and J basses along with Music Man, Alembics and so many other brands used. There seems to be a slight preference for pre amped basses, but again, there are guys/gals playing all kinds of basses in this "genre".

I think one hallmark of this style is everything is squeaky clean and very tight. The bass lines seem very thought out to me and very controlled. I'd say this counts far more than what bass the bassist is holding. You decide whether this deserves the term Jazz.

Now as far as "smooth Jazz" as a genre goes: For my part, I am gonna put on some Charlie Haden, then Listen to Christian McBride's latest effort. If I want something a little more danceable, I will listen to the masterful lines of skilled improvisers like Mr. Jamerson. Electric? There are plently of guys/gals playing great Jazz on electric. Tal Wilkenfeld, Victor wooten, Al Johnson, etc....

I hate most smooth Jazz, mostly because they pull much of the improvisation out and put in hooks and repetitious grooves that have kind of a jazzy feel in place of improvisation. I listen to it and keep wanting more, but it never happens.

That is all fine, you can play and listen to whatever you like and have your own opinion about everything else, but why call it jazz then where is little to no jazz in it?

 

[Tom7]

Whoa... I've never heard of bassist David Hughes, but I love his touch/feel/groove in this clip. He's got a stellar pocket, super deep. Thanks for posting that clip.

Well said. I really David Hughes, and have even tried to study him a bit. He's pretty in demand for others, including Christopher Cross and David Benoit, and his own albums are pretty good as well.

Here's a clip of him soloing on a fretless with Christopher Cross:


Anyway, back to the topic.

Maybe one reason 5 string basses are popular in smooth jazz is because songs with horns are often in Bb and Eb, and it's nice to have a B strong to make some things happen in those keys.

 

[btmpancake]

?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

On which planet does this happen?

"Smooth" jazz (Oh how I hate that term) bassists play all kinds of rigs. Its less about the bass and far more about the approach to the instrument. Many play fivers, and most I have seen play round wounds cause there is no shortage of slap in that style. I have seen P and J basses along with Music Man, Alembics and so many other brands used. There seems to be a slight preference for pre amped basses, but again, there are guys/gals playing all kinds of basses in this "genre".

I think one hallmark of this style is everything is squeaky clean and very tight. The bass lines seem very thought out to me and very controlled. I'd say this counts far more than what bass the bassist is holding. You decide whether this deserves the term Jazz.

Now as far as "smooth Jazz" as a genre goes: For my part, I am gonna put on some Charlie Haden, then Listen to Christian McBride's latest effort. If I want something a little more danceable, I will listen to the masterful lines of skilled improvisers like Mr. Jamerson. Electric? There are plently of guys/gals playing great Jazz on electric. Tal Wilkenfeld, Victor wooten, Al Johnson, etc....

I hate most smooth Jazz, mostly because they pull much of the improvisation out and put in hooks and repetitious grooves that have kind of a jazzy feel in place of improvisation. I listen to it and keep wanting more, but it never happens.

That is all fine, you can play and listen to whatever you like and have your own opinion about everything else, but why call it jazz then where is little to no jazz in it?

 

[btmpancake]

I can respect your dislike for "smoothjazz" because of what you described as repitious bass lines?there is some truths to that because the old original "hardcore" jazz boys couldn't sell enough records nor enough jazz only niteclubs,and people wanted dance.so people such as Herbie Hancock, the jazz crusaders Stanley Clarke crossed over and took the "edge" off jazz and smooth it out to an easier melody to understand & dance ability.I guess you can tell most of my gigs came from 70% smooth err modern jazz.very good post.btmpancake-tampa,fl

 

[Lesfunk]

I graduated music school with David Hughes. I remember when I first met him. Great sight reader. Couldn't groove for sh*t. He's become a monster player and groover. His success is an inspiration.
Oh, and btw...Sukop

 

[Gee Phil]

Always inspirational. And now I had a chance to listen to an FBass and see what they look like.