dclaassen

Kind of an overreaction I think. It is true that many groups wanting an upright player are after the image, not the sound or the style. Usually, people adopt tools as they are modernized. Upright and electric basses share a common tuning and quite a lot of technique. 
 

Why don’t folks universally use tube or A/B amps with huge, heavy cabinets anymore? Why don’t keyboardists still haul big drawbar organs around? We have moved toward more efficient ways of playing our instruments. Not the same as your suggestion at all.

1 hour ago, Paolo85 said:

Well, the harpsichord arguably has taken a beat from acoustic piano. The problem with it was that technically you had no dynamics. But the acoustic piano is still going strong.

Any time I have seen live a traditional jazz band playing with an electric bass, I was hopeful but then I was ultimately disappointed. Admittedly, those bass players were clearly not trying to get the upright sound, so I don't know how I would feel about somebody with a Mustang, a mute and tapes live.

Maybe I would like it. But it is interesting that, after some 70 years since the first P bass, despite searching, I have personally yet to find a successful traditional jazz bass player that imitates the traditional sound with the electric. Maybe Anthony Jackson live with Michel Petrucciani, but only to an extent, and it is more of a case of him being already famous than him becoming famous by doing that.

I may have missed one or some important example (would be glad to learn about them) but to me this suggests that an electric bass could maybe do a good imitation but cannot beat an upright at its own game.

To my ears best examples of jazz with electric bass come from player that do embrace the difference of the electric sound and find a context where it fits in (eg Mark Egan with Joe Beck and Steve Swallow with Scofield)

 

 

I think you make good points here. Jazz musicians are, IMO, some of the most conservative folks out there in regards to instrumentation. Try showing up for a big band gig with a Euphonium. Yes, there are exceptions, but they don't change the overall rule. Jazz players use upright bass, period...but why? I don't play upright because I think it's a lot of hard work just to uphold a sonic and technical tradition. If someone else wants to do that, great. I've played a lot of jazz sessions with a fretless 5 string....sounds pretty good to me. 

The folks I don't understand are Americana (whatever that means) people that want only an upright player. In that case, it is purely visual. Just my opinion.....

 

I think you are close enough. You can really chase your own tail trying to get an "upright" sound. Most folks would accept a thumpy, Middy, muted kind of tone. My belief is that most folks who want an upright sound really want the visual appeal of the double bass on the band stand. To me, this is going back about 300 years in technology. I don't see keyboardists hauling an acoustic piano (harpsichord?) around, nor do many guitarists bring along a lute. Leo had a really good idea...go with that, mute it, and you will be fine...

Paint it if that is what you want.....it's already been refinished, so you aren't defacing a classic (old boomer self wants to mention that we used to scoff at 70's vintage Fenders...:)...NOT scoffing now, though...)

37 minutes ago, Jack said:

I'm not sure I understand, were we THAT bad?

Petty sure the reference is to the "dancer" in front of you guys...sound really solid to me!

8 hours ago, 12stringbassist said:

A great bass is a great bass. A room full of also rans is just frustrating.
Life's too short to play crappy guitars.

Okay...but would you take a irreplaceable bass (let's say, your MK1 Wal) to the Dog and Duck during free beer night? 

35 minutes ago, taunton-hobbit said:

For the uninitiated -

 

 

I worked part-time in a shop in North Harrow that specialised in things musical (esp organs) - they managed to borrow one from the Beeb (Paris studio?) because they were tied up with Jack Jacksons' sons (he was a big name with the Beeb)- I actually played with thing, and very strange it was - I think the Beeb had theirs converted for sound effects use ..............

 

😎

 

 

I played a few gigs back in the day with a guy who hauled a B3 + Leslie around. Which is worse to move?

Sooo....

Does the venue determine what value of bass you bring? I would prefer to take a mid-range bass (at most) to a crowded pub gig or an outdoor gig, even though I usually would rather play my best instrument. Is that paranoia or just common sense? It's been a long time since I have seen a drunken stage invasion, but remember a classic that put a pretty good dent in my old RD Artist....

1 minute ago, Norris said:

How? What?! Eh?!! 😂

Not a literal statement, I hope!

2 hours ago, Bluewine said:

 

Thanks! I started with the full rig..4x10 that weighed about 80 pounds plus a 1x15….I’ve done 2 gigs now with the pair of 2x12’s and like the sound and the portability. The Trace head reminds me of the MusicMan HD head I had in my younger days in Nebraska. Same amazing sound!

 

The rig looks great. I have always heard good things about Trace Elliot amps.

 

Daryl

11 minutes ago, Rosie C said:

 

I have one modestly priced bass that suits everything I do. I wouldn't want anything more expensive in case it got damaged being gigged. But I wouldn't want a nice one to keep at home as I'm not the best player and like to practice on the same bass I perform with.

 

Sometimes hanging around here I wonder if I'm not a proper bass player!  

You certainly are! I managed with one bass for many years.

Afternoon charity gig…classic car show in Wisbech at the Five Bells supporting East Anglia Air Ambulance. Cool weather, but a good crowd and the pub staff was excellent. I was really happy with the new cabs…really good even with no PA feed. Trace Elliot GP12smx, Genz Benz Focus 1x12 cabs, Fender Jazz 24.

I have one top-end bass and two middle range. I am most tempted to get one HB as a backup for pub gigs. 

1 hour ago, JPJ said:

I’m just in from an afternoon slot at a really well attended local multi-band event. Great gig, excellent onstage and FOH sound, and we blooded our new guitarist who played a blinder despite only having three weeks to get up to speed with our set. 
 

What style of music? I’ve been fascinated by the NS Design basses since I played one last winter.

1 minute ago, Merton said:

I think that  foot switch is for the very late 90s / early 2000s “GP12” range which is the first post-Gibson range, and you can tell them easily cos the have the electroluminescent front panel

Not sure if they also work with the first iteration of the Peavey era heads too?

No idea…doesn’t work with mine though 

Trace Elliot 4x10, 1x15 cabinets and foot switch. Both cabinets used recently and regularly and are fully functional. The 15” cab looks a bit rough but sounds great. Both are heavy, solid cabinets. Foot switch does not work with my head…not sure which it does work with. Might consider trade for an Elf or similar. Will deliver or meet up close by 

At the George in Doddington. Small pub but really good crowd!

Needs a Trace head though....

I guess I had a different experience. In 1978, I was at university, but also gigging 2-5 nights a week. I was taking home about $150-300 a night. I bought my 63 Jazz for around $250, then a new RD Artist for $800. School and rent was cheap. I sure wish the prices were that kind today.

Value is a slippery thing. There are a lot of giggable bases under £300, especially with some minimal tweaks and upgrades. I find value in my boutique bass when it encourages me to play it. So does a less expensive instrument, just not in the same way. The Pedulla is no case queen, but inspires me to play better.

I would choose the MIM Jazz as a starting point. If you don’t like it, it would be easy to unload and you will get a good feel for life playing a Jazz.

The oldest equipment I have is a leather guitar strap I bought sometime in 1976. Like many here, I sold all my stuff off in the 90’s. I have had my 1974 LoPrinzi acoustic since 1998.

1 hour ago, Mickeyboro said:

Most bands who use the term Americana seem to be British!😂

Ironical, isn't it.....:) 

Maybe I should start a Britannia-a group...we could play stuff that is vaguely British, or English, or, heck maybe even Irish...oh and French cause 1066....   

As with most things to do with instruments, it’s mainly up to personal preference. I’ve got big beefy hands, and prefer the feel of most jazz necks. I know from experience though, that I also can quickly become used to playing on a different profile. Fivers are, for me, even more a matter of getting the right feel. Play lots of them before you buy.

After reading this article, I am no closer too seeing this as a legitimate genre. You just cannot lump Johnnie Cash, Tom Petty,  Bob Dylan, and the Lumineers in the same grouping.