Lfalex v1.1 Posted December 12, 2009 Share Posted December 12, 2009 [quote name='OutToPlayJazz' post='681941' date='Dec 12 2009, 09:22 AM']Most electric basses will do a fairly good facsimilie of an upright if you play over the end of the fingerboard, but my personal recommendation would be a Stingray with the piezo bridge. Very convincing & adaptable, too. It's like having two basses in one. [/quote] I was going to suggest the technique option! No, it doesn't make the instrument "fretless", but it gives a fretted delivery of [i]that[/i] sound. If you have a a two pick-up instrument (especially if it has the extra flexibility of active tone controls), favour the neck pick-up, and dial in a bit of extra bottom, judiciously rollimg of a bit of the top. Plucking with your thumb (from the same basic position) softens the attack further. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delberthot Posted December 13, 2009 Share Posted December 13, 2009 I remember seeing a pic in a mag years ago of Nathan East holding a Clevinger Junior which was a smaller version of the electric upright you could wear with a strap - seems that Neddie's caught up in the pic above. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markdavid Posted December 13, 2009 Share Posted December 13, 2009 [quote name='saxobass' post='681516' date='Dec 11 2009, 06:16 PM']Arthritis forces me away from my upright. I`d like the same sort of sound from, presumably, a bass guitar with some acoustic properties like a Godin or a Viellette. Any advice would be appreciated.[/quote] I would go for one of these if I was after a double bass sound [url="http://www.ibanez.co.jp/products/eb_page09.php?area_id=3&data_id=143&color=CL01&year=2009&cat_id=2&series_id=210"]http://www.ibanez.co.jp/products/eb_page09...p;series_id=210[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted December 13, 2009 Share Posted December 13, 2009 I'm getting reasonably close with my Fretless [url="http://www.lightwave-systems.com/products/bass_guitar_selection.php"]Lightwave Sabre[/url] TI Flats and play over the fingerboard around the 19th "fret" On the bass set the bass to half-way cut, slight mid boost at the centre frequency the warm/cool switch set to warm and just a touch of the Ice-Tone piezo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saxobass Posted December 13, 2009 Author Share Posted December 13, 2009 Thanks for some really helpful stuff. Just come across the Epiphone Zenith, or Triumph 11 in the UK. Has anyone tried one of these yet? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wateroftyne Posted December 13, 2009 Share Posted December 13, 2009 FWIW, despite my suggestion earlier, one of the most convincing URB-alike tones I ever heard was from the hands of The Bass Doc, playing flat-strung Jazz with the bridge pup solo'd and the tone knob rolled off. I didn't believe it either, until I heard him do it.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BottomEndian Posted December 13, 2009 Share Posted December 13, 2009 [quote name='wateroftyne' post='683178' date='Dec 13 2009, 06:04 PM']FWIW, despite my suggestion earlier, one of the most convincing URB-alike tones I ever heard was from the hands of The Bass Doc, playing flat-strung Jazz with the bridge pup solo'd and the tone knob rolled off. I didn't believe it either, until I heard him do it....[/quote] +1. I've heard The Bass Doc do this on his P/J, and it was superb. I seem to remember he was plucking [b]well[/b] over the board -- maybe around the 12th fret? Obviously not bang-on the URB sound, but it was closer than my Ashbory's ever got. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derrenleepoole Posted December 13, 2009 Share Posted December 13, 2009 A Rob Allen Mouse 30... I would love one of these... check out the solo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonny-lad Posted December 13, 2009 Share Posted December 13, 2009 I did a gig (on guitar) and the bass player (who was a dep) was using a 1962 Precision with heavy flatwounds through two Gallien Krueger MB150s and it really sounded great - it was a swing/jazz little big band type of gig and it was the one time when bass guitar fit perfectly. The regular bass player normally uses an Aria SWB Lite EUB , but the Precision fit just as well, if not better! Based on that, I'd be looking into fretless Precisions for a really good bass guitar alternative to an upright bass (IMO). Although having said that, there are so many ways to amplify a double bass that there's a pretty wide range of tones that can be considered upright sounding!...I think a lot of it depends on the exact tone you're after. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annoying Twit Posted December 14, 2009 Share Posted December 14, 2009 [quote name='BurritoBass' post='681568' date='Dec 11 2009, 06:09 PM']I have no clips of me and YouTube has one video which is a bit rubbish and takes 1.38 for the guy to even start playing[/quote] Erm, I hope that isn't showing the strings off in their best light. As IMHO that didn't sound very good to me. As you mention, a bit rubbish. But it didn't sound like a double bass to me. And I'm not sure I like the sound that bass makes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatback Posted December 14, 2009 Share Posted December 14, 2009 [quote name='Crazykiwi' post='681972' date='Dec 12 2009, 09:44 AM']How about a double bass that can be played like a bass guitar? My recommendation would be an NS electric cello, it has a 34" scale, comes with a shoulder strap and is small enough to be played like a bass guitar. I have a friend with one and its every bit as good as the electric uprights but in a more portable package. [url="http://www.nedsteinberger.com/instruments/cello.php"]http://www.nedsteinberger.com/instruments/cello.php[/url] Oh yes, it comes in 4, 5 and 6 string versions too![/quote] OOOOOOOH!!!! fatback Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yorks5stringer Posted December 14, 2009 Share Posted December 14, 2009 Try a Rick Turner Electroline using the piezo bridge pickup and strung with flats. I have one for sale, a 5 string..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EssentialTension Posted December 14, 2009 Share Posted December 14, 2009 [quote name='derrenleepoole' post='683389' date='Dec 13 2009, 09:01 PM']A Rob Allen Mouse 30... I would love one of these... check out the solo [/quote] hmmmm..............that one wins. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dread Bass Posted December 14, 2009 Share Posted December 14, 2009 My Rick Turner fretless Electroline was great for this. I put this down to the Piezo bridge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat Burrito Posted December 14, 2009 Share Posted December 14, 2009 [quote name='Annoying Twit' post='683942' date='Dec 14 2009, 01:24 PM']Erm, I hope that isn't showing the strings off in their best light. As IMHO that didn't sound very good to me. As you mention, a bit rubbish. But it didn't sound like a double bass to me. And I'm not sure I like the sound that bass makes.[/quote] It is a horrible clip (which I guess helps explain why nobody has picked up on it). On my P-bass it sounds much more double bass like. I don't particularly care for his playing style (personal taste) but it was the only video I could find. I got into Rotosound Trubass strings from the recommendation of a friend I really rate as a player. Bar simply adjusting your tone, it's a cheaper option then buying a new bass, if you wish to experiment Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markdavid Posted December 15, 2009 Share Posted December 15, 2009 [quote name='BurritoBass' post='684284' date='Dec 14 2009, 06:29 PM']It is a horrible clip (which I guess helps explain why nobody has picked up on it). On my P-bass it sounds much more double bass like. I don't particularly care for his playing style (personal taste) but it was the only video I could find. I got into Rotosound Trubass strings from the recommendation of a friend I really rate as a player. Bar simply adjusting your tone, it's a cheaper option then buying a new bass, if you wish to experiment[/quote] The Trubass strings do get very close to the double bass sound Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Holder Posted December 18, 2009 Share Posted December 18, 2009 (edited) [quote name='BurritoBass' post='681535' date='Dec 11 2009, 05:38 PM']Any classic bass fitted with Rotosound TruBass strings. They are like double bass strings for an electric bass. I have some on a P-bass and have had several comments about them (even someone coming in from the other room as they thought it was a double bass).[/quote] Yes, agree with this post & others about TruBass strings. I play acoustic bass mainly & use Rotosound TruBass on a Fender jazz when I play electric bass. Best wishes Gary Edited December 18, 2009 by Gary Holder Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Count Bassy Posted December 18, 2009 Share Posted December 18, 2009 [quote name='EssentialTension' post='684182' date='Dec 14 2009, 05:01 PM']hmmmm..............that one wins. [/quote] Go to say that if there wasn't a video I would have thought it was a double bass - I'm not a DB player though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Candybassed Posted November 3, 2012 Share Posted November 3, 2012 Best sounding ABGs I've ever tried are the Rob Allen range and Rick Turner Renaissance acoustic fretless. Sweet, thick tones. The next best thing and significantly cheaper is what I currently play: A crafter fretless acoustic with D'Addario nylon wrapped strings, which are far superior to the Rotosound Tru88s. I had the Rotos for 4yrs and switched to the D'Addarios and the they sustain AND thud better than the rotosounds. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVcVCSruKIU&feature=relmfu http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfrRBqscf7I&feature=relmfu Both clips demonstrate the thud, and the fretless growl if required. Very versatile and for less than £300 in total compared to nearly 3grand for the Rob Allen/Rick Turner basses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fretmeister Posted November 3, 2012 Share Posted November 3, 2012 Kala u bass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krysh Posted November 3, 2012 Share Posted November 3, 2012 (edited) [quote name='Candybassed' timestamp='1351981477' post='1857627'] Best sounding ABGs I've ever tried are the Rob Allen range and Rick Turner Renaissance acoustic fretless. Sweet, thick tones. The next best thing and significantly cheaper is what I currently play: A crafter fretless acoustic with D'Addario nylon wrapped strings, which are far superior to the Rotosound Tru88s. I had the Rotos for 4yrs and switched to the D'Addarios and the they sustain AND thud better than the rotosounds. [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVcVCSruKIU&feature=relmfu[/media] [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfrRBqscf7I&feature=relmfu[/media] Both clips demonstrate the thud, and the fretless growl if required. Very versatile and for less than £300 in total compared to nearly 3grand for the Rob Allen/Rick Turner basses. [/quote] great sound and great playing. and a great voice. good luck! Edited November 3, 2012 by krysh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jus Lukin Posted November 4, 2012 Share Posted November 4, 2012 (edited) - Edited February 16, 2022 by Jus Lukin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mornats Posted November 4, 2012 Share Posted November 4, 2012 Here's my Bass Collection SB320 fretless strung with Rotosound Trubass nylon strings: http://soundcloud.com/mornats/mystery-and-magic I'm not sure how much it sounds like a double-bass, I think it does a little but others have said it doesn't! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prunesquallor Posted November 4, 2012 Share Posted November 4, 2012 How about using a Roland VB-99? One of the modelled presets is a double bass. Again, not a cheap option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martin8708 Posted November 4, 2012 Share Posted November 4, 2012 Poss suggestions , 1). Kala U Bass 2) Aria Sinsonido bass 3) Yamaha BEX 4 The Aria did a pretty good DB sound to my ears . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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