KAP Posted June 19, 2001 Share Posted June 19, 2001 I read Ed's excellent Bass Player article on this subject, but what I am also looking for is EQ and relative volume settings on the amp and on the bass that will help approximate the resonance of an upright bass. You can be specific with frequencies, since I have a 9-band EQ on my amp. I'm also curious if anyone uses a particular brand of flatwounds that give more of an upright tone. I have new Dean Markley flats on now, they're quite stiff, and I know that upright strings are usually much more flexible and have less sustain. Please don't say "get an upright!" I would if I could! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Lawson Posted June 19, 2001 Share Posted June 19, 2001 KAP, there are so many variables in any tone, that frequencies and such like are only ever going to be approximate... as for strings - tapewounds can sound really cool, but then there's such a diverse range of upright sounds, you're still only going to sound like one kind of upright with one kind of strings! ) Try comparing Neils Henning Orsted Peterson with Patitucci, or with Edgar Meyer, or Scot Lafaro, or Eddie Gomez, or David Friesen????? they all sound wildly different, with different strings, amps, set ups and basses... best bet is to take some time and experiment - try everything, all the EQ ideas that you can. If you're OK with setups, try raising and lowering the action. try a set of tapewound strings, then try tomastik flats, or elites or Labellas... Ulitmately, it's more in the hands than the bass, I'm sorry to say. I only wish it were possible to buy tone. All you can do is remove obstacles... cheers Steve www.steve-lawson.co.uk StevieLand - go on, you know you want to! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jason Poff Posted June 19, 2001 Share Posted June 19, 2001 One thing that helps get a fat woody sound is picking softly with your fingers 12 frets up from where the note is. Takes a little getting used to but isn't as weird as it sounds in practice. Just make your right hand think like your left. Jason Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed Friedland Posted June 19, 2001 Share Posted June 19, 2001 For those of you curious about the article, check it out at: http://www.bassplayer.com/trenches/thumb.shtml ------------------ www.edfriedland.com www.edfriedland.com The Bass Whisperer Bass Whisperer TV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KAP Posted June 19, 2001 Author Share Posted June 19, 2001 I've tried Fender nylon flats. I liked the sound but they lost their tone after about four months. I was also unhappy with their apparent inability to stay in tune, and I had intonation problems, too - I had to set the barrels almost as far as they would go toward the bridge. After a while they felt "stretched out," and they would roll sometimes when fretted. I'll give the Dean Markleys a couple weeks, if I'm not happy with them I'll try something else. It's hard as hell finding flats in my local stores. I know what you mean Steve, there's no easy fix. Thanks everyone! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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