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Post new topic Effects Box for Bass
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Author Topic:  Effects Box for Bass
Derrick Mau

 

From:
Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
Post  Posted 20 Apr 2007 11:35 pm    
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Is there an effects box available that will make an electric bass sound like an upright bass? or close to it?
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Mike Neer


From:
NJ
Post  Posted 21 Apr 2007 4:03 am    
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Not that I know of, but you can try moving your right hand closer to the neck and farther from the bridge, using a lighter touch with the fingers only (no pick), EQing the mids down a lot, using flatwound strings and turning off any tweeter on the amp, if it has one. Still not going to give that sound, but will sound more like it.
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Steve Alcott

 

From:
New York, New York, USA
Post  Posted 21 Apr 2007 8:59 am    
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Try playing with your thumb and muting the strings slightly with your palm.
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Derrick Mau

 

From:
Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
Post  Posted 22 Apr 2007 11:27 am    
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Mike and Steve,

Thanks for your help. Sure appreciate it. Very Happy
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Kevin Ruddell

 

From:
Toledo Ohio USA
Post  Posted 22 Apr 2007 11:37 am     LaBella flats
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The LaBella 760 FL flatwounds are great strings and will help . They are one of the few flats that are low tension , not clickey ,and have a buttery smooth low end but really nice definition on the top too . Best string I ever tried for bass . They lasted about 90 days for me before needing changing . The top end and intonation starts to go a little after the 3 month mark.
An out of Production Epiphone El Kapitan Acoustic Bass guitar through a Tech 21 Acoustic DI box with phosphor bronze strings worked very good for me getting something akin to an amplified acoustic bass sound
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Jim Bob Sedgwick

 

From:
Clinton, Missouri USA
Post  Posted 22 Apr 2007 7:15 pm    
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Derrick.... I have often thought the same as you do. I think a stomp box could be modeled that would at least approximate the sound of the stand up bass.

It probably hasn't been done as there must not be that much demand for it. It sure would be great to switch back and forth though.
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Tony Dingus

 

From:
Kingsport, Tennessee, USA
Post  Posted 22 Apr 2007 7:25 pm    
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I know this is not and effects unit but, 3 bass players I do sessions with have a Line 6 Variax bass and it has an acoustic bass setting that is real! Musicians Friend is closing them out for $500.00 I think. May be more money than you want to spend too.

Tony
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Ben Jones


From:
Seattle, Washington, USA
Post  Posted 23 Apr 2007 1:25 pm    
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Boss makes a pedal called the Acoustic Simulator for guitars, you might go try one out on a bass and see if it gets you close?
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Michael Strauss


From:
Delray Beach,Florida
Post  Posted 24 Apr 2007 1:37 pm    
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I have an Alverez Acousitc bass with nylon strings if I want that upright sound. I do want to get a Zeta electric which I think would be even closer.

Instead of buying effects pedals, I think it's great excuse to get a new bass (I'm up to 7). I still NEED a Fender Jazz Bass, a Ric, the Zeta and maybe a 60's Guild Starfire. Very Happy
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Dave Sky

 

From:
Columbus, Ohio, USA
Post  Posted 24 Apr 2007 4:53 pm    
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For $224 you can buy an Ashbory electric bass that sounds like an upright.
http://www.largesound.com/cart/agora.cgi?product=Basses

This is a very short scale bass that uses rubber-like strings.

Listen to the sound clip:

http://www.largesound.com/ashborytour/sound/

or with ukes:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xvw_fn0AdHk
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Eric Jaeger

 

From:
Oakland, California, USA
Post  Posted 26 Apr 2007 9:35 am    
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It's not the question you asked, but Rick Taylor makes a fretless that's a dead ringer for an upright in tone.

-eric

p.s. are fretlesses out of style now? you don't see them much anymore.
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Rick Batey

 

Post  Posted 26 Apr 2007 10:18 am    
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Eric, are you maybe thinking of Rick Turner and his Renaissance basses?

Last edited by Rick Batey on 7 Apr 2008 2:44 pm; edited 1 time in total
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Mike Winter


From:
Portland, OR
Post  Posted 26 Apr 2007 9:06 pm    
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My 1994 Sting Ray has those adjustable muting pads under the strings at the bridge. They can make it sound pretty close, especially with flat-wound strings. On basses without those I used to put a shop rag down there for that effect. Smile
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Steve Alcott

 

From:
New York, New York, USA
Post  Posted 26 Apr 2007 9:13 pm    
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Another thing you can try is a piece of foam rubber with slots for the strings. Different density will yield different degrees of damping.
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Eric Jaeger

 

From:
Oakland, California, USA
Post  Posted 27 Apr 2007 12:52 pm    
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Ooops.

Rick, you're absolutely right. I think I was developing "typing dyslexia" Smile

Rick Turner's Renaissance basses are very impressive IMHO, and take an entirely different approach to bass than anything I've ever heard.

-eric
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