Okay this may be a really weird question but I would be very happy if this could actually be done. But would you able to use a bass guitar as an upright bass? I have an octave pedal so I can use that to hit the low notes, but I'm more concerned about playing it upright. Do they sell endpins that can be attached to bass guitars?
Using Electric Bass Guitar as Upright Bass
- Thread starter DXL
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Alex Kenivel
Stunt Guitar
Hm..I was expecting this thread to be going in a different direction, but I'm sure you might be able to rig something up if you're crafty...
but I've gotten an upright-bassy tone with eq and palm muting..
but I've gotten an upright-bassy tone with eq and palm muting..
TheEmptyCell
Dingwall Player
Get a big dowel at Home Depot and stick it on there. An upright doesn't play notes lower than an electric bass, but the tone is radically different. Fretless, high action, heavy flat wound strings, piezo pickup, and a foam mute under the strings will sound like a sh*tty upright.
F1Filter
Contributor
Not sure why you'd need an octave pedal. Tuning is the same on both electric and upright (assuming you're in concert pitch).
If you're more concerned about replicating the actual timbre of an upright. Just do what Leo Fender intended the Precision Bass for. Use flatwounds and a foam mute.
If you're more concerned about replicating the actual timbre of an upright. Just do what Leo Fender intended the Precision Bass for. Use flatwounds and a foam mute.
Basically what theemptycell said.
I find Precision basses to be the best choice when emulating upright. There's a fretless Squier Precision on the market for cheap, I'm tempted at grabbing one to mess around with.
I find Precision basses to be the best choice when emulating upright. There's a fretless Squier Precision on the market for cheap, I'm tempted at grabbing one to mess around with.
TheEmptyCell
Dingwall Player
Hollowbody also helps.
You're better off saving your money and time and getting yourself an electric upright like an Ergo.
You're better off saving your money and time and getting yourself an electric upright like an Ergo.
Okay second question, anyone have any idea how to get the dowel on the bass without ruining the bass and so that it can easily be taken off and put back on? I was thinking of gluing a strong magnet to the end of the dowel and sticking it to the strap peg.
TheEmptyCell
Dingwall Player
The strap peg is too narrow, I would assume, for this to work.
Get a dowel, drill a hole in one end, and drive a long screw into it, leaving an inch or inch and a half sticking out. Cut the head of the screw off, take your strap peg off, and then screw your stick to your bass. Congrats, you'll have the most awkward, uncomfortable upright bass in history. It won't rest correctly against your body and will try to rotate away from playing position.
Get a dowel, drill a hole in one end, and drive a long screw into it, leaving an inch or inch and a half sticking out. Cut the head of the screw off, take your strap peg off, and then screw your stick to your bass. Congrats, you'll have the most awkward, uncomfortable upright bass in history. It won't rest correctly against your body and will try to rotate away from playing position.
