double bass/contrabass simulator for bass guitar?

[rabbit]

HI,

although I don´t play bass, I wondered if there is a device (you´d plug your solidbody bass into) that simulates a double bass: the deep resonant tone, the slight buzzing of the strings ... I love that sound. So, out of curiousity, does smth like that exist? Thanks

[jyee]

nothing exists that i know of... the problem is that there's no way to simulate a 42" scale (upright) on a 30-34" (electric) scale. it's sort of like trying to simulate a bass on a baritone guitar... just doesn't work. then there's also the box size (i.e. body volume/space), which is why EUBs (electric upright bass) don't really have the same presence as real uprights.

generally the best things you can do to simulate the sound is:
1. go fretless
2. switch to flatwound strings
3. get an acoustic or try to get an acoustic piezo pickup involved somewhere (i know there are bridges out there with piezos built in... not sure how good they sound, but they probably sound a bit more acoustic than say humbuckers)

as for effects, maybe a hint of an octave pedal 1 below where your playing to add some more bass?

[rabbit]

Thanks jyee! Didn´t think of the scale problem. So it seems like we have to wait for Line6 to come up with a bass version of the modelling guitar ;).

[daddyplayedsax]

Thanks jyee! Didn´t think of the scale problem. So it seems like we have to wait for Line6 to come up with a bass version of the modelling guitar ;).

The bass variax has a double bass modelled on it, but it doesn't sound quite like the real one obviously. The fret noise and thump is really hard to model accurately, especially because you don't get it on a fretted electric.

[doc]

Taking a different tack, look at the Ashbory bass with rubber strings.

[RickC]

another non-intuitive approach; I've heard some amazing upright-like tone from a fretless Rickenbacker 4001 strung with flats. A couple of guys in the clubs around these parts use this, with great results.

/rick

[musicofanatic5]

Yes, the Ashbory/rubber string thing is the closest. Trouble is the scale length. It is so short that intonation is a nightmare. On the 41-42" length on an upright it's very forgiving as concerns finger placement. Not so on this mini bass.