dirtystatic Posted February 4, 2014 Share Posted February 4, 2014 I'm looking for a new bass for use in a Irish music band. I know bass isn't typically associated with traditional Irish music, but it works really well and it keeps me busy so I'm not complaining. I typically use a Fender P, I keep it low and thumpy and it does a decent job. But I think I make enough money from the band to warrant purchasing a dedicated instrument for the band (and also because I'll use any excuse to spend money on a bass). I want to go fretless and get something approaching the sound of an upright, it also has to be more "traditional" in appearance. So far I'm looking at various electro acoustics, the Kala U-bass and also the Epiphone Zenith. Any thoughts or suggestions for me? Also, I should mention that I'm not interested in graduating to full upright just yet. No room! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RAY AGAINST THE MACHINE Posted February 4, 2014 Share Posted February 4, 2014 Double bass? Dean pace? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andydye Posted February 4, 2014 Share Posted February 4, 2014 The NS Designs NXT4 is an excellent EUB for the money (esp s/h)! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dirtystatic Posted February 4, 2014 Author Share Posted February 4, 2014 I've owned an EUB in the past and I really struggled. I'm sure with time I'd get better but we've got a busy spring and summer coming up so I don't have the time to invest. That's why the three I mentioned earlier appealed to me because it won't be a huge jump from standard electric bass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andydye Posted February 4, 2014 Share Posted February 4, 2014 [quote name='dirtystatic' timestamp='1391520497' post='2358020'] I've owned an EUB in the past and I really struggled. I'm sure with time I'd get better but we've got a busy spring and summer coming up so I don't have the time to invest. That's why the three I mentioned earlier appealed to me because it won't be a huge jump from standard electric bass. [/quote] I found the transition from fretless electric to EUB really simple and leapt in to gigging with mine the day after I got it and had no ill effects or playing problems from the change at all...this is where everyone's different innit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andydye Posted February 4, 2014 Share Posted February 4, 2014 mebbe try a fretless p-bass first as it'll be most like your current rig but will give a bit more air around the sound? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hubrad Posted February 4, 2014 Share Posted February 4, 2014 Black nylons on a fretless.. I use the Picato ones but most brands do them. Closest I've got to an amplified d.b.tone from an electric bass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted February 4, 2014 Share Posted February 4, 2014 [quote name='hubrad' timestamp='1391520927' post='2358030'] Black nylons on a fretless... [/quote] This - and it should be a sunburst/tort/rosewood P-Bass - preferably through an Ampeg B15 for the win. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dirtystatic Posted February 4, 2014 Author Share Posted February 4, 2014 Any opinions on fretless electro acoustics? I've seen a nice Crafter one. An acoustic would also keep with the aesthetic of the band. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roland Rock Posted February 4, 2014 Share Posted February 4, 2014 I'd be really tempted to check out the teeny tiny Kala U Bass - very practical, a great DB sound, and I could imagine it looking pretty cool up on stage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted February 4, 2014 Share Posted February 4, 2014 Then this would probably fit the bill but, er... it's not cheap. [url="http://www.pmtonline.co.uk/takamine-tb10-bass-fretless-cutaway-electro-acoustic-bass-red-stain.html"]http://www.pmtonline.co.uk/takamine-tb10-bass-fretless-cutaway-electro-acoustic-bass-red-stain.html[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grangur Posted February 4, 2014 Share Posted February 4, 2014 How about a Wishbass? It's got a good, down to earth look and a great growl tone and fretless mwaaa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geek99 Posted February 4, 2014 Share Posted February 4, 2014 I think bass in Irish music is fine. I've seen plenty of trad bands incorporate one seamlessly. All the ones I saw were Precisions, as I recall but I dont think its compulsory as long as its a fairly mellow kind of tone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mog Posted February 4, 2014 Share Posted February 4, 2014 How's your intonation on a fretless? If you're not too accurate I'd go with a fretted Jazz or similar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EMG456 Posted February 4, 2014 Share Posted February 4, 2014 [quote name='discreet' timestamp='1391524471' post='2358107'] Then this would probably fit the bill but, er... it's not cheap. [url="http://www.pmtonline.co.uk/takamine-tb10-bass-fretless-cutaway-electro-acoustic-bass-red-stain.html"]http://www.pmtonline.co.uk/takamine-tb10-bass-fretless-cutaway-electro-acoustic-bass-red-stain.html[/url] [/quote] That would indeed be ideal- I've been gassing for a B10 or TB 10 for years now... Very rarely come up secondhand. Alternatively, as well as their extensive range of EUBs, NS Design also offer the Omnibass in four or 5 string versions. It's a 34 inch scale bass which can be played upright or horizontal and can be bowed. Might be the ideal transition? Cheers Ed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squeezer Posted February 5, 2014 Share Posted February 5, 2014 If you want to go fretless and want something that sounds closer to an acoustic bass, go down to Bass Direct and try out a Lightwave. They don't sound like anything else, you'll either love it (like I did with my fretless SL5) or hate it ;-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KK Jale Posted February 5, 2014 Share Posted February 5, 2014 (edited) I do like a woody handmade look in folky situations. Something like this Mo Clifton would be cool. [url="http://smg.photobucket.com/user/transalp1998/media/aaamobass_zps6ba3e56e.jpg.html"][/url] Edited February 5, 2014 by KK Jale Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveFry Posted February 5, 2014 Share Posted February 5, 2014 If you have no room for a full ( 3/4 ) upright then maybe consider a 1/4 ( 35.5 inch scale ) , or a 1/2 size . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete.young Posted February 6, 2014 Share Posted February 6, 2014 A cheap way to try out the U Bass option is the Harley Benton Kahuna spotted by Dannybuoy , see his separate thread. I guess it depends what kind of Irish Folk music you're playing. Bands like Horslips and The Pogues have used the bass guitar very successfully. Sharon Shannon and the Woodchoppers and Clannad, have done fantastic things with double bass, De Danann with cello, Bothy Band with clavinet. I think these are the exception rather than the rule though. Apart from Sharon Shannon, I can't think of many jigs and reels type bands who have benefitted from the introduction of a bass, and there's at least one clip of De Danann on the net showing how spectacularly terrible it can turn out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skej21 Posted February 6, 2014 Share Posted February 6, 2014 (edited) [quote name='dirtystatic' timestamp='1391517926' post='2357970'] I'm looking for a new bass for use in a Irish music band. I know bass isn't typically associated with traditional Irish music, but it works really well and it keeps me busy so I'm not complaining. I typically use a Fender P, I keep it low and thumpy and it does a decent job. But I think I make enough money from the band to warrant purchasing a dedicated instrument for the band (and also because I'll use any excuse to spend money on a bass). I want to go fretless and get something approaching the sound of an upright, it also has to be more "traditional" in appearance. So far I'm looking at various electro acoustics, the Kala U-bass and also the Epiphone Zenith. Any thoughts or suggestions for me? Also, I should mention that I'm not interested in graduating to full upright just yet. No room! [/quote] I played in an Irish folk band and used a precision with flats exclusively. I then decided to get a cheapish electric upright as I felt similar to you about wanting to keep in with the traditional element of the music. A few hundred quid, no difference in the mix, a handful of awful gigs and countless setting up/EQ/feedback issues later (the end pin loved picking up EVERY vibration going!) later, I went back to the precision. Save your time/money and keep the precision IMO. Edited February 6, 2014 by skej21 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tauzero Posted February 8, 2014 Share Posted February 8, 2014 While admittedly we were playing mainly English rather than Irish music, when I was with the ceilidh band I used a fretless Warwick Thumb. Lovely woody instrument. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SlapbassSteve Posted February 8, 2014 Share Posted February 8, 2014 I've a lot of love for my U-Bass and it does a lovely upright sound when played near the neck, so if not a U-Bass proper the aforementioned Harley Benton copy would at very least be a perfect portable backup bass for the precision. See also the Aquila ShortBassOne if you want less of a ukulele vibe and some really cool red strings(I really need to try one of those soon myself!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dirtystatic Posted February 8, 2014 Author Share Posted February 8, 2014 Many thanks for the replies. I'm torn between the U-bass or a Crafter BA400 fretless. I had the opportunity to play a Kala (we played at a folk festival in Uttoxeter and there was a Kala stand there) but I doubt I'd get a chance to try the Crafter before I buy. I'm swaying towards the Crafter as the Kala is pretty useless with out an amp. There's been a fair few occasions when we've been at festivals or abroad where we've popped into a local pub after the gig and played a session for some food/booze. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mog Posted February 11, 2014 Share Posted February 11, 2014 The crafter will be just a useless if there's more than one acoustic guitar and perhaps even a single jumbo bodied acoustic. You'll just about get away playing an unamplified acoustic bass with a banjo, whistle and bodhrán but add an accordion or similar into the mix and you wont be heard in a decent sized room. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattM Posted February 11, 2014 Share Posted February 11, 2014 FWIW I used to play bass in such a combo many moons ago, acoustic bass doesn't cut it particularly over a box and fiddle. I used an electric bass plus a small 30W practise combo, worked well. You could go with an electro acoustic bass, and take the amp for louder number just in case. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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