New Jazz Group Tryout

[Perfessor]

I called an ad in the local Scene magazine where a piano/ vocalist wants to put together a jazz group. The one I'm in suits me because of it's informal nature but I thought I'd make the call to check it out. She wants me to play on four songs to produce a demo. She's already put down her track, but we can also play together. She's young, attractive, plays very well and sings with a beautiful clear voice. The next Dianna Krall? We're getting together next week and I'm just gonna walk through the songs from the chord changes. Maybe a 4 bar solo.

[Fran da Man]

Electric?

[Perfessor]

Yes. That's all I have right now, but I can get a pretty good upright-like tone out of it. The piano/singer just got back from playing solo on a cruise ship. She's really very good. Because of my work schedule I'm probably just going to get her started in the area, I found her some venues to send the CD to. I picked up some music that she plays and am working on it ahead of time. Summertime, a Gershwin tune and Raney Day (that's how it's spelled) by Cleveland guitarist Jim Hall, etc.

[Bassius]

hmmmm

 

(i play upright and have one...)

 

 

*plots to steal gig*

 

 

JUSTT KIDIN

 

good luck

[Perfessor]

Gets rechargeable drill ready.

[Zamfir]

 

Originally posted by Perfessor Yes. That's all I have right now, but I can get a pretty good upright-like tone out of it.

 

 

+1.

 

 

I do this with a Geddy J (edit: with flatwounds, yes, go ahead and look at me funny, i'm used to it) --> RBI --> (compressor optional) --> QSC power amp --> Eden 210 XLT. And foam under the strings near the bridge, as well as RH touch, sometimes LH fretting.

 

What's your solution?

[Perfessor]

Last night I was thinking about foam under the strings near the bridge. It might help even more. I looked at some foam that is used for ski goggles and, well, I didn't find anything too satisfactory.

 

I just use a neckthrough passive bass with two J pickups - a Washburn T24. It's mahogany. The amp I use is a Behringer with a shape control that makes a very smooth sound through a 12" aluminum cone speaker. Laughs starting up here, too. I'm actually getting an Eden in about three paychecks, not because the Behringer has been unrealiable, but because I played through one and the sound is very clear.

 

The sustain is my biggest enemy when doing jazz, but the sound is right there. Bass +2, Low Mid +1 1/2, high mid 0, treble -2.

[james on bass]

Very cool. I'd love to get a fretless again and join a jazz group. Of course, lack of funds and the fact that I already have 2 bands make that an impossibility.

 

I remember jamming with some jazz guys about 15 years ago. I sure looked the part with my 6 string NT Warwick Thumb. Of course it's the playing that matters, and unfortunately I sucked ass, so wasn't invited back:rolleyes:

[Zamfir]

Originally posted by Perfessor Last night I was thinking about foam under the strings near the bridge. It might help even more. I looked at some foam that is used for ski goggles and, well, I didn't find anything too satisfactory. I just use a neckthrough passive bass with two J pickups - a Washburn T24. It's mahogany. The amp I use is a Behringer with a shape control that makes a very smooth sound through a 12" aluminum cone speaker. Laughs starting up here, too. I'm actually getting an Eden in about three paychecks, not because the Behringer has been unrealiable, but because I played through one and the sound is very clear. The sustain is my biggest enemy when doing jazz, but the sound is right there. Bass +2, Low Mid +1 1/2, high mid 0, treble -2.

 

Foam-wise, I use a snipped off piece of batting, rolled up. Might go a little thinner, to improve sustain, but so far it's pretty good.

 

We're never going to approach what real URB-ers can do with a bow, but eh... I have a volume pedal to approach a smoother attack, but sustain...

 

Enjoy the Eden when you get it. Great cab. Love mine to death.

[Perfessor]

I found some 1" X 1 1/2" foam at work, the kind they use to insulate windows and window air conditioners. But I was also thinking that there has to be a way to make a preamp that has various sustain levels and even a mwaa selection, one that would get greater mwaa sound the lower the frequency. Food for thought. I thought I'd call some local college profs to ask them for suggestions. I also have a radio gear place near me with guys who design their own stuff.

[Perfessor]

I experimented with the foam, but I didn't like it very much. I really love the tone of my bass the way it is. It would be nice to get a little closer to the upright, but the neckthrough mahogany Washburn I have is pretty close. I've had people tell me it sounds close, especially with the piano. The foam reminded me of the '73 Fender I had that had a foam padded bridge cover to deaden the sound.