How do you feel about the electric bass in jazz?

[Hardbopjazz]

When I think of jazz, I can always pitcher the walking bass sound from those giant upright instruments. Do you think the electric bass has the same feel to it as its counterpart?

Edited May 21, 2004 by Hardbopjazz

[Alexander]

If its played well, I enjoy the sound of an electric bass just as much as an acoustic bass.

[wesbed]

If its played well, I enjoy the sound of an electric bass just as much as an acoustic bass.

I agree 100%. So much of the time, though, the electric bass, to me, is not played well. As a result, I tend to prefer the acoustic bass.

[Hardbopjazz]

If its played well, I enjoy the sound of an electric bass just as much as an acoustic bass.

I agree 100%. So much of the time, though, the electric bass, to me, is not played well. As a result, I tend to prefer the acoustic bass.

Thta's the key for me, it has to be played well. I wonder in players like Ron Carter, Ray Brown and others of their acclaim, ever recorded with the electric bass?

[wesbed]

If you buy RVGs (I buy them all), you can hear an acoustic bass that sounds electric.

[GregK]

I am not a fan of the electric bass in jazz at all. I really enjoy that "wooden" sound of the acoustic. It always seems to fit so much better with other acoustic instruments (of course I'm talking acoustic jazz here)

[PHILLYQ]

I can't recall the exact recording, but I believe Ron Carter has played electric bass on one of his own discs, maybe 'Uptown Conversation'. Sonny Rollins has used electric bass almost exclusively for over 30 years. If it's played well that's all that matters to me.

[Michael Fitzgerald]

Around 1968 there was a pretty big change, with folks we normally associate more with the acoustic bass adding electric bass to their arsenal: Dave Holland (1968-), Bob Cranshaw (1968-), Steve Swallow (1968-), Ron Carter (1968-1976 only), Buster Williams (1969-1975 only), Ray Brown (1968-1970 only), etc.

Mike

[Harold_Z]

It aint the ax.

It's the player.

[Rooster_Ties]

I usually don't care for electric bass with acoustic piano all that much (but even that's not a rock-solid rule).

Other than that, it all depends on the vibe of the session, and the quality of the players.

[danasgoodstuff]

To me, bass is a role not an instrument. So, Adrian Rollini (bass sax) and Howard Johnson (tuba) are bass players but Scott LaFaro (acoustic bass viol) and Jaco Patorious (electric bass guitar) are not, as a general rule at least. Not that Jaco and Scotty weren't great, but most of what they did wasn't really much of a base(sic), IMHO.

[Morganized]

It aint the ax.

It's the player.

This is probably the problem. I would say that I prefer the accoustic bass but a lot of the reason for that is the player. It seems very, very, very few jazz bass players can resist slapping the strings and funking it up. To me it just ruins the tune IMHO. Makes it sound like I am listening to KC and the Sunshine Boys!!! Not that funk is all bad, don't get me wrong, but it seldom seems to fit in these instances.

Just my two cents........

[Harold_Z]

EXACTLY right, Morganized and Danagoodstuff.

Going back into the late 60s and 70s, a lot of jazz bandleaders hired guys playing electric bass in an effort to be "contemporary". A lot of the these guys were rock players who just didn't have the right sensibility for jazz, couldn't walk and couldn't swing. Too locked into the rock 8th note groove. The instrument ended up taking the blame for the bad players.

[catesta]

I prefer the acoustic bass, call me old fashioned. B)

But as other have pointed out, an electric bass in the right hands works just fine.

[JSngry]

Whatever works is good with me.

Which is nowhere as simplistic as it might sound...

[rockefeller center]

Ah, some consistent opinions here. http://www.organissimo.org/forum/index.php...t=0entry95571

Electric dislikers: what about EUB players like E. Weber?

[7/4]

Ah, some consistent opinions here. http://www.organissimo.org/forum/index.php...t=0entry95571

Electric dislikers: what about EUB players like E. Weber?

A unique voice!

[John Tapscott]

I don't like it for the kind of jazz I generally listen to. This AM I've been listening to Disc 3 of the J.J. Johnson Mosaic and concentrating on Paul Chambers' bass sound. Sorry, but I've never heard anyone get that wonderfully warm, pulsating, swinging sound out of an electric bass. (Now I'm really looking forward to the Kelly/Chambers Mosaic). Of course, there are some excellent electric players like Swallow and Cranshaw who can almost make you make you forget they're playing electric. But that raises the question - if their goal is to get an acoustic-like sound on the electric bass, why not just play the acoustic?

[tonym]

Just think of all the fine albums we'd be without if the electric protagonists were denied their thing; remember, this isn't only the bass players themselves but the directing forces, people like Miles.

[rockefeller center]

Sorry, but I've never heard anyone get that wonderfully warm, pulsating, swinging sound out of an electric bass. (Now I'm really looking forward to the Kelly/Chambers Mosaic).

I think this comes close: http://sg1.allmusic.com/cg/smp.dll?link=9t...yp5h4k&r=20.asx

http://sg1.allmusic.com/cg/smp.dll?link=yo...lu56vd&r=20.asx

But that raises the question -  if their goal is to get an acoustic-like sound on the electric bass, why not just play the acoustic?

From an economical point of view: I'm learning to play the upright bass and taking the instrument to my lessons is a pain. Can't imagine how it must be to travel around the globe with this thing (plus the costs). Maintenance could also be an issue (i.e. repairs).

[rockefeller center]

Plus, I'm not sure if it is Swallow's or Cranshaw's goal to get an acoustic sound. Swallow doesn't sound acoustic to me. He achieved this distinctive tone that you hardly can get with an acoustic bass. I'm glad Swallow went electric.

Edited May 21, 2004 by rockefeller center

[WD45]

I don't like it for the kind of jazz I generally listen to. This AM I've been listening to Disc 3 of the J.J. Johnson Mosaic and concentrating on Paul Chambers' bass sound. Sorry, but I've never heard anyone get that wonderfully warm, pulsating, swinging sound out of an electric bass. (Now I'm really looking forward to the Kelly/Chambers Mosaic). Of course, there are some excellent electric players like Swallow and Cranshaw who can almost make you make you forget they're playing electric. But that raises the question - if their goal is to get an acoustic-like sound on the electric bass, why not just play the acoustic?

I think Cranshaw left the acoustic for ergonomic / health reasons, yes?

[Upright Bill]

First, note the User Name. Now that I've established my bias let me say this; Sometimes the choice in a live situation is simply a matter of volume. A Double Bass, even with a pickup or a mic, can have trouble competing with an electric piano or an organ in a live situation.

I always prefer upright bass and like for everyone to turn down.

On the other hand why do horm players (the loudest guys in the combo) always think that they need a mic reguardless of the size of the venue?

[Joe]

I like Monk Montgomery's pioneering work on electric bass...

[JSngry]

On the other hand why do horm players (the loudest guys in the combo) always think that they need a mic reguardless of the size of the venue?

Because the bass player is turned up so damned loud!

Seriously - unless it's a style of music or a venue where amplification is either traditional or necessary, I'd just as soon do without it.

I'm a Texas Tenor - I don't NEED no stinkin' microphone!