How do you feel about the electric bass in jazz?

[Alexander Hawkins]

catesta Posted: May 21 2004, 08:38 AM 

I prefer the acoustic bass, call me old fashioned. 

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

Agree. I really enjoy the electric played well, but there's something about the upright!

And I ABSOLUTELY agree here

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?

[Guest ariceffron]

did ray brown really switch to electric exclusively for 2 years. or was he just using it in addition.

[Upright Bill]

did ray brown really switch to electric exclusively for 2 years. or was he just using it in addition.

I recall an interview with him where he recommended that the "young cats" play both but he tried it and didn't like it.

From my perspective, its a totally different instrument. It serves the same function in the band and its tuned the same but that's it. As a friend of mine likes to say, "Ones a guitar the others a violin."

[Upright Bill]

Agree. I really enjoy the electric played well, but there's something about the upright!

I'm a bass fanatic, but the ugliest sound in the world is steel strings bouncing off nickel frets out of time with the tune.

[BruceH]

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)

I'm with Greg on this one.

[EKE BBB]

Ditto.

When I look at my collection, hardly a bunch of discs with electric bass are among my favorites. But it´s just me. Nothing against the instrument or the players. No accoustic instruments zealot here (aka Wynton-ite)