"Regular" Fretless vs EUB's

[mikedm]

Other than emulating a favorite bassist, I'd like to hear club members thoughts regarding their decisions when chosing the standard versions or an EUB. Traditional uprights are not in my plans.
 
Are there advantages to consider one over the other? Comfort, technique - bow, slurring..?  I have tried several Fender-style basses, but no EUB's.
If it helps, my reason for asking is that the band I play in at church will be adding an unplugged  session to our schedule.
 
We will be composing new arrangements of  the Christian pop we already play and I don't see any leaning towards a traditional jazz - walking bass line - influence.
 
thanks in advance,
Mke

[bracheen]

When I bought a fretless (Jazz Bass) some time ago the reasonings behind the guitar type vs. the upright were as simple as price and familiarity.  Another plus was the Fender didn't need as much space.  My first thought in reading your description of what you'll be playing was to go with the EUB.  It seems like that would be a better fit if you're comfortable with the upright.  
 
Sam

[beelee]

I don't have any experience playing a traditional upright bass, but do own/play a number of fender style fretless basses, an acoustic electric bass and a EUB.
 
I purchased them not so much to emulate a favorite bassist, but to expand my instrument choices, experiment, and add to my versatility.
 
Ibanez MC940 DS unlined fretless bass ( Had dots on fretboard under G String)
Very vesatile sounding bass, comfortable to play, Ibanez copied Alembic designs. ( It was very nice, but I've moved on to other instruments so it was sold)
 
Pedulla Pentabuzz ( 5 string lined )
Guild Ashbory ( pre-DeArmond) ( 4 string lined)
Fodera Monarch Elite ( 6 string unlined, has fretlines on side of neck)
Modulus Prototype ( 7 string lined)
 
Michael Kelly Dragonfly Acoustic Electric 5 string Fretted  ( also availabe in a fretless version)
I  never heard of this company and took a chance, very nice looking, sounding and playing bass both electric and acoustic, nice price too. I used to have a Kramer Ferrington Ac/El, it was disapointing so now its history.
 
Zeta Crossover EUB, unlined, can be played as an upright or worn with a strap like a fender.
I've had it for about 8+ months.
Looks very unique and sounds really nice, I've only played it as an upright and haven't tried bowing yet or wearing it with a strap.
 
I guess it comes down to how much you want/are able to spend on an instrument.
A fender style is easier to play, haul around and more comfortable....but can't be bowed....played acoustically unless its an aco/elect like my MK
 
An EUB like the Zeta you have the best of all worlds, but no acoustic.......
 
Bruce

[mikedm]

Thanks for the feedback. I'm going to scower the town for any EUBs and spend some time with them. I can see advantages for both the guitar-type and the EUB. Maybe one of each.....?
I have been looking at the Fodera line, there is a local dealer I can talk to. They also support Azola. They'll be my first stop.
Rehearsal last night: accoustic guitars, piano and sans drummer...I could hear where a fretless would have sounded just right.
 
thanks again,
Mike

[palembic]

Brother Mike,
 
without the intention to spoil the patry: have you considered the Rob Allen type bass?? I own one and it is truly a dream to play and something completely different and apart from the other instruments discussed here.
I KNOW there are other brands.
Just an idea.
 
Paul TBO ...TOBO  whatever
 
(Message edited by palembic on September 28, 2005)

[palembic]

This one:

 

 

[mikedm]

Paul,
You're always welcome to the party.
That's a gorgeous bass. Went to web site, very attractive basses and options, thanks for the lead.
 
Mike

[beelee]

beautiful bass Paul, is that the volume knob by the bridge ?
 
Bruce

[palembic]

Yep ... that's it.
ASh body, Coco-bolo lined fretless fingerboard, Walnut neck, Clarowood top.
Mr. Turner has a simular model and there are other brands.
When playing this bass I feel more comfortable with a decent sound shaping device behind me. My SF-2 works wonderfull with this instrument.
Soundwise it's the closest to an acoustic upright you can get though it's further away from the classic fretless sound than you would imaging.
Inconvenience: a high action due to the soft-feeling nylon LaBella strings. I contacted Rob about it and he gave me the advice to dismount the neck and slip a business card under it in and remount.
A weird way to handle for a man who owns an Alembic with a swingable neck. Altough it WAS effective and conveniant for mu soft touch.
 
Paul TBO

[gbarchus]

I have a Fender Jazz fretless, a Washburn fretless AB 40, an Azola Bugbass (EUB) and a blonde 60s Kay upright. They all do different things and I'm lucky to be able to have them all.
 
Two important factors for me are scale (string length) and pick up, Playing a 42 Hz E note sounds different on a 34 scale and a 41.5 scale. Also, a magnetic pickup sounds different than a piezo. Some people like the sound of a piezo but I don't. Yet, three of these basses use piezo pickups.
 
I use the term different because everyone has their own preferences. But I think there is enough of a difference to warrant some notice. Some basses today have both in order to blend the sound.
 
I would like to put a magnetic pickup on my Washburn but have yet to find one that fits. The Kay bass has an Underwood (piezo) pickup and sounds pretty good if I can get a balance between the pickup and the acoustic (natural) sound.
 
If note attack is important, I play the Fender fretless since, out of all these basses, it can sound more like a fretted instrument.
 
Gale
 
(Message edited by gbarchus on September 29, 2005)

[gbarchus]

Bye the way, Paul,
 
That IS a gorgeous bass!
 
Gale

[gbarchus]

Another thing,
 
I quit playing fretless for a few years because people said I sounded like a favorite bassist.  Now I don't mind emulating. One of my recent bands played Intro/the Chicken with horns and I was never so happy to finally play his music.
 
Gale
 
Gale

[palembic]

Brother Gale,
 
you're absolutely right about each bass having his own sound. I chose this bass to have something AS FAR POSSIBLE from the sound I get with Bonnie (Alembic).
The A-bass is also made/chosen for that reason!
But ...that is a story for another threat!
BTW: hanks for the compliment!
 
Paul TBO