Hi and thanks for checking my channel out. I've been playing the electric bass professionally since 1970, and have decades of professional studio and live performance experience. I am available for hire @ Mor-Tone Studio. Contact me through my e-mail to discuss your project.
It's a cool repro mute but I took it off. It's really meant for constant muting and using the mounting screws to adjust pressure under strings. So...back to the nino-mute light thump or foam squishy ;-)
I had an original Kay of this model. Does the neck feel real thick fretboard to the back? Mine had a neck that felt almost cello-like. A very deep "U". Of course, mine didn't have a trussrod, hence why I don't still own it. I loved the feel of that neck!
I appreciate your insight. I have two fretless basses coming: a Sire U5 next month (7-9 weeks after ordering) and a Marcustico next January or February (280 days after receipt of my deposit). I only play short scale basses now and already have a fretted U5, but wanted a fretless bass to work on technique before my Marcustico arrives. After watching your video, I'm even happier that I ordered the fretless U5. I live on the southwest coast of France, an easy one day drive to Joaquin Marco's workshop. I hope to be able to pick my Marcustico up in person when it's ready. FYI, the Marcustico is a short scale bass, but uses standard 34" scale tapewound strings. Joaquin has settled on D'Addario ETB92 tapewounds and is shipping all new Marcusticos strung with them. At my age, I don't get excited by much, but I am totally jazzed (pun intended) waiting for Joaquin to finish mine!
What I like about short scales is how even the sound is through the range and the strings. I have a Hofner Club, it is my only short scale bass, but it is constantly falling apart. I love it still though. I would love to try the JMJ!
If i had the space, the money I'd go for a blast colt one4five. Or if i still don't have enough space for an upright, I'd go for the a Jaguar Bass or the Controversal JazzMaster Bass. That is if i could afford it. I currently own a old Yamaha RBX260 Bass
For me the key to playing jazz on bass guitar was hearing Steve swallow. Like you said, we spend too much time chasing the upright sound on electric bass. Steve was the first I heard that got a sound that really worked on electric while still really sounding right in a jazz setting.
I'm getting that bass in a week or two. I've researched a number of fretless and this one seems a perfect fit for my taste. I've been a Fender Jazz guy for most of my 50 years but I finally decided to add a fretless.
If you're looking for the perfect match string-wise with the Squier Paranormal Rascal Short Scale bass, then these make for a marriage made in heaven. Through body as with the Mustang bass they were designed for, giving just the right amount of tension. Sweet combo :)
Nano?!?!?! ;-) Anyway, the issue w/ the ninomute and the nordy mute is that it must be right up against the bridge or the piezo picks up vibration noise.
I really appreciate your ability to get the 60’s vibe. I’ve got a Fender P-Bass with TI Jazz Flatwounds 344’s and some foam under the ashtray bridge cover, love the warmth! The Motown tone is so addictive!
I agree about the strings. I feel like my basses pick the strings that best suit them, I just have to go through a few to find out what that is. Recently I got some Hellborg Rounds and put them on my Jazz. I disliked it immediately but wanted to let them settle a bit, two weeks later I pulled them off and put them on my P bass and it was a match made in heaven. Go figure. I put TI rounds back on the Jazz bass which always sounds great with those. I learned my lesson. TI rounds on that jazz always. My JMJ has TI flats.
Thanks for your channel, and more particularly your remarks in this segment about the electric bass and Jazz. In my humble opinion Jazz is a living, breathing musical art form with 'no limits.' There is a style or genre of the music to suit the taste and momentary preference of all it's enthusiasts and listeners. As a seventy year-old working bassist since the early 70's, while I appreciate the String Bass with steel and gut strings I started with at age fourteen, and admire the skill of those who've mastered the instrument, to my ears and heart the electric bass guitar 'sings', and its versatility is unmatched. Originally, my 1960 Fender Precision Bass with LaBella flatwound strings was intended to immitate as closely as possible, the String Bass; but over time I came to realize that was unnecessary, and no apology was warranted - the electic bass is a 'legitimate', wonderful instrument 'on it's own, all by itself.' In addition to my Precision Bass, I play another Leo Fender design, the G&L ASAT Bass with roundwound strings; and since I prefer to play seated, the lack of a horn offers improved balance in that position and doesn't impair my reach for the highest notes; so I have an easy to move, versatile electric bass duo for just about any style of Jazz I'm interested in performing. Yes, there are Jazz 'purist' musicians in my market area that will never ask me to perform with them, but there are those who enjoy the electric bass for the genre, and that suits me and our audience just fine!
Great, thanks for this! I play fretless electric bass and love jazz and other styles. I wear hearing aids now and they help except that the D and G strings sound as you described. I try to tell myself it doesn't carry far but it is annoying. I'm jealous that I don't get to hear it "pretty".
+1. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the La Bella Mustang flats. I restrung my Schecter Banshee with these strings and will also be restringing my Sire U5 with them. I have regular top-mount La Bella DTFs on a couple of other basses. LB makes great flats. My G&L Fullerton Deluxe Fallout came with La Bella rounds, and I've left them on for now. I stepped outside of the LB box and bought a set of short scale Ernie Ball cobalt flats that I had been planning to try on my EBMM TC passive shortie Stingray, but I have since acquired a Wattplower Mk II and think that the cobalt flats would be great on that.
Doug, this is really an excellent video. Reinforced much of my own journey/conclusions chasing the DB tone. I don’t play DB, so your experience on both instruments and great observations and references to players here - all excellent. Thank you.
