Advice on configuring a new EB bass

[tuna]

New to the forum and relatively new to playing bass. Hope some of you could offer opinions. I play in guitar my church band and picked up playing bass as a sub in for when our regular bass player is out. I have also started playing bass doing gospel bluegrass. I currently play a Fender Jazz Bass fretted 4 string.

I would like to get a bass that is a little more versitile that would give me the option of switching from praise/contemporary music to gospel bluegrass. I also like playing blues music too. Kinda of Swiss Army Bass (if that could be done) I do not have the funds to own more than one bass.

Here are my questions and would welcome some feedback please.

1. Would a 5 string or 4 string be the best bet? (Stingray or Sterling)
2. Does a piezo do a good/realistic job for acoustic tones?
3. Fretted or Fretless?
4. Two Humbuckers/ Single/hum or one pickup?
5. Which body wood?

Thanks for any input

Tommy

 

[Dr Stankface]

1. Would a 5 string or 4 string be the best bet?

A: That's a matter of comfort and what you plan to do. I love the 5 string neck and found that during slow praise and worship, those lower notes can really move emotions.

2. Does a piezo do a good/realistic job for acoustic tones?

A: The piezo is definately a nice touch and can get very upright-ish (especially on fretless). Although I think all the EB basses do just fine without it.

3. Fretted or Fretless?

A: Just depends on what you're looking for tone wise.

4. Two humuckers, single/hum, or single H?

A: You can't go wrong with any of them. Soloing the neck pup on a HH will give you a massive P bass tone while soloing the neck pup on the HS will get really jazzy. The single H will deliver the classic StingRay tone.

5. Which body wood?

All StingRays and Sterlings are swamp ash while the Bongos are basswood.



Let us know what you decide.

 

[tuna]

Andrew, thanks very much for your reply.

I am definitely trying to get some upright tones w/o going the upright route.

With regard to fretted or fretless, it sounds like the combo of piezo and fretless would get me closest to the upright sound?

Are there any advantages/disadvantages to frets vs fretless.

Sorry for all of the questions and thanks for your replies.

 

[tkarter]

In a nutshell a Bongo 5 H with flats on it.

imho

tk

 

[Aussie Mark]

Are there any advantages/disadvantages to frets vs fretless.

Fretless will get you some different sounds than a fretted bass if you wish (eg. slides), however if you're new to fretless you'll need to keep an eye on your left hand, which may be awkward if you're reading charts or sheet music.

 

[strummer]

Get the one you think looks the best
All EBMM basses will do the job.

 

[PocketGroove82]

decisions decisions!!!
1. 5 String will give extra-beefyness to your bluegrass <root/5th> playing, allowing you to descend to the 5th of the chord even from the E string. Which is nice, and I agree that a 5string also works well for praise/worship stuff, if used sparingly with taste. Also, as a guitar player who is new to the bass, I doubt you've developed a strong attachment to the 4 string, like many seasoned bassists do. So starting on a nice 5 isn't a problem.
2. as for piezo, I've never used one except on upright basses with wooden bridges.
3. I would say a lined fretless would give you more of the accoustic tone that you are looking for, but keep in mind that it is a slow process for a person to learn to properly intonate each note. It's not really THAT hard, not like a upright bass, but learning to read a chart down AND intonate is gonna take some practice and time gettting familiar with the neck.
4. I've only played HH and H models, but the HH can cover damn near any gig. If there is a tone you can hear in your head, you can find it on a duel pup MM.
5. I don't know about body wood, but if you get a fretted bass, a rosewood fretboard is gonna give you a slightly darker,mellower tone while a maple fretboard will brighten up the tone slightly.

ultimately, i'd say go out and play as many basses as possible, take advantage of a 30day return policy if you have to and try out the basses in your groups and see what fits! Welcome to the forums!

 

[Aussie Mark]

a maple fretboard will brighten up the tone slightly.

Or, as we tend to say around here, more "attackiness"