Will a Stingray work for rockabilly?

[tkarter]

Rockabilly is root 3 5 6. No matter what you play it on. You get that down in time you are playing rockabilly. No body will bat an eye once you lay it down in time. It is time not tone. Lay that line down on a doghouse you are really good. Lay it down on a fender or SR5 you are still considered good.

A Dr. that gets a C on the final exam is stilled called Dr.

IMHO

tk

 

[shamus63]

In response to the original question, my follow-up remarks notwithstanding, the answer is...

...yes.

 

[Golem]

Guys at work want to start a lunch band. First jam tomorrow. They want to play rockabilly (I know, bring my pentatonic scales)

How do i EQ the Ray to get that relatively dull DB sound? I'm thinking kill all the highs and compress the crap out of it so it doesn't ring out. Oh and a little tremolo and reverb of course

Lesseeeee, PentA - Tonic ... That means you need a 5-string, right?

Of course the historically most appropriate slap bass type bass geetahr, aka MM StingRay, can handle RockaBilly, which traditionally featured slapbass on URB. Add mutes at both ends. Understring mutes at the bridge [unless your Ray already has those] and also a skruntchie or two or three around the neck that you park up near the nut but can slide it/them down further as needed. Skruntchies are not only useful for muting, but if your hair is getting in your eyes, a skruntchie can tie it back into a ponytail.

I wouldn't bother with compression, tremolo and reverb, but I might yank the frets to get a more authentic vibe. Easy for me to say, since they forgot to fret my Ray at the factory. They should forget more often If dentistry is not your hobby, try those black non-metal, non-EB, flatwounds with the Italian name that we can't mention cuz EB pays the bills here. The deal is that you want to play way up on the neck to get that slap-happy thing, but frets will tend to make buzzy noises with metal wound strings. The nylon wound strings tend to just make knocking noises instead of fret buzz, which just adds to the overall slap-happiness.

YMMV, in fact probably a whole lot

 

[Golem]

That's what I'm hoping for. Trust me when I say that it's not an easy feeling to walk into some of these jams as a first time visitor, knowing that you'll be scrutinized not only for your playing style, but also by what you wear and what axe you play.

I've won some over; been knocked by others. Oh well.

Sorry for jacking the thread, but everybody seems okay with it so far.

Not really jacking. Very valid. Music on stage is a show, even at a jam. Sympatico is important. If the Ray in question happens to be a tobacco burst or similar finish, with a tort PG, that will prolly be more accepted than a medalion gold ax with white PG.

I recall being asked to cover 1st set so the regular basser could sober up, but then being told I could NOT have my own XL2 Berger on stage. I suppose it was already enuf that I look more like an Imam than a Cowboy.

 

[Golem]

Um, chamber music? You'd probably blow the other players out of their chairs!

It's easier to play softly using an electric instrument than a purely acoustic one. Much chamber music includes stringed intruments. Wear a tux and it's a go.

I know someone who doubles on cello and electric bass. Switching axes from tune to tune is not a sea change, but a finessed choice, a matter of fine shading. I am not making this up:
www.albanyjazz.com/musicians/ten27.html

 

[Freddy-G.]

Check out Joey Spaminato of NRBQ. Palm mute, flats and a pick works great for him.

First time I saw Joey was when my old band opened for them. Looked like he was playing a Danelectro DC bass. Sounded very good.

Yeah, I'd say palm mute, and pick with your thumb to get a thump tone.