Re: brotherhood of the bass

[Alex Stahl <alex@pixar.com>]

>  >Having done that, and then having spent a number of years
>>collaborating with a "real" bassist (meaning one who performs as a
>>soloist on acoustic contrabass) I have a real appreciation for the
>>difference between bass guitar and "bass."
>
>I have to agree. The two are very different. That's why, in a
>performance I am organizing later this month (plug to come later)
>there will be BOTH a member of my li'l ensemble playing electric
>bass guitar AND another playing acoustic upright contrabass.


That's also why, back in 1977, I decided to build myself an electric 
upright bass and try to have it both ways. It's still my main 
instrument, although I like playing together with other basses as 
well. I just finished building a custom pickup so it can drive a 
Roland V-Bass, and now I have it all three ways! The tracking and 
many of the sounds work amazingly well. It even has a clean *octave 
down for the bass strings* so I can play along with the mobile 
subwoofer cars, you know the ones where you can only identify the 
source of that rumbling by observing the vibrating reflections of 
streetlights in the car windows. Woof!

Just make sure if you're an upright playing along with a bass guitar, 
or along with yourself in loops, that you can play in tune!

-Alex S.