How many excited cigar reviewers show photos of their new electric 5 string upright bass? That’s right…not one. Because it is silly. At 75, I find pleasure in the small things. Life is a gift…not to be taken for granted.
I sold my Dobro electric upright 10 years ago. And of course, wish I hadn’t. There is something magical about the grrowl of an upright that a standard bass guitar can’t reproduce. Fretless basses come close, but no cigar.
The fat bastard woody sound must come from strings that are 6′-0 long along with quality Piezo pickups. I have no plans to play out. No gigs in my future. But that’s not what a musician is about. We need to play like every artist that needs their craft. We do it because we must…or face becoming grumpy old men who write cigar reviews.
These things are not cheap. But $1300.00 for this Ibanez 5 string is a deal for a quality instrument. I sold my fretless Schecter for $3500. I sold my Dobro electric upright for $2500. They are worth a lot more today.
I’ve played fretless and upright for 45 years…right along with my fretted basses.
Musicians that read me are nodding their heads in approval. And I thank you for that. And those that don’t play, are nodding even harder. My appreciation to you all. In the face of all that comes with being a caregiver at my age, I am grateful that I can write in a manner that connects with you.
Thank you, my friends.
Phil
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Categories: CIGAR REVIEWS
Mazel Tov Phil. It’s beautiful. Enjoy
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Thank you. I’ve played bass since 1965. Young Phil would never have dreamed that 60 years later, that a new bass would be just as thrilling as the first.
Phil
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That’s so cool!! Is it actually 6 feet tall or do you play it with the stand or ?? Pardon my confusion but the actual dimensions are a bit difficult to see in the pics w no one playing it. Pretty sweet either way tho. Congrats!
That first pic of you playing the Dobro like a walking bass…OMG!!! Do you even have a strap? That looks like a trip to the chiropractor waiting to happen! :0
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Hi Kellie,
It’s the same size as a 3/4 acoustic upright bass…minus the body. In essence, it is just the neck of the bass. These are popular because of mobility.
Jazz players use the 3/4 size. The only players using the full sized are orchestral musicians. Very bulky and a pain in the ass to move around.
An electric upright doesn’t take the place of an acoustic but with modern sound technology, there is hardly any difference.
I had guitar strap pegs put on my Dobro because I was playing out several times per week…the entire 1990’s. I developed sciatica from the position of the bass. A portrait of a bad back in training.
The bass will rest on a stand as shown in the photos. This will allow me to play when the mood arises.
Phil
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Yeah I’ve seen a lot of jazz as well as the SF and Denver Orchestras. The upright basses in both are quite large but the ones in orchestral performances are absolutely YUGE. Very cool that you can now get the same sounds (or very close) from what’s essentially just the neck piece.
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Thanks for your comment.
Phil
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This is awesome to see, Phil! Enjoy it and play it in good health. Some instruments just speak to the soul more than others.
As a drummer myself, I went through many sets; some which really spoke to me and others that just seemed to be filling a space. I hope this one connects with you.
I’m sure your back will be thanking you at least for the lighter weight. Wild picture with the dobro on the shoulder! The new instrument is elegant in its simplicity. Reminds me of something you’d see on Star Trek back in the day, “futuristic”.
Thanks for sharing the story.
Brian
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Thank you, Brian.
Phil
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that looks so cool and colors look like a cigar ;)!
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That’s why I bought it. Phallic at its most ferventicious.
Phil
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Appreciate the peek into a world about which I know very little. As purely a listener, it’s always the bass line that grabs me…don’t know why, just feel it in my bones. Keep on pluckin’.
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Bashed into my memory is the first time, at age 12, I went to a school dance. I stood directly in front of the band and heard, and felt, the pounding bass lines. I moved directly in front of the bassist and remained there for longer than it was comfortable for that musician. I guess it must have been in that moment that I decided my future. It was time to give up the 120 bass accordion.
Thanks for your comment,
Phil
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Love your writing. You can get cigar reviews lots of places but you can’t get a story like this many places.
Thanks!
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Thank you for the kind words.
Phil
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