Is playing a double bass the same as playing a ordinary bass guitar?

Question

For example why are some double bass fretless?

I know that each intrument is physically different in size and structure, what i meant is the neck arrangement ie fretts, and similarities of sound the same.

Answer 1

This is NOT a stupid question and as a Bass player I will explain.
Firstly you can get fret-less bass guitars and they are quite popular and if you watch some of the music channels on TV you will see what I mean although,most fret-less bass players have usually a lot of experience.
In terms of a double bass the only real difference is the size because it is designed for the sound to reverberate (echo) within the instrument (the belly) other than,that all the chords are in the same place,its really just a bigger version of the bass guitar.
I hope this answers your question.

Answer 2

ALL double basses are fretless - that's the nature of the instrument. You have to have a real EAR for music in order to press the strings down in the right place, whereas the bass guitar is the 'cheats' version and obviously nothing like the same size. The b/g has frets to make it easier to play and find the right notes.
Bass guitar - hangs round you neck
Double Bass - member of the violin family and stands upright on the floor, as does the player !

Answer 3

Apart from the obvious - double basses are fretless and considerably large - the sound is totally different. Probably true if you compare any acoustic instrument to and electric one. I love rockabilly music and you can never get that slapbass sound from an electric bass. Similarly, I can't imagine Lee Rocker playing Level 42 riffs on an upright bass.

Answer 4

I performed be bothered much less bass guitar for years with the aid of fact i wanted to play like jaco pastorious. besides, all patheticness aside, you will get used to it. I knew a guy in a rock-a-billy band you performed upright double bass. not so distinctive from playing be bothered much less. attractive heat sound yet you're gonna could desire to mic it with a condenser mic once you're gonna play stay.

Answer 5

i have an electric bass, and i have been told that it is the same as the double bass, they were too big to play so there was this person who invented one smaller so it can be played and transported easier.i dont know why thay are fretless though!