Help a standup acoustic bass guy punch through

Through playing cover tunes in my basement to gigging to songwriting and recording, our band has evolved, as most bands do. We've always rocked pretty hard, but originally it was acoustic guitars, mandolin, melodica, a Tele, drummer with a light touch, and a wonderful guy and talented bass player, on an acoustic upright bass.

He adapted from his bluegrassy ways by getting a pickup installed and bought a real nice amp.

But as we've evolved we've gone to two electric guitars, seldom use the mando or melodica, have added keyboards, and the songs we write simply rock harder. And our new drummer comes from a straight rock background. Great guy; heavy hand.

We love our bass player, but he is not cutting through the mix the way we need/want. On two occasions when we needed a sub, it was an electric bass; that punch really helped us gel and moved the room. Loved the sound...missed the guy.

Our bass player has always and only played upright. Is there an electric upright bass that, basically sounds like a...well, like a Fender Precision Bass or similar? One that our guy could switch to and feel comfortable with?

We haven't told him that we think there is an issue because...like I said, great guy and a sensitive soul. How much do we like him? If we find an instrument that seems right, we're willing to buy it for him.

There are a number of upright electrics that use magnetic pickups and this is what I guess you are after, there is a budget aria model and waay higher on the scale some NS models with mag pickups. But to be honest, that crisp thump is from frets..... on an electric bass. Its a dilemma, but to be honest, you friend, sensitive soul that he is has to look at what the band is and how to work within that for the benefit of every one. if he is a cool guy then try and bring him round to the idea, Jamerson and Tony levin were upright players initially.