question about acoustic bass

Woodfield_Bass · #1 09-15-2007, 10:41 AM

Hey, I just posted a thread in the bass guitar forum (wondering about "true" acoustic bass guitars.) asking about acoustic bass guitars, but I think the topic now spans this forum as well. I was disappointed to learn that the majority, if not all acoustic bass guitars are fundamentally flawed and unable to produce an acoustic sound that can match an acoustic guitar. I'm wondering if there is some kind of modified upright bass type instrument that is much more portable (maybe even strap mounted?) that could get me a true acoustic sound for jamming with friends without lugging around a full upright bass. Thanks for the help.

drurb · #2 09-15-2007, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Woodfield_Bass

...I'm wondering if there is some kind of modified upright bass type instrument that is much more portable (maybe even strap mounted?) that could get me a true acoustic sound for jamming with friends without lugging around a full upright bass. Thanks for the help.

You just can't beat physics. If you want the "true acoustic sound" of a DB, you will, by necessity, need to have a resonant body with dimensions typical of the real thing. Anything else will be a compromise, the issue being how much of one. That being said, I have heard some impressive projection from guitarrons. Maybe you could give one of them a try!

For example, look here.

damonsmith · #3 09-15-2007, 10:58 AM

If you dig in you can get an acoustic BG to project. Using typical, light BG technique, they are not going be very loud.

bassist1962 · #4 09-15-2007, 11:16 AM

Maybe I just need to keep quiet, but what about The Czech- Ease?

Bass · #5 09-15-2007, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drurb

You just can't beat physics...

How true!

Woodfield_Bass · #6 09-15-2007, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassist1962

Maybe I just need to keep quiet, but what about The Czech- Ease?

Thanks for the info! This is more along the kind of thing I'm talking about. I can't believe I've never heard of this thing before.

accutone · #7 09-15-2007, 06:29 PM

+1 what everyone else has said. I would be thoughtful before buying something like the Czech-Ease though. Not because there is a problem with it, but you should be sure that it provides the sound you really want. Otherwise, you will soon be shopping for a DB anyway. You just can't get a DB sound from anything but a DB.

jrlynch · #8 09-15-2007, 09:36 PM

i've a really lovely abg ... handmade, fretless (what are frets, anywho?) the size of a cello, strung with thomastic abg strings ... k&k pickup ... amplified, it sounds not unlike a db, what stands in the way is how you play the beast: it's just too *easy*. db is work. you can't play blazing fast lines, because it's pretty much physically impossible, so the style of playing makes the sound different. i love my abg, 'cause you can create stuff that sounds impossible ... but it's not db. there is something about all that vibration from a db that just colors everything in the way you approach the instrument. i'm still learning, but ...... no matter what the abg, it will never be a db. there is no free lunch.

jeff.

Marcus Johnson · #9 09-16-2007, 03:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrlynch

db is work. you can't play blazing fast lines, because it's pretty much physically impossible

jeff.

Speak for yourself.

Sorry... I have no idea why I said that.

chuck1073 · #10 09-16-2007, 06:43 AM

If you really want volume from an ABG play with a pick.

I've engineered a ton of "un-plugged" sessions for live radio broadcasts. All are newer rock bands promoting that nights show with an "intimate live performance". Some good...some not so much.

Anyway, almost all arrive with an ABG. Honestly from Taylors and Tacomas to Deans they're all pretty much the same. Unplugged they're kind of tinny and lack projection.

The best recorded/DI'd sound was from (believe it or not) an Ovation.

I own a Michael Kelly Club bass that I use for acoustic duo stuff..along with the DB. It's always plugged in. I use it for asthetics more than anything else...plus it does play nicely.

I tried one of their fretless "dragonfly" models. A waste of time that is...and gaudy too.

bassist1962 · #11 09-16-2007, 07:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuck1073

If you really want volume from an ABG play with a pick.

I own a Michael Kelly Club bass that I use for acoustic duo stuff..along with the DB. It's always plugged in. I use it for asthetics more than anything else...plus it does play nicely.

I tried one of their fretless "dragonfly" models. A waste of time that is...and gaudy too.

I agree with the pick for projection on an ABG. I agree whole heartedly about the Dragonfly. I saw a video of someone playing a fretless club bass, and it was close to the sound of an upright. The problem is physics. Ever since the invention of the bass guitar, people have been trying to get it to sound like a bass violin. This is simply not going to happen. The electric bass guitar is going to sound like an electric guitar, an acoustic bass guitar is going to sound like an acoustic guitar. If you want to sound like you are playing a DB - Get A DB!

jrlynch · #12 09-16-2007, 07:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcus Johnson

Speak for yourself.

Sorry... I have no idea why I said that.

i'll rephrase: it's not that it's impossible to play quickly in db, it will just plain sound different, no matter how much the abg "sounds" like a db.

jeff.

SlappinSimon · #13 09-16-2007, 07:49 AM

Here is something similar Made In Australia

http://home.iprimus.com.au/rossjazz/

All the contact details are available from the WWW.

(I have nothing to do with the basses, I just know the guy who makes them)

chuck1073 · #14 09-16-2007, 07:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassist1962

If you want to sound like you are playing a DB - Get A DB!

Exactly. I use the ABG for, essentially, bass guitar parts.
It sounds nothing like a DB. Played pizz it's bass guitar-like..with a bright acoustic guitar top end.

As far as quick fingering on a DB..I guess set-up would have everthing to do with that. Not that I'm the speedy type really.
Looking into a UB laminate. Was planning on having Gary set it up similar to my bugbass. Fairly low...but with enough room at the end of the fingerboard to still dig in and get some volume.

drurb · #15 09-16-2007, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassist1962

...The problem is physics. ...If you want to sound like you are playing a DB - Get A DB!

Is there an echo in here?

Stinsok · #16 09-16-2007, 09:39 AM

ABG's are a great practice tool. Just pick it up and play. Volume wise, disappointing. Amplified, a different flavor. I like my Ibanez but it's no DB.

Marcus Johnson · #17 09-16-2007, 11:34 AM

The flaw there is; why would I want to practice an instrument I don't intend to use at work?

bassist1962 · #18 09-16-2007, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drurb

Is there an echo in here?

Some people just don't hear it. I also am coming from a career filled with other musicians telling me that my bass (EBG) doesn't sound like a bass, but like a guitar. What do they think I have in my hands? They expect it to sound like a DB, and that is not going to happen, although I did have someone tell me that I came close one night. I went in and wrote down my settings.

chuck1073 · #19 09-16-2007, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassist1962

my bass (EBG) doesn't sound like a bass, but like a guitar. I came close one night. I went in and wrote down my settings.

I'm probably going to get flamed on this one but...if you're counting on the electonics to make your sound...you're barking up the wrong tree.

I played a 6 string active bass with the band I'm with now.

I could make a nice aproximation of a DB tone with right-hand positioning and attack when needed.

Don't let the junk get in the way of your sound. It should come from your hands. Not a box.

mikeypbass · #20 09-16-2007, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuck1073

It should come from your hands. Not a box.

Thats sweet