Dean Playmate acoustic

derrick007 · #1 03-05-2009, 04:57 PM

I got a dean playmate acoustic bass, and i don't like it. it's weak and sounds real muddy and muffled. I got it at a pawnshop for $118 and it was pretty much all i played for a while, just cause it was new. however, now that the new factor has worn off, i realize how bad it is. any suggestions to make it sound any better? I was thinking bridge and nut replacement with a good action set up, or just getting a better acoustic which might be in my best intrest money wise.

JustDavid · #2 03-05-2009, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by derrick007

I got a dean playmate acoustic bass, and i don't like it. it's weak and sounds real muddy and muffled. I got it at a pawnshop for $118 and it was pretty much all i played for a while, just cause it was new. however, now that the new factor has worn off, i realize how bad it is. any suggestions to make it sound any better? I was thinking bridge and nut replacement with a good action set up, or just getting a better acoustic which might be in my best intrest money wise.

OK.

Weak, muddy, & muffled. Is this amplified, acoustic, or both?

What strings are on it? Flats or rounds? Bronze, silver or black?

Bridge & nut will help with sustain & might clear up the sound. A setup will get rid of fretbuzz.

derrick007 · #3 03-05-2009, 05:20 PM

thats acoustic, i never really amplify it. It currently has a fresh set of Ernie Ball bass slinkys. I usually use flatwound Dáddario strings, but i got slinkys for the dean cause it doesn't deserve DÁddarios.

Timlr · #4 03-05-2009, 05:24 PM

I had the same problem with my Dean for a couple of months until its unfortunate death in a convertible-top mishap of a car. Eh. Never did get the sound right...
I would suggest trying to just step up to another brand for a few bucks more.

JustDavid · #5 03-05-2009, 05:28 PM

Weak = low volume? Muddy & muffled = little definition? How's the sustain? With a 'normally-plucked note'; don't worry about initial volume.

Before giving up on this one I'd see what can be done with it, if anything can be.

There are better ABGs out there. But some people just aren't ABG types. I'm not.

derrick007 · #6 03-07-2009, 12:16 AM

Yeah, volume is lacking, I have to play with a pick to be heard over the guitar. The basses tone sounds totally without definition. Sustain is simply pathetic. Normally plucked notes ring for about four seconds before there gone.

I have played acoustic guitar all my life, and have always loved it, I have played my friends Ibanez AEB10E and love it, it's exactly how I think an acoustic bass should be, it's actually the reason I bought an acoustic. Crisp, clear sound, great sustain, and near perfect action from the factory. I do like mine apearance wise and would like to keep it, it's not my first bass, buts it's the first one I bought with my own money. However, for what I play, I need an acoustic, so I hope I can salvage mine, cause I can't keep playing my wonderful electric then picking up my dramaticly sub par acoustic, it's just not right.