Are resonator basses loud enough to play with guitarist and singer?

[paddyosullivan]

My brother and I are planning on hitting the parks to play once it warms up. He will be playing a pretty loud dreadnought acoustic and I'll be handling the bass. We'll be singing together.

I have read that acoustic basses are not really loud enough for this kind of unmiked performance. I've seen these resonator basses for sale online and I'm curious if they are loud enough to sit in with the guitar and vocals.

What are your thoughts? Does anyone have experience with this type of bass? Thanks.

[Mharris]

I'm also interested in this. I'm in the market for an acoustic bass. My band has been playing some acoustic sets recently and I've been using a borrowed Johnson acoustic bass but I have to really dig into the strings to make the thing project.

Any ideas, suggestions?

[T-Bird]

Hi.

It all depends, as usual.

The bass frequencies are easy to drown, regardless of the amplification or lack of it, but a balanced sound can be acchieved if that's the goal. Takes a lot of work and dicipline though.

The one resonator bass I've tried back in the day wasn't any louder than a normal ACG, and the tone wasn't to my liking.

Regards
Sam

[ric stave]

Get one of these -


http://www.crateamps.com/products/pindex.php?prodID=26

...and an ac/el bass.

[aztomr]

I have a Jasmine(overseas takamine) bass and have played with several acoutic guitars and have held my own, volume wise. Of course, I had to play REALY HARD, but it works.

[mdiddium]

I used to have the Ibanez model, and it did OK. It didn't have a lot of low end, but it was able to cut in some ways.

I have played the Takamine one, and remember liking it a lot (and noting how much louder it was).

Most guitar stores have at least one acoustic bass guitar to try, so maybe you two could go jam in the store one day and see?

[root fifth]

I to am in search for somthing to fill this void!I have a ibanez aeb10 and can play with a guitar but if they use a pick i get lost then i have to dig in and i hate all string slap and frett noise when digging!

[Col E Loc]

Resonator bass won't do the trick. I have a Regal reso and no matter how I set it up, it's not loud enough to play with my singer and guitar player on the street.

I've also got a Jasmine bass that I've had since I Was fifteen, which is my "Rig of Choice" for Busking. If you can afford one, the Tacoma Thunderchief Is the Loudest & Best sounding acoustic Bass. I've tried a lot of them - ALOT.

Best of Luck In the Park

[prd004]

I've tried them all! I have to agree with Col Loc, the Thundercheif is the only one that makes anywhere near enough sound on its own. But I still don't think it's loud enough personally. I do "unplugged" gigs all the time, but not in the park. Good luck.