Learning on an Acoustic Bass

fbrown627 · #1 10-13-2009, 10:07 AM

I've decided it's time to learn bass. Eventually, I'd like to be able to play both acoustic and electric.

Are there any advantages/disadvantages of learning to play on an acoustic bass rather than an electric? (I don't mean an upright)

Thanks.

MagicMan_841 · #2 10-13-2009, 10:12 AM

It's the same instrument, really. A lot of acoustic bass guitars (ABG) have pickups & preamps and you can play them through an amp. I find that, due to the increased body size and thickness, ABG's are nowhere near as comfortable to play as conventional bass guitars, though.

the yeti · #3 10-13-2009, 10:16 AM

pro- if you can get a pleasing tone from an acoustic bass, getting good tone from an electric should be a lot easier(provided you don't have totally crappy gear).

con- ABG isn't nearly as cool (sorry ABG players).

bassteban · #4 10-13-2009, 10:25 AM

Since this point will eventually come up, I'll just say it now: I have not played an ABG that was loud enough- IMO(unplugged)to compete w/any other instruments. The loudest was a Tacoma 5. That said, I have an AB-20 that I defretted & like it. I use it for plunking along to youtube vids to learn songs.

joebrown · #5 10-13-2009, 10:25 AM

Subscribed. I started down this road a couple of months ago. While I definitely am enjoying learning on the ABG, and I love the tone I get from it acoustically (once I put flatwounds on it), I am definitely jonesing for an electric.

It's encouraging to see the first couple of responses here suggesting that comfort and ease of finding a tone will be enhanced once I make the switch.

sevenyearsdown · #6 10-13-2009, 10:26 AM

If you play finger style, there are variables that could affect your playing between the two with regards to anchoring.

For example: I anchor to the PUP 90% of the time on electrics, and my acoustic bass obviously doesn't have a split coil sitting there for me for anchor to. So I find myself sitting down and playing more floating thumb when I use my acoustic.

If you use a pick though - it's pretty much all the same.

Jazz Ad · #7 10-13-2009, 11:14 AM

Most ABGs sound like crap acoustically, even worse when plugged, get feedback like crazy and have poor resell value. They are too quiet to be used by themselves with other instruments, too.
It is really hard to find anything good about them other than looks.

the yeti · #8 10-13-2009, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jazz Ad

Most ABGs sound like crap acoustically, even worse when plugged, get feedback like crazy and have poor resell value. They are too quiet to be used by themselves with other instruments, too.
It is really hard to find anything good about them other than looks.

do you really like the looks?

OP's asking about learning on one... i assumed they'd eventually switch to something that's more workable in real-world situ's. otoh the lack of volume could lead to a too heavy handed right hand, i hadn't thought of that as a potential negative.

randyripoff · #9 10-13-2009, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MagicMan_841

It's the same instrument, really. A lot of acoustic bass guitars (ABG) have pickups & preamps and you can play them through an amp. I find that, due to the increased body size and thickness, ABG's are nowhere near as comfortable to play as conventional bass guitars, though.

+1, especially if you have a larger body.

y-job · #10 10-13-2009, 11:38 AM

The one major difference that I can think of is sustain. Because the sustain on ABGs is quite short compared to electric, you may find that your muting technique that you may use for the acoustic is not enough to keep a tight clean sound when playing electric. Also, you can probably get away with left hand muting using one finger on an acoustic, becuase any harmonics that may be created will be too quiet to hear. This will not be the case on electric.

rap138 · #11 10-13-2009, 11:44 AM

I do have an ABG and love it, the tone is not really good, is not really loud, but is there to be used at any time, just hanging on the wall, no plug, no amp. I never use the piezo, actually I stripped all the electrics and cover the holes. It is the bass I use easy 80% of the time, and I love learning things on it, and then try them on the electric and see how much more I can do with it.

MNAirHead · #12 10-13-2009, 11:52 AM

I own both.

Suggestion would be to find a comfortable electric bass.. then take it to a luthier for setup.

If starting over I"d be going 5er

Tim

iammr2 · #13 10-13-2009, 11:56 AM

I agree with the yeti on what I think is an important point. If you can get good clean notes on an ABG with no fret rattle, electric will be easy for you. They are quiet enough for late night practice so you'll have no excuses also. I enjoy the heck out of mine. Used it for over 6 weeks before I actually plugged it into an amp. Once I did, I was amazed at how good a tone it had. My electrics began to shudder at the thought of being sold off. Started taking it to jams with a small amp. Once again, great tone. They are light and easy on the shoulder for long periods but you may experience neck dive. As mentioned above, you may also have some feedback issues. My amps have semi-parametrics to deal with that though.

I think starting out on an acoustic is ideal. It's a pretty minimal cash outlay to start until you know your going to stick with it. If you continue, then buy an amp and your able to gig. Then gas will set in and you'll buy more basses. When shopping for an ABG, remember that there is a greater variance in feel between like models. You can try two of the exact same model and they'll be at total opposite ends of the spectrum. I tried at least four of each of the models I have bought.

the yeti · #14 10-13-2009, 12:07 PM

has anyone played a guitarron? (mariachi bass) that seems like it would be pretty loud to keep up w/trumpets. is it? i know it's waaaay huger than an ABG.

Earthday · #15 10-13-2009, 01:14 PM

An acoustic might get you in some bad right-hand habits, because the body is so large. I can't play a typical acoustic the same way I play an electric - I'd get carpal tunnel syndrome. As said earlier, you'd probably get in the habit of plucking too hard too. They also usually sound bad and are harder to resell.

The only advantage an acoustic would have is that you can play it anywhere. If that would fit well with your life situation, and you'd be practicing when you wouldn't have with an electric, it might be a good idea. Otherwise, I'd just stay away from them and get a cheap used electric and a practice amp to start.

tobie · #16 10-14-2009, 06:26 AM

FWIW: when I was still shopping for a bass, the guy at one of the stores reckoned that it's a bit more difficult to play an acoustic bass than an electric, but once you've mastered it, it's much easier to switch to electric. No idea whether that's true.

As far as I am concerned: I've had enough of trying to get heard in the days of playing an unplugged dobro. The frustrations of endlessly and unsuccessfully trying a multitude of mic's, those gismo's and 'these plans' is not something I'd wish on my biggest enemy. Eventually I installed a Fishman pickup & accompanying Aura pedal and life was never the same again. I would say if you're going to play in a fully acoustic band, start with acoustic. If one or more of your band members will play through electric soundgear, start with electric.

angryclown5 · #17 10-14-2009, 04:58 PM

Cons:
Big and uncomfortable to play
Not loud enough to use unplugged w/ other musicians
Plugged in, they don't sound as good as electrics
Need more set-up maintenance
Most have poor resale value

Pros:
You'll be able to play very quietly in situations where there is no electricity.

The fact is, to get a good acoustic sound, you need a big body like an upright.

Not sure from your post why you are interested in an acoustic, but I would highly recommend a decent starter electric (Squire, MIM Fender, among others) and a good ~100 watt practice amp (SWR Workingmans, Ampeg 112, etc.) Something like this could be had (used) for the same $$ as a crappy sounding new ABG.

Just my $.02

old-fashioned · #18 10-14-2009, 05:21 PM

Forget about electric or acoustic and concentrate on bass playing.
Acoustic is kind of better/richer than electric IMO.
A good instrument is always very important and necessary.
All kinds of bass guitars need an amp to play with others.
I believe it's a very good idea to start with an acoustic bass. (You'll later probably switch to electric and turn back to acoustic and play both. But most electric players don't do that...)

BackToTheGroove · #19 10-14-2009, 09:43 PM

What's best to use to cover the sound hole, or is there something made for this I could buy? And how does covering the hole improve the sound of an ABG?

I have Takamine Jasmine. Not the best ABG in the world. No adjustable truss rod, so to improve the action I have to do something with the saddle (slice of plastic) - think I'll carve a new one from a ham bone or something. Or what's a better approach?

Bass-desires · #20 10-15-2009, 06:05 AM

I have both and although I am not the greatest bassist out there, I am glad I have both. I really disagree big time that an ABG doesn't sound as 'good' as electric, its just different. Its a very warm tone.

There are some pros out there that use them exclusively.

The body is big, the action can't be set really easily, and you really can't be heard over others in an acoustic setting but....

Since when have bassists always been heard over other instruments, regardless if its ABG or electric? Really? Hell last time I checked 2/3 you really don't hear the bass clearly anyway. (Depends on music style of course)

Nothing beats an ABG for the ease of practice. I don't like dealing with cords, batteries, and headphones when I want to practice, so I just pick up my ABG. Its a hell of a lot easier to just grab and play than setting up your electric equipment.

Ok, to the OP, I would get an electric as your first bass. Get an ABG afterwards if you want an easy practice bass, but you will most likely use an electric far more playing with others than an acoustic. You can cover the sound hole, but they are piggy and will pick up your own resonance.