Acoustic Bass Guitar

boombloom · #1 07-07-2006, 07:28 AM

I have a friend who has been successful building a revolutionary new style of mandolin. He recently restored an 1850's shop bass for me and is now very excited about the bass. He is designing a new, improved acoustic bass guitar. He is sure it will sound better than anything out there. I told him I'd post around the bass world and ask THE QUESTION....

Is there a place in the world for a really good acoustic bass guitar? I had a Guild B50 for years. It was a great instrument, but it couldn't hold a candle to my laminated Czech upright. Shorter strings with less mass and a much smaller carcass. It simply didn't work for field picking. But what if someone somewhere could build something better? What do you all think? Thanks.

EFischer1 · #2 07-07-2006, 07:38 AM

Frets are for sissies.

(just kidding)

...but seriously

boombloom · #3 07-07-2006, 08:22 AM

[quote=EFischer1]Frets are for sissies.

(just kidding)

It could be a fretless. But I think in such an instrument you might sacrifice some volume if you eliminated the frets.

mje · #4 07-07-2006, 09:13 AM

I've owned a few, and AFAIK there were only three decent acoustic bass guitars ever made: TheTacoma, Guild, and the original Earthwood bass. The Earthwood was huge, but had a good sound. The Tacoma is the only good sounding ABG in the market now. (The laminated-top Olympia version doesn't compare.)

Someone once observed that most ABG's are for bass guitarists of the MTV Unplugged generation who want to look like they're playing acoustic instruments even though they're still plugged into amps. ;-) It would be nice if someone made an ABG that truely could be played without an amp, but then it would probably be as big as a real UB.

Gufenov · #5 07-08-2006, 09:34 AM

I think there's certainly a place for an ABG that can compete acoustically with a DB - along with fame and fortune for the person who invents it. I see more and more Bluegrass bands using ABGs already. They're much easier to transport and store, especially when a group is touring in a bus or smaller vehicle. It's also easier to move around on stage with.

The drawback is still the sound. As much as I love my Tacoma, it doesn't match my ES1 for tone or volume. I don't see the ABG ever REPLACING the DB, but I'm sure there's a market if your friend can come close to the DB sound.

woodsgirl · #6 07-08-2006, 10:16 AM

The is a place for an acoustic BG< I have a Martin B1e and I take it to jams and it does well, but I do have to use a pick to be heard. but so what? I recently took up DB, but I don;t think I will be taking the Kay camping or carry it around in my car! I would get another ABG if there was a better one, but this one works well for now. If I am not there, usually there is NO bass, so I love playing it! BTW< the Martin gets great reviews although no one mentioned it, yet!

**Damon Rondeau** · #7 07-08-2006, 10:27 AM

The best-balanced, most even-toned ABG I've ever played was an Ovation. I always get sneers when I mention it because Ovations aren't cool, I guess. Probably the loudest, too, but I never field-tested it.

Gufenov · #8 07-08-2006, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by woodsgirl

The is a place for an acoustic BG< I have a Martin B1e ... I would get another ABG if there was a better one...

Now, wait just a durn minute! http://www.tacomaguitars.com/product...tno=0381200721

woodsgirl, please fill out your profile, so we'll know who we're aguin' with. And welcome to Talkbass!

bassist1962 · #9 07-09-2006, 07:02 AM

I am in a band that plays an acoustic set. I have a DB, but it is such a hassle because of the size of the thing. Especially for just one set of music. I am looking to get a ABG, have heard recomendations, but I have to go test this stuff out myself. I feel that if anybody can get an ABG - not really to sound like a DB, I have heard quite a few that do - but project the volume of a DB, that would be awsome. By the way can anybody tell me about New York Pro?

Aaron Saunders · #10 07-09-2006, 01:49 PM

I think there's a market, but I don't think you'll ever see an ABG covering the pros of portability/ease of transport while even approaching the necessary volume. It's just not in the cards...

Babbit · #11 02-25-2007, 03:58 PM

Kinda reviving this dormant thread...

Having played just about every ABG out there, I've always been fond of the Guild B-50/B-30, but for folks looking for the full upright bass sound without having to lug around a full upright bass, then check out The Ross Anderson hand-made Easy Travel Double Bass here:

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

Marcus Johnson · #12 02-25-2007, 05:45 PM

Ha!... that thing always makes me smile when I see it. Very cute. Must be fun trying to bend those C-bouts.

ctxbass · #13 02-25-2007, 06:14 PM

Guitarron.

tyb507 · #14 02-26-2007, 07:20 PM

My lutherie mentor just built a 1/64 size fiddle for his 2 year-old daughter. You should see those c-bouts!

Boombloom, more info about your friend's mandoilns? Who is he? Does he have a website? What is revolutionary about them?