Acoustic bass fetish club Part 2

[MD]

^^^

I had TI's for a short while. They're very light gauge and low tension strings. I wore notches in the D/G strings after a couple months. Probably better suited for a fretless board. They have a nice tone, but forget about acoustic volume. You just cant dig in due to the tension issue. YMMV.

After the TI's I switched to LaBella Tapes and have never felt the need or desire to try anything else. You can't beat their price from Carvin, and if you order 2 sets, or even 3 to make the S&H more attractive, you'll be set for several years. My last string change on my main ABG was 12/09, and I see no reason to change them any time soon.

[RonniePudding]

Hi all, I'm playing a Thunderchief through a GK Neo 212-II cab... but the amp in the middle needs to be upgraded. I want something small and light. I was thinking a GK MB200 or MB500... but I'm wondering if the Carvin BX250 or BX500 might give me better options for producing a clean "acoustic" tone.

Any advice would be appreciated from those who have played their ABGs through a similar head/cabinet.

[OneMoreRobot]

I've been exclusively playing a Jackson ABG for over a year and a half since I was forced to sell my Rebop. That thing is the most surprising bass I've ever played. It's much louder than any other unamplified ABG I've played and the strings are dead as hell so the tone is very round with just enough middy punch. My dad wanted to learn bass so he did some computer work for a guy on Craigslist in exchange for it, then decided to stick with mandolin and passed it on to me. I'm definitely thankful for it, it sounds good and gives my fingers a hell of a workout!

[ErnieD]

Originally Posted by ErnieD
And those pics are how most of us hope to use our ABG's....unplugged. But I think most of us find we have to plug in our ABG's afterall. Me just playing along wtih my PC speakers could not use my Boulder Creek Fretless 5 unplugged. I tried though. Just couldn't hear it man.

Originally Posted by MD

Not looking for an argument, but this just doesn't sound right.

Not sure why a argument would ensue? Not by me. Now, my step-daughter did buy me a very nice set of PC speakers with a sub-woofer last Christmas and on most tunes I practiced along with, unplugged, the BC bass just got drowned out while sitting here at my PC desk.
Coulda been the Tapes vs stock Bronze maybe? Not sure; just did. Though I was diggin the BC fretless the more I played it. Really hated to send it back.

[Warhawk]

I recently bought a Fender Victor Bailey 4 string ABG here and love it for practice and writing without an amp. To me it has a electric sound without being plugged in. The Jazz neck feels really nice! Just what I was looking for.

[speak2planets]

So, I just aquired a custom Martin that was built in late 2011. I am the second owner and got this beauty for a steal. The invoice that came in the case says the top is sitka spruce bearclaw with flamed koa bindings and a walnut back. All the inlays are abalone pearl with an ebony neck and headstock. She plays beautifully and sounds amazing. I am waiting for some coated roundwounds to come in the mail so I can replace the stock strings. The stock strings sound way too bright and tinny for my taste. The Fishman preamp sounds great through my rig but this young girl sounds best unamplified IMHO. Can I get a number please??

[speak2planets]

Here's a couple more pics. I apologize but I really like to show this baby off to people!!

[TolerancEJ]

I posted this on the Amps side, but no one replied yet, so I'll give it a shot over here.

I have a Warwick-Rockbass Alien 6 on order for a tentative March 2013 delivery. I've never owned an ABG before. Up to now, I've only owned solidbody basses & I almost never touch the controls (Bass, Treble, EQ, etc.) whenever I switch basses.

I was just wondering if TB'ers have specific preferred settings for an ABG, compared to a solidbody.

[bassist4dalord]

Originally Posted by speak2planets

Here's a couple more pics. I apologize but I really like to show this baby off to people!!

Very cool! Welcome to the club. Martin makes some seriously high-quality stuff. What brand coated rounds did you order? I'm a string geek.

Welcome!

[speak2planets]

Originally Posted by bassist4dalord

Very cool! Welcome to the club. Martin makes some seriously high-quality stuff. What brand coated rounds did you order? I'm a string geek.

Welcome!

Wow, forgot I ordered 2 sets of strings. D'Addario EXP Coated Phosphor Bronze Acoustic Bass and La Bella WHITE Nylon Tape Wound. I actually think I'm gonna run with the tapes first

[speak2planets]

Originally Posted by TolerancEJ

I posted this on the Amps side, but no one replied yet, so I'll give it a shot over here.

I have a Warwick-Rockbass Alien 6 on order for a tentative March 2013 delivery. I've never owned an ABG before. Up to now, I've only owned solidbody basses & I almost never touch the controls (Bass, Treble, EQ, etc.) whenever I switch basses.

I was just wondering if TB'ers have specific preferred settings for an ABG, compared to a solidbody.

Honestly, I can't say I have a preferred setting. I find myself playing unamped most of the time and have to dial in the sound I want at the moment when plugging in my ABG. So its a crap shoot about what sound I go for each time

[RandyMolson]

231 speak2planets

[TolerancEJ]

Originally Posted by speak2planets

Honestly, I can't say I have a preferred setting. I find myself playing unamped most of the time and have to dial in the sound I want at the moment when plugging in my ABG. So its a crap shoot about what sound I go for each time

Thanks!

[old-fashioned]

Originally Posted by TolerancEJ

I was just wondering if TB'ers have specific preferred settings for an ABG, compared to a solidbody.

I like my ABG to sound like an upright bass as much as possible; so it's tapewound strings and more bass, less highs...

[wingmanborge]

I go for flatwound - bass up all the way, roll back on the rest - as woody as possible, not excactly and upright sound, but closer to upright than that og an electric bass.

[chadds]

My friend a touring singer songwriter was playing my ABG. He sounded like Chris Squire . I took it from him and played a full upright tone. This with DR ABG bronze round strings. It's touch. It includes fretting hand touch as well.

[bassist4dalord]

I played my Ibanez AEB5E plugged in at rehearsal on Wednesday. First time plugging it in; sounded really good, but I'm eager to replace the OEM bronze rounds with some D'Addario Tapes. On Monday I'll have ny first gig with it. Feedback wasn't an issue in the rehearsal space with a monitor in front and bass amp behind, but I plan on buying a soundhole cover some day. I'll report back after the gig!

[Jedson]

I recently fitted a Fishman Classic 4 preamp into my Fender BG-29, the original was damaged beyond repair when i bought it.
restrung it with some D'Addarios and it sounds great.!
Bass cost 70 euro, 2nd hand preamp 80 euro.

I have a nice acoustic for small money.

[MD]

Originally Posted by bassist4dalord

I played my Ibanez AEB5E plugged in at rehearsal on Wednesday. First time plugging it in; sounded really good, but I'm eager to replace the OEM bronze rounds with some D'Addario Tapes. On Monday I'll have ny first gig with it. Feedback wasn't an issue in the rehearsal space with a monitor in front and bass amp behind, but I plan on buying a soundhole cover some day. I'll report back after the gig!

What! You mean these things are actually useful!? Beyond the couch or porch?
Who would've thunk?

[velalv]

Mine is being played out tomorrow at church for our acoustic set with djembe and acoustic, all plugged in. I get a lot of requests to bus out the Martin outside of living room situations