Acoustic Bass Guitar

Simorchid · #1 11-22-2010, 03:36 AM

I'm thinking about purchasing an acoustic bass guitar but know absolutely nothing about what to look for, which brands etc.
I would be looking to spend up to about $1500USD.

A built in pickup would be essential.

Can someone point me in the right direction?

P.S. I did a search but didn't come up with the goods, so be nice

martijn_2m · #2 11-22-2010, 04:01 AM

I tried few months ago. I liked the Ibanez EWB models, the Fender Victor Bailey, but I preffered the Breedlove guitars (Atlas Series). I paid attention to playability but most importantly I wanted a very playable bass (not too heavy), with as much volume acoustically as possible. I opted for the Breedlove Atlas Solo 4 string fretless; sounded the best, and plays great.

Oh, before I forget: I also listened to the preamp/piezo combi as well: I get suspicious everytime I had to use the EQ before getting a nice/usable sound. For the Breedlove I had all the EQ flat, and volume open, and immediately heard what I wanted to hear. It's been like that live and in the studio as well.

ps There are plenty of threads on TalkBass about acoustic basses. You could also try to search on ABG (acoustic bass guitar).

Good luck!
Regards,
Martijn

Gintaras · #3 11-22-2010, 04:39 AM

First thing you might want to do is play as as many as possible. I have read many threads in my search where members were just disaapointed with ABG's in general. I have had a few and have played at least 10 different ones. My favorite was a Tacoma thou it was more than I wanted to spend. You should be able to find one in your price range. The surprise was the $289 Dean. Acoustically it was loud but electronics were not great. It I was looking for another then I would want to try the Warwick Alien and the Washburn Stu Hamm.
Also while searching look at YouTube to see ABG's played.

Presently I have a 4 string Epiphone El Capitan with K&K Pure pickups and preamp. Also use Acousticore strings.

Rockingbird · #4 11-22-2010, 04:49 AM

I use a Michael Kelly, and am very happy with it. I'd suggest taking a look at them, what has already been mentioned, as well as Boulder Creek, Tacoma, and Olympia.

steve_rolfeca · #5 11-22-2010, 06:04 AM

I enjoyed my non-cutaway Epi El Capitan, a few years ago.

The thing is, there are a ton of 'em on the market, with new ones coming out all the time. Also, they're mostly budget instruments, so the variance between "identical" basses is high.

So play as many as you can, until you find one you can't put down. If they have more of that model in the back room, ask to try all of them, to make sure you got the best one.

PS: based on past bad experiences, consider putting a hold on the first one while you're checking, so it can't turn into "the one that got away".

Kraken · #6 11-22-2010, 06:20 AM

I've just bought an Ibanez EWB 205WNE NT

like the one you can find on the Ibanez site

http://www.ibanez.com

fantastic bass for the money, although if you use the Preamp on it into a PA I would recommend using the Balanced XLR rather than Jack out.

my only criticism on this bass (and it is me being picky as it sounds great to my ear plugged in or not) is that the Bridge and Nut could 'look' a bit nicer, they do look a bit rough.

the other to try is the Warwick Alien as has already been said, I've read a good review of these and I think I have read good things about the Breedlove ABG's as well.

good luck.

martijn_2m · #7 11-22-2010, 06:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kraken

I've just bought an Ibanez EWB 205WNE NT

like the one you can find on the Ibanez site

http://www.ibanez.com

fantastic bass for the money, although if you use the Preamp on it into a PA I would recommend using the Balanced XLR rather than Jack out.

my only criticism on this bass (and it is me being picky as it sounds great to my ear plugged in or not) is that the Bridge and Nut could 'look' a bit nicer, they do look a bit rough.

the other to try is the Warwick Alien as has already been said, I've read a good review of these and I think I have read good things about the Breedlove ABG's as well.

good luck.

Fully agree Kraken; this bass was my second choice. I opted for the the Breedlove Atlas fretless 4 string because there wasn't a fretless 4 version of it in the store, but this Ibanez also sounded very good both acoustically as well as amplified.

Regards,
MM

old-fashioned · #8 11-22-2010, 06:35 AM

This is a killer bass:
http://www.furch.cz/eng/furchdurango/radab40.php

**ShoeManiac** · #9 11-22-2010, 07:43 AM

If your price range is going that high, I'd recommend two older models: the Guild B-30E and the Taylor AB-2. Both have onboard pickups. Both sound and play amazingly well. And their bodies are big enough that they project well enough to compete with strummed acoustic guitar from a volume standpoint.

BassJunkie · #10 11-22-2010, 08:07 AM

I feel the Martin BC-15E was the best one I've played. Most of their prices are in the $1,500 range. I couldn't afford that, so I got a Fender Victor Bailey for $800. I am really enjoying the Victor Bailey, and the Fishman Pickup sounds good. With your budget I would check out a new Martin.

Christopher · #11 11-22-2010, 08:19 AM

I wound up buying a satin-finished 4-string Breedlove Atlas Solo for practice. It has a big, open sound in its lowest range and impressive acoustic volume. I think the lack of a hard poly finish on the instrument makes a big difference in sound and projection - the other acoustic basses I've tried (including other Breedlove basses) didn't sound nearly as loud.

The included LR Baggs pickup and preamp is very useable and not too "plasticky." I think it's a good value for around $700.

steve_rolfeca · #12 11-22-2010, 08:30 AM

+1 on the Taylor. I'm not a huge fan of their skinny-stringers, but the AB-2 is really something.

All solid wood, so you'd have to treat it with care. But the build quality and lumber is beautiful, and they're LOUD unplugged. Not loud enough to cover all the situations that a DB could, but better than any other ABG in my experience.

Big coin, though, and I don't think they come up very often on the used market. Still, if you could find one within your budget, you'd certainly have an amazing instrument.

MD · #13 11-22-2010, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simorchid

I'm thinking about purchasing an acoustic bass guitar but know absolutely nothing about what to look for, which brands etc.
I would be looking to spend up to about $1500USD.
A built in pickup would be essential.
Can someone point me in the right direction?
P.S. I did a search but didn't come up with the goods, so be nice

Search on key words: "ABG" or "acoustic". You should find pages of threads.
I won't say they all do, but most ABG's come with on board electronics; usually a preamp unit recessed into the upper bout, and a piezo transducer pup under the bridge saddle. They come this way because at some point, they're meant to be amplified. It's the nature of the instrument.
Your budget includes a wide range of basses; from the low end Dean to the higher end Tacoma, and into the vintage or boutique. What do you want out of this bass?

Siggy · #14 12-16-2010, 04:33 PM

I went through this a few years ago and decided on a Tacoma.
What I learned from the experience is... You need to play the one you are planing to buy. I wouldn't buy online unless you don't mind the possibility of returning a lot of guitars until you find the right one. Acoustic basses are very organic, Meaning that no two are alike. Even if they are the same make, model and year. This is true with solid body basses too, however they are much easier to set up then an acoustic. Another reason is the more expensive the model doesn't necessarily mean the better it sounds. I've A/B'd $200 acoustic basses with $1000 ones and sometimes the cheap one sounds and plays better.

I hope this helps.