Acoustic Bass Guitar Question?

[Billminpa]

I have been wondering for awhile, in what situations would an acoustic bass guitar be useful? i do not own one, but have played a few in stores, and they are so quiet that they are almost inaudible without an amp. Once they are plugged in, what is the point? I do not hear a tone I cannot get on an electric bass.
This is not meant as a put down, just a question. Maybe I am missing something?

[Stinsok]

The coolest thing is you walk by, pick it up and play without plugging in. The one I had was useless even in an all acoustic environment without an amp. Get a Guitarron!!

[xxfaux_punkxx]

when your power is out and you want to play bass.

[notverygood]

Originally Posted by Billminpa

I have been wondering for awhile, in what situations would an acoustic bass guitar be useful? i do not own one, but have played a few in stores, and they are so quiet that they are almost inaudible without an amp. Once they are plugged in, what is the point? I do not hear a tone I cannot get on an electric bass.
This is not meant as a put down, just a question. Maybe I am missing something?

I enjoy being able to practice without an amp. With the onboard tuner you can practice anywhere. As far as tone goes, you must have one hell of a electric bass that can mimic a acoustic. Unless it's a semi-hollow of course.

[JxBass]

I went on a quest for an acoustic bass. It literally took me years of trying out different models to find the one I wanted. I liked it very much, but after awhile I sold it. As has been said, it's not optimal for group settings and really is best for quiet settings when you don't have or want an amp. Ultimately, I found I prefer the interaction of an electric bass plugged into an amp, even at low volumes.

For me, the best feature of the acoustic is approaching the bass as a guitar. I now play semi-acoustics (which did for several years early on) and still use the guitar style approach.

[1954bassman]

My answer to the original question, is to achive a different sound, and to create an acoustic atmosphere. I have an Epiphone El Capitan fretless that I use sparingly with our acoustic gospel group. It has a very different sound than my main bass (G&L L2500 fretless) and it sets well in the mix with our all-acoustic band. I also like to use it for a change-up, and sometimes we are actually asked to bring an all-acoustic set-up.

I have owned about 10 acoustic basses, and none of them really worked in real world playing conditions without an amp.

[bass_lord_mutha]

Originally Posted by Billminpa

I have been wondering for awhile, in what situations would an acoustic bass guitar be useful? i do not own one, but have played a few in stores, and they are so quiet that they are almost inaudible without an amp. Once they are plugged in, what is the point? I do not hear a tone I cannot get on an electric bass.
This is not meant as a put down, just a question. Maybe I am missing something?

You, sir, have obviously never played a Rick Turner Renaissance acoustic bass. Find one. Play one. You will become a better human being

[Sartori]

Lots of people say "oh, you can't get loud enough with no amp."

I think they probably play all timidly and gently or something. I have no problem playing mine with two acoustic guitars. Today, the only time I even thought I might need a little more volume was when one dude was playing the piano.

I like the portability of mine. Good for jamming around on acoustics.

[steve_rolfeca]

I knew going in, that my Epiphone El Capitan wouldn't be loud enough to use unamplified in a group setting. But it had an interesting tone with a different decay envelope (I'm wondering what kind of electric bass you're playing, if it can duplicate the bark of a piezo on a jumbo acoustic body), and it was a source of inspiration because it made me play differently.

It was a good practice tool. After working out on the high action, my solid body felt like putting on a pair of good running shoes. It also encouraged frequent play, as I could grab it and practice without having to fool around with amps and cords.

It was hard to transport (the case was huge), and the lack of sustain was sometimes a problem compared to my solid body. I played and enjoyed it for a year or two, and then sold it on.

[Sartori]

I still really don't get the "it's not loud enough without an amp" thing. Maybe I just play way harder than most people.

[Duke21]

First of all the bass meant to be mic'd when you are playing in a band. That why you have this piezzo pickup! No solid body bass will give you this kind of sound. I've an Eastone semi-hollow bass (hofner copy) and even though the pickups are the usual magnetics the bass sound different than a solid body. It also nice to practice without amp as the there is more sound unplugged

[rockscott]

I play my acoustic at home, as much if not more than my electrics.

[KeithAlanK]

When you appear on an episode of MTV's Unplugged (do they even make that show anymore?) you sure as hell better not be playing a solidbody bass.

They have a unique tone and obviously a different look.
I've played a couple in stores that were amazing, and hope to find one as good when it's time to get my own.
Ibanez are my favorites so far, for the feel, sound, and price.

[Avezzano]

the acoustic bass is an unvaluable "couch practice" tool: whenever you are on the sofa waiting for the wife serving you a tasty dinner, that is THE moment you concentrate on the acoustic bass and practice. You will discover things that in normal conditions (read "solid body", or "playing with the band") you'd never think being capable of doing (read "arpeggios" or "phrasing with suited low notes under" etc.)

[PaulMacCnj]

I used to own/play a ABG and I can certainly tell you that they sound much different plugged-in than any solid or semi-hollow electric bass. It's the same as the difference in sound you get between electric and acoustic guitars.

BTW, note I said "used to own/play". That's because acoustically the ABGs have very low volume. They are fine for practicing by yourself, but even when jamming with a single acoustic guitar drowns out the bass. I figured that because I had to plug-in to jam in any situation, I might as well just play electric basses. Four years later and I've never regretted selling the ABG.

[SurferJoe46]

My AEB Ibanez will get a workout tonight as I play the Cheese & Wine cabaret down the mountain from me where I live.

The acceptance of an acoustic in those settings is prolly about equal to a stand-up double, but I am a lot more portable. I can't get all the nuances of a bowed bass nor can I actually get that cat gut slap, but nearly every other aspect fits and is accepted by the stuffed shirts and little old ladies who won't appreciate a Fender at this sort of venue.

The AEB has tons of sustain; in fact it can have too much so I use a soundhole plug to cut the feedback part of it down a lot.

I can get a semblance of a fretless by putting my fingers in the center of the frets, not so near to the wires themselves, and that creates a little undercurrent of sound that suggests a fretless sound. It's just a technique I learned.

Tonight I will run my Acoustic combo (B-450) in this sort of setting as it is old school and full of mellow color and solid foundations - but the foundations wouldn't be there unless the bass was putting them out in the first place. You can't EQ in a foundation I feel.

Running an AEB with bronze-rounds makes it all fit very nice with a keyboard, sax and an old arch-top Gibson. There's 'life' in bronze round/wounds and the listener gets some 'ear-candy' even if they don't recognize it. It just fits, that's all.

As far as tone and applicability in an amp'd, live performance setting, here's Nathan East and his 5-string AEB with Clapton in a great video of "Bellbottom Blues" :::
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4hv_...&feature=fvsr#

(turn UP your sub-woofie and just suck in that beautiful tone)

[dieseldan]

There was a kid that played one back in college on the dorm steps every night. Sounded like he was miming.

[Swampman Cory]

I bought one for the novelty. Pick it up once a year and slam on it with a pick for campfire festivities.

$180 well spent for 'getting it out of my system'.

[slopeshoulder]

I am a fanatic for acoustic music. And I have played and recorded acoustic guitar, mandolin, banjo, laud, tiple, cittern, bozouki, and more. Even so, I favor a warm J, P, or upright bass in this context. I despise the sound of an 'acoustic guitar bass.' The only nice one is the original old Earthwood: warm, toneful. That stuff they have in Guitar Center is horrific, toneless, cardboard crap! Stick with your electric bass if this is your acoustic choice.

[ggunn]

Originally Posted by Sartori

I still really don't get the "it's not loud enough without an amp" thing. Maybe I just play way harder than most people.

Or maybe the guys you play with play their acoustic guitars more subtly.