Acoustic Bass Guitars

Acousticdude · #1 08-14-2011, 09:00 AM

I'm looking for an Acoustic Bass Guitar for some small venue gigs. I'll be running it through my Ampeg BA-108 combo amp because these gigs are very small rooms. Any suggestions on Acoustic Bass Guitars.

snyderz · #2 08-14-2011, 09:07 AM

I've never had the pleasure of owning an ABG, but I typed 'acoustic' into the search in this forum, and was amazed at how much information came up, including a huge ABG club. How cool is that?

jdthebassman · #3 08-14-2011, 09:31 AM

I recomend the guild b-30, great investment blows away all the fender,ibanez mike kelly etc. they are no longer made but you can still find them.

SurferJoe46 · #4 08-14-2011, 10:10 AM

Ibanez AEB10 - full stop.

lposavad · #5 08-14-2011, 10:10 AM

Ovation had a good one, if you can find one used.
Definitely try before you buy, I've tried some higher end ABGs that just didn't 'resonate' with me (pun intended).

Jay Ralston · #6 08-14-2011, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SurferJoe46

Ibanez AEB10 - full stop.

What he said! I have an Ibanez AEB 10 and for the price you cannot beat it. Great little bass that plays far more better than what other basses in it's price range cost. In fact, I have played some higher end acoustic basses and I like this one a lot more!

frontroom · #7 08-14-2011, 04:49 PM

I've got a Washburn AB-20. I hated it initially. It was all boom and click so i had the frets pulled. It is now a great bass,especially for recording.

mellowgerman · #8 08-14-2011, 04:52 PM

Tacoma Thundercheif, Guild B-30, or Guild B-50. These sound excellent plugged in but you can actually hear them in an unplugged jam as well (unlike most ABG's)

rockscott · #9 08-14-2011, 05:04 PM

I have an epiphone el capitan. The tone is heavenly, nice action, decent electronics and a built in tuner.

bassgod76 · #10 08-26-2011, 07:37 AM

I'm looking for like the "Honda Civic" of ABG's. Something that isn't super pricey, but not a heap of garbage, either. I need it for a quasi ren fest type gig.

Goteky45 · #11 08-26-2011, 07:44 AM

I'm going to order one of these this week. they are the beste ABG's i've ever played and i strongly advise them.

BOULDER CREEK BCEBR6-N4
ORTEGA D3C-4 DEEP NA

I just can't decide between them. They are both beautiful, have a great tone and are not that pricey.

**iriegnome** · #12 08-26-2011, 07:55 AM

Wow, there are dozens of really good, pretty inexpensive acoustic basses out there. Hofner Icon's are not bad. You can always go to evilbay and pick up an acoustic that usually sounds pretty darn good for about $150 or less! Olymipia (Tacoma) makes a great acoustic, but they are a little more expensive... I guess it all depends on what you are really wanting to spend

jallenbass · #13 08-26-2011, 07:58 AM

Once you get your ABG put flatwounds or tapewounds on it since you'll be amplifying. The sound is so much better.

bassgod76 · #14 08-26-2011, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iriegnome

Wow, there are dozens of really good, pretty inexpensive acoustic basses out there. Hofner Icon's are not bad. You can always go to evilbay and pick up an acoustic that usually sounds pretty darn good for about $150 or less! Olymipia (Tacoma) makes a great acoustic, but they are a little more expensive... I guess it all depends on what you are really wanting to spend

I saw that Ibanez has a few affordable ABG's. Any opinions on those?

I think $300 is the absolute most I'd spend, and I wouldn't mind used.

The only catch is that it has to be black.

I will look up those Hofners. Thanks!

bassgod76 · #15 08-26-2011, 08:39 AM

What do you think of the following?
Acoustic Electric Bass Guitar 4 String | eBay

or

Ibanez AEB10E Acoustic Electric Bass Guitar | eBay

or

Washburn AB-10 Acoustic Electric Bass W/ HardCase | eBay

or

Oscar Schmidt OB100 Black Acoustic Electric Bass Guitar | eBay

or

Michael Kelly Firefly 4-string Acoustic Bass, Trans Bl | eBay

I used to own an Applause AE-40, and I hated the round plastic back. I really don't know much about ABG's. I need something decent, but not insanely priced.
Any advice or opinions would be appreciated.

I also looked at MF in their used section. Lot's of Ibanez ABG's with warped necks. What's up with that?

SurferJoe46 · #16 08-26-2011, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassgod76

What do you think of the following?
Ibanez AEB10E Acoustic Electric Bass Guitar | eBay

^^ this.

I used to own an Applause AE-40, and I hated the round plastic back. I really don't know much about ABG's. I need something decent, but not insanely priced.
Any advice or opinions would be appreciated.

I also looked at MF in their used section. Lot's of Ibanez ABG's with warped necks. What's up with that?

The AEB10 that I have, has a fully adjustable trussrod in it - so that's not a requirement that it goes out of shape.

I lowered the nut and the bridge height with some judicious shaving and sanding and it's just great now.

When I got it I could get my hand under the strings from about the 8th fret down.

However, I knew it was adjustable and it didn't bother me to get it for 1/3rd price from GC.

They thought it was bad - it wasn't.

I have stayed with the bronze strings though - in spite of what some people think of them. I like their deep mellow sound and they have a uniqueness that makes people who hear it take notice instantly.

Yeah - they make your fingers dirty - but such is the price of fame.

bassgod76 · #17 08-26-2011, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SurferJoe46

The AEB10 that I have, has a fully adjustable trussrod in it - so that's not a requirement that it goes out of shape.

I lowered the nut and the bridge height with some judicious shaving and sanding and it's just great now.

When I got it I could get my hand under the strings from about the 8th fret down.

However, I knew it was adjustable and it didn't bother me to get it for 1/3rd price from GC.

They thought it was bad - it wasn't.

I have stayed with the bronze strings though - in spite of what some people think of them. I like their deep mellow sound and they have a uniqueness that makes people who hear it take notice instantly.

Yeah - they make your fingers dirty - but such is the price of fame.

I liked the Ibanez, but this worries me.

From the MF used website... See below

AEB10E Acoustic-Electric Bass Guitar with Onboard Tuner Level 4 Gloss Black 889406616400
Condition D - Needs Repair

This instrument needs repair, but can be brought back to full playability. This product is sold AS-IS. If you are a do-it-yourselfer or know a skilled repairman, this is a terrific value and usually requires replacement of parts or some skilled setup work. Specifically, this guitar requires repair or replacement as the neck is warped. Also, the fret wire ends protrude slightly from the edge of the neck and are sharp and it has minor scratches on the top and back.

$147.00
/images/promoImages/MF/Stickers/MF_MD_Sticker_TopRated_110213.png Top Rated by All of You Musicians! top-left Top Rated 519995007178070 Gloss Black889406616400 /images/promoImages/MF/Stickers/MF_MD_Sticker_TopRated_110213.png Top Rated by All of You Musicians! top-left Top Rated 519995007178070 Gloss Black889406616400
AEB10E Acoustic-Electric Bass Guitar with Onboard Tuner Level 4 Gloss Black 889406588158
Condition D - Needs Repair

This instrument needs repair, but can be brought back to full playability. This product is sold AS-IS. If you are a do-it-yourselfer or know a skilled repairman, this is a terrific value and usually requires replacement of parts or some skilled setup work. Specifically, this guitar requires repair or replacement as the neck is warped.

$147.00
/images/promoImages/MF/Stickers/MF_MD_Sticker_TopRated_110213.png Top Rated by All of You Musicians! top-left Top Rated 519995007178072 Gloss Black889406588158 /images/promoImages/MF/Stickers/MF_MD_Sticker_TopRated_110213.png Top Rated by All of You Musicians! top-left Top Rated 519995007178072 Gloss Black889406588158
AEB10E Acoustic-Electric Bass Guitar with Onboard Tuner Level 4 Dark Violin Sunburst 889406800632
Condition D - Needs Repair

Specific details about this product/instrument: Neck is warped. Scratches on top and back.

$147.00

SurferJoe46 · #18 08-26-2011, 09:15 AM

Sounds to me that they were owned by a Kindergarten class that was trying to build a bass section to their Wood Blocks and Castanet Band.

OR --- somehow - someone (perhaps a fat teacher's aide) sat on them and bent them. *

I don't think there's a run of bent necks on AEB 10s - not that I've seen. Mine was just badly set up and since it required cutting parts, I think most people just stayed away from it like the plague.

In the years I have had it it has never changed it's neck attitude at all.

NO twisting, bending, bagging or sagging at the knees.

But then again, I stayed with stock-type bronzes. I think putting high tension strings on an acoustic box of any kind is rife with ugly possibilities.

* there MAY be a cryptic message here - but don't quote me on that.

bassgod76 · #19 08-26-2011, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SurferJoe46

Sounds to me that they were owned by a Kindergarten class that was trying to build a bass section to their Wood Blocks and Castanet Band.

OR --- somehow - someone (perhaps a fat teacher's aide) sat on them and bent them. *

I don't think there's a run of bent necks on AEB 10s - not that I've seen. Mine was just badly set up and since it required cutting parts, I think most people just stayed away from it like the plague.

In the years I have had it it has never changed it's neck attitude at all.

NO twisting, bending, bagging or sagging at the knees.

But then again, I stayed with stock-type bronzes. I think putting high tension strings on an acoustic box of any kind is rife with ugly possibilities.

* there MAY be a cryptic message here - but don't quote me on that.

I just thought it was suspect that THREE of these were on MF's "D" list for the same thing.

SurferJoe46 · #20 08-26-2011, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassgod76

I just thought it was suspect that THREE of these were on MF's "D" list for the same thing.

Yeah - there's that of course.

Perhaps MF got them all at once with a trade in for that same school for basses made of cast iron.

I can't really imagine that MF is the Black Hole for all broken AEBs though.

Something faintly reminds me of Bandini here.