Acoustic bass vs electric?

[MoonlightBass]

I have been a guitarist for 35 years, but for the last two years have been focused on bass. 2 years ago I picked up the bass guitar, and I started playing double bass a year ago.

I've been asked to play in the orchestra pit for the local high school's production of Seussical. I've looked over the bass part and have already decided to play it on a bass guitar, not the double bass (mainly due to my competency on the double bass).

The question is, what bass guitar? I have an acoustic bass guitar (Takamine Jasmine) but not an electric. I like the warm, bright sound of the acoustic, but sometimes it's too bright and the sound of fingers sliding on the strings can be a bit shrill. I used this guitar to cover the bass parts for a community orchestra before I got up to speed on the double bass. For the purposes I though it was OK, but I know that some purists hated the sound of that "stupid" guitar.

Given the acoustic nature of many of the instruments in the pit orchestra (violins, etc), I thought the acoustic might work well, but I'm not sure.

I also don't want to go out and buy an electric bass for this gig if I can help it, but I might consider it if it is needed badly enough.

Thoughts?

[Ric5]

I would use an electric bass and a small combo amp adjusted to the appropiate volume.

[bigsnaketex]

electric for sure

[Slowgypsy]

I understand you're playing an ABG (acoustic bass guitar) but does it also have a built in pickup? Most of them do. If so, a small combo amp to boost your sound would do the trick. If not, you might explore getting a bass that does have that capability. Also, changing to flat wound strings would eliminate the finger sliding noise you're currently hearing.

[Joe Louvar]

at some point I’d buy an electric bass so you’re really for more work down the road.

[MoonlightBass]

It does have a pickup on it, and of course I've got a suitable amp.

The issue isn't really acoustic bass vs electric... the question is, is the acoustic I already have unsuitable enough for this purpose to warrant buying an electric bass (which may not get a ton of use after, since I'm focusing on developing on the double bass). I don't want to buy a new guitar now if it's not essential.

[JFOC]

If amplification isnt an issue, keep what you have.

"but sometimes it's too bright and the sound of fingers sliding on the strings can be a bit shrill."

Try some flats?

[Joe Louvar]

In that case, No - it should be fine, I have a little Fender BG-31 acoustic that sounds great when plugged in. PS: just learn to play it without squeaking - it's more in the hands, than strings.

[MoonlightBass]

At some point- definitely.

[MoonlightBass]

I think it's lousy technique with my left hand. I can work on that.

[SurferJoe46]

I played a Blue Grass gig a few days ago and used both my Ibanez AEB and a Fender P pretty much interchangeably all night.

No problems either way and I use the round bronzes on the AEB since they have that 'zing' and string noise which is very nice in that application.

[LarryCrabtree]

I have an acoustic / electric bass also. I fitted it with Rotosound 88 nylon wrapped strings. This is the closest sound to a double bass I have heard. Several people say it sounds like my upright.

You might try those strings to see if it gets you the sound you want.

[MoonlightBass]

That's not a bad idea! I might see about the nylon strings. I like the zing of the bronze bit I wonder if it's too much under the circumstances.

[dalkowski]

Originally Posted by MoonlightBass

That's not a bad idea! I might see about the nylon strings. I like the zing of the bronze bit I wonder if it's too much under the circumstances.

I play school pit shows and that sounds like a good solution for your situation, without having to unbelt for another bass. You don't want your zingy strings drawing attention from the main event.

Have fun!

[zon6c-f]

D B Purists will gasp, but I recommend buying a fretless electric. Squier and similar brands can be purchased well under $500 New.

I have owned string basses. When I realized I was no longer symphony bound, I sold them.

D B forum hates me when I have posted my opinion that after you decide which system; mic or pick-up, then amplifer.. your string bass IS ELECTRIC. so why not buy a fretless electric? Sooo much easier; pulg-n-play; No issues with carrying the beast. No issues with heat-n-humidity. No feedback issues.

Purists will spit and hiss.. audience probably won't know, won't be able to tell difference or won't care. I know..no arco... Arco required? ..buy an E U B.

In late 1998, I bought a Fender AB-1 for indoor non amplified practice. It is essentially a piezo-electrified flat top bass guitar. Especially with those phosphor / bronze strings. First thing I did was replace those bronze strings with flats.

I seldom remove it from its gig bag, as I now use my solid body electrics with headphones through my Korg Pandora or Line6Pod.

Bluegrass folk here have asked me to join them; grateful to have a dedicated bassist if any sort...whether string bass or electric...

Good luck and keep us posted...

[Rob Martinez]

Hofner Icon bass with flat wound strings. Sounds great and looks like a violin!!

[MoonlightBass]

No reason to buy a fretless electric when I already have and play an Engelhardt. I do play in community orchestras with it, but I think I'll do a much better job playing this on the bass guitar than on the Engelhardt.

[MoonlightBass]

Those look like fun. And perhaps I should play it left-handed like a certain Englishman...

[Ian Perge]

You might want to consider a semi-hollowbody bass, such as the Epiphone Jack Casady Signature or Godin's A-Series Basses. The positive about the former is that it can be dialed pretty quickly from "Very Acoustic-sounding with the Vari-Gain set @ 50 ohms and the tone dialed back" to "P-Bass sounding with the fuller mids of a Jazz Bass with the Vari-Gain @ 500 and the tone up full" and generally be more useful. However, the Godin A-series are made in 4 & 5-strings and Fretted & Fretless, so a fretless model with Flat-or-tapewound strings can come pretty close to an Upright for your purposes. It might be worth seeing if a local music store has any of them in stock, and would possibly rent one out for a show so you can get some real-world experience.

(FYI: I own a Jack Casady Signature, but have played many Godin fretless 5-strings and have it on my "To Buy" List)

[MoonlightBass]

If I use the Rotosound 88's am I going to have trouble fitting them on this guitar? I assume I would not be using the short scale strings- this guitar is huge.