acoustic/hollowbody volume question

[Aunt Babe]

I recently sold my Dean EAB, because I am a 'petite flower' *snort* and the large body and 34" scale together made it just too uncomfortable to play. I'm thinking it's mostly the body because I have a standard Jazz which I have no trouble with.

I'd still like something acoustic I can pick up and play (unplugged) at home, and of course plug it in to play with others. Any suggestions on a smaller-bodied acoustic or hollowbody? Short scale is also an option.

I'm mostly interested to know if the hollowbody basses are loud enough to hear unplugged. I would think not, but not having one here I don't know! I believe I tried a Fender Kingman at my local music store, the body on that was quite a bit smaller than my monster Dean. No Kala U-bass, I'd like something more standard first.

[TheBass]

Most HBs provide sufficient acoustic volume for noodeling in your bedroom. But none of them will be loud enough to play with an acoustic guitar. Even most acoustic basses aren't. I played a Stoll (which is considered to be one of the loudest acoustic basses) on a birthday party. My friend played a western 6-string and was singing at moderate volume. I had to pluck the strings quite hard to reach nearly the same volume as the western guitar. But I wasn't able to play like that for more than 3 or 4 songs.

[Aunt Babe]

Yeah, that's what I found with my Dean EAB...it couldn't even compete with my husband's ukulele! Anything that I could noodle around with at home unplugged I would automatically assume I'd have to plug it into the amp when playing with anyone else.

[MD]

Short scale acoustic bass guitar. First post - please be kind!

Yeah, that's what I found with my Dean EAB...it couldn't even compete with my husband's ukulele!

This doesn't sound right.

[prd004]

I have some valuable insight, as I have played many acoustic gigs in the last few years, still play in a band that does regular "unplugged" shows, and struggled mightily to find a great ABG.

Truth is, there isn't one!!!!!

You can get one of the large bodied, ABG's and they will make enough noise to hear while you practice quietly by yourself, but that is about all they are good for. As soon as other instruments join in you can't be heard without plugging in and as soon as you plug in you're going to have all sorts of feedback issues. Not to mention almost all the necks have the feel of a tree trunk, are difficult to play, the low notes feel like they are a mile away. Intonation and accuracy are a big problem, plus, I haven't heard one that sounds good plugged in and I have tried them all.

My solution (after years of headaches, and thousands of wasted dollars) was the Carvin AC40. I should have just gotten one in the first place, I love it to death and I just can't put it down! It's not a true acoustic, it's a small-bodied, semi-hollow acoustic-electric with an ingenious LR Baggs undersaddle pickup that has a sublime feel, lazer-sharp accurate intonation, and an incredible acoustic sound when used through an amp. I just use a small combo amp for practice or gigs and I'm good to go.

It's well built, relatively inexpensive, looks and feels beautiful, and it's a pro instrument in every way. I love it.