Electric acoustic thoughts

[rtslinger]

I have an Epiphone El Segundo Acoustic-Electric Bass discontinued so you would have to search out a used one but it has served me well never any issues and it is still like the day I bought it in 2001

[Groove Doctor]

I did the whole acoustic bass search and decided not to get one - serious problems with feedback once you get to higher volumes. That said, an acoustic bass with tapewounds or TI's sounds very good to me, esp Fretless.

Originally Posted by moles

When it comes to Bluegrass I have to side with the "No electric" camp. It's not about how woody a tone you dial in on the amp, it's the fact that any amplified sound, especially using a [MAGNETIC] pickup has a forcefulness to it that overpowers acoustic instruments. Really - sit in at a picking circle with a bassist going through an amp (even at reasonable volumes, whatever that is...) then hear what that same group sounds like when a DB player (even a loud one) steps in. Night and day.
....I say if it's natural sounding and doesn't destroy the balance between instruments then great.

I have a Jazz bass with EMG's, TI JF's and foam and get mistaken for DB. Lower the PU height so it doesn't have that 'immediacy' of the magnetic PU.

Piezo PU's have a more natural 'acoustic' sounding note (envelope). With flats, esp TI's or tapewounds, you'll get some great tones. I now have a RA Mouse with maple top. It LOOKS like an acoustic bass guitar, so slips in under the radar at gigs. Sounds great live and in studio

- Ashbory FL: used to have an but intonation was too difficult.
- Kala U basses: sound and play great too, give them a serious look.
- I'd happily play Carvin AC40/AC50 FL or Godin too.

[1954bassman]

Originally Posted by moles

While I'm all for cutting edge, technological advances, and craaaaazy new ideas about music when it comes to Bluegrass I have to side with the "No electric" camp. It's not about how woody of a tone you dial in on the amp, it's the fact that any amplified sound, especially using a pickup) has a forcefulness to it that overpowers acoustic instruments. Really - sit in at a picking circle with a bassist going through an amp (even at reasonable volumes, whatever that is...) then hear what that same group sounds like when a DB player (even a loud one) steps in. Night and day.

Stage isn't really any better...a bass amp on stage will bleed into the other mics, period. If it's a small, "one mic" sort of setup, fuhgettaboutit...

An argument could be made for a pickup on a real DB, going straight into the house....I say if it's natural sounding and doesn't destroy the balance between instruments then great.

I'm also a bluegrass kind of guy, but to play devil's advocate here, when you guys do a festival with say 2000 peeps, isn't there some kind of cord running from your instrument to the PA? Define "electric". I say once the audience hears your instrument through a speaker, it becomes electric..

And the "one mic" set-up, you would want the bass amp to come through the mic, just like a upright would, right?

And do you really think you can pick up the difference between a DB and a EB? Some of the top touring bluegrass bands are using EBs now, live and in the studio. there may be a difference, but not night and day. My main issue is volume. While both electric and uprights sound great to me. there are a lot of times that an upright just doesn't come through, Does an electric have that great DB sound? Of course not. Acoustically can a DBt compete with an electric? No, and the EB can sound great in its area of expertise.

There is a snobbery amongst some bluegrass pickers, amongst all musicians, as a matter of fact. Electric vs Acoustic, Loud vs soft, drums/ no drums, Jazz vs real music, on and on. For me, I like 'em all. Good music is good music. And good bass tone? Give me good bass tone, and I am happy, even if it is a keyboard...(Yiks)

[Mushroo]

Originally Posted by 1954bassman

There is a snobbery amongst some bluegrass pickers, amongst all musicians, as a matter of fact.

It's not "snobbery" to have an opinion. For example I prefer the sound of a Les Paul to a Strat and would rather be in a rock band with a Gibson player. Likewise I would rather be in a jazz combo with an acoustic piano than a keyboard. Yes I can hear the difference, no that doesn't make me a snob I don't think.

It's naive to suggest that a pro musician (in any genre) can't hear the difference between bass guitar and upright and isn't allowed to have an opinion which they prefer. Even if it's a purely visual preference, appearance is an important part of the music biz.

[1954bassman]

Originally Posted by Mushroo

It's not "snobbery" to have an opinion. For example I prefer the sound of a Les Paul to a Strat and would rather be in a rock band with a Gibson player. Likewise I would rather be in a jazz combo with an acoustic piano than a keyboard. Yes I can hear the difference, no that doesn't make me a snob I don't think.

It's naive to suggest that a pro musician (in any genre) can't hear the difference between bass guitar and upright and isn't allowed to have an opinion which they prefer. Even if it's a purely visual preference, appearance is an important part of the music biz.

You are right on here brother, and please forgive me, as my post does seem to imply snobbery on your part, which I did not mean. My apology to you for my poor conveyance of what I meant vs. what I typed.

[Mushroo]

No offense taken, this is a fairly common debate on these forums that I enjoy participating in. And I appreciate both sides of the argument.

[bassfran]

I've played a bunch of ABG's and the only one I ever met that was anything like an actual bass was an original Tacoma Thunderchief. It had a factory upgrade done to the bracing and belonged to a respected luthier I know. These are tough to find and don't come cheap. But that thing sounded like a freight train compared to most others and would easily hold up in a group setting. I believe that the long scale and gigantic, offset body were the keys to its huge sound.

BTW, we also have our fair share of bluegrass purists here (ha!) and most of 'em expect to see the DB. I'm glad to hear that folks are starting to loosen up the attitude a bit at the festivals.

[richnota]

Being fortunate enough to have a whole pile of electric/acoustic and piezo-style basses, I've found that the combination of construction, strings, bridge and playing style each contribute to the "electric acoustic" sound.

However so much of the subtle differences get lost in most performance venues. An amplified Tacoma, Tom Clement hollowbody, Rob Allen Mouse or Turner Renaissance all sound gorgeous, but pretty darn close to one-another, on stage with a band through your typical PA. Fortunately in the studio or at a quieter gig, I think the differences are more profound.

Finding the ultimate A/E bass is going to be very personal and completely subjective. Trying a few is the best solution...

Some of the collection.



Kala Bass Uke and Deep 5



Clements





Veillette, Turner and Rob Allen

[TolerancEJ]

I'd like to own the Warwick Rockbass Deluxe Alien 6-String. There's both a Warwick and a Rockbass version of this instrument. The Warwick one is priced at $1799.99 and the Rockbass at $899.99. I'm not sure how often I would actually use an ABG, which is the main reason I'm going for the Rockbass version. Both the Warwick and Rockbass Alien Deluxe is available as 4, 5, and 6 string, and your choice of Fretted or Fretless.

I'm sure I've overlooked more detailed comparisons, but a quick glance at the product descriptions from both Warwick and Bass Alien websites: They both have a laminated spruce top but the sides & back are different: Warwick=Ovangkol / Rockbass=Bubinga. I dig the metal string saddle on the Warwick, compared to the acoustic bridge pins on the Rockbass. There's a nice binding around the Warwick soundhole versus what appears to be a printed design around the Rockbass soundhole. For my personal preference, I do not like thumb rests, which is included on the Warwick version. Warwick version has better piezo/electronics.

Rockbass Version
http://www.bassalien.com/warwick-roc...acoustic-bass/


Warwick Version
http://www.bassalien.com/warwick-ali...acoustic-bass/

[richnota]

Beautiful!

[SurferJoe46]

I've had the good fortune to get to play a few bluegrass shows and although I get glared at by some of the staunch olde timers and me with a (Gasp!) E-lek-trik bass, I get through the sets OK and even have a lot of fun making them notice I have a wire going to an (Gasp again!) am-plee-fier.

But as an aside - I KNOW It's not the same nor is it 'right' for me to play a slab when a doghouse is so much better aesthetically and tone-wise in a classical sense.

I'm currently on the lookout for a box-n-neck and as soon as I do buy one, the venues will open up a lot bigger.

As it is, I'm turning down a lot of Bluegrass/Cowboy/Western shows even though I'm retired - but it's a lot of fun saying: 'Not at this time'.

Keep 'em wantin' I always say.

[Jeff Scott]

As most have mentioned above, forget the acoustic/electric/dreadnaught, etc. type of bass. I have Rick Turner RB4FL because it is the best of the bunch, IMHO.

[bassfran]

Originally Posted by richnota

Being fortunate enough to have a whole pile of electric/acoustic and piezo-style basses, I've found that the combination of construction, strings, bridge and playing style each contribute to the "electric acoustic" sound.

However so much of the subtle differences get lost in most performance venues. An amplified Tacoma, Tom Clement hollowbody, Rob Allen Mouse or Turner Renaissance all sound gorgeous, but pretty darn close to one-another, on stage with a band through your typical PA. Fortunately in the studio or at a quieter gig, I think the differences are more profound.

Finding the ultimate A/E bass is going to be very personal and completely subjective. Trying a few is the best solution...

Some of the collection.



Kala Bass Uke and Deep 5



Clements





Veillette, Turner and Rob Allen

Egads, man- that's an absolutely stellar collection!
Thanks for sharing those pics.

[jeffbonny]

Originally Posted by SurferJoe46

I've had the good fortune to get to play a few bluegrass shows and although I get glared at by some of the staunch olde timers and me with a (Gasp!) E-lek-trik bass, I get through the sets OK and even have a lot of fun making them notice I have a wire going to an (Gasp again!) am-plee-fier.

But as an aside - I KNOW It's not the same nor is it 'right' for me to play a slab when a doghouse is so much better aesthetically and tone-wise in a classical sense.

The slab always seemed to work OK for John Cowan...but then the bums he plays with probably can't afford to be too picky about who they get.