|  | | 
04-08-2011, 06:46 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Amersham, Bucks, UK | | | Examples of where ABG works
Sign in to disble this ad
I'm not sure whether the point of acoustic bass gits is to look the part rather than anything else. In fact the only person I've come across who uses it as a stylistic/sonic choice seems to be Jonas Hellborg.
Can anyone point me towards other recorded examples of its use in bands, where it's a feature? And not just an "unplugged" stage prop?
__________________
Zerozeddy
;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
Barking up the wrong end of the stick |
04-08-2011, 06:54 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Ankara | | |
__________________
Musical instruments are instruments.
|
04-08-2011, 07:18 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Malta (Europe) and Britain | | I think of it as a non-instrument, inasmuch as it does not deliver what its appearance says it should - that is to say, unamplified usability. If a DB is too bulky, use an EUB. If the player doesn't want to or physically cannot learn DB technique, why not use a slab with a piezo instead of a pointless box?
Adrian  |
04-08-2011, 07:19 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Takoma Park, MD (DC) | | | IMHO, they only exist because of MTV Unplugged. |
04-08-2011, 07:20 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Cinnaminson, NJ - South Jersey | | | I don't have any video examples, but I brought my fretless Breedlove acoustic to an open mic the other night. Got a lot of compliments on the tone. It was definitely not just a prop. It had a resonance I can't get with the solid body Jazz fretless.
Of course, it was "plugged." But even through the PA ststem, it sounded much different than an electric.
Chuck
__________________
'73 Jazz (ash/maple) / '04 Fender Standard Fretless Jazz / '62 RI Precision "Groove Machine" / Carvin 5 String Bolt kit / Breedlove Fretless Acoustic
|
04-08-2011, 07:24 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Malta (Europe) and Britain | | Quote:
Originally Posted by Chuck Sylvester  I don't have any video examples, but I brought my fretless Breedlove acoustic to an open mic the other night. Got a lot of compliments on the tone. It was definitely not just a prop. It had a resonance I can't get with the solid body Jazz fretless.
Of course, it was "plugged." But even through the PA ststem, it sounded much different than an electric.
Chuck | Would that not be on account of a number of factors though - not least the pickup and preamp? |
04-08-2011, 07:28 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Amersham, Bucks, UK | | Quote:
Originally Posted by Chuck Sylvester ...I don't have any video examples... | Exactly: I'm really after audio-only examples. Where'd you'd think oo, that sound can only come from an ABG.
__________________
Zerozeddy
;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
Barking up the wrong end of the stick |
04-08-2011, 07:31 AM
| | | | I bought mine used about 15 years ago and I only use it for jamming around the campfire.(why I bought it for).It can be heard with accoustic guitars especially if I use a pick on it. |
04-08-2011, 07:42 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Malta (Europe) and Britain | | Quote:
Originally Posted by madrob I bought mine used about 15 years ago and I only use it for jamming around the campfire.(why I bought it for).It can be heard with accoustic guitars especially if I use a pick on it. | Is it this one?
Seriously, it surely must be a deep/large bodied ABG to be functional in a campfire setting. |
04-08-2011, 08:20 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: California | | Quote:
Originally Posted by Zerozeddy I'm not sure whether the point of acoustic bass gits is to look the part rather than anything else. | Yep, pretty much.
That's why I bought this one (for an alt.country gig that never jelled), absolutely no other reason: 
Note the cat's confusion.
__________________
"There's no helping nor educating a fool." -- My percipient grandfather
|
04-08-2011, 08:53 AM
|  | Supporting Member | | Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Atlanta, GA | | | IMO they are for looks/image only.
A few years back I bought a Martin 00-C16 and a Breedlove ABG for two acoustic projects I was involved in just because it was all about "the look". Both basses were totally useless unamplified. The female songwriter I was backing up on one of the projects commented that my Precision with TI flats sounded MUCH better than the ABG....same amps, a G-K MB150E and a Walkabout Scout. Also, the string volume balance on both ABG's was poor and was uncorrectable.
I sold both of them and wouldn't waste my money on another. The only acoustic bass that is useful unamplified is a URB unless you are jamming quietly with a light-handed guitarist or two. For gigging...no way unless looks are more important than sound.
__________________
Woody J (Jack)
OFBPOAC #38
Last edited by WoodyJ : 04-08-2011 at 08:58 AM.
|
04-08-2011, 08:54 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Cinnaminson, NJ - South Jersey | | Quote:
Originally Posted by Zerozeddy Exactly: I'm really after audio-only examples. Where'd you'd think oo, that sound can only come from an ABG. | To be totally honest, I don't really like the sound of a fretted acoustic bass. To me it seems like the fret slap often sounds almost as loud as the actual note. And roundwound strings add all that zipping noise. That's why I bought a fretless and strung it with flats. Just my opinion; others will disagree.
On the subject of campfire playing, (totally unamplified): My Breedlove is louder than anything I've ever played, including Fender, dean, Ibanez, and Michael Kelly. I've been told that a Tacoma is louder, but I've never tried one. Mine will hold its own with one acoustic guitar- unless the guitar is strummed agressively.
Chuck
__________________
'73 Jazz (ash/maple) / '04 Fender Standard Fretless Jazz / '62 RI Precision "Groove Machine" / Carvin 5 String Bolt kit / Breedlove Fretless Acoustic
|
04-08-2011, 09:02 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Brooklyn and Hudson Valley | | | ABGs are good for practicing or charting tunes when no amp is at hand. I've very occasionally used them with a pick at acoustic jams at a party. Otherwise there's no use for them. The tone is no reason to use them as it's generally inferior to both DB and EBG (in my view). However, I like having one for when I need it, like to sit at a desk and chart a tune off a computer in a room that doesn't have any other music gear.
__________________
Genz Benz Club #168
|
04-08-2011, 10:04 AM
|  | Registered User | | Join Date: May 2008 Location: Down in the middle somewhere. | | I had my ABG for 5 years or so, only used it a couple of times outdoors and its hard to compete with two guitars regarding volume!
Sometimes use it at home but rarely!
Used it once in the studio and it sounded pretty good! It was just miced! Sometimes (acoustic) by Starling | Song | Free Music, Listen Now
In all honesty i cant say that they are very useful and could definitely do without one!
Last edited by carlos840 : 04-08-2011 at 10:07 AM.
|
04-08-2011, 10:18 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: California | | Quote:
Originally Posted by carlos840 In all honesty i cant say that they are very useful and could definitely do without one! | The market concurs; there wasn't a single one in GC last time I was in.
__________________
"There's no helping nor educating a fool." -- My percipient grandfather
|
04-08-2011, 10:34 AM
| | Registered User
Endorsing Artist: J.C. Basses | | Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Phoenix, Arizona 85029 | | | You can get a pseudo-upright tone from a fretless acoustic and some nylon strings, but unamplified, the acoustic bass is not designed with a large enough body to hold its own. If you put a neck on a Guitarron body, however, things would be quite different, but the overall bass size would be significantly larger.
__________________ Quote:
Originally Posted by McThumpenstein I don't think the wife would buy the "I need to take off this knob and put a whole new bass under it" story. | |
04-08-2011, 11:23 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Redding California | | | I had an ABG for a while. Decent for the occasional practice or acoustic/acoustic jam when I didn't want to plug in, but overall they're pretty useless, IMO.
No volume to speak of, but the tone was kinda neat with round wounds. I can see how it might work out in a studio setting, but I'm picking up an active 5er soon to lay down bass for some acoustic stuff, so I guess it's just not for me..
That particular ABG had an unfortunate accident involving a foot to the face... |
04-08-2011, 01:42 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: League City, Tx | | Two of mine where I felt like the ABG was just what the song needed. http://www.box.net/shared/static/u7za3rtunp.mp3
(main melody on ABG, bottom bass line on electric) http://www.box.net/shared/static/5o58g11ckz.mp3
__________________
Lefty Union Member #26 G&L Club Member #2, Rickenbacker Club #4 Acoustic Club #2 Jag Club Member #2 T-40 club #15 Medium Bass Club #58 Korg Pandora club #2
|
04-08-2011, 02:23 PM
| | Registered User
Endorsing Artist: J.C. Basses | | Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Phoenix, Arizona 85029 | | Quote:
Originally Posted by MD | I really felt like the acoustic sound in both of these videos were unique and achievable only with an acoustic.
__________________ Quote:
Originally Posted by McThumpenstein I don't think the wife would buy the "I need to take off this knob and put a whole new bass under it" story. | | | Thread Tools | Search this Thread | | | | 
Posting Rules
| You may not post new threads You may not post replies You may not post attachments You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off | | | |
