High-End Fretless Acoustic Basses

Lobaw · #1 10-27-2012, 02:46 PM

I've been on the hunt for a high-end, 4 string, large body, fretless acoustic bass that has a very upright sound. I've seen a lot of threads discussing different basses, but nothing about what's currently available in this market range, short of going to a boutique builder for a one-off. I've tried the usual basses: Rob Allen, Rick Turner, etc. and they all sound great, but they're not what I'm looking for.

So, I was hoping someone could point me in the right direction for a production bass with these qualities.

Thanks!!

spade2you · #2 10-27-2012, 03:10 PM

Full acoustic or semi-acoustic?

**Freddels** · #3 10-27-2012, 03:12 PM

I think the Rob Allen's will get you the closest. The only other I can think of is the one that Alain Caron uses (I can't remember the make of it though).

Lobaw · #4 10-27-2012, 03:25 PM

What I had in mind was a large body acoustic. I guess it would be a full acoustic, with a piezo of some kind.

I was under the impression that there were several production basses that had these qualities, but fewer are being made today. I'm just running into a dead end locating anything other than the boutique basses - which, of course are very nice.

Here's one bass that I like quite well, but it is a one-off:

http://www.markbass.it/artist_detail.php?id=81

Check out the video located second from the bottom on Ralf Gauck's artist page. I know that it's a one-off, and if I ultimately need to go in that direction, I'm hopeful that I can find a builder closer to Seattle.

Thanks, again, for the help.

OtisRocks · #5 10-27-2012, 03:31 PM

Have you looked at this one? Got the new Rigel ABG check this out

spade2you · #6 10-27-2012, 03:33 PM

While ABGs aren't quite my thing, if I were to get one, I'd probably hit up KR Guitars. He's hasn't built an ABG yet, but has built acoustics and basses.

I got this about two weeks ago. Well, I guess it's almost a bass since it's a 27-25" scale tuned low B to high E. I'm currently working out the logistics of a 28.6" scale 12 string tuned B-B that I can easily capo the 5th fret.

Regardless of maker, I highly recommend a forearm bevel for comfort. I really dig the B-Band pre with the UST (piezo) and AST (soundboard pickup).

chunkstyle · #7 10-27-2012, 04:05 PM

Bill Laswell's most recent record is solo acoustic bass (for the most part) and he gets great tone out of a Warwick Alien. Check it out.

Lobaw · #8 10-29-2012, 01:41 AM

Thanks for all of the responses. They were very helpful in finding other posts and threads I missed, when I posted this thread. And there are some really nice acoustic basses out there. I guess the take home message is that I'll need to have a bass built, unless I can find one of the older high quality production basses.

nukes_da_bass · #9 10-29-2012, 04:12 AM

Tacoma?
Also, Taylor used to
Make a big body bass that had the similar offset sound hole.

pklima · #10 10-29-2012, 04:23 AM

I've seen a Ribbecke Halfling bass for sale. Also some Fylde ABGs, though I think all of them had frets.

Vinny Colletti has a very nice looking fretless archtop bass for sale with a big body, but it does have a magnetic pickup at the end of the fingerboard so I'm not sure how much it's meant to be used acoustically. A few months ago I asked him about this - he has one in stock and was willing to cut quite a deal on it.

jeffbonny · #11 10-29-2012, 06:40 AM

Azola Deco Bass

mfbolton · #12 10-29-2012, 06:52 AM

Takamine TB10?

CnB77 · #13 10-29-2012, 07:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeffbonny

Azola Deco Bass

Want

Phil Smith · #14 10-29-2012, 08:24 AM

This has a very "upright" sound:

dvh · #15 10-29-2012, 08:38 AM

+ a million, if you want an upright sound just get yourself an upright. No ABG will sound like an DB. Not only does the DB push more air; the scale length and the playing technique also contribute to the distinctive sound.....

Kickass · #16 10-29-2012, 08:46 AM

My home made bass sounds like a DB. Waiting to find a fretless neck to make a into one of these. Plenty of volume, small and a conversation piece.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2P6wDfIrJgU

etoncrow · #17 10-29-2012, 08:58 AM

Here is an interesting comparison of ABG's:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyD_y...eature=related

lefty · #18 10-29-2012, 09:26 AM

+1 for the Azola Deco Bass. You would have to find one used. Steve isn't making basses anymore. Top notch basses.

mikezimmerman · #19 10-29-2012, 09:37 AM

How about this one? http://www.ebay.com/itm/RGC-Ribbecke...-/120556181956

The Takamine B10/TB10 might be a good match, as well : http://www.takamine.com/guitars/bass_guitars/tb10

etoncrow · #20 10-29-2012, 10:00 AM

Wow! That Ribbecke is really sweet