Looking for advice from ABG players re: separate ABG for playing plugged in

[RonniePudding]

I'm currently playing a Tacoma Thunderchief as my primary bass, and I intend to be buried with it. It does almost everything I need, and it sounds great plugged and unplugged with the exception of minor feedback at high volumes when plugged in. Also, I sometimes worry about cost and ability to replace it when bringing it to gigs if it were to get damaged or stolen.

I was shopping for an amp in a local music store when I came across this:

http://www.tanglewoodguitars.co.uk/p...ss/TAB1CE.html

... used for $200 US. Tanglewood ABGs are not common in this area (I think they sell them in Canada, not too far away...), so it's not an everyday find. The unplugged tone and volume is not quite as good as the Thunderchief, but it's not too bad all things considered. The action on the Tanglewood is low and fast and it sounds good plugged in, so I'm thinking it would be good to fit it with tapewounds and a soundhole cover and use it at gigs, where if it gets damaged or stolen I won't cry. I'd keep the Thunderchief strung with roundwounds for maximum acoustic volume, and use it for jamming with friends in safe environments.

So I'm looking for advice from regular ABG players -- what do you think, should I:

1) Buy the Tanglewood and proceed as above, or
2) Look instead for a low-budget semi-acoustic less prone to feedback for playing gigs, or
3) Stop the distracted GASing since the Thunderchief is all I really need for the acoustic-type music I play, and get back to shopping for an amp.

If #1, is $200 a good price for used Tanglewood ABG in decent shape (without case included)?
If #2, I'd welcome suggestions for a decent semi-acoustic in the $300 range.
If #3, again I'd welcome suggestions on a good amp for ABG tone for playing small rooms (1x12?).

(And please, for those who don't believe in ABGs, that topic has been done to death =)

[Wallace320]

I'll go thru all your three options

#1 go with Tanglewood... very good, reliable acoustic full scale bass, with simple, intuitive electronics;
#2 if you'd opt for another one: Cort SJB5, all mahogany full scale bass with proficient Fishman preamp and built-in tuner;
#3 if you'd decide for an amp: Ibanez Wholetone. Don't laugh: it's a 15" speaker worth of 80w with built-in chorus and reverb

Hope this helps

Cheers,
Wallace

[RonniePudding]

Thanks Wallace, I should clarify ...

#2 -- As an alternative for a gigging bass, I'd probably go with a semi-acoustic (not a full acoustic like the Cort), provided there is a decent one within my limited budget. I've looked at Godins, and they're too expensive -- but something along the lines of a Godin A4 would be ideal. If there isn't such a thing within my budget, then ... well, that's where the Tanglewood with the feedback buster and tapes would come into play.

#3 -- While I'm open to any recommendations that are particularly suited to amplifying ABGs, I never thought of using a jazz guitar amp, ... I have thought about an acoustic amp like SWR California Blonde II, however I've backed off on that idea because it would be nice to be able to use whatever I buy with my slab bass when the mood strikes. For that reason I'd prefer to go with dedicated bass amps. If I had the money, SWR's Natural Blonde looks like a great amp for ABG, but they're just too expensive.

My primary requirement for a new amp is that it be portable (preferably less than 45 lbs) and within a $600 budget.

My most likely route would be to buy a reliable micro head that I can use with my current GK Neo 212-II cab, and then later shop for a smaller cab like a 112 to optimize portability. Heads I've considered thus far are GK MB200 or Carvin BX250. I don't need loads of power for the place I play regularly. I've also looked at the GK MB112 combo briefly, and it's still in the running as a possible option.