LOUD acoustic basses that can compete with acoustic guitars?

[ntenny]

Originally Posted by funkytoe

+1. Guitarron is the only "acoustic bass" type instrument smaller than a traditional upright that is loud enough to jam with acoustic guitars without amplification.

And it is a *seriously* fun instrument, though terrifically challenging. No bassist should be without one, IMHO.

If you tell people it's a pregnant acoustic guitar, some of them will appear to believe you.

-NT

[elgecko]

Earthwood Bass...if you can find one.

http://acousticbass.wordpress.com/vi...arthwood-bass/

[ggvicviper]

Originally Posted by elgecko

Earthwood Bass...if you can find one.

http://acousticbass.wordpress.com/vi...arthwood-bass/

Yes, there was this, based on a guitarron. Moonstone Guitars also makes a really large acoustic bass called the B-95 for the reasons mentioned in this thread, but I haven't seen, heard or played one: http://www.moonstoneguitars.com/guit...ustic-guitars/

Still, I think a more practical option is to get a Micro Cube Bass and play with your electric. I love my Micro Cube. For the bold, use an EUB with the Micro Cube - that should be really special.

[PDQ]

I play with 3-4 guitarist (same guys that I play gigs with) for cookouts and camp-outs.I'm using a washburn AB-10 and I do well in the mix..I picked it by ear not by eye and got better sound by trying several sets of strings
I spent a lot of time and gas trying lots of brands and know how lame most a/b sound . It will be a combo of the woods, strings, and playing style....but you already know this, right? Of course the other dynamic is song choice/music style - we're old farts playing Cash,Elvis,Hootie.....not RHCP ! FYI the strings I'm using are D'Addario (EPBB170) Phosphor Bronze Acoustic Bass; .45/.100

I'm not trying sell you an any brands, or say this bass is perfect, just to keep looking .. I've seen some decent sounding Ibanes's, and Dean, etc ...I still will walk through G.C. and just thump the E-string..and move to the next one if it dosen't sing.

[Kryptos]

How about Kala U Bass and Roland Micro Cube?

[Lowend65]

I've been looking for a ABG that would compete with a Guitar for 10+ years. Wiling to buy on the spot if I found one.
... I still don't own an ABG


On the upside; I've been pestering the guy who owns Blackbird Guitars to build an ABG
They have a design that is carbon fiber with a hollow neck for an additional resonation chamber. If he ever builds an ABG, I think it might do it.

[wingmanborge]

http://www.rigelinstruments.com/publish/abg.shtml

[wingmanborge]

http://www.rigelinstruments.com/publish/abg.shtml = search is over

[JTE]

Same as always every time this comes up (which is about every two months- OP could search the topic pretty easily).

A. To move air and speak with authority a bass instrument has to move air
B. The flattop guitar design needs string tension to drive the top, making the air move.
C. Put those two together and you run into problems- the top has to be stiff enough to hold up to the tension and flexible enough to vibrate and move air.

So, if you want to play an ABG with real acoustic guitarists - like bluegrass guitarists driving a band with a Martin D-28 (as opposed to electric guitarists who play acoustic exactly the same and use light strings), you need a instrument that's very large.

My experience is that there are only two ABGs that just about do the job, and one that's close but not close enough. The Ernie Ball Earthwood and the Guild B50 (and B-30, but NOT the B-4). They're both very very large instruments. The EB's I've seen were kinda primitive in construction details, but worked pretty well. The Guilds are great- excellent construction, consistent from instrument to instrument as well as over the years, and all Guild instruments in my experience have wonderfully stable necks.

The also-ran that almost works is the Tacoma Thunderchief, but it wasn't going to speak with proper bass authority in context with a couple of acoustic guitars unless you're in very very small room.

All the others I've tried over the last 30+ years are usefull only for practice by oneself, or to give the "look" of an acoustic bass, or to have a different bass voice. But to be heard you gotta have an amp anyway.

So, your choices come down to:
1. Find one of the long-discontinued Ernie Ball Earthwoods, or the big Guilds
2. Get any of the guitar shaped objects that have bass strings on them and a small amp

John

[monti2889]

the best acoustic bass (for me), that I've played was a fender kingman...should run you about $400 new. It has a jazz style neck and a good balanced tone. However, to play with acoustic guitars in the mix, you may need to mic it or get a small acoustic bass amp.

[SBassman]

Originally Posted by Kryptos

How about Kala U Bass and Roland Micro Cube?

For the win.

[Kickass]

I made this and it is plenty powerful enough to play with several guitars.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2P6wDfIrJgU

Recycled parts and fits on the back seat of a vw polo.

[SBassman]

Originally Posted by Kickass

I made this and it is plenty powerful enough to play with several guitars.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2P6wDfIrJgU

Recycled parts and fits on the back seat of a vw polo.

Wow. I love it.

[spade2you]

I'm now the owner of a fanned fret 7 string acoustic (27"-25" scale) with a .070 low B. Unplugged, the low B string has diminished volume from my position. If you sit several feet away from the sound ports, the low B sounds better. If I detune it to A, the volume really starts to drop off.

[Gintaras]

I have had 3 abg's and none of them were loud enough except for practice which is what I primarily used them for. The times that I did used them for acoustic jams, I took an amp. Presently I have an Ampeg B108 with an eminence 8a speaker for that purpose.

I have read that a Thunderchief was loud and would love to get my hands on one to try. Also nice reviews on the Boulder Creek abg's.

[Diesel Kilgore]

The only acoustic I would consider is a Kala Ubass.

[HeavyDuty]

I've had great luck keeping up with one or two acoustic guitars in a living room jam environment using my ThunderChiefs and a felt pick. Been doing it for years.

[Moe Monsarrat]

The MK sounds killer through an amp with flats. They ALL sound like crap with brass strings and NONE will be heard over a steel string acoustic.....much less two of them.

[HeavyDuty]

I can assure you it works fine. I agree with you about typical ABG strings, though - LaBella nylon tapes all the way.

[Stephent28]

You guys that say there is no such thing are wrong. They are just rare, expensive and hard to find.

I have one of two Adamas prototype ABG that I guarantee can hold its own and be heard in a group of 3-4 D-28 style guitars without a problem.

Not gonna argue about it but will just say that anyone in the Denver metro area is welcome to set up a meet and see and hear for themselves.