Semi-Acoustic Bass for New Player

Jck911 · #1 03-14-2013, 03:02 PM

I've decided to learn bass again after a hiatus of some thirty years.

I want a semi-acoustic, as I don't have an amp, and will just be playing along with the stereo.

I've narrowed it down to a few possible choices as follows:

o Hofner 500/2 Club
o Hagstrom Viking
o Epiphone Jack Casady
o Ibanez AFB200

The main criteria are playability (considering I'm a fat-fingered newbie) and sound (non-amplified).

I'm very happy to hear of any opinions and suggestions.

Thanks in advance.

HolmeBass · #2 03-14-2013, 03:10 PM

Those "semi-acoustic" basses will have virtually zero tone or sound without an amp. The Hofner, the Epi, and the Ibanez, at the very least, are not acoustic instruments in any real sense of the word. You will have problems with pitch differentiation even with a quiet stereo playing in the background.

I'd get a real Acoustic Bass Guitar, or a small amp along with any of those basses.

Jck911 · #3 03-14-2013, 03:12 PM

Is the Hagstrom different?

So what are your recommendations for an acoustic?

What do you think would be the best instrument given my needs?

dtripoli · #4 03-14-2013, 03:19 PM

My steady workhorse, Crate practice amp cost me $40, 25watts x 12" spkr,
more than loud enough and even used for small venues.
IMHO, buy a used Squier. They are cheap, easier to play than acoustic and can easily sale later
for what you bought it for.
Had it not been for "MTV unplugged" I doubt 90% of the acoustic basses would have ever been bought.
A true acoustic is a stand up bass.
If you have to plug in an acoustic bass guitar, what's the point?

Jck911 · #5 03-14-2013, 04:12 PM

OK thanks guys.

If I were to persist with my idea of a semi, does anyone have any opinions on the Club versus the Viking?

Or even the Club versus the Hofner Beatle Bass?

Pimpernel Smith · #6 03-15-2013, 07:39 AM

I think any of the basses that you chose will work for your needs if you have roundwound strings on them. I own a Hofner Ignition (violin) and a Jack Casady bass - both fine basses.

Acoustic now makes inexpensive small amps that you might be interested in, later.

Rob Martinez · #7 03-15-2013, 08:05 AM

I own Hofner Club basses and violin basses, they have a nice unplugged tone and volume, but that is just to jam on your own, with no other instruments or music.

Acoustic basses just don't work for me. I figure if I need a bass in an acoustic setting, my Hofner will work fine, plugged in at low volume.