Shopping for a new ABG

Looking to replace my MK Dragonfly 5er with a 4 banger so I stopped in GC (I know ) today to try a few. Let me also say that I primarily use my ABG to practice while I watch TV, I have not gigged with one yet.

Some obsevations............

Fender Victor Bailey - Even with grungy strings (typical GC), this one played great and sounded pretty good. The smaller body and Dao wood gave it a nice, defined tone but, volume was not that great and tone was a little midrangy. I did love the neck, almost a Jazz feel and a nice matte finish. With fresh strings, I bet the tone would improve. The smaller, arched back body was by far the most comfortable feeling. By the way, I was suprised to see that this was a Korean instrument.

I played another Fender with a similar neck but different body (spruce and mahogany construction) and larger size. Bigger sound but not as much definition. If I had to choose between Fenders, the VB would be my choice.

Takamine Jumbo Q Maple - By far the biggest and best tone but the bass was HUGE. Beautiful wood and finish on the body. Neck profile was a bit chunkier and had a gloss finish that I didn't care for. All in all, a nice sound but uncomfortable to play for me.

I need to make a trip to another local shop but they are about 1 1/2 hours from me. They have always had a really nice bass department and have other brands including Tacoma. I keep hearing great things about them but have never played one.

I do like that VB so far, nice and small and a great player....................we'll see.

Stay tuned, my search continues.

After playing a few more ABGs at different stores, I went back and played that VB acoustic at GC and am still diggin' it. The salesman gave me a killer price on it, I think thats the one for me!!

My MK is up on the bay and, if it sells, I will probably go for it.

I will do a final "cash in hand" negotiation for it to see if I can even do better.

Geeked!!

TP,

Interesting design on this bass. Body is small and comfortable for an ABG. Even though it is not as loud and big as the Tacoma, it has a really nice punch to the tone that makes it seem louder than it is. I can tell you this, it is more comfortable than anything I have tried and I am a pretty big guy. If I was slight of build, I could hide behind some of the one I tried.

I know if I use this to play with other musicians, I would use a small combo amp anyway. I think that any ABG would require this based on what I have heard, except if you were jamming with maybe just one acoustic guitar or a not so loud acoustic piano. With drums, I would definitely want an amp.

I bet if you play one, you will dig it!

TP,
re: GAS, I know what you mean!!

The only way I will go for this is to sell my MK 5er ABG first.....too many basses if I don't.

Sold my MK 5er and just picked up the VB Acoustic......so far, I am really diggin' it!!

The truss rod needed a slight tweak and I need some new strings but, the price was right and this bass will stay with me for quite a while.

I will do a more comprehensive review after "bonding" with it.

Some pix:

Hello all,

After further bonding and plugging into my rig, I am absolutely loving this bass. The smaller size of the body and slim, almost Jazz sized neck make this puppy easy to play.

You want to hang on to it just a little longer and that makes me practice more....a good thing.

I have noticed a couple of nice little additions to the electronics package.

First, there's a built in tuner, very convenient.

There is also an additional piezo pup with a separate volume pot mounted just inside the sound hole. I have been experimenting with it and it has a nice "woody" sound when you mix it in just a bit. If you add too much, the bass starts to honk and it's a feedback monster. Interseting tonal variation, though.

This ABG does just what I wanted it to do, allows me to sit on the couch and practice comfortably with a nice, pleasing tone.

As I posted earlier, I want to change the relatively dead phosphor bronze strings out for somthing different. I think I want some light guage roundwounds that are not overly bright. I think I would hate that metallic zing on this bass. I don't want to go as far as flats, too thumpy and probably more tension than I would dare to go on a ABG.

Any suggestions based on the tone I am describing?

Just installed a set of SIT Silencers in light guage on the VB.

They are a nickel pressure wound design and sound pretty nice. I have been buyng my strings lately from Bigcitystrings.com and they recommended these after I told them what I was looking for. Very nice folks and, so far, they have not steered me wrong, great service and pricing also.

They are still a little bright for me but most new strings are. The pressure winding is kind of cool, a round wound with a smoother feel and not so much finger noise. This bass has a slightly darker sound so these should be perfect once they break in a bit, we'll see.

The longer I own this bass, the better I like it, absolutely no buyer's remorse.

This is one of those instruments that talks back to you when you play it, if you know what I mean. Makes me want to pick it up and play ....a good thing.

These twins are fraternal and both love to sing.

Really diggin' the acoustic with the new strings (old ones pictured).