I've tried everything I can find, from Ibanez to Fender, and I can't seem to find a good acoustic bass. I know there are some out there, somewhere. Don't bother bashing them, I've heard it all before hahaha, but I love to busk with my band and have to borrow a friends unfortunately awful acoustic bass until I purchase one of my own.. but I don't want to cheap out!!! Recommendations?
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What's the best choice for an acoustic bass?
- Thread starter kayey113
- Start date
Hey, have you looked at a Washburn AB20? It's a very fine Acoustic Electric bass. If your interested, I'm going to be selling mine soon. Black with white piping. I bought it based on the looks, but it's just not quite my style.
Don't expect any acoustic bass to play loud enough to busk. You'll need at least a small amp. You can only get so much volume out of a box that size. It's fine for practice, and maybe with another acoustic guitar playing softly. Anything more and you will get drowned out. I checked them all before I bought the Washburn. If you want volume with no power, your going to need an upright. LOL.
Cheers!
I was very happy with my Takamine eg512c until I snapped the truss rod which I cannot replace. I loved it very much: good balance, good sound (w flats)--a lovely dry character that I would describe phonetically as "bom" not "bim," if that makes sense. Has an onboard eq, and can hold down chords. Jumbo body. They also make a TB10 fretless that looks gorgeous but I've never played it & it's $2800.
I intend to get another acoustic as well; either the same or Boulder Creek--they make some instruments that have caught my eye. Anyone play a Boulder Creek bass?
The Samick 590 is attractive, supposedly sounds like an upright which might be the choice for me.
I'd like to see and know what other recommendations are out there as well.
I intend to get another acoustic as well; either the same or Boulder Creek--they make some instruments that have caught my eye. Anyone play a Boulder Creek bass?
The Samick 590 is attractive, supposedly sounds like an upright which might be the choice for me.
I'd like to see and know what other recommendations are out there as well.
Oh I do use a small battery powered amp just to get that extra little bit of volume, but I love having the acoustic bass to get into that vibe, its incredible how much of a difference it makes having something that fits in with the sound of an acoustic. In terms of the Washburn, not looking to buy right now, just kinda seeing what my options are!
The only ABGs I've played that I liked were Tacoma or Martin. I can't afford a Martin, so I've been keeping my eye open for a ThunderChief 5 fretless for a while now...
Kala UBass:
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Played one over the weekend. Awesome amplified sound (though no real volume by itself), and extra points for busking with a bass instrument that's easier to get around with than the guitars.
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Played one over the weekend. Awesome amplified sound (though no real volume by itself), and extra points for busking with a bass instrument that's easier to get around with than the guitars.
I have a G series Takamine as well. Solid bass with good acoustic volume and plugged in tone. Mine's been kickin' around camp sites for the past several years. It can be heard from 40-50 feet away in neighboring sites. Even with a cracked heel joint (my fault), it keeps on playin'.
The TB10 (B10) is a wonderful instrument with a beautiful plugged in tone, but know where near the acoustic volume of the EG512. At its price point, probably not the best choice for street corner or park.
I'd replace the Takamine, or try the Boulder Creek fretless if I were looking.
Tacomas are great. They really are a functioning acoustic instrument - the loudest I have come across.
they do sound good in the demos I have heard
CARVIN AC40 IS THE BEST ACOUSTIC ELECTRIC BASS!!!!!!!
Best feel, best sound, best quality, a pro instrument in every way at a great price! I play mine all the time, I Love it!
I do a LOT of acoustic shows and I've tried them all, Martin, Tacoma, Michael Kelly, Fender, Guild, old, new, you name it they all have issues. I wasted thousands of dollars and suffered through endless gigs with feedback, bad sound, bad intonation.
I finally got smart and bought the Carvin, problem solved.
Best feel, best sound, best quality, a pro instrument in every way at a great price! I play mine all the time, I Love it!
I do a LOT of acoustic shows and I've tried them all, Martin, Tacoma, Michael Kelly, Fender, Guild, old, new, you name it they all have issues. I wasted thousands of dollars and suffered through endless gigs with feedback, bad sound, bad intonation.
I finally got smart and bought the Carvin, problem solved.
You're all forgetting the Breedlove. I bought one from a pawn shop, one of the best purchases I ever made. Sound is crisp, with a good low mid growl. I think they're around 800 new.
I tried many acoustic basses before I bought mine and I'm still surprised of my choice. I ended up with a Fender BG29. They don't do them anymore, I found mine slightly used (ex-rental) and I was surprised on how loud and pretty bassy it could go. The only complaint I have is that there's not much sustain on high notes, probably due to it's short scale. If you come across one, try it out... you might be as surprised as I am. And, by the way, I spend wayyyyyy less money then the budget I had for that bass, but couldn't see why I'd spend more...
I have a cheap acoustic (Monterey) which I ripped the frets out of and now sounds great. If you're busking you'll need to dig deep to get decent volume - which means a lot of clackity clak fret noise. I remember the day I took em out it was like tuning a radio in properly - you could hear the actual notes.
Love my Tacoma Thunderchief 4-string fretless acoustic bass guitar. Very close to an upright in sound. Plays great. Here's a taste of its sound in a live performance:
http://www.youtube.com/user/TheStormyWeathermen
http://www.youtube.com/user/TheStormyWeathermen
None of them are. The Tacoma Thunderchief is the loudest acoustically, and you still have to plug it in to play with anybody else. And then when you do plug them in, you get this clanky-piezo-horrible tone. And when you try to perform with em they feedback. Been there done that!
The Carvin is stellar, innovative and starts a $799 new! Also comes in fretless, plus you can customize it all you want. My other basses are Mike Lull, Pedulla, and I love the AC40.
