• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

6-String Acoustic Bass

debris

debris

Oct 4, 2008
113
0
Raleigh, NC
#1
My dad went to see Ian Anderson play in New Jersey the other night and the bassist, David Goodier, was playing a 6-string ABG.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Sweet!

Does anyone know what kind it is? I suspected Atlas Breedlove from the way it looked, but the search came back negative. I've never seen a 6-string acoustic before, only 4 and 5's.
 
#8
I was in the market for an ABG while ago, and I happened upon one in Athens, GA at a store called Chick Music.

I kind of had my heart set on an Alvarez, but there was this Martin in the store that I ended up playing. I disliked it at first, because it was so small and because it had flatwound strings on it. There just wasn't any brightness to it, which was what I was looking for.

The sales guy however told me that it was probably the nicest bass in Athens the time (this may have been a pitch, but now I believe him), and encouraged me to look at it a little bit more.

I had him put roundwound strings on it, and it came to life! It was loud, resonant, expressive and sounded good plugged in too.

It was actually used, but not by much--some guy had bought it and returned it something like the next day. He hadn't even taken the plastic off of the pickguard. Basically it was a free discount. :D

Anyhow, I've had that bass for just over a year, and it's been great to me. Wonderful for convenient playing inside or outside, and it gives you some opportunity to be heard if there's an acoustic guitar around, as opposed to sitting around.

Maybe more information than you wanted/is appropriate for this thread, but I highly recommend one if you're serious about it.
 
#10
There are several reasons why 6 string ABGs aren't widely used. Even in the 4 string realm, ABGs are pretty big. To get decent resonance, the bridge needs to be at least 5" from any edges. This alone generally adds about 5" to overall reach on the neck.

The body thickness greatly changes your right hand technique as well. When you add the width of a 6 string neck, 6 string ABGs are generally as far as you can get from ergonomic.

I spent a few hours messing with a Dean 5 string ABG, which made my Rob Allen 6er feel so much better when I grabbed it. Between the lack of feedback and conventional body shape, there isn't much difference between his basses and a lot of traditional electric basses. Add the weight reduction from chambering and his saddles at the very edge of the body and you have something that is often more comfortable than traditional EBGs.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back