I'm having trouble accepting acoustic basses. I've tried a few and they sound okay,soloed,but when played with a decent acoustic guitar or similar non amped instrument? they get lost in the mix. My point is that if I'm gonna need to bring an amp to be heard? I'm gonna bring my P. Too bad too, I really like the look of them Kelly's. What's your take on this?
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ABG why?
- Thread starter RED5
- Start date
Same here. No acoustic bass that I've tried can be heard unamplified. For that you need a standup bass. And, even those need amps too, a lot of the time! Take your P bass.
With an acoustic guitar only, I could always be heard on a Tacoma with a pick, but that was the only case for me.
This is a good argument for having an ABG forum a sticky that would explain this. (to the OP: this question comes up ALL the time)
In short:
In short:
- NO, you will not find an ABG that is loud enough to compete with other acoustic instruments.
- YES, you will need to use an amplifier of some kind, or do it the old-fashioned way: use an upright double bass.
When I use my Godin A4 fretted, I have no trouble cutting through playing with an acoustic guitar and two singers unplugged
I played a Fender ABG yesterday. It was loud enough to practice on without an amp or if you were just jamming with an acoustic guitar player I think it would be great. I've never played one amp'd however. Perhaps the draw is a more upright sound when plugged in than you'd get with an electric? The Fender I played was very nice in black and was priced at 250$ used. I don't need one so I'll pass. Does anyone remember the Washburn ABG from the 90's? They were easily ID'd by the slits used for the sound hole. I always wanted one and an Alien also..But, like I said, I've no need for one ATM. They sure look great though!
Hi.
Exept for the last two posters I have to disagree.
For an acoustic guitars companion an ABG is loud enough if so required.
Obviously if the guitarist wants to shred the strings like crazy things might get a bit weird, but if the act is well rehearsed and the balance stays correct, I don't see any problems in using an ABG unamplified.
It's also about the technique. One can't expect to be heard if the action is super-low and one's brushing the strings gently with fingertips.
The old saying : "If You can hear yourself above others on a stage, you're too loud" applies to this also. IMHO
Regards
Sam
Exept for the last two posters I have to disagree.
For an acoustic guitars companion an ABG is loud enough if so required.
Obviously if the guitarist wants to shred the strings like crazy things might get a bit weird, but if the act is well rehearsed and the balance stays correct, I don't see any problems in using an ABG unamplified.
It's also about the technique. One can't expect to be heard if the action is super-low and one's brushing the strings gently with fingertips.
The old saying : "If You can hear yourself above others on a stage, you're too loud" applies to this also. IMHO
Regards
Sam
I bought my fretless Tacoma because I wanted a certain sound... achieved with TI Jazzflats. I find the Tacoma much easier to tote around than an upright... Tokyo is kind of crowded. It also makes a great way to practice without the neighbors complaining.
Very specific purposes.
Very specific purposes.
I thought my ABG was too quiet, even started a thread here, brought it to a jam session and I had no trouble cutting through a guitar and two singers. I've since strung it up Tenor, but I'll probaby go back to standard, or flat.
I dunno, I used an acoustic/electric as my main axe for 10 years before moving on to a Godin A5 (which is chambered rather than acoustic). It really fit in with my main band. It's not what you're looking for if you've got a couple of electric guitars and a drumset going, but it's a great sound for a more acoustic-y set. It'll let you do faster runs (generally speaking) than a bull fiddle, and the voice is pretty different, too -- especially if it's fretted. It's a *very* legit instrument, in my opinion.
- Jan 23, 2008
- 960
- 7
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Spector Basses
With the right strings and guitarists who have volumes other than "as loud as possible", there's no problem when jamming with friends or playing for small groups. Other than that you're going to need an amp. You will however, get that sweet tone of an acoustic instrument and portability and function of a bass guitar.
I have two Michael Kelly's and they are great for the price. If you like the tone a have fun playing one, go for it.
I have two Michael Kelly's and they are great for the price. If you like the tone a have fun playing one, go for it.
I find them great for recording in some situations and a good practice tool. They have a unique sound that can't easily be duplicated with a solid body.
Having had an Ovation CC74 for a number of years, I can honestly say that I was better off getting rid of it for a Slammer Chaparral "P"...
But hey, it's your money...
But hey, it's your money...
A unicorn, a guitarist who plays at a reasonable volume, and a too-loud guitarist, are walking down the street. After a while, they come across a $10 bill, lying on the sidewalk.
Which one picks it up?
The too-loud guitarist picks it up. Unicorns and reasonable-volume guitarists don't exist.
Some are louder than others.
I play them for their tone plugged or unplugged.
In some settings an EB can just sound wrong. In others it's perfect.
I played a Washburn ABG, the AB45, 5 string, for years with a rock group. Why? The tone was so big. I don't know about those reissues. I have original ones. They were really designed to be plugged in.
Really important is the technique that can emerge from playing one. I have found that I can begin to play so differently that the new techniques then crossover to my EB playing. You can really hear how chords work and how notes resonate and collide off of each other and make other tones. The better they are built the better you will hear this stuff.
Check out the Dave Maize models.
I play them for their tone plugged or unplugged.
In some settings an EB can just sound wrong. In others it's perfect.
I played a Washburn ABG, the AB45, 5 string, for years with a rock group. Why? The tone was so big. I don't know about those reissues. I have original ones. They were really designed to be plugged in.
Really important is the technique that can emerge from playing one. I have found that I can begin to play so differently that the new techniques then crossover to my EB playing. You can really hear how chords work and how notes resonate and collide off of each other and make other tones. The better they are built the better you will hear this stuff.
Check out the Dave Maize models.
I like the sound of mine amplified. Sounds nothing like a solidbody to me and offers a nice blend with other acoustic instruments.
