Accoustic bass - HALP?

[SpruceApple]

The one thing that you MUST accept is that if you're going to be playing with more than one acoustic guitar and want to be heard, you're going to have to plug in.

Beyond that, the best advice I can give you is to find one that fits you and is comfortable to play.

I've played many...and while the TC / Taylor / reasonator bass are the loudest of the bunch, they are still not loud enough to be effective without plugging in.

My best advice is to find a bass that fits and has the vibe and action that you like, and plug it in. A surprisingly good find for me was an older Fender BG-29.

 

[4Mal]

I've played many...and while the TC / Taylor / reasonator bass are the loudest of the bunch, they are still not loud enough to be effective without plugging in.

My best advice is to find a bass that fits and has the vibe and action that you like, and plug it in. A surprisingly good find for me was an older Fender BG-29.

and the tone as well. ABG's have remarkably different tonalities. As you go up the food chain towards the Tacoma, you get ligher bracing and more lively tops and backs. The 'chief has volume indeed but it also has great tone too. it's part of having the monster big body combined with relatively light bracing and of course using nice clear tops.

I wish Larrivee would bring back an ABG though I probably couldn't afford it if they did ...

 

[RadioactiveGuy4]

+1 for Michael Kelly!

These guy are making some great stuff that will not set you back crazy amounts of money i wish they made electric basses. Their electric guitars are top notch

 

[bassksun]

+1 Stay away from Wasburns...also stay away from Dean ABG. BUT, I had to settle on a Dean. I modded it with a MKelly pre and KK pups (undersaddle). Also, on the advice of a good luthier I changed the bridge saddle and nut to bone. Mmmm...thick and rich.

You can not be heard over AGs with an ABG unamplified. Fugettabouttiit. Doesn't matter what woods or build quality or price. But then again...look at Mariachi bands. The size of the GUITTARRON...huge! Thats how they are heard.

BKS

 

[mtb777]

You need something like this little fellow I've had for years. It's called a Podium and its a little 8" 2-way 140 watt PA can I picked up on eBay. I've used my PentaBuzz with and it sounds decent. No huge fat bottom but it's clear and translates the woodiness of this well!

 

[Kickass]

I love my Washburn AB20, apart from the hum which appears intermittently. I made my own loud bass.
Works a treat.

Link Removed

 

[bassbully]

I'm not a fan of ABG at all. I always preferred to use a small combo amp with electric bass.

 

[Spinal Tapper]

Go for the biggest body you can find. I have a Dean Playmate I've been using for almost 10 years now. It's a knock-around bass, but its loud enough to keep up with acoustic guitars (playing with a pick helps, too)