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Acoustic Bass (5 string)

bassista

bassista

Jan 29, 2007
66
25
#1
Hi!
I'm looking to get an acoustic 5 string bass. Seems like acoustic basses are not very popular due to their sound etc, but I just love the idea of having it around and jamming on it. All I'm seeing is Ibanez and Warwick that seem to always have them available but are there any other brands that maybe I missed that I could check out? I google and it seems like Ibanez and Warwick is all there is but I'm sure there could be some other hidden gems out there. Any tips would be appreciated.
 
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#2
Michael Kelly, Boulder Creek, Rick Turner, Furch, Tacoma, Emerald. Plenty more than that out there but that is a quick list that comes to mind for me.

I have owned a few acoustic 5 strings. Currently have an Emerald Balor 5 that I will keep as long as I can play. Acoustics are great to pick up and start playing without worrying about plugging in. Sounds great plugged in as well you just have to manage the feedback.

If you end up considering a Warwick/Rock Bass Alien, make sure you can deal with the built in thumb rest. I played an older one that did not have it and really liked it. Recently played one with the rest and the thumb rest was just in my way the whole time. Really uncomfortable with the rest IMO.
 
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#3
If you buy one, buy one with a truss rod. Seen one too many older ABGs that have a neck that looks like the Cheshire Cat smile.
IMG_0237.jpeg
 
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#4
My #1 BG is a 6-string, but I purposely bought a 4-string ABG. I think a low B would be totally useless acoustically. It might amplify okay. Do some demos and judge for yourself.

I have a Tacoma 4 string. It was highly regarded as one of the louder options, but it's long out of production and they tend to be pretty expensive on the used market. IMHO, the acoustic tone is even across the strings but a bit thin. It sounds great through an amp, but is only good for moderate volume before feedback starts to degrade the tone.

Warwick makes an ABG the looks obviously inspired by the Tacoma. AFAIK it has a good reputation. Pretty sure there is a review somewhere online that compares the Warwick to the Tacoma.

www.warwickbass.com

en/Warwick--Products--Acoustic-Bass-Guitars--Alien-Acoustic.html

www.warwickbass.com www.warwickbass.com

I believe Breedlove Solo ABGs are decent. Solo basses have a second soundhole on the upper rib to make it easier to hear.

[This invalid link has been removed]
 
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#5
I have a ESP LTD ACB15E. Snappy name, eh? 🤦🏻‍♂️ I found it on Ebay about ten years ago, nobody else bid and I got it for £100. 😁There's no four string version, the whole thing was about getting a workable acoustic B.

I don't think they were in production long, and I've not seen another for sale, but if you find one I would highly recommend it. I have Rotosound RS88 tapewounds on mine and it sounds great through an amp - very "double bassy" with a bit of foam under the bridge.
Playing with a finger picked guitar and a mandolin it holds its own unplugged, but once there's strumming going on, forget it! I'm told that people in the audience can hear it, but I certainly can't! 🤣
It's a good size and it can be uncomfortable on the forearm after a while when playing fingerstyle. No such problem with a pick!

I suppose their rarity in the market suggests that the folk who have them hang on to them, which I'll take as a good sign! 🤷‍♂️
I'm certainly happy with mine, and if you do come across one I'd heartily recommend it.

SDC12867.JPG
 
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#7
I had a Tacoma Thunderchief for several years. Had a complicated relationship with it. Despite its gargantuan size, the E did not project very well acoustically (compared to other strings) and it was a feedback generator in 99% of amplified situations. The phase control on the EQ helped, but it was stressful. And some point I realized that playing an electric bass in an acoustic setting was the way to go, since I was plugging in the ABG anyway.

To your question: You’ll need to try before you buy. Resist the urge to purchase without playing first.
 
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#9
ahbass2500 said:
Michael Kelly, Boulder Creek, Rick Turner, Furch, Tacoma, Emerald. Plenty more than that out there but that is a quick list that comes to mind for me.

I have owned a few acoustic 5 strings. Currently have an Emerald Balor 5 that I will keep as long as I can play. Acoustics are great to pick up and start playing without worrying about plugging in. Sounds great plugged in as well you just have to manage the feedback.

If you end up considering a Warwick/Rock Bass Alien, make sure you can deal with the built in thumb rest. I played an older one that did not have it and really liked it. Recently played one with the rest and the thumb rest was just in my way the whole time. Really uncomfortable with the rest IMO.
Click to expand...
That's a great list of instruments to check out thanks!! Your Emerald Balor bass looks beautiful wow.
 
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#12
I have had a dean eabc 5b for about a decade and it's cool for around the house/campfire/backyard hang instrument. I wanted a 34" instrument. The b-sting isn't great and have considered trying a high-c, but it's a low priority. I think I'd prefer a 4, but I got the bass in a trade, and it's good enough for me. The electronics weak, but I can't remember the last time I was compelled to plug it in.

I have played much better acoustics but, for my needs, it would end up being more expensive practice instruments.
 
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#14
bassista said:
Hi!
I'm looking to get an acoustic 5 string bass. Seems like acoustic basses are not very popular due to their sound etc, but I just love the idea of having it around and jamming on it. All I'm seeing is Ibanez and Warwick that seem to always have them available but are there any other brands that maybe I missed that I could check out? I google and it seems like Ibanez and Warwick is all there is but I'm sure there could be some other hidden gems out there. Any tips would be appreciated.
Click to expand...
It ain’t real sexy looking, but at a relatively budget price point the Samick HFB5 served me well until I moved up to a Warwick Alien.

IMG_1049.jpeg
 
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#15
Michedelic said:
It ain’t real sexy looking, but at a relatively budget price point the Samick HFB5 served me well until I moved up to a Warwick Alien.

View attachment 7099843
Click to expand...
I've often wondered if the f holes are better for avoiding feedback than the usual sound hole. Having had one, do you have any thoughts on that? I think that's a pretty sexy looking bass too, to be fair! I love the bird's eye top.
 
#17
Wyrdlow said:
I've often wondered if the f holes are better for avoiding feedback than the usual sound hole. Having had one, do you have any thoughts on that? I think that's a pretty sexy looking bass too, to be fair! I love the bird's eye top.
Click to expand...

Not necessarily. If the sound hole is round and a standard size, you can use a plug when playing through an amp.

1734198349206.png


Years ago there was a guy who even sold wing-shaped plugs for the Tacoma.
 
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#19
Good feedback solutions I have used.

- moving my/instrument location relative to the amp
- phase inversion button (pedal or on board depending on instrument)
- Notch filter
- High pass filter
- Soundhole cover (have used luteholes.com cover)

I agree that the instrument resonance heavily impacts feedback. Emerald Balor is the largest acoustic I have owned and it is most likely to feedback. Seems most prone to feedback on a low F.

If you plan to only/mostly plug in and want an acoustic, getting a thin acoustic is a better choice (Warwick Alien Thinline, Godin A series, ESP TL, Sire GB). They do not put out much volume unplugged, but the ones I have tried put out enough for practice.
 
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#20
It's worth mentioning that there are headphone amps like the Fender Mustang Micro Plus which make picking up and playing an electric bass nearly as seamless as an acoustic (just slip on the headphones and flip a switch!) It also has the added benefit of being able to easily play backing tracks or metronomes on your phone and hear it in your headphone mix (pair the amp once with your phone, and after that, just hit play on your phone!) Lastly, with a strap and a set of active listening headphones like I have, you can literally walk around untethered and hear everything around you perfectly normally just as you would with an acoustic. All in all, if you want an acoustic bass, then certainly go for one. But if it's just about being able to easily pick up the bass and practice, I think things have come a long way recently with headphone amps and they are certainly worth a look.
 
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