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Acoustic Bass Guitar -- too genre-oriented?

#41
These are all good points, I have a Martin ABG incoming so maybe I can post something after I get some hands on time. Aside from never owning a nice ABG, the reason I got one is this: I don't play upright, never have, don't have the time to learn right now, don't have the space to store that monster either(yes I know I could get one of the electric ones, but as someone said, appearance can be important when playing a bluegrass or country acoustic gig) I want the look of an acoustic instrument and the sound of an acoustic instrument. I don't play fretless either although it is on my to do list. Hybrids like a Godin or Rob Allen may sound just as acoustic and may play better than an ABG, but for me the total package is in the ABG.......at least......I hope.
 
#42
MysticMichael said:
It's because they're impractical. They generate very little volume at all when played acoustically. And played plugged in, they're subject to feedback and other amplification issues.

If what one really wants is a great acoustic bass tone, there's nothing like an acoustic upright bass. If what one really wants is a great electric tone, there's nothing like an electric bass guitar (or electric upright bass).

An acoustic/electric bass guitar has most of the disadvantages of each, and practically none of the benefits of either. :eyebrow:

MM
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+100...I've never heard it said better....my EAB Dean is just something to noodle around with. I don't even try to keep it from bumping into things when I handle it.
 
#43
cydeweys said:
Next time I get a chance I will, but I was more interested in the "acoustic" abilities of the instrument. Maybe I would like the sound of a fretless with flats??? Do they even exist?
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My Dean EAB is a 4 string 35" scale, fretless with webstring flats. To make it even more of a unique beast, it's strung BEAD.

It sounds kinda uprighty with those flats. I find that I like to use it to figure out notes that are "too close to call" when I'm learning a song.
 
#44
I had a Dean EABC 4 string fretted ABG for a while. The construction was just awful, but I actually rather liked the acoustic tone. Granted, I absolutely despised the phosphor-bronze strings....really zippy and noisy.

So as everybody has already said:

It's a little too quiet to jam with just acoustically.
It's fantastic to just noodle around with (makes you practice more)
I would probably go with flats.
I think fretless is a better idea.

I sold mine to buy a 6 string EBG, but I now am in the market to get an ABG again. I will be staying away from Dean, and I will definitely be leaning towards fretless.
 
#45
Systolic said:
I had a Dean EABC 4 string fretted ABG for a while. The construction was just awful, but I actually rather liked the acoustic tone. Granted, I absolutely despised the phosphor-bronze strings....really zippy and noisy.

So as everybody has already said:

It's a little too quiet to jam with just acoustically.
It's fantastic to just noodle around with (makes you practice more)
I would probably go with flats.
I think fretless is a better idea.

I sold mine to buy a 6 string EBG, but I now am in the market to get an ABG again. I will be staying away from Dean, and I will definitely be leaning towards fretless.
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I beg to differ!!!

And soon I will prove it! on camera!
 
#49
Find some Jonas Hellborg. You can find him playing Middle Eastern, Indian, European, Jazz & Rock with a variety of world class players or solo on a Wechter ABG.
His percussive style is unbelievable. It is not the cliché stuff.
His album the Word has a string quartet and the famous drummer Tony Williams.

I too like Labella Tapes. The surprise for me was trying DR's ABG bronzes. They sound completely musical. No brashness but with just enough edge to aid projection. Otherwise they have a wide smooth warm bass tone though they look like Bronze.
I find the tension of chromes to be too high so be sure your bass can handle them.
 
#52
RustyAxe said:
I play acoustic bass guitar, electric bass guitar, and upright bass. My Tacoma CB10E "Thunderchief", when strung with the right strings, plugged in, properly EQ'd, and properly played comes so close in tone to my upright that I use it when the stage or venue is too small or crowded to accomodate the "doghouse".

The doghouse is MUCH more susceptible to feedback than the ABG. The ABG is just fine in the right setting, but for full band (ie, drums) where the stage volume gets loud it's the wrong choice.

ABG (the right one) have their place, it's up to the player to know when and where it fits.
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Agreed. I have a fretless Michael Kelly Dragonfly setup with tapewounds and a nice low action. With the right EQ'ing, it comes close to an upright in tone.....

I can't see not having one in the arsenal......it's up to the player to determine where it best fits.
 
#53
oldprussians said:
I beg to differ!!!

And soon I will prove it! on camera!
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:eyebrow:

I suppose I should specify what I mean. If you play somewhat aggressively with a pick.....you will more than likely be heard. If you are playing fingerstyle and not digging in....i think you're gonna struggle to be heard.

Granted this is all dependent, to some degree, one what style of music you are playing. I generally play in the rock genre, so the guitar player(s) are usually givin' her hell.

Just my experience. I legitimately would like to see your video proof though (I mean that in a non-dickhead way) :bassist:
 
#54
I have a Dean 5 string, I'm not sure if it is because it is a dean, acoustic or acoustic hybrid (5er), but I hate the thing, worst bit is, I'll be lucky to get $100 out of the 500 I bought it for! (this is NZ dollars.)
 
#55
I love my Dean for messing around the house, campfires, Playing while my girlfriend sleeps(she works 3rd shift) or just playing with one guitarist. It's easy, but it dosen't sound great and the electronics are dreadful. I will say that I put some black nylon strings on it and it sounds alot better. But if I am playing even acoustically with more than one guitarist or actually playing a gig I plug in a electric.
 
#56
as an avid bassist, i've found my acoustic bass invaluable, especially in small venue/acoustic settings as it provides some of its own amplification... but given the proper treatment via mic'ing, effects or software plug-ins, it can be used for pretty much any genre---don't limit yourself. i put this video on another thread but wanted to show you how effective it is here in a rock/metal setting... you may not know its an acoustic 5-string if you didn't see it in the clip, but it totally blends with the other sounds.
Groove Alchemy- Jealousy - YouTube
:bassist:
 
#57
Systolic said:
:eyebrow:

I suppose I should specify what I mean. If you play somewhat aggressively with a pick.....you will more than likely be heard. If you are playing fingerstyle and not digging in....i think you're gonna struggle to be heard.
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I played an ABG with a busking group and I had to use a pick to get any volume at all. Even then it sounded tinny and empty.

Systolic said:
Granted this is all dependent, to some degree, one what style of music you are playing. I generally play in the rock genre, so the guitar player(s) are usually givin' her hell.
Click to expand...

The few video posts here - thanks for those - only show that to be effective the ABG has to be amplified. Without the visual you would never know that it is an ABG being played. So, except for the visual vibe and the own desires of the player, why bother?

Systolic said:
Just my experience. I legitimately would like to see your video proof though (I mean that in a non-dickhead way) :bassist:
Click to expand...

I feel exactly the same. I would like to be proven wrong. Not being dick-headed either, just speaking from direct experience...
 
#58
dvh said:
The few video posts here - thanks for those - only show that to be effective the ABG has to be amplified. Without the visual you would never know that it is an ABG being played. So, except for the visual vibe and the own desires of the player, why bother?
Click to expand...

:eyebrow:

So, to you, a piezo pickup sounds the same as a jazz? :rollno:
 
#59
caeman said:
:eyebrow:

So, to you, a piezo pickup sounds the same as a jazz? :rollno:
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When in a live mix with other instruments, for all intents and purposes yes it does. I play DB as well and, when required to be highly amplified most of its acoustic mojo is lost as well. (However, I think the string scale and the way it is played still contribute a difference from EB).

Shake your head all you want. I know what I’m talking about.

This whole site is filled with the geekiness of splitting hairs on the most insignificant nuances of tone. My playing is almost entirely live, so I can’t speak for recording in which much more control can be assigned to hearing differences. But, say what you want, in a real world live setting most people – almost everyone – including people like us who even care to think about it, will not hear the differences between a EB or an amplified ABG.

If you did not know, or see, that the bass in that Groove Alchemy posting was an ABG would you have known it was?
 
#60
An older soundclip I did to give an example of Chromes on my inexpensive ABG, a Hondo H1000. Not sure if that model is even made anymore, I picked it up years ago new, and then it was only around $125 direct from ebay.

The first half is simply recorded direct into my laptop, flat settings. I wish I took the time to record it through a proper amp, as it can and does sound so much better in "real life", but that wasn't really the point of it I guess.

The second half is just played acoustically and recorded into my laptop with a condensor mic and an "Audio Buddy".


[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]




Hondo02.jpg
 
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