• 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.

Acoustic Bass Guitar...worth it?

#21
I agree with the consensus that even big acoustic bass are not loud enough unplugged for jamming with acoustic guitars or a singer. I had a big jumbo, it was useless.

But I'm quite happy with my Taylor GS Mini-e, despite its mini size it is much louder than my previous big jumbo, very impressive. Really nice to pick an play on the couch, easy to take away for a week-end. Loud enough to play with an acoustic guitar if the guitarist plays softly. Of course you have to plug it as soon as you play with 2 guitarists, or a loud guitar or singer, but it also sounds good with an amp.
 
  • Like
Reactions: lbbc
#22
I like mine just fine
I can noodle alone on it. I can jam quietly with a couple guitars.
Its nice to have hanging around so anyone can grab it during rehearsal breaks or whatever. Why not have one??. As well, i can plug it in and it sounds great... but honestly it rarely gets plugged in.
Most people have an acoustic guitar hanging around, why not an acoustic bass guitar??
There are fatter bodies that will throw more volume but at a certain point, that can be difficult or uncomfortable to play, at least thats my minimal experience.
 
  • Like
Reactions: lbbc
#23
Search the links.
Bottom line, play many. They can be cheaply made. They can be expensive and well made.
Play one because you want full responsibility for tone. You will grow as an electric player.
Play one because you like/love how they sound. Don't care about other's opinions, even mine.
If you ask the wrong question you will attract "if you don't have a P bass with tort through an SVT and Fridge then you are useless because what else is there?" LOL :):)
Buying something that you love playing is sufficient.
If it costs a bit it will sound amazing and not be a bass you want your drunk friends to step in at that camp fire. You won't subject it to the morning dew after camping. You won't subject it to the heat of a fire in the front and cold from behind at that beach thing.
A cheap one won't project and sound good and will need an amp. The more you spend the better the volume and the tone. Whether you will need an amp is dependent upon who you're playing with and the environment. Good ones play really well and sound really good.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Bassinthemudd, B-Mac and lbbc
#24
An acoustic bass guitar can work on the couch. Playing with other musicians? You'll need an amp. The simplest rig that works when playing with acoustic guitars is a solid body electric (which you probably already have) and a combo amp. If you're looking for small, a Ubass and a combo will get you a similar thing with less stuff to haul.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: lbbc
#25
lbbc said:
I have been toying with the idea of getting an acoustic/electric bass guitar...along the lines of a Traveler or Fender short scale for quieter practicing or jamming with friends who primarily play acoustic guitars.

I have awesome, IMHO, 32" scale electrics and was wondering...are acoustic/electric basses worth it? I would like your experience/comments
Click to expand...

I've posted my story a number of times. I spent about a year absolutely NEEDING an AEB and researching the perfect one for my needs. Found it, bought it, played it a few times, changed strings and tried it again, gave up, and put it in a closet where it gathered dust until I finally sold it at a horrible loss.
 
  • Like
Reactions: boombloom and lbbc
#26
I love mine. I have an old Guild and an old goofy Kramer. They are fun. They are obviously freeing in that you can grab and go. If I play unplugged with a guitarist friend I will more often use a heavy pick to add some presence but most of the time it's my sitting on the couch watching football bass.
Part 2 of this is I also have a small PJB desktop amp that I use if I want to be fully heard with a couple acoustic guitars, vocals, etc.

If you are asking for advice about an ABG you're already past the point of being deterred by negatives. All the negatives are related to an even comparison to an electric or an even comparison to an acoustic guitar. It's neither, it is its own animal. Have fun with it.

I'd add that the body depth and size adds a small learning curve to become comfortable holding it, for me anyway. But that's nothing you can't overcome.

ps ABGs make a great tool in the studio too, they have a sound that cannot be equaled by a typical electric.
Get one.
 
  • Like
Reactions: lbbc and ficelles
#28
I have a cheap Ibanez AEB5 that I picked up for about $150 on sale. 32" scale and can keep up just fine.
I generally play with a pick but have no problem with volume or projecting in an all acoustic practice/jam setting. I wouldn't use it in a club without a small amp. For grabbing off the wall to noodle around by myself or sitting on the couch playing along with an acoustic guitar it works just fine.
 
  • Like
Reactions: B-Mac, lbbc and Bassinthemudd
#30
BobDeRosa said:
I've posted my story a number of times. I spent about a year absolutely NEEDING an AEB and researching the perfect one for my needs. Found it, bought it, played it a few times, changed strings and tried it again, gave up, and put it in a closet where it gathered dust until I finally sold it at a horrible loss.
Click to expand...
How did you determine that you NEEDED an ABG? Did you play one and then say to yourself, "I need one of these?" Or, did you come to this decision without first trying one? I know I've convinced myself that I NEED something without trying it (or something very similar) first.
 
#32
Getting an acoustic bass as a gift (just a cheap Dean EABC) rekindled my love of the instrument, helped be break bad habits in technique that I didn't even know I had, and taught me the importance of choosing the right strings for the song/genre. It was my daily player for maybe three years.

...And I haven't picked it up in a year. But I also wouldn't be playing today if it weren't for that bass.
 
  • Like
Reactions: B-Mac and lbbc
#33
Bassinthemudd said:
How did you determine that you NEEDED an ABG? Did you play one and then say to yourself, "I need one of these?" Or, did you come to this decision without first trying one? I know I've convinced myself that I NEED something without trying it (or something very similar) first.
Click to expand...

It was one of those GAS things. I deluded myself into thinking it could serve as a lightweight substitute for my upright (it can't). In addition to upright, I had played only solid-body electrics and thought I should try an AEB just for kicks. It was me who got kicked. I'll stick with the solid-bodies, thanks.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Basslice and lbbc
#34
I love the ridiculous advice - to someone who says he wants an ABG to practice - of buying an upright bass!

They are two different instruments, which happen to be tuned the same. Practicing upright isn't practicing bass guitar. Not to mention that first he'd have to spend months or years just learning to play basic lines on it. Oh, and it'll only cost you $1500 bucks or so, but don't waste your money on a $300 ABG!

:roflmao:
 
  • Like
Reactions: chadds, VictorW126, lbbc and 5 others
#35
There is a lot of hate for acoustics here that is at least partially well earned. I have had a Michael Kelly Dragonfly and currently own an Emerald Balor. I will own the Balor for the rest of my life. If you have realistic expectations of the instrument, then they can be great instruments.

You will not be able to jam unplugged with most acoustic guitars. My Balor (one of the biggest bodied acoustics) could hang with my Godin A6 Ultra acoustically, but the A6 is more of a semi-hollow output than a full acoustic output. Start moving to larger acoustic guitars and you quickly need a small amp. I routinely used a small amp for quick jams with my MK Dragonfly. Noting that anytime you plug in you might have to fight feedback (easily done with a lute-hole plug and/or notch filter). People tend to overstate the plugging in problem. A small amp is not that hard to have available. Basic steps to avoid feedback will quickly handle it in quieter settings.

I primarily use my Balor as a quiet practice instrument. I bought it shortly after having my first kid for practicing when the kid is asleep (I hate practicing with headphones). At this point I probably play the Balor more than my electrics because it is so easy to just pick up and start playing. Sure plugging in and turning an amp on is easy, but grabbing the acoustic is even easier.

General reasons for acoustic hate that I find to be ridiculous:
- They are not loud enough... Of course they are not; 3/4 uprights are not loud enough for many of the settings that people are hoping a smaller acoustic can handle (so this is an unrealistic expectation issue)
- They feedback... yes if you choose to play them in a loud setting and without any steps to manage feedback they do (of course they do; if you think about it you knew this would happen)
- They do not sound like upright basses... No they do not. They also do not typically sound like electric basses. They offer a unique tone that people tend to ignore.
- Phosphor bronze strings... they can smell weird and they get a little buzzy. Get some pressure wound ones or use flats/tapes and this problem quickly goes away.
 
  • Like
Reactions: B-Mac, Mikich, jd56hawk and 3 others
#37
Can you go busking unplagged?no.
Can you play with a bunch of people?no,not enough volume.

I do play with an acoustic and a few singers unplugged with no problem,I do play with a pick though.
Its also nice to have something around the house to grab quickly.
Mine is an Alvarez AB60,I dont think its very loud compared to others,its average.
 
  • Like
Reactions: lbbc
#38
I can't overstate how valuable it is to have a practice instrument ready to pick up at anytime around the house. My Ibanez PNB14E serves that purpose fantastically well. In my opinion, it has a distinct enough tone to separate it from EB or DB, and for recording parts its pure acoustic tone blends much better with acoustic instruments than any attempt I've had with an EB.

-Cal.
 
  • Like
Reactions: lbbc, GrapeBass and drwv
#39
ahbass2500 said:
General reasons for acoustic hate that I find to be ridiculous:
- They are not loud enough... Of course they are not; 3/4 uprights are not loud enough for many of the settings that people are hoping a smaller acoustic can handle (so this is an unrealistic expectation issue)
- They feedback... yes if you choose to play them in a loud setting and without any steps to manage feedback they do (of course they do; if you think about it you knew this would happen)
- They do not sound like upright basses... No they do not. They also do not typically sound like electric basses. They offer a unique tone that people tend to ignore.
- Phosphor bronze strings... they can smell weird and they get a little buzzy. Get some pressure wound ones or use flats/tapes and this problem quickly goes away.
Click to expand...

To the OP: This ^^^^ is an excellent example of things to consider when thinking about an ABG. Well thought out, and factual in real life situations

aprod said:
They are a waste of money. They will always require an amp. I just use my P bass.
Click to expand...

This ^^^^ is an excellent example of things to skip over ….
 
  • Like
Reactions: B-Mac, lbbc and drwv
#40
In my opinion, no, they're not worth it. I've HAD about three or four. They almost always have to be amplified to be heard so, if you want more volume than just sitting on the couch by yourself, an electric short scale is just as handy. I've had issues with intonation, volume, string to string volume, shoddy workmanship (unless you pay the big $$$). They always seemed to me like an afterthought in manufacturer's minds. A few I've had literally felt and sounded like cardboard.
 
  • Like
Reactions: lbbc

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back