Acoustic bass guitar

[quarternote]

How many of you play, more than causally, an ABG? What brand do you like, and why do you play one , and do you meet much objection to playing one, vs an upright.

I personally play a Breedlove 4 string (forget the model designation), mostly with country/bluegrass musicians mostly through the PA. People have told me they liked my tone. I would be more interested in an upright except for the logistics, I had an upright, but sold it as it was just too much to transport. (I know, I am a wuss)

 

[40Hz]

I play one but almost exclusively amplified.

As far as "vs upright" there's no versus in the equation IMO. They're two different instruments, each with their own sound. Uprights sound like uprights. ABGs sound like ABGs. If somebody wants to hear an upright (and knows what an upright actually sounds like) they're not going to be happy with an ABG substitution. Fortunately, most people won't be that fussy and you can get an upright-ish vibe out of an ABG with the right settings and technique. But you could also do the same with a solidbody bass. When it comes to an upright vibe, it's as much about your technique and approach to creating a bassline as it is about the instrument.

I haven't run into any resistance from other musicians when playing one. But I have more than one bass, and I always try my best to match which bass I play to the music I'm going to be playing.

I have no strong opinions about ABGs. To me they're just one additional tool in a bass player's toolbox. They excel in some areas and for some types of music and songs. But they're not the be all end all by any stretch.

 

[tfer]

I play one but almost exclusively amplified.

As far as "vs upright" there's no versus in the equation. They're two different instruments, each with their own sound. Uprights sound like uprights. ABGs sound like ABGs. If somebody wants to hear an upright (and knows what an upright actually sounds like) they're not going to be happy with an ABG substitution. Fortunately, most people won't be that fussy and you can get an upright-ish vibe out of an ABG with the right settings and technique. But you couod also do the same with a solidbody bass. When it comes to an upright vibe, it's as much about your technique and approach to creating a bassline as it is about the instrument.

I haven't run into any resistance from other musicians when playing one. But I have more than one bass, and I always try my best to match which bass I play to the music I'm going to be playing.

I have no strong opinions about ABGs. To me they're just one additional tool in a bass player's toolbox. They excel in some areas and for some types of music and songs. But they're not the be all end all by any stretch.

All of this.

I play a Breedlove Atlas 4 string fretless.

Beautiful bass, and the LR Baggs preamp is far superior to the more common Fishman to my ears.

 

[40Hz]

I play a Breedlove Atlas 4 string fretless.

Beautiful bass, and the LR Baggs preamp is far superior to the more common Fishman to my ears.

I'm using the Epiphone El Capitan with a pickup and preamp designed for Epiphone by Shadow Electronics, a German company that pretty much wrote the book on piezos.

I'll agree with you about Fishman pickups and electronics. I never much cared for their sound.

 

[tfer]

I'm using the Epiphone El Capitan with a pickup and preamp designed for Epiphone by Shadow Electronics, a German company that pretty much wrote the book on piezos.



I'll agree with you about Fishman pickups and electronics. I never much cared for their sound.

Sadly, they are ubiquitous now.

Almost all inexpensive AEBs have Fishman electronics, and the all sound thin and brittle.

 

[40Hz]

Sadly, they are ubiquitous now.

Almost all inexpensive AEBs have Fishman electronics, and the all sound thin and brittle.

My thoughts exactly. I never liked anything with a Fishman in it.

I put up with the discomfort of the El Capitan's jumbo body for the sound of its pickup and preamp. I tried every ABG I could get my hands in before I got the Epi. I was surprised to see it was the second to least expensive bass in the group. I was expecting to have to pay around $2K to get something really good. But I was happy to discover the one I liked best only cost about a quarter of that.

Sometimes even I catch a lucky break.

 

[tfer]

I got my Breedlove as they were on the rise. My fretless cost $650.

 

[KohanMike]

I have three acoustics, which are bass ukes with poly strings and under saddle piezo. I only play them amped, but will practice at home without. I played rhythm guitar for almost 50 years and was often told I should take up the bass, but I didn't want to be encumbered by even a standard electric bass, forget about a stand up. Then shortly after I switched to ukulele four years ago, I learned about bass ukes and went for it. Now I play bass about 95% of the time.

 

[mesaplayer83]

All of this.

I play a Breedlove Atlas 4 string fretless.

Beautiful bass, and the LR Baggs preamp is far superior to the more common Fishman to my ears.

I also play a Breedlove AEB sometimes - I've landed some duet and trio gigs with it, and have also played some wedding ceremonies with it... I bought one of the close outs from Best Bass Gear, then once I started gigging with it, bought another used off Reverb... I recently traded in the "new" one for a more decorated Stage model - it's actually supposed to be here today...

 

[mesaplayer83]

 

[mesaplayer83]

 

[mesaplayer83]

 

[bholder]

A few from my collection:

 

[mesaplayer83]

Awesome collection, bholder

 

[rtslinger]

I have a 2000 Epiphone El Segundo I use to rehearse with 90% of the time.

 

[jd56hawk]

How many of you play, more than causally, an ABG? What brand do you like, and why do you play one , and do you meet much objection to playing one, vs an upright.

I personally play a Breedlove 4 string (forget the model designation), mostly with country/bluegrass musicians mostly through the PA. People have told me they liked my tone. I would be more interested in an upright except for the logistics, I had an upright, but sold it as it was just too much to transport. (I know, I am a wuss)

I play this Dean Exotica, amped, because I believe in the MTV Unplugged school of thought...plug in!
Aphex System with Big Bottom Sound...the phase switch is a nice touch...unique among acoustic basses. I have a G&L L 2000 but even that can't duplicate my Exotica's tone.
Forget about Fishman, Aphex is the way to go!
Wouldn't trade it for a Martin, Guild, etc.

 

[Hounddog409]

How many of you play, more than causally, an ABG? What brand do you like, and why do you play one , and do you meet much objection to playing one, vs an upright.

I personally play a Breedlove 4 string (forget the model designation), mostly with country/bluegrass musicians mostly through the PA. People have told me they liked my tone. I would be more interested in an upright except for the logistics, I had an upright, but sold it as it was just too much to transport. (I know, I am a wuss)

Taylor came out with a GS Mini Bass. played on last week at S.A.. tagged at $690. This was an awesome bass. easy to play, sounds great. What one would expect from Taylor.
Will probably pick one up at some point.

 

[FugaziBomb]

I play one but almost exclusively amplified.

As far as "vs upright" there's no versus in the equation IMO. They're two different instruments, each with their own sound. Uprights sound like uprights. ABGs sound like ABGs. If somebody wants to hear an upright (and knows what an upright actually sounds like) they're not going to be happy with an ABG substitution. Fortunately, most people won't be that fussy and you can get an upright-ish vibe out of an ABG with the right settings and technique. But you could also do the same with a solidbody bass. When it comes to an upright vibe, it's as much about your technique and approach to creating a bassline as it is about the instrument.

I haven't run into any resistance from other musicians when playing one. But I have more than one bass, and I always try my best to match which bass I play to the music I'm going to be playing.

I have no strong opinions about ABGs. To me they're just one additional tool in a bass player's toolbox. They excel in some areas and for some types of music and songs. But they're not the be all end all by any stretch.

I have a fretless dean acoustic and I can get into some serious upright territory with flats playing right at the neck joint.

 

[40Hz]

I have a fretless dean acoustic and I can get into some serious upright territory with flats playing right at the neck joint.

.

That's the way to do it. I can even get some of that with the right set of older phosphore-bronze strings if need be. More than enough for many casual situations at least.

The only thing you can't get is that 360-degree sensation of presence and air movement in the room you get with an upright. That's just the physics of the thing. But the upright vibe and style can be copped by any competent bass player if they work at it. Because it really is as much your style as the physics. I started on upright and didn't switch over to electric for several years. And while I miss the upright, I can't say I miss the inconvenience of lugging one around - or the incredible attitude some of the people who play one have about life, the universe, and everything.

Nice choice with that Dean btw! I was pleasantly surprised by how good they sounded and played when I was shopping. Sounded much better than a few of the others I tried that cost considerably more. And much more comfortable to play than my ABG.

 

[FugaziBomb]

.

That's the way to do it. I can even get some of that with the right set of older phosphore-bronze strings if need be. More than enough for many casual situations at least.

The only thing you can't get is that 360-degree sensation of presence and air movement in the room you get with an upright. That's just the physics of the thing. But the upright vibe and style can be copped by any competent bass player if they work at it. Because it really is as much your style as the physics. I started on upright and didn't switch over to electric for several years. And while I miss the upright, I can't say I miss the inconvenience of lugging one around - or the incredible attitude some of the people who play one have about life, the universe, and everything.

Nice choice with that Dean btw! I was pleasantly surprised by how good they sounded and played when I was shopping. Sounded much better than a few of the others I tried that cost considerably more. And much more comfortable to play than my ABG.

I initially had planned to de-fret a lower end acoustic because my assumption was that no one made an affordable fretless AEB, then I saw the dean for under $150 and couldn't say no. I strung it with Black Diamond Pure Jazz flats and it sounded great. The tension of those strings is giving me some belly bulge, tho, so I'm switching to a set of TI flats as I've read they are much lower tension.

Edit: Also, glad to hear you mention the upright attitude that a lot of people get. I had it bad when I used to play upright.