I've been rocking a Washburn for a few years that was a scream of a deal and sounds great with Fender flats and a foam mute under the strings. It's sort of a cross between a ABG and the Funk Machine. Soul for days.
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Acoustic bass guitar
- Thread starter quarternote
- Start date
Interesting to see this threat pop up. I just started working to resurrect my Kramer Ferrington acoustic I got in either 1988 or 1989. Pickings were slim back then, especially on the cheap end, so I ended up with the Kramer. God, it was poorly made. The soundboard is now warped and whatever the "bridge" is on it has been slowly pulling out due to string tension for years. Eventually this bass will self destruct.
I gigged it a few times but had to stuff it with foam sheets to keep it from feeding back. Not a huge fan of the piezo sound either. What I did like was having something I could take to the park and practice with, and I wrote a ton of stuff on it.
I gigged it a few times but had to stuff it with foam sheets to keep it from feeding back. Not a huge fan of the piezo sound either. What I did like was having something I could take to the park and practice with, and I wrote a ton of stuff on it.
Having the one Emerald now, I'm even more stoked for saving up and ordering a Balor (have to clear this round of custom gear orders first though).
Wow, excellent. I've been trying to order one but haven't been getting any responses to emails. The body is darned near as big as my Regal (which I do wear on a strap at times, actually).
Far out!
Four pages without the ABG haters, limp wrist crew, or the "if I have to plug in, I'll bring a slab" group.
Carry on!
Four pages without the ABG haters, limp wrist crew, or the "if I have to plug in, I'll bring a slab" group.
Carry on!
I've owned a Michael Kelly Dragonfly 5 string for over 10 years now. It's not strong enough unplugged to play with other acoustic instruments but has tone for days plugged in. I know that MK moved to their own Fishman MKAB preamp, but this one still has the old Classic 4 that they started out with. It plays well, but it's not my primary gigging bass.
I tried a bunch a couple years ago and ended up with an Ibenez. It was the cheapest of all of them but had the best combination of playability, volume, balance, and tone. The Fender played and sounded great plugged in, but had no volume unplugged.
I do quite a number of "acoustic" duets and trios using my Martin. Playing in restaurants, bars and corporate events, we must plug the acoustic guitars and bass into a PA. To me, my Martin is not there to emulate an upright. It is there to be precisely what it is, an acoustic bass guitar. It fits with the vibe of the gig and sounds wonderful in that setting. What's not to like?
I just traded a Franken Fender Squier,for this Stagg Acoustic bass,with original hard shell case. Wanting to replace the strings. Trying to decide what type strings to use? I am more use to round wound strings,on my other solid body basses. Also the bridge on this type acoustic don't have the pins,the strings go through back of the bridge. The strings on there now mount through the end of the bridge,and are counter sunk into the bridge,with a smaller ball end on the strings. Saw some comments,how much they disliked the Stagg Acoustics? Don't sound too bad,with the old strings plugged up to my Fender Rumble 200.
- Jul 3, 2007
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- Disclosures
- Author of "Soul Fingers." I'm the Duck Dunn expert.
This thread is making me GAS for a steel-string acoustic. I already have ten basses, and one nylon string acoustic.
I hate you all.
I hate you all.
I tried the new Taylor GS Mini eBass at GC recently and was super impressed at the volume and playability. Ultimate couch bass with playability and volume. I had an Alvarez AEB - long scale - it was great but volume was pretty weak unplugged.
Yup - I do the same thing, and it's made me some decent money... I use a sound hole plug, and a powered monitor - and have no problem hearing what I want, nor sounding great out front...
One thing I did not account for when getting strings for my acoustic was tension. I got a set of flats - which are traditionally higher tension than round wounds - and now years later it is causing some belly bulge on the top by the bridge. I'm now looking into lower tension flats
I have a Breedlove Atlas Studio with a spruce top. Play it mostly acoustic when I don't want to disturb the wife - despite being deep-bodied it is still relatively quiet (like most ABGs). Really like the tone I get out of it. Also, got a great deal on it from The Perfect Bass right before they quit business.
The bronze phosphors strings that came with it are about 3 years old and have lost a lot of their top-end zing. So with a chunk of foam shoved up under the bridge they cop what sounds to me like an uprightish vibe - especially when playing up near the 12th fret. (In all honesty, I don't think anyone who actually plays an upright would think they sound anything like an upright). I'm not necessarily looking for an upright tone, I like the sound of the ABG for what it is.
But when LaBella came out with their [Invalid or Expired Link Removed], I bought a set from BSO. Haven't put them on yet though. Partially because the phosphor bronze strings sound great to my ear, but partially because I worry whether they will have higher tension. LaBella says they have "Standard Tension". Not sure exactly what they mean.
Anybody care to weigh in with their opinion yea or nay? I think the flats would take away a lot of the finger noise that is so prevalent with phosphor bronze (particularly when they are new). I'm hoping they will also reduce the fret slap I get. But I would hate to damage my Breedlove. What say you Talk Bass?
Thanks
The bronze phosphors strings that came with it are about 3 years old and have lost a lot of their top-end zing. So with a chunk of foam shoved up under the bridge they cop what sounds to me like an uprightish vibe - especially when playing up near the 12th fret. (In all honesty, I don't think anyone who actually plays an upright would think they sound anything like an upright). I'm not necessarily looking for an upright tone, I like the sound of the ABG for what it is.
But when LaBella came out with their [Invalid or Expired Link Removed], I bought a set from BSO. Haven't put them on yet though. Partially because the phosphor bronze strings sound great to my ear, but partially because I worry whether they will have higher tension. LaBella says they have "Standard Tension". Not sure exactly what they mean.
Anybody care to weigh in with their opinion yea or nay? I think the flats would take away a lot of the finger noise that is so prevalent with phosphor bronze (particularly when they are new). I'm hoping they will also reduce the fret slap I get. But I would hate to damage my Breedlove. What say you Talk Bass?
Thanks
wow, lots of great looking acoustic basses! The Regal makes my Tacoma look like a ukulele!
Breedlove Stage (or is it Studio?) is my go-to, plays and sounds great. I use the lightest gauge Chromes on it, to fit the bridge with its too-small holes...
Breedlove Stage (or is it Studio?) is my go-to, plays and sounds great. I use the lightest gauge Chromes on it, to fit the bridge with its too-small holes...
I actually caved and just ordered my second Balor today. The green fretless is incredible, so I'm thinking a fan fret seven string will be just as cool on the other end of the spectrum.
I use the lightest gauge Chromes (40-95) on my Breedlove, no problem with top bulging. Breedlove makes a big deal over their special bridge bracing ('bridge truss'), maybe that helps. Though I haven't had trouble with flats on any of my ABGs.
