Nice - I didn't realize they have a medium scale acoustic. I really like the ~24" scale one - I think Jumbo Junior. Solid little acoustic.
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Acoustic bass suggestions?
- Thread starter Buster53
- Start date
Nice - I didn't realize they have a medium scale acoustic. I really like the ~24" scale one - I think Jumbo Junior. Solid little acoustic.
Exactly.
Seriously, how many times do we have to hear that "All acoustic basses are worthless" bs?
It's been proven time and time again that they're not.
It's not much different than the "The P bass is a one-trick pony" nonsense.
Well, one would expect an acoustic instrument to be actually audible acoustically. There's the relevance. DB's are. Sure, they're not WOW loud but they're audible. And built a specific way to be able to actually project sound acoustically. The fact that they have to be amplified (now) as well is actually irrelevant to that argument. Acoustics are much more quiet. They don't have the body for it, if you will. And (to me) they seem "gimmicky". As in, someone in marketing decided "ok, here's an acoustic guitar. People like acoustic guitars, why not make an acoustic bass based on that!". And there we go.
As for the bold, a lot of people (myself included) don't. And that's okay too. I like how some of them sound, sure, I've even thought multiple times of getting one but I found no pros apart from the weight for that list and quickly abandoned the idea.
Again, the cons to playing an acoustic are what I wrote in my previous post. They're big, unwieldy, without much thought for ergonomics, they're usually a tad harder to play (for me) and set up than electrics, they do pretty much nothing acoustically (again, as the name would suggest) unless amplified, not to mention, like a DB, they can't take the same abuse an electric can.
Totally unrealistic scenario: If you could only have one bass, would you choose an acoustic over an electric?
If one, like the OP, actually WANTS one for whatever reason, cool. To each his own. But other than that, calling people who have valid (for the umpteenth time, for me/them) reasons not to like them, "full of BS" isn't really good manners now, is it? One can dislike a p-bass for whatever reasons, doesn't make them "wrong".
Still, I'll gladly eat my words publicly if you can "sell" me on an acoustic. Seriously, not being a -male member- here, I mean it. Explain to me (if you wish) what you think I have not seen or considered that makes an acoustic (not hollow or semi) bass a good choice and I might just get one.
OP, sorry for the tangent but I do find this debate interesting. Mods, delete at will if you so wish.
Cheers
I'd consider 30.75" short scale. I like the little guitar scale basses, but string selection is limited and I wanted to run flatwounds on the fretless.
Watched a video with a PhD guy, by any chance?
Nope. It's the same argument. Double basses are loud, until they aren't. Same as ABGs. And 6-string acoustic guitars, for that matter. Speaking of which, most of them actually don't reproduce the fundamentals of their lowest notes either, yet no one bats an ear. Also, acoustic guitars are usually amplified too, live. Why don't they bring Strats instead?
They don't, until they do. They're usually big enough to amplify the middle and high octaves of their register. Their balance of lows and highs is of course different from that of an upright acoustic, and since they usually play single notes they're quieter than 6-string guitars.
Which is a great idea, and the fact that they sell pretty decently is proof of that. One just needs to have realistic expectations.
Exactly. The piezo amplification and the hollow body impart an acoustic tone you can't get out of electrics.
Maybe. A minority of players do exactly that.
It wouldn't be good manners indeed. However, no one did. One poster (not the one you're quoting) said that the trite truism "All acoustic basses are worthless" is bs. Not the most polite way of putting it but, in fairness, the quote gets old fast.
I don't know about @FritzM but, personally, not gunna. Why should I? Can't we all keep our own opinions and taste, without having to defend them/ourselves? You said it yourself: to each their own.
"If one, like the OP, actually WANTS one for whatever reason, cool. To each his own. But other than that, calling people who have valid (for the umpteenth time, for me/them) reasons not to like them, "full of BS" isn't really good manners now, is it? One can dislike a p-bass for whatever reasons, doesn't make them "wrong".
I'm not understanding your point. I have never said anything about what people should like or dislike. My point is that I like the way an ABG sounds. I think my Breedlove sounds awesome plugged in or by itself. Saying "not being loud enough is irrelevant" and saying people are "full of BS" are completely two different things.
I'm not understanding your point. I have never said anything about what people should like or dislike. My point is that I like the way an ABG sounds. I think my Breedlove sounds awesome plugged in or by itself. Saying "not being loud enough is irrelevant" and saying people are "full of BS" are completely two different things.
I have the Bocote version of this, man it is amazing. Im still surprised how loud and easy to play it is. Sweetwater is literally paying you $100 to buy it lol
Lanikai OA-EBU Oak Ukulele with Electronics - Bass
Lanikai OA-EBU Oak Ukulele with Electronics - Bass
[QUOTE/]
Totally unrealistic scenario: If you could only have one bass, would you choose an acoustic over an electric?
[/QUOTE]
If I had to get rid of all my basses and keep only one, it would be my Breedlove ABG. It has the most versatile and pleasing tone of all my instruments. It's portable and ready to go at a moment's notice. It records well, even for genres that wouldn't seem to be appropriate. Not the most ideal instrument for a loud stage, but yes, it would be the one instrument I would keep (over my uprights and electrics).
Totally unrealistic scenario: If you could only have one bass, would you choose an acoustic over an electric?
[/QUOTE]
If I had to get rid of all my basses and keep only one, it would be my Breedlove ABG. It has the most versatile and pleasing tone of all my instruments. It's portable and ready to go at a moment's notice. It records well, even for genres that wouldn't seem to be appropriate. Not the most ideal instrument for a loud stage, but yes, it would be the one instrument I would keep (over my uprights and electrics).
I did, indeed, make just that choice … an ABG is my main instrument. The choice was made for a wide variety of reasons, but nonetheless it was my choice. And to read here on TB, with amazing regularity, what a bad choice that is does indeed grow wearying. I don’t really care for myself, personally, but it’s a shame there isn’t a more open-minded outlook amongst the brain trust for those newer players who are looking for information. It would be nice to read a positive word now and then rather than hear, for the thousandth time “only good for a campfire”
I could no more “sell” anyone on an ABG than someone could tell me that a Rick is a good ergonomic fit for me (it’s not). But I don’t take the space to discourage others from trying one.
To the OP, try a few ABGs out if that option is open to you. If it isn’t, maybe try to filter out some of the negative cliche noises you hear and read … there is no bass made that is perfect for everyone, don’t be overly swayed by crowd noise.
That is really cool and you can use a bow. This may be the thing that changes my mind about ABG's
Wow! My first post here and what awesome reactions and great recommendations.
all the comments on volume output unplugged are appreciated but not entirely on point. Primarily this will be an instrument for practice when traveling and a sometime opportunity to sit and play with a couple of acoustic guitarist friends who might be present at same event.
I’m very intrigued by the many suggestions, most of all the Guild Jumbo Jr. However, after discussion with my Sweetwater rep (also a bassist), I’ve ordered this Cordoba Mini II. There’s a 30 day return option just in case it’s not right.
Again, it’s not got gigging, it’s largely to practice as I sit alone in a hotel room. I will likely add an acoustic to my collection at some point so a valuable exchange of opinions. Thanks all!
all the comments on volume output unplugged are appreciated but not entirely on point. Primarily this will be an instrument for practice when traveling and a sometime opportunity to sit and play with a couple of acoustic guitarist friends who might be present at same event.
I’m very intrigued by the many suggestions, most of all the Guild Jumbo Jr. However, after discussion with my Sweetwater rep (also a bassist), I’ve ordered this Cordoba Mini II. There’s a 30 day return option just in case it’s not right.
Again, it’s not got gigging, it’s largely to practice as I sit alone in a hotel room. I will likely add an acoustic to my collection at some point so a valuable exchange of opinions. Thanks all!
Eh...unfortunately you can't really, by all accounts: a combination of C-bouts not being deep enough (in practice, waist is too wide), bridge not tall enough and radius not small enough.That is really cool and you can use a bow. This may be the thing that changes my mind about ABG's
Damn..destroyer of dreams...lol I'll just have to get a cello then
I am not sure about a bow but it is the bass used by Volent Femmes on Blister in the Sun I remember, it has the thump.
Most acoustic basses choke up, they don't project loud enough to match acoustic guitars. That one holds up.
Brian Ritchie's acoustic is an Ernie Ball Earthwood (discussed early in the thread); the doublebass-looking one pictured above is a Takamine TB10. (<- EDIT: ...as you already know, because it was you that posted the pic - oops!)
(EDIT2: the Earthwood was discussed in another thread today, not this one here - also oops!)
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