Acoustic bass

[draftsmann]

I'd say any new bass for 400 euros is "cheap". eBay may well prove to be your friend - you should get more for your money buying used. Where are you?

 

[Moom]

ebay is not my choice coz i live in Lithuania,so shipping is not available to my country.

 

[draftsmann]

ebay is not my choice coz i live in Lithuania,so shipping is not available to my country.

Admittedly some eBay sellers think that nobody beyond their shores is trustworthy and aren't prepared to ship overseas - but some will ship anywhere. Another option would be for you to arrange separately for your own courier to collect the item if the seller isn't willing to ship overseas himself. It's worth trying because you'll stand the best chance of acquiring the most bass for your money.

 

[Moom]

what do u think about AEBs of Cort SJB6 FX, SJB5 FX; Hofner HA-B03 and Michael Kelly firefly?

want to get more views and adivces.

 

[collicsws6z28]

Tacoma Thundercheif.....without a doubt one of the best ABGs out there...very loud!

 

[TenorClef]

Tacoma Thundercheif.....without a doubt one of the best ABGs out there...very loud!

Yeah what a shame they don't make them any more. I like the look of this one though from Fender-

 

[Moom]

ya,i love it too,but i dunno how it sounds!

 

[Moom]

btw. what wood is better for sides and back rosewood or mahogany?

 

[lomo]

I'm playing an Emerald xb5 ABG live and I'm gonna try the Radial PZ preamp to minimize feedback. It's specifically designed for piezo pups and has an adjustable notch filter for feedback. The feedback buster plug won't fit my hole (not sure I like the sound of that......double pun intended), so I may try a simple Nerf ball as well. The tone through my rig is great.

When shopping for an ABG, its good to remember the good advice already mentioned...they are *rarely* loud enough to be be played with a couple of acoustic guitars.

And considering you want to play it amplified w/ a group, it's also good to remember that an ABG that is loud acoustically also tends to be feedback prone when plugged in.

So there's the classic ABG dilemma!

What to do?

For your scenario, I'd recommend an ABG that was full-bodied (no cutaway) to maximize internal area and hopefully be a little louder. (note, this is just a generalization, consider the Tacoma Thunderchief is one of the loudest ABGs and has a cutaway)

Second, I'd recommend an ABG that could accept a "Feedback Buster", you know, the rubber cap that fits in the soundhole to minimize feedback. Many nice ABG's have fancy oval and other cool shaped soundholes, but then the "Feedback Buster" won't fit in those.

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Third, based on your particular unplugged needs, a small battery powered amp may be helpful in getting your bass heard over several acoustic guitars and percusion. At minimum I use a Crate Taxi at outdoor acoustic jams, and at a show or rehearsal I just use my regular bass rig (works great w/ ABGs, just need to be mindful of feedback issues).

The best battery powered amp I'm aware of and recommend 100% is the Carvin S400D - 100 watts, 10 inch driver, 4 channel, runs for hours and hours, street price around $450 USD.

Anyway, good luck with your search. ABGs are fun, but as I mentioned they have their own quirks, but then doesn't everything?

And stop by here and feel free to ask questions and look around:
Acoustic Bass fetish club


Peace

 

[Moom]

but what about wood for sides and back?

 

[MD]

Haven't done much research, but I think mahogany or maple for many.
MK and Breedlove have models with rosewood. My B10 has sycamore back/sides.

 

[edpal]

Washburn and Guild ABG are usually to be found in your price range. Anf yes, you will still need a bass amp(not an acoustic guitar amp) - the tonal range is the same as a solid body bass of same string configuration.

 

[Korladis]

A lot of people say acoustic basses can't be heard.

I think they're mostly just wimps who don't play hard enough. I've never had a problem being heard with mine, and it's a cheapo Johnson fretless.

 

[MD]

A lot of people say acoustic basses can't be heard.
I think they're mostly just wimps who don't play hard enough. I've never had a problem being heard with mine, and it's a cheapo Johnson fretless.

Along with "low, fast, EBG action" so there's no way to get the strings moving.

Although, my B10 is very quiet acoustically, its plugged in tone through the AI/Berg 112 is just wonderful. Get complements all the time.

 

[Moom]

i went to the musicshop today and tested there 3 ab. 1 was and expencive crafter.. was so ******!!!
epiphone...hm...could be better.
ovation...OVATION!!! CC 2474 !!!this thing rox!! unplugged,it has a very good tone and its super loud! i jamed wtih acoustic guitar and bass showed its best! plugged it has no feedback! awesome! comfortable! good looking! afortable! thats it! im saving money for Ovation CC 2474! my ovations to them! awesome AB!

 

[bass-shy]

Funny thing .... I just played a Michael Kelly Firefly......
Surprisingly I really thought the Martin was just awful.

Matt

Out of curiosity, what didn't you like about the Martin? I ask because we seem to be polar opposites as I really disliked the MK's I tried. I like the Martins so much I bought two different ones. The others that I really like are the Breedlove Atlas and Fender Victor Bailey Sig..

Not looking for an argument........I'm just curious.

 

[bass-shy]

i went to the musicshop today and tested there 3 ab. 1 was and expencive crafter.. was so ******!!!
epiphone...hm...could be better.
ovation...OVATION!!! CC 2474 !!!this thing rox!! unplugged,it has a very good tone and its super loud! i jamed wtih acoustic guitar and bass showed its best! plugged it has no feedback! awesome! comfortable! good looking! afortable! thats it! im saving money for Ovation CC 2474! my ovations to them! awesome AB!

Congrats, Moom. Hope everything works out for you.

 

[Pagan]

I've just bought a Harley Benton Hbb 35 NT FL from Thomann,

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I've been looking to get an acoustic bass for a while but didn't want to spend too much, (still to justify this spend to my partner ).

I was a bit dubious about this one as it is cheap & obviously built in China (not necessarily bad but quality control is always an issue). However having read others reviews on similar HB ABs & watched a few demos from owners on You Tube, I thought what the hell for £160 inc P&P, it was worth a shot.

I have still to receive it, so can't comment yet but will come back once I receive it and post up my thoughts.

 

[Pilgrim]

I have an Applause - which is an Ovation with a different headstock. It is one of the louder A/E basses, and if I practice with a couple of acoustic guitars sitting around, it's loud enough to work.

It also feeds back easily if you get careless while amplified. I bought a Feedback Buster to use in the sound hole when amplified; they are cheap ($6) at Amazon.com. I haven't used the Feedback Buster while amplified yet, but I'm confident it will greatly reduce the tendency to feed back.

Here's the Applause, which has been built in both short and long scale:

 

[funkout5]

yeah,ovation.. with plastic back. i think its not the best choice what about dean,cort or ibanez?

ovations don't have plastic backs... its like a reson-like material that is sort of soft (but still sturdy), its nothing like plastic...