Acoustic bass

[JTE]

OK, learn about how sound works, and dig into the development of acoustic guitars. First, the ABG body just ain't big enough to move air for solid bass sound at real volumes. The double bass is just barely capable of doing the job, and look at the size of it!

Second, the string tension drives the top. If the top of the guitar ain't moving, there's no air being pumped out of the sound hole, hence, no volume. Low tension strings utterly defreat the purpose of driving the top (and that's critical to most electric ABGs as well, because you have to drive the piezoelectric element in the pickup). In bicycles we say "Strong, light, cheap: you get to choose two" because you can't have all three. Same with ABG- cheap, good sounding, loud, ain't gonna happen in the same bass.

Third, there are only three ABGs I've played in 30+ years that sounded worth a crap. That's the Ernie Ball Earthwood, the Guild B-30/B-50, and the Tacom Thundercheif. All the others sounded like a waste of their wood and my money. The Earthwood sounded pretty cool, but the construction was a bit primitive. They're long out of production, but come up every so often (my local GOOD pawn shop has one I play on occasion).

The Guild is the only one I'd spend my own money on. They sound great, are well built, and very playable. The Tacoma comes close, but it's still gotta be amplified, and the quality of construction is more than a bit shy of the Guilds.

As for current productions ones, all the ones I've seen are toys that resemble acoustic guitars with bass necks. The sound is so pitiful that I might as well just play my electrics.

John

 

[Korladis]

OK, learn about how sound works, and dig into the development of acoustic guitars. First, the ABG body just ain't big enough to move air for solid bass sound at real volumes. The double bass is just barely capable of doing the job, and look at the size of it!

I was having to hold back to keep from drowning out the guitarist in my folk band with my ABG when we played in the park last weekend. I would say it moves quite enough air.

Second, the string tension drives the top. If the top of the guitar ain't moving, there's no air being pumped out of the sound hole, hence, no volume. Low tension strings utterly defreat the purpose of driving the top (and that's critical to most electric ABGs as well, because you have to drive the piezoelectric element in the pickup). In bicycles we say "Strong, light, cheap: you get to choose two" because you can't have all three. Same with ABG- cheap, good sounding, loud, ain't gonna happen in the same bass.

My ABG is pleasant sounding to my ears, and loud enough to drown out a regular acoustic guitar. The brand? Johnson.

Third, there are only three ABGs I've played in 30+ years that sounded worth a crap. That's the Ernie Ball Earthwood, the Guild B-30/B-50, and the Tacom Thundercheif. All the others sounded like a waste of their wood and my money. The Earthwood sounded pretty cool, but the construction was a bit primitive. They're long out of production, but come up every so often (my local GOOD pawn shop has one I play on occasion).

The Guild is the only one I'd spend my own money on. They sound great, are well built, and very playable. The Tacoma comes close, but it's still gotta be amplified, and the quality of construction is more than a bit shy of the Guilds.

As for current productions ones, all the ones I've seen are toys that resemble acoustic guitars with bass necks. The sound is so pitiful that I might as well just play my electrics.

John

My only conclusion is that you must play with a ridiculously light touch. I've never needed to plug in with my acoustic.

 

[Korladis]

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.

Yeah, the action on mine isn't very low, maybe that's part of why it's so much louder than everyone on here thinks acoustic basses are. I've only ever plugged in when I was playing by myself to get some crazy fretless sounds by turning on the effects and such. With other people I've never plugged into anything except a tuner.

 

[TenorClef]

JTE makes some valid points about the 3 major ABG's, incidentally all 3 are now out of production. I've always liked the sound of low tension nylon strings on my ABG (very deep & dark) but that means i have to sacrifice some volume in a pure acoustic setting and thats never a good things with an ABG, the plus means it sits right and probably punches through, were as metal strings tend to be a little more mid range in sound quality and that means they sit more in the mix with acoustic guitars which means they can get lost in the mix....not good.

 

[N. Kentucky Bass]

I have a fretless Tacoma Thunderchief strung with black nylon tapewounds. It plays on the quiet side unplugged. But it sounds just like an upright bass, which is the sound I was after. Wouldn't dream of gigging it without amplification. The sound is terrific and it's incredibly easy to move around compared to a doghouse!