Who has one and who wants one? There's been one sitting in the corner of my local music shop for the past year and a half - started at $500 and eventually being slashed down to about half that. Is there any place in a bassist's arsenal for something you don't plug into a beastly amp?
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Acoustic bass...
- Thread starter ZachOrem
- Start date
Played one the other day in a music store. The action was way to high and the strings were dead, but the tone wasn't exactly horrible. Unusual...more like it.
http://bass-guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Ibanez-AEB5E-Acoustic-Electric-Bass?sku=620445
I own that, and to be honest, its only $199 and i think it sounds better than the $600-$1000 acoustic basses at my local music store, i love its sound, and it also sounds really good when plugged in, it has perfect action too
I own that, and to be honest, its only $199 and i think it sounds better than the $600-$1000 acoustic basses at my local music store, i love its sound, and it also sounds really good when plugged in, it has perfect action too
Well, that guy in the Violent Femmes plugs his Earthwood into a beastly amp...
Most all production ABG's have onboard pups and electronics for a reason; they're meant to be plugged in. I own two, one gets plugged in, the other never.
I bought one a few months ago and love it! It's a lot quicker to pick up and play around the house AND sounds great in a live setting, too. Good for coffee shop gigs as long as there is PA support.
Honestly, an ABG is usually useless in a combo situation without getting plugged in, or mic'ed somehow. The problem that I see with a lot of ABGs is that they use piezo undersaddle transducers, and these can be 'quacky.' With good EQ, and a little processing, they can sound wonderful. I used to play ABG in a couple of band and duo situations.
One of the best bass sounds I ever got was my ABG into a SansAmp BDDI (MK I), into a little Fender Princeton amp. Just lovely, and perfect for the music I was playing. I doubt that I'd play it for anything too rocky, but I pull it out occasionally for a cover/few originals band I sometimes play with. It just can't be beat (with some 'sub-bass', reverb, and a minute amount of echo) for "Folsom Prison Blues" (unless I ever get a real bull-fiddle).
A little strip of foam under the strings at the bridge can give you some mean Thump.
One of the best bass sounds I ever got was my ABG into a SansAmp BDDI (MK I), into a little Fender Princeton amp. Just lovely, and perfect for the music I was playing. I doubt that I'd play it for anything too rocky, but I pull it out occasionally for a cover/few originals band I sometimes play with. It just can't be beat (with some 'sub-bass', reverb, and a minute amount of echo) for "Folsom Prison Blues" (unless I ever get a real bull-fiddle).
A little strip of foam under the strings at the bridge can give you some mean Thump.
i love my Vic Bailey acoustic. It's the only one I've played and actually enjoyed. It really needs to be plugged in to be appreciated, a nice way to round out my basses.
Hi.
I have a Hohner acoustic, and it's a fun instrument to practise and play with.
It's nowhere near to be loud enough on its own in any band setting I've been in, but with a small combo it'll hold its own with acoustic guitars and strong vocals.
For about $250, the floor model would have to be quite special for me to buy it though, decent new ones can be had for less.
Strings make a HUGE impact on tone and volume on acoustic instruments, so be sure to use quality strings if You decide to buy any ABG.
Regards
Sam
I have a Hohner acoustic, and it's a fun instrument to practise and play with.
It's nowhere near to be loud enough on its own in any band setting I've been in, but with a small combo it'll hold its own with acoustic guitars and strong vocals.
For about $250, the floor model would have to be quite special for me to buy it though, decent new ones can be had for less.
Strings make a HUGE impact on tone and volume on acoustic instruments, so be sure to use quality strings if You decide to buy any ABG.
Regards
Sam
I want one, but it's not at the top of my list. I have a JR4000 Acoustic Electric that I'm probably going to buy eventually, but I'm trying to settle for a primary bass before I do that.
I have an Ibanez EWB205 and i really enjoy it. Its only use to me is practicing, which i like to be able to do at any time or place where i may not have an amp. Plugged in or acoustic i think it sounds great.
I knock around a Ibanez AEB10. I'm really pleased with it. Nice to play when just watching TV or something and sounds killer plugged in. Lots of tone possibilities with the pickup settings. Under $300 and like it better than some of the higher priced ones.
I bought a Breedlove 4 string fretless a few weeks ago. Played a few gigs together with a singer and acoustic guitar player (blues/rock/spanish vibes, from soft to loud). We played both fully acoustic and with small-PA support. It went very well all times, though the room/setting made a big difference in sound (we played outside mostly). Sometimes I used a pick, which I didn't do before, which made for a great mix in sound with the acoustic guitar.
I tried a lot of ABG's, most I didn't like because of lack of volume. But the breedlove is great, sounds is very good and the pre-amp too. I was convinced after the first note. It had quite a good volume, also because the body is bigger than most I think. I played the Victor Bailey as well, and that would have been my second choice but I wanted a fretless.
Main reasons for me to get an ABG is to be able to play/rehearse anywhere without electricity (as I did last weeks), and also at home to be able to just pick up the bass sit in the garden and play or play along with the stereo without having to plug in etc. Next to that it looks and feels great when I play with the another acoustic guitar
I would say, if you share the same reasons and really want to play ABG then get at least a fairly good one. But personally I wouldn't bother with the cheaper ones.
Regards,
Martijn
I tried a lot of ABG's, most I didn't like because of lack of volume. But the breedlove is great, sounds is very good and the pre-amp too. I was convinced after the first note. It had quite a good volume, also because the body is bigger than most I think. I played the Victor Bailey as well, and that would have been my second choice but I wanted a fretless.
Main reasons for me to get an ABG is to be able to play/rehearse anywhere without electricity (as I did last weeks), and also at home to be able to just pick up the bass sit in the garden and play or play along with the stereo without having to plug in etc. Next to that it looks and feels great when I play with the another acoustic guitar
I would say, if you share the same reasons and really want to play ABG then get at least a fairly good one. But personally I wouldn't bother with the cheaper ones.
Regards,
Martijn
I only play acoustic basses anymore. They have to be plugged into an amp or PA, they aren't loud enough on their own. The pickups tend to act like a microphone and amplify string finger noise, fretbuzz, strings hitting the frets, etc.
So if you amplify, you might need to adjust your playing style to avoid excessive noisiness. Otherwise, they sound great. If you are considering buying it for unplugged practice, there are better ways to spend $200.+
So if you amplify, you might need to adjust your playing style to avoid excessive noisiness. Otherwise, they sound great. If you are considering buying it for unplugged practice, there are better ways to spend $200.+
There's great variation among ABGs. I have a Tacoma Thunderchief, and use it when I can't bring the acoustic upright. Great tone, I almost always get complimentary remarks at gigs. Like all ABGs, it's useless in a combo situation if not plugged in. But the tone is much better than any electric BG (for the music I do). I'd scour the universe for another one if this one "went missing".
I purchased the epiphone el capitan, it was not cheap, but you get what you pay for. I played a fender in the same store, it was just as much $$$ and i swear it sounded and played like a toy guitar @ walmart!
I have a Hohner HAB-40 that I use for my main bass. I had been using an Epi Jack Casady but never used it again after getting the Hohner. First move was to string it with tapewounds. I just love the sound of it for Praise & Worship services + it`s easy to play and very light. I have just sent for another HAB (w/triangular sound hole) as my back up. The JC is likely more than I need and does not have the tone I desire. Someone else will be in need of it I`m hoping. The acoustics do have their place, be it as main or secondary instrument. Take care. Bob
I own a Martin OOC-16GTAE acoustic of 2 years now. Kind of a pricey individual (list is supposedly around $1499), even at the price I was able to get it for ($990).
It's a small bodied guitar, but the volume and tone I have to say are excellent. Fingerstyle playing will get good volume on its own, but not surprisingly there's a pretty noticeable increase with a pick. Roundwound strings sound gorgeous on it.
One thing I enjoy especially is the ability to just get up and go play outside or with your buddies, or anywhere else without worrying about power.
Link to a photos (post #11):
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=591834
It's a small bodied guitar, but the volume and tone I have to say are excellent. Fingerstyle playing will get good volume on its own, but not surprisingly there's a pretty noticeable increase with a pick. Roundwound strings sound gorgeous on it.
One thing I enjoy especially is the ability to just get up and go play outside or with your buddies, or anywhere else without worrying about power.
Link to a photos (post #11):
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=591834
