Acoustic Basses worth it?

[HeavyDuty]

Either you like ABGs or you don’t. I’m as big of a proponent as anyone here (I’ve owned a bunch and currently have three) but you’re not going to hear them in noisy environments without plugging in. In my long experience good ones can work in casual living room jams with a pair of acoustic guitars so long as you pick (I prefer felt), but not outdoors. This is a good reason to have a small battery powered amp.

 

[Killing Floor]

Brian Ritchie of the Violent Femmes showed us how to be heard on an ABG. Basically, you ain’t gonna get no sweet warm tone if you want to cut it.

Brian Ritchie:
He's an incredible showman and a really good bassist.
I'm a huge fan and first saw them play (with DeLorenzo) at 688 in Atlanta when they were touring for self titled album in 1984. Seen them many times since. Ritchie just looks like he's beating the living daylights out of the bass. Plus I think he uses a pick. I wouldn't want to lend him my bass!
His tone is "unique". And by "unique" I mean terrible. But in Violent Femmes context it is perfect. They would have probably not made it very far with a more subtle bassist. I don't play in his style but I consider him one of the best rock bassists alive. Certainly responsible for some of the most recognizable riffs. So thanks @Chickenwheels for reminding me to drag out the vinyl to play along today!

 

[boombloom]

Get a banjo. That'll teach 'em!

Interesting. Wishnevsky has been building inexpensive bass banjos lately. I wonder about the volume....

 

[rufus.K]

Adding to the coronavirus lockdown playlist. Best PSA.

Thanks!

 

[Eddie LeBlanc]

Are they worth it...... IMO yes, if you get a good one. I tried the cheap Asian no name ones, to just see if I'd like playing it. After all been playing Electrics and Uprights for several decades.

I found a use for them, and enjoyed playing them. But the no-name Asian ones were junk and not loud at all, with no tone.

Then tried a couple of Deans that I bought. And had played a bunch of other models in the stores (including Fenders, Ibanez, and several others). They were OK but still lacked tone character and volume. Then did a couple of Micheal Kelly ones. Pretty and well made also, but same issue with tone character and volume.

I even played Martins, Taylors, Godins, Guilds, Breedloves, and a couple of used Tacoma Thunderchiefs. Personally the Thunderchiefs were the best, both in sound quality and volume. But they were pricey even for used.

I finally saw that Spector had copied the design of the Thunderchiefs, both in size, ladder bracing, thickness of the top and etc. And the price was not too bad even new.

I am very satisfied with my Spector Timbres. They are long scales (but Spector has added a short scale also). And tone and volume works for me. Just saying.

 

[Lava]

BTDT, it's never as fun as it seems. Never quite loud enough with other instruments when it isn't amplified. If I had to do it all over again, I'd get a little Kala Bass and a small practice amp (battery powered perhaps for campfire fun).

 

[robassable]

From someone with a lot of experience with Acoustics: Don't waste your money. I was more or less "required" to use one for a couple of years for the "look" in an acoustic latin trio. Spent good money and a lot of experimentation on a few name brand good quality basses, some of them quite large and all had to be plugged in. Learned to hate the tinny bronze phosphor strings they come with and ended up using electric bass strings which along with having to amplify completely defeated the purpose, plus they never sounded as good so I was relieved to be allowed to go back to my electric.

 

[ElectricBass72]

I had a Michael Kelly Dragonfly 5-string back in the 2000's. When I got it, it had roundwound strings on it. I replaced those with tapewounds and could get some unique tones through a Boss AD5 acoustic processor on recordings. I agree with most in this thread... they are really not worth it because they have to be amplified to be heard. I had the Dragonfly for 3 years and ended up selling it. I'd rather have an electric upright than an acoustic bass.

 

[rufus.K]

Listen not to the nay sayers!!

 

[Panther]

I picked up a Furch and I just love it. Makes me play more. Away from the computer and amps etc. Take anywhere. Also builds up a bit of strength in my fingers too so the electric feels like a breeze.

 

[Mvilmany]

Personally, I don’t see much of a point to owning one. They’re not loud enough to play with an ensemble without amplification, and amplifying them changes their tone.

 

[Ric5]

I want an acoustic bass with gut strings like a classical guitar … and 5 strings ...

 

[Ric5]

Personally, I don’t see much of a point to owning one. They’re not loud enough to play with an ensemble without amplification, and amplifying them changes their tone.

yes without an amp they are lacking the low end you want from a bass

 

[mellowgerman]

I converted my old Kay Jumbo 6-string into a little acoustic bass that I totally love.
Backstory: due to a little too much forward bow and no adjustable truss rod, it was impossible to set it up to play comfortably as a 6-string acoustic. I even tried classical nylon strings, but as is to be expected with the top braced for steel strings, the nylons were super quiet. Regardless of nylon, steel, or bronze strings, it also sounded pretty terrible... nasal and plunky. So, as a last resort to make some use out of the old beat up thing, I decided to try converting it to bass.
Well, with an old pair of low-tension Thomastik Infeld roundwounds, it actually plays and sounds great. No huge low end, but it has a really pleasant midrange punch and the Thomastiks tame the ugly overtones I was getting out of it with guitar strings. Outdoors it won't quite keep up with a dreadnought 6er, but indoors it definitely does. So it's perfect for late-night living-room jams. As others have stated, using a pick helps greatly with volume, even though I don't use one often when I play electric. Without a pick it's still perfect for playing alone on the couch or in the garden on a nice sunny afternoon. In any case, super fun and I couldn't be happier with how it turned out!
But yeah, competing with a guitarist and violinist at a campfire will be tough without at least a guitarron or a 1/2 size upright bass (not literally half the size of a normal upright, but slightly scaled down). Both of which I have owned and enjoyed but let go due to how much room they took up in my car when I was moving around the country after college.

 

[brother21]

Work on banjo or mando for campfire jams you don't need a bass.

 

[Yellow Bang66]

looking for an acoustic bass loud enough to compete with a guitar/violin player at a bonfire so far haven't found anything. It's a pain bringing a double bass just for fun little jam sessions thanks in advance.

I found one cheap on ebay a few years ago. a washburn ab10 for less than $100 bux. I got it because im lazy & wanted to practice more with out a lot of setting up, and I had a bad habit of laying down while playing. I have not had any major problems with mine, as for loudness, I suggest getting a small practice amp also. My brother loves my acoustic, he thinking of getting a Kala mini bass, but he doesnt like the rubbery strings!

 

[B-Mac]

Well folks---this just showed up at Bernunzio's..... Lyon & Healy Style G 2089 Monster Bass Guitar

Booty Bass!

 

[B-Mac]

I have 2 and with little battery amp no problem View attachment 3870610

How do you like the Gear4Music basses? I'e been looking at their basses and I am definitely intrigued. Been thinking about the black version of the one on the right.
Dang that G.A.S.!

 

[rollie 55]

How do you like the Gear4Music basses? I'e been looking at their basses and I am definitely intrigued. Been thinking about the black version of the one on the right.
Dang that G.A.S.!

They are not to bad but I've had to do set ups and generally fettle with them but they are cheap so I ain't complaining. The six string in the pics I had to replace the whole of the electrics pups as well. I made it passive. There was a fault with the original electronics. If you don't mind working on them they are ok

 

[rollie 55]

Are they worth it...... IMO yes, if you get a good one. I tried the cheap Asian no name ones, to just see if I'd like playing it. After all been playing Electrics and Uprights for several decades.

I found a use for them, and enjoyed playing them. But the no-name Asian ones were junk and not loud at all, with no tone.

Then tried a couple of Deans that I bought. And had played a bunch of other models in the stores (including Fenders, Ibanez, and several others). They were OK but still lacked tone character and volume. Then did a couple of Micheal Kelly ones. Pretty and well made also, but same issue with tone character and volume.

I even played Martins, Taylors, Godins, Guilds, Breedloves, and a couple of used Tacoma Thunderchiefs. Personally the Thunderchiefs were the best, both in sound quality and volume. But they were pricey even for used.

I finally saw that Spector had copied the design of the Thunderchiefs, both in size, ladder bracing, thickness of the top and etc. And the price was not too bad even new.

I am very satisfied with my Spector Timbres. They are long scales (but Spector has added a short scale also). And tone and volume works for me. Just saying.
View attachment 3870713

Nice