I have been thinking about buying an ABG for some time, but i heard that they aren't worth buying. Does anyone know of any nice ones that are worth getting?
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Acoustic Basses
- Thread starter Nzerega
- Start date
I managed to find a Washburn AB-35 last year. Absolutely love it. Those are pretty rare. I have an Epiphone El Capitan 4 also, but I'll probly sell it. Doubt I'll ever use it again.
The thing about Acoustics is that they HAVE to be amped when playing with guitars. They won't cut thru the mix without it. Also good to have a volume pedal. Feedback tends to be a problem. I sold a Washburn AB-20 because of the feedback problems I had with it (although it was probly my fault).
The thing about Acoustics is that they HAVE to be amped when playing with guitars. They won't cut thru the mix without it. Also good to have a volume pedal. Feedback tends to be a problem. I sold a Washburn AB-20 because of the feedback problems I had with it (although it was probly my fault).
First --- I love mine. It's a great sound and it won't work without an amp. Believing otherwise is just ignorant or a defensive move.
If you haven't tried one personally, then you need to do that - road test one - or two - or a dozen.
Asking for opinions here is rife with arguments that they will or will not work in an acoustic gig.
Ignore that and try 'em at GC or someplace that has a few different models for sale that you can test yourself.
Oh yeah - get an amp.
If you haven't tried one personally, then you need to do that - road test one - or two - or a dozen.
Asking for opinions here is rife with arguments that they will or will not work in an acoustic gig.
Ignore that and try 'em at GC or someplace that has a few different models for sale that you can test yourself.
Oh yeah - get an amp.
My Tacoma THunderchief is loud enough to play along with an acoustic guitar or two but I don't think any acoustic instrument is going to be heard much over drums or anything electric.
Loved my old U-bass but it couldn't be heard over my breathing, that one needs an amp.
Feedback is an issue when amped, look for electronics with a notch filter. They really do a credible job if you can stay in one spot.
Loved my old U-bass but it couldn't be heard over my breathing, that one needs an amp.
Feedback is an issue when amped, look for electronics with a notch filter. They really do a credible job if you can stay in one spot.
played most every one i could get my hands on. Ma favorites were:
Pretty much anything Ibanez makes
Fender Kingman
Michael Kelly anything, and i plan on buying one soon.
Pretty much anything Ibanez makes
Fender Kingman
Michael Kelly anything, and i plan on buying one soon.
Most interesting one I've seen lately is the Rigel, covered in this thread ....
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/got-new-rigel-abg-check-out-802738/
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/got-new-rigel-abg-check-out-802738/
I've owned a couple of acoustic basses but ultimately realized that unplugged they were good only for playing by yourself and practice. Plus, they were just too damn big.
I recently picked up a cheapie used BeaverCreek Traveller acoustic bass. It's still loud enough to play by yourself without an amp and plugged in sounds better than either of the ABGs I had.
What's your budget and intended use?
Are you going to gig this bass or sit in the back yard, perhaps take it camping?
I have a Washburn AB-34 that I bought 8 years ago. I brought it out recently just to get some time on it. It is a great bass that has Labella nylons on it. I don't play it much and am thinking of selling it someday.
I have one, thought I'd use it more, it's been sitting in its case quite a bit. It's a decent Takamine, but I really need to put some bass flats on it. Those bronze rounds that come on a lot of these basses just sound horrible to my ears.
And Joe is right, I wouldn't even consider using it unplugged.
And Joe is right, I wouldn't even consider using it unplugged.
Being able to work on songs sitting in front of my computer late at night, quietly without an amp, is a revelation.
I've been working on a friend's Ibanez AEB and now that it's done will sorely miss it for this reason.
May take it into the studio next week just in case it's needed.
I can see one in my future--they are very useful and fun.
I've been working on a friend's Ibanez AEB and now that it's done will sorely miss it for this reason.
May take it into the studio next week just in case it's needed.
I can see one in my future--they are very useful and fun.
The sound is the reason to own and play one.
For live work, yes amplify.
The stock strings on many can sound harsh.
The DR bronze while sharing the appearrance are warm and musical without the brashness.
Nylon tape wounds can give it an upright/old school tone but reduce acoustic volume.
A used Tacoma, because they are discontinued is a better bet than almost any new acoustic.
You get what you pay for.
From $600 on up you get a solid wood top. All of a sudden you get great tone. When you get to the $1000 Martin you realize why some folks play theirs everyday. Go up to the Breedlove, Larivee or Dave Maize and if you can afford them you'll never go back. From the Martin up you are getting finely crafted acoustic instruments of equal quality of their guitar cousins. The Martin has a surprisingly small body while putting out great tone.
The reissue Washburn AB 40 & 45 were designed for loud stage gigging while giving you wonderful acoustic tone.
Another consideration is your use. Are you after an outstanding instrument that sounds perfect with no dead spots and plays like butter? Are you looking for a campfire beach bass that will suffer 90° on its front and 30° on its back simultaneously and could be stepped in by a drunked friend?
For live work, yes amplify.
The stock strings on many can sound harsh.
The DR bronze while sharing the appearrance are warm and musical without the brashness.
Nylon tape wounds can give it an upright/old school tone but reduce acoustic volume.
A used Tacoma, because they are discontinued is a better bet than almost any new acoustic.
You get what you pay for.
From $600 on up you get a solid wood top. All of a sudden you get great tone. When you get to the $1000 Martin you realize why some folks play theirs everyday. Go up to the Breedlove, Larivee or Dave Maize and if you can afford them you'll never go back. From the Martin up you are getting finely crafted acoustic instruments of equal quality of their guitar cousins. The Martin has a surprisingly small body while putting out great tone.
The reissue Washburn AB 40 & 45 were designed for loud stage gigging while giving you wonderful acoustic tone.
Another consideration is your use. Are you after an outstanding instrument that sounds perfect with no dead spots and plays like butter? Are you looking for a campfire beach bass that will suffer 90° on its front and 30° on its back simultaneously and could be stepped in by a drunked friend?
+1
I've had bad luck and generally uneven results with AEB's below that price point.
YMMV
