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Acustic bass?
- Thread starter MMStingRay
- Start date
I played an Olympia next to a Thunderchief, and it was really dissappointing. Sure it's big, but the Olympia wasn't nearly as loud. My guess is that it's heavily braced and overbuilt to remain stable during overseas shipment. It also had a really thick gloss finish, and I'm sure that wasn't helping.
My overall impression was "ick".
The Tacoma, on the other hand, is a great bass. They make 'em just down the street from us.
My overall impression was "ick".
The Tacoma, on the other hand, is a great bass. They make 'em just down the street from us.
While on tour my band would usually stop at the local GC or music shop and fiddle around untill the gig. This gave me a whole summer to try instruments. The one thing I noticed is that, espiecally with acoustic instruments, the sound from serial number to serial number can vary greatly. I've played on $1400 basses that sounded like crap and $350 basses that sounded awesome as well as vice versa. Even two identical instruments, same company, model, and finish can sound completely different. I have played some that would cut through 2 acoustic guitars and others that would be overpowered by a ukelele detuned a step and a half and played with wet cardboard.
I have played some of the Ibanez ABGs and did find them suprisingly loud even with the smaller body. I saw this a double +; not to bulky, has projection. Also they're not too expensive.
I've been looking into getting an ABG since then(btw I am also a DB player). However I, being a full time student, am sufficently lacking in the $$$$ dept.
(btw the bass in your avatar looks pretty sweet bwbass
)
I have played some of the Ibanez ABGs and did find them suprisingly loud even with the smaller body. I saw this a double +; not to bulky, has projection. Also they're not too expensive.
I've been looking into getting an ABG since then(btw I am also a DB player). However I, being a full time student, am sufficently lacking in the $$$$ dept.
(btw the bass in your avatar looks pretty sweet bwbass
)
Andy Brown
Commercial User
- Jul 23, 2004
- 5,675
- 312
- Disclosures
- Founder/Owner: Wing Instruments
You should try a headphone amp. I use one all the time if I can't be near my rig. You can go either higher-end like the Cafe Walter, or a little lower end like the PocketRockit.
Let bring it back, old school style...
Anyone had experience with Fender BG31 or Fender GB29.
I am thinking about buying one of those but um, I couldn't find one in local store to try it out so I've been waiting and waiting for one to show up so i can try it out... So far it's been a year and only thing I've seen in local stores have been Dean basses (actually I think it's been the same Dean acoustic bass that's been there for a year, i understand why they don't stock Acoustic basses...
). Don't get me wrong, i love deans, my first bass is a dean edge 4 and i still play it the most. Just not sure about the acoustic dean and really want to try out fender or Takamine but hell if i could find one of those...
Something with Acoustic dean that just doesn't sit right with me. I might be wrong though, it's not bad...
mmmm
Only problem i have with acoustics as far as style goes is i rest my thumb on the pick up not on the string. So for me it's very inconvenient not having that place to rest my thumb on... Will have to do some MacGyver on it i suppose, or get used resting my thumb in E string... eeww
Anyone had experience with Fender BG31 or Fender GB29.
I am thinking about buying one of those but um, I couldn't find one in local store to try it out so I've been waiting and waiting for one to show up so i can try it out... So far it's been a year and only thing I've seen in local stores have been Dean basses (actually I think it's been the same Dean acoustic bass that's been there for a year, i understand why they don't stock Acoustic basses...
). Don't get me wrong, i love deans, my first bass is a dean edge 4 and i still play it the most. Just not sure about the acoustic dean and really want to try out fender or Takamine but hell if i could find one of those...Something with Acoustic dean that just doesn't sit right with me. I might be wrong though, it's not bad...
mmmm
Only problem i have with acoustics as far as style goes is i rest my thumb on the pick up not on the string. So for me it's very inconvenient not having that place to rest my thumb on... Will have to do some MacGyver on it i suppose, or get used resting my thumb in E string... eeww
ABG's are fun, although I would say I haven't played one that knocked my socks off yet. I'm sure my post-Lotto Rob Allen purchase will change all that.
As far as lower cost ABG's, actually, the best one I ever played is no longer in production - the old Kramer Ferringtons. I used to love those.
As far as lower cost ABG's, actually, the best one I ever played is no longer in production - the old Kramer Ferringtons. I used to love those.
Nice, that's what i was thinking of doing... had no idea they made those things though, was thinking about making one myself... This will be much easier...
That's a beautiful bass btw... I think once my job switches from part time to full time with hopefully a lot of overtime I am going to go for it and get the Fender. 
I've never played an acoustic bass I have liked. The sound is not even close to being loud enough to be heard over an acoustic 6 string or 2. Why bother unless you want to use a pick and strup as hard as hell to be heard around a campfire or something.
I have tried the Fender Victor Bailey, a Martin and a couple of Ibanez basses that were brutaly tone challenged.
If I was going to buy one I would likely get a Michael Kelly as they at least look cool and aren't $1000+.
I have tried the Fender Victor Bailey, a Martin and a couple of Ibanez basses that were brutaly tone challenged.
If I was going to buy one I would likely get a Michael Kelly as they at least look cool and aren't $1000+.
Nice, that's what i was thinking of doing... had no idea they made those things though, was thinking about making one myself... This will be much easier...
Thanks for the kind words. Also, something to think about is that it may be a little more difficult to secure a thumbrest to a wood-topped bass. If you plan on never taking it off, you should be alright. Since mine is aluminum, I didn't really have to worry about damaging the finish like I would have if I tried what I did on a traditional ABG. Just a little food for thought. Anyway, good luck with the job and enjoy that Fender.
Thanks for the kind words. Also, something to think about is that it may be a little more difficult to secure a thumbrest to a wood-topped bass. If you plan on never taking it off, you should be alright. Since mine is aluminum, I didn't really have to worry about damaging the finish like I would have if I tried what I did on a traditional ABG. Just a little food for thought. Anyway, good luck with the job and enjoy that Fender.
Hehe, I am not the type to sell my basses... I get attached to them way too easy...
anyone played the iabnez AEB8E?
i have an upright and ebass, but i want sth i can take to the park (and still take a basketball with me or sth, or ride a bike)
so i decided to go with a aeb (i tried the johnsons but wasnt pleased and wanted one with a cutaway for some chords stuff)
.....and..... if you play upright you hear it "better" if your some steps away (not next to it)..... cant this also be the same thing with eab's?
i have an upright and ebass, but i want sth i can take to the park (and still take a basketball with me or sth, or ride a bike)
so i decided to go with a aeb (i tried the johnsons but wasnt pleased and wanted one with a cutaway for some chords stuff)
.....and..... if you play upright you hear it "better" if your some steps away (not next to it)..... cant this also be the same thing with eab's?
How manynof these types of comments are posted by those who've tried an ABG?
I've seen these comments in past similar posts and I don't get it. It's like saying "why use an acoustic guitar if you have to amplify it?" Totally different sound, folks.
An ABG is not a UB or an EB. It is it's own animal with, hence, its own niche.
When I played with an acoustic "hillbilly jazz" outfit I had a nice ABG made by Vester that I played through an old Traynor Bassmate tube amp (25 watts). The match was perfect for that nice, woody thump. I couldn't afford a string bass and an electric, even fretless, would not have cut it. Plus, the look was better suited for the band.
Relax!
I just sold a Washburn AB10 on Ebay for about $240. You can get 'em new for about $550. Damn fine bass. Great quality, especially for a Washburn.
I am finding that a lot of it is in the playing style. You tend to want to play it like an electric with the fingers at first, and no wonder it gets drowned out. ABG's , fretted ones anyway, need to be played with a heavy pick, aggressively with the phosphour bronze, and the tone really jumps out.
I am finding it makes a good kind of baritone voice to have the ABG in the mix, picking and chording, and an upright bass beneath it. Country funk.
I am finding it makes a good kind of baritone voice to have the ABG in the mix, picking and chording, and an upright bass beneath it. Country funk.
i own the Takamine and the sound is loud. the action might be a little high for some and the electronics could be better when playing loud through a amp. But besides those two, the gold frets are sweet and the tone is bright and punchy. Beautiful inlays around the sound hole and great craftsmanship.
and besides, whatever you get, you can finally play bass where ever you want with your acoustic guitar friends.
and besides, whatever you get, you can finally play bass where ever you want with your acoustic guitar friends.
