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Anyone out there playing a Taylor Acoustic?

Discussion in 'Basses [BG]' started by Molan, Nov 19, 2005.

  1. Nov 19, 2005 #1
    Molan

    Molan

    Dec 13, 2003
    Oxfordshire, UK
    I have a hankering for an acoustic and, once I've sold another guitar (where have you heard that before!), I'll have a decent budget for something nice.

    I really like the "look" of the Taylor acoustics but they are as rare as hen's teeth over here in the UK :crying:

    Just wondered if there are any players out there that'd like to venture some opinions on them?

    I'm looking for something that's playable along the lines of a regular quality electric bass - low action, nice feel etc as well as a good solid sound.

    I would be mainly playing at home alone or with a friend on his acoustic six string.


    And yes, I did search on "acoustic bass" and "Taylor" but didn't really find what I was looking for!
     
  2. Nov 19, 2005 #2
    Ian Perge

    Ian Perge

    May 11, 2001
    Evansville, Indiana
    I don't own one (yet) but I've had the opportunity to play a friend's AB-4 a few times (he's a "pro" in the highest sense of the word, and has recorded extensively with it and his previous AB-1) and feel I can give my opinion decently.

    I would say the Taylor ABs would quality in all of your requirements, as well as surpassing them in the "good solid sound" department - for my money, the ABs are tonally the best sounding ABGs made yet. The neck is very "Jazz-like" in both width and depth, and the body is more comfortable than the dimensions would make you think due to the tapering from the top to bottom. The one negative people bring up that I would agree with is that it's not the loudest ABG on the market (the Tacomas pretty much have that locked in) but I much rather have a nuanced, "pretty" tone that simple volume. I'm also of the mindset that no ABG can truly work unamplified in a setting with acoustic guitars, nevermind a small drum kit in the mix, so I'd use a small combo in any "acoustic" gig.

    I've also heard that the Klein mods of reworking the bracing (apparently Taylor though them too "unsturdy" for a production bass and thickened them for shipping, but in the process cut down on the vibration of the top) make for an even better sounding instrument, but it might not be worth it given the costs and shipping to/from the UK.

    A good place to hear one in action is here or on Beller's solo album "View". His Taylor is all over it, including 3 solo acoustic tracks, and the bass itself led to the writing of the song "No" and the very notion that he could write solo music.

    The best way I can sum it up is that is you have the means and opportunity to pick one up, I'd say "go for it!" I have neither the means nor the opportunity, but one day I hope to say the same. :smug:
     
  3. Nov 19, 2005 #3
    Molan

    Molan

    Dec 13, 2003
    Oxfordshire, UK
    That is a great link!

    Thanks so much for the advice and the directions to someone actually playing one - what more could I ask. . . . .
     
  4. Nov 19, 2005 #4
    Munjibunga

    Munjibunga Retired Member

    May 6, 2000
    San Diego (when not at Groom Lake)
    Independent Contractor to Bass San Diego
    As much as that huge body looks like it'd put out tons of sound, it doesn't. Frankly, the much less expensive and arguably uglier Tacoma ABGs sound a lot better to me, with a richer, fuller, louder tone. I coveted the Taylor for some time and played many of them, but they just don't ring like some of the others. Also, they're not made any more.