bass for acoustic portion of live set

[theophilus762]

Whats up guys?

So during the middle of our set, my band does a more chill, laid back acoustic set. The rest of our set is usually really loud with tons of energy, distorted guitars, and drums, so the acoustic part gives us and the crowd a time to catch our breaths. During this part of the set, our electric players switch to acoustic guitars, our keyboardist lays off the synths and stays on a grand piano setting, and our drummer is planning on picking up a djembe or a cajon.


(check out the teaser for our upcoming EP: Invalid Link Removed)

I know a lot of other bands do this, so I was wondering if some of you guys play a different bass during this time, and if so, what do you use?

I currently play through an 08 Fender Jazz V, into a Genz Benz Shuttlemax 12.0, into two Epifani UL410's. I'm thinking about picking up an acoustic bass, or a fretless, or an acoustic fretless. I play 5 string almost exclusively also.

Maybe the Victor Bailey 5? Maybe a fretless hollowbody? An electric upright would be really cool too, like the NS Design WAV 4, or the Dean Pace. Any experience with a Palatino VE-500?

What do you guys think? Any suggestions?

Thanks!

 

[itsalljustaride]

This sounds like a job for a Rob Allen Mouse! lol.

 

[1954bassman]

I have owned at least 15 acoustic bass guitars (ABG). I one I own now (bought in a deal to get a different bass) is an epiphone El Capitan five string fretless with GHS black tapewounds. I use the XLR out and the factory electronics. It is by far the best sounding (plugged in) ABG I have ever owned. I play it direct tough, as it has a tendency to feedback if playing load through an amp.

It is a completely different beast than playing an electric fretless.

Mark

 

[nostatic]

This sounds like a job for a Rob Allen Mouse! lol.

any RA would kill

 

[theophilus762]

any RA would kill

Man, they look incredible and i'm sure they play just as well, but I really need something sub $1k!

 

[ajn]

Man, they look incredible and i'm sure they play just as well, but I really need something sub $1k!

I have both an Rob Allen MB-2 and a Godin A4. The RA is certainly a better bass, but soundwise, the Godin will get you most of the way there at a fraction of the cost. And it has none of the feedback issues you get with an ABG.

 

[theophilus762]

I have both an Rob Allen MB-2 and a Godin A4. The RA is certainly a better bass, but soundwise, the Godin will get you most of the way there at a fraction of the cost. And it has none of the feedback issues you get with an ABG.

Just realized Godin also makes an A5. Now that might be exactly what I'm looking for!

 

[M.R. Ogle]

Dang,,, and still no sign of the Epiphone Zeniths.... I'm waiting....

 

[ajn]

Just realized Godin also makes an A5. Now that might be exactly what I'm looking for!

If you like the neck on your Jazz 5, you will probably also like the neck on the A5. Godin's necks are very similar in shape and feel to the Jazz.

 

[MrLenny1]

I've got an Godin A4 fretted for sale.

 

[FunkMetalBass]

No need for a new bass. Solo the neck pickup and play with a pick. I find the jazz has a very hollow neck sound.

 

[theophilus762]

No need for a new bass. Solo the neck pickup and play with a pick. I find the jazz has a very hollow neck sound.

I agree, but I really am looking for a whole different tone, and would love to add a fretless to the stable!

I've got an Godin A4 fretted for sale.

sorry I'm looking for 5 stringers!

 

[bassman1987]

Get a fretless P and palm-mute that sucker!

 

[HeddieMurphy]

+1 on the Godin A4s and A5s. I've been playing an A4 fretless for 2 years and have loved it all.

 

[bassbenj]

I agree, but I really am looking for a whole different tone, and would love to add a fretless to the stable!

sorry I'm looking for 5 stringers!

What I do is use my semi-hollow body Carvin AC50 fretless. It's perfect. Plays like a dream. Sound hole "look" excllent for acoustic sets but nil feedback problems. Nylon wrapped strings play like butter.Tone can be very "percusive" [fits with djembe] due to piezo or you can stuff foam under the strings and get a very passable upright imitation. Low resale on Carvin means if you find a used one, you'll be in heaven! And NO, mine is not for sale!

 

[fretlessguy]

One of these:

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I own the 4 string version in fretless, and love it. It's thin body reduces the chance of feedback and makes it feel like an electric bass instead of one of those dreadnaught sized body types.

 

[TheBasicBassist]

I do what FunkMetalBass suggested, minus the pick, though, I just play up near the neck to get a woodier tone. Perhaps try different strings? I use flats and love 'em. D'addarrio Chromes, to be precise.

 

[lomo]

Man, they look incredible and i'm sure they play just as well, but I really need something sub $1k!

Our band does the same. I usually use an ABG with a Radial PZ Pre outboard preamp that has a notch filter specifically designed to kill feedback, but it costs 300 and there is a bit of a learning curve to using it well. I also have used a Synapse fretless during this set. A good option would be a semihollow like a Jack Cassady strung with tapewounds and possibly a mute.

 

[richnota]

You could get a solidbody electric fretless but a solid body piezo would be perfect here. None of the feedback issues of a ABG and piezo basses do much more than the "upright sound"

Three classics:

Veillette minotaur custom, Turner Renaissance, Rob Allen Deep 5

 

[Phalex]

I usually play this one:

Bogdon 2 string Cardboard box bass. (I think they run around $100.00 at Bogdonmusic.com Lots of assembly required.)

Or this one:

Carvin AC50F