Should be able to snag a used Takamine EG512 in that range.
Check ebay and the TB classifieds.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
BEST LOW COST ACOUSTIC BASS
- Thread starter unclebass
- Start date
Should be able to snag a used Takamine EG512 in that range.
Check ebay and the TB classifieds.
I will 3rd the Dean's. I have a Performer CE that is worth well more than what I paid. Good action, intonation, and live sound.
I've got an epiphone El capitan (without the cutaway) that I paid around $150 in or around 2000... I was looking at the Washburn AB-10, an ovation and a fender that were all priced about the same as each other, around $400 give or take (please don't hold me to those numbers... It was quite a few years ago) I stumbled upon the epi and almost didn't even pick it up, I was a bit of a gear snob back then. It had the loudest, clearest E string of any AB I had played! And the price was unbeatable! It's got a nice little preamp (I think it's a pre, I can play it straight into the mixer) with 1/4" and xlr outs. Lately I've been playing the new Fender Kingman and considering trading up, but he the Kingman is a bit more expensive.
Im not a fan of acoustic electric basses for decent size shows. Even when we play acoustic sets I play electric because most acoustics feedback like crazy with any real volume. That said dean and ibanez make acoustics for like 200-300 that are great for sitting on the couch practicing and are decent enough for completely unplugged shows where the bass is not going through a pa or bass amp. The warwick alien is the best sounding acoustic electric bass I've heard but if its not going to be your primary instrument I wouldn't spend that much. Even the Rockbass alien models are expensive
I had a Dean for a little while. It was a very nice bass for the money. I don't want to discourage you from buying one but I bought one for the same reason and personally discovered that after the novelty of it wore off, I kept going back to my electric because I could get a lot better tone from it.
I have owned 2: a five-string Ibanez ABG305, with a 32" scale. I put LaBella tapewounds on it, and it had a decent sound, but only amplified. I gigged with a folkie band back then, and bought it mostly for the look of an acoustic instrument (we had fiddles and banjos and mandolins and whatnot). I traded it off because, apart from that look, it wasn't a very satisfactory bass. Later I found a used Martin B-1, which I tried to use for a strictly acoustic group outdoors (one guitar, tambourine, and me) and after a song I hung it up and played my Dobro instead. Just not enough there. It was OK amplified, but my Precisions sound so much better.
Get a small amp. Most of them are unsatisfactory, too, but you might find one that works in the context of your group. I've tried the Pignose Hog 30 and a Ibanez, and both were lacking in real bottom and in flexibility. My Genz-Benz Shuttle 3.0-10t is pretty good, but they are a bit on the pricey side. Good luck.
Get a small amp. Most of them are unsatisfactory, too, but you might find one that works in the context of your group. I've tried the Pignose Hog 30 and a Ibanez, and both were lacking in real bottom and in flexibility. My Genz-Benz Shuttle 3.0-10t is pretty good, but they are a bit on the pricey side. Good luck.
Dean is a decent acoustic - BUT - they have serious QC issues. If you can get a tryout period do it. You may need to try several before you get a decent one.
I work in a store and had 2 Dean 5 string acoustics shipped in. BOTH were un playable. We did what we could with them but they were just crappy. We finally sent the worse of the 2 back when things started moving. The replacement was a totally different level of instrument. Still inexpensive, but fit and finish were decent and the electronics were fully functional. The original 2 sat around for over a year with no interest after they were picked up. I tried hard to like them but just couldn't do it, they were total rubbish.
The replacement bass sold in 10 days. I got 1 chance to play it and it was gone the next time I looked for it.
If you can get a decent one, they are worth the money, but be prepared to send it back.
I work in a store and had 2 Dean 5 string acoustics shipped in. BOTH were un playable. We did what we could with them but they were just crappy. We finally sent the worse of the 2 back when things started moving. The replacement was a totally different level of instrument. Still inexpensive, but fit and finish were decent and the electronics were fully functional. The original 2 sat around for over a year with no interest after they were picked up. I tried hard to like them but just couldn't do it, they were total rubbish.
The replacement bass sold in 10 days. I got 1 chance to play it and it was gone the next time I looked for it.
If you can get a decent one, they are worth the money, but be prepared to send it back.
I have a used Dean Playmate 4 string non-cutaway. It is a decent bass for playing acoustic, but the electronics are terrible. I got it used on the cheap and is just for practice without an amp around the house. The action and intonation is great on it.
RedLeg
Supporting Member
i have great experience with a boulder creek 5 string ABG. we used one to go caroling on post in Germany and that thing could be heard with some phos-bronse strings and a pick. simply a fantastic bass.
BassHappy
Supporting Member
For my nickel - really hard to beat the Fender T-Bucket Bass for a cool $399 new. Have Sweetwater pick you out a nice one.
Much more here:
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/TBBass3TS
and here:
http://www.innertainment.net/tbucket.html
i love mine, perfect for the beach or around the campfire.
Much more here:
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/TBBass3TS
and here:
http://www.innertainment.net/tbucket.html
i love mine, perfect for the beach or around the campfire.
Those T-Buckets are cool. Nice finish/colors on those.
There is something nice about having an acoustic around to play with on occasion. There's currently a Fender acoustic in the classifieds that the T-Bucket replaced in the Fender lineup.
There is something nice about having an acoustic around to play with on occasion. There's currently a Fender acoustic in the classifieds that the T-Bucket replaced in the Fender lineup.
I've get a beautiful tone with my Jasmine acoustic. I'm certain it's an ES50C. The pickup is the passive type so an active DI tends to help a lot when mixing in because of the weaker signal, but again the tone is beautiful. I'm certain one day I'll get someone to put in a better pickup system, but it's hard when that will cost more than the bass, LOL.
I was in your same exact boat a little over a year ago.
I needed a cost effective ABG that could somewhat be heard with two other guitarists.
I've owned:
Applause AE40
I tried:
Dean EAB
Ibanez EAB5E
Ibanez EAB10E
I bought and returned
Ibanez EAB10BBE Horrible QC issues. See below
After this horrible experience, and not being jazzed about the other offerings I played, I tried purchased this one.
My review:
http://www.amazon.com/Takamine-Seri...r_1_10_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1
Let us know what you end up buying!
I needed a cost effective ABG that could somewhat be heard with two other guitarists.
I've owned:
Applause AE40
I tried:
Dean EAB
Ibanez EAB5E
Ibanez EAB10E
I bought and returned
Ibanez EAB10BBE Horrible QC issues. See below
After this horrible experience, and not being jazzed about the other offerings I played, I tried purchased this one.
My review:
http://www.amazon.com/Takamine-Seri...r_1_10_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1
Let us know what you end up buying!
As an Amazon Associate, TalkBass may receive commissions from qualifying purchases made via links on this site.
I don't think any of them will be loud enough small gatherings, or to be heard when played with guitars, without an amp.
Thunderchief is supposed to be pretty good acoustically meaning able to actually hear it.
Expensive and hard to find, but the Boulder Creek offerings are supposed to be a good rendition of the Thunderchief. I play a u-bass but not loud enough acoustically with other instruments. A new abg coming out soon to the USA is the Shortbass. There is a thread devoted to it, so it may be worth looking at.
Expensive and hard to find, but the Boulder Creek offerings are supposed to be a good rendition of the Thunderchief. I play a u-bass but not loud enough acoustically with other instruments. A new abg coming out soon to the USA is the Shortbass. There is a thread devoted to it, so it may be worth looking at.
The Thunderchief and BC are awesome, but not in the OP's budget. Thus why I never brought it up.
