I used to work in a music shop that had tons of different acoustic basses. My biggest complaints about most of them are that they were big/awkward to hold and that they were much quieter than acoustic guitars. After years of trying out so many of them, I came upon an Ovation Applause AE-140. It was great! It was very comfortable and projected much louder than any other acoustic bass I've tried. It had a very punchy, mid-bassy tone.
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BEST LOW COST ACOUSTIC BASS
- Thread starter unclebass
- Start date
I have an epiphone el capitain (now out of production). I paid $400. for it. Its a decent ab for the money. Im drooling for a breedlove or a martin if i hit the lottery lol
Well,they definitley have to be amplified,but the Carvin AC series are fantastic basses,which can usually be found pretty cheap on the used market. (The 2 i've bought recently are in your pricerange)
The only other ABG I've owned was the Tacoma,and even though it had a huge body,it really didn't cut the mustard without amplification.
The only other ABG I've owned was the Tacoma,and even though it had a huge body,it really didn't cut the mustard without amplification.
Well the T Bucket is not near loud enough.. Dean is loudest..
The thunderchief is pretty loud..
WHAT DOES QC MEAN?
The thunderchief is pretty loud..
WHAT DOES QC MEAN?
"I know you have a 300-400 budget, but let me suggest something completely out of your price range."
(Rolls eyes)
(Rolls eyes)
Sorry. Should have said used Warwick Rockbass Alien. I've seen them go used in the very upper end of that range, although they are fairly few and far between. But if everyone wants to jump on my back for forgetting to say Used Rockbass, i'll understand. I was just trying to provide a beginning to a search.
If I understand the OP, he wants a ABG to play unplugged with acoustic guitars and also to use for quiet practice, and come in under $400.
This is not going to happen:
1. ABGs are not loud enough to truly be hear in even an all-acoustic setting
2. ABGs play nothing like electrics, they are pretty well a completely different animal.
3. A decent ABG under $400 is a rare find
This is not going to happen:
1. ABGs are not loud enough to truly be hear in even an all-acoustic setting
2. ABGs play nothing like electrics, they are pretty well a completely different animal.
3. A decent ABG under $400 is a rare find
You might want to look at this new item using Aquila Thundergut strings.
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It comes in Mahogany only in both fretted and lined fretless and retails around $400.00. And GoldTone is out of Titusville Florida. Available end of August???
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
It comes in Mahogany only in both fretted and lined fretless and retails around $400.00. And GoldTone is out of Titusville Florida. Available end of August???
BassHappy
Supporting Member
Geeeez, not loud enough for what?
Around a campfire or in a decent size living room the T Bucket kills. If you are having a problem in this environment (you won't) or if you are competing with 3 or more guitars - bring your battery powered Roland Cube. It will get you in.
Otherwise, you can break out your Warwick Alien, which in truth is only marginally louder than the T-Bucket. You should still bring the Roland Cube.
Just 2 cents from my direct experience.
BassHappy
www.innertainment.net
BassHappy
Supporting Member
Maybe that is my deal. I always use a pick. Plastic when I want a hard sound and felt picks for a soft sound.
I guess that is blasphemous around here, but also why my T Bucket in most informal situations is fine as far as volume.
Thanks,
BassHappy
www.innertainment.net
From what I've seen here, most people don't care who uses a pick and who doesn't.
Kind of an old thread...I wonder which bass the OP chose.
Kind of an old thread...I wonder which bass the OP chose.
I've got an Ibanez that I'm pretty satisfied with. It's a EWB30. It got a good, warm tone and a balanced projection (high notes sound as loud as low notes... but never as loud as my upright bass!!!). I tried another bass of that series (the EWB20 I guess), made with another type of wood and a different finish, that wasn't as loud. Mine as a very light finish on it that is described by Ibanez as a "low gloss, high resonance finish". And there a built-in chorus!
It's worth around 500$ new, should be within your budget, used.
It's worth around 500$ new, should be within your budget, used.
I bought an older used Ibanez AEB 10 about a year ago. 140.- with a hardshell case. I sanded down the plastic saddles and reshaped the neck to be ore like my Jass basses. The neck was a real baseball bat before. I refinishd it with liseed oil and the bass plays really well now. action like my Fenders and no buzz.Got some Elixir Nano's on it and a piece of foam( I use it to play Latin music ) Amazing how good it sounds on a Marc Anthony tune. tons of punch no feedback and that's with trap drummer in a 5 piece band .I have one of those plugs for the soundhole but have never needed it.
Originally i bought it for the look ( It looks quieter ) restaurant owners seem to like 'quiet" but It turned out to be a really good addition to the band.
Not plugged it is less impressive but good enough to sit on the porch and practice.
Originally i bought it for the look ( It looks quieter ) restaurant owners seem to like 'quiet" but It turned out to be a really good addition to the band.
Not plugged it is less impressive but good enough to sit on the porch and practice.
