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Boulder Creek acoustic basses?

#2
I am curious too, I just went for a Tacoma fretless which I like and will play OK with two acoustic guitars unamplified. Only thing is they dont make them in the usa any more and they seem fragile. Seems like Boulder Creek has a solitaire model for playing yourself and a Stage and Studio model for performing. Curious where they are made and how loud they are, as well as how sturdy. Harmony reviews only the guitars, and no one knows where they are made.
 
#3
Seems to me that if they were made in North America, that would be a highly advertised feature. Some aspects of their ad copy just give me a feeling that they are manufactured offshore, and probably over the Pacific...
 
#4
I got to noodle acoustically on a fretless 4 and a 5 at a local store for just a few minutes. Some rough impressions...

Seemed on the louder side of the ABGs I've played. Could be the side pointing soundhole fooling me, it was nice. Both had nice tones, I preferred the fretless, seemed a little darker. B string on the 5 did a decent job, not too floppy.

Construction seemed good; I'm no expert but it looked OK to me. Attractive woods to my eyes. The satin finish felt nice and thin. Overall, felt good in the hands. I didn't get a fragile impression that fished did with the Tacoma. I didn't get the chance to try them out plugged in.

If I remember correctly, made in Korea. Maybe a little pricey for my cheapskate tendencies, I'm remembering them both being north of $600. Probably worth the money though; as usual try before you buy.

One hesitation. The Suspended Bracing System seems an interesting concept and I agree with the idea of getting the top to vibrate more. They use aluminum rods with plastic holders bonded to the underside of the top to accomplish this. The plastic is "stronger than wood but more flexible" according to Boulder Creek; I wonder about its (and the adhesive's) longevity. The acoustics, in my limited experience, sound better as they age.

Overall, thumbs up. Good impressions from just a few minutes play.

=wr=
 
#5
I'm probably the poster from Boulder Creek and this is the first time I've heard of this company. It looks like they're located in Morgan Hill which is south of San Jose.

Wally

lushfreak said:
Anyone have any experience with Boulder Creek acoustic basses?

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=557865

I tried searching the forums and only came up with a bunch of posts by a member who's location is Boulder Creek, CA.

For a little more context about why I'm curious, here's another post I just made: http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=557865

Thanks!
Click to expand...
 
#8
FWIW the review of the Boulder Creek Solitaire ECR3-N from Guitar Buyer Review (found on Boulder Creek's website) states "Built in China." Invalid Link Removed
Anyways, the basses remind me of my Ribbecke Bobby Vega bass which I love to death.
 
#9
I live in Morgan Hill and know a guy who if I'm not mistaken is a co-owner of Morgan Hill Music - the company that designs and puts out the Boulder Creek line of acoustic guitars and several other accessory products. He's not the designer, but is a solid guy (and bass player) that also owns two small music stores in the area. He showed me their acoustic bass last year and I thought it was pretty nice. If memory serves correct, it sounded nice and warm with surprisingly loud acoustic volume considering the interesting and small sound hole design. Nice build quality. Not boutique level, but for $600 or so, very good. Easy to play. Maybe a bit heavy. I did not get a chance to play it amplified, but my impressions were positive. I might head down tomorrow and see if he can possibly loan me one to try out on a gig. If I can make that happen, I'll be happy to provide a players review.
 
#10
Their whole thing about X bracing being pre-Civil War technology and their new SBS being revolutionary is funny. They still use X bracing along with their SBS.

Seems to me that on the basses, the main soundhole is in the perfect position to be covered up by your arm when you're playing sitting down. When standing, it probably won't be bloked by your arm.

They may be very nice sounding guitars. They just need some work on their marketing copy.

The best way to find out if you like one is to try one out.
 
#11
I've played a couple in a local music store (More Music, Santa Cruz, CA), and I can state that they are some of the best ABG's available. They are comfortable and very well-made. The only ABG that I've encountered that tops it is the Thunderchief. It definitely has better tone and volume, and in my opinion better feel than Michael Kelly's. I highly recommend them, although I haven't been able to justify the price for myself.
 
#12
I am looking at puchasing the 4 string koa model. I played it for a bit last week and was pleased with the tone and volume. It is appealing to look at and felt nice and solid. I also played a takamine eg512cfg which was nice too. I dont think they make this bass anymore. It has a spruce top with maple back and sides.

Does anyone own either of these basses? How do they sit in an accoustic mix volmue wise?
 
#13
allenhumble said:
I am looking at puchasing the 4 string koa model. I played it for a bit last week and was pleased with the tone and volume. It is appealing to look at and felt nice and solid. I also played a takamine eg512cfg which was nice too. I dont think they make this bass anymore. It has a spruce top with maple back and sides.

Does anyone own either of these basses? How do they sit in an accoustic mix volmue wise?
Click to expand...

I'll be able to give some impressions in a few days or so. I should be getting one tomorrow. (FEDEX willing) If its
workable, I'll use it Sunday night.
 
#15
allenhumble said:
Thank you. Which model did you purchase?
Click to expand...

I got the EBR3-N4. It arrived yesterday. I haven't had much time to spend with it. Some initial impressions are...

It has a VERY good plugged in tone. I'm always sceptical of the preamps they put in ABG's. This bass sounds big, fat, and full, with a warmer tone than most of the laminated ABG's I've played. The eq section actually works quite well.

The neck profile feels good. I don't know if the neck is set in a bit more than some, but it feels a little easier to get to the first fret. Overall, the body shape is good and the materials look good although the edges of the body are rather sharp.

I'll know more when it settles in a little and I get over to my tech to do a good set up.
 
#17
I owned both the Fretted and the fretless Boulder Creek Basses for about a year. The EBR-NB4 and EBR3-N4F, both Mahogany with Cedar tops.They are fantastic. I like the Tacoma Thunderchief just a bit better. I Felt the Thunderchief has just a bit more punch. But the boulder creeks have a very nice big warm tome, they they have very good volume and they "sing" a lot more than most other acoustic Basses. The difference in punch might somewhat come down to stings, I had Acousitcores on my fretted. I thought the boulder creek basses where very well made, beautiful instruments. I am kicking my self for selling them. I want to get another acoustic. I am leaning towards a Fretless Tocama. But I am curious about the Koa Boulder Creek and now they have one with an Ebony freeboard, that could be cool.

allenhumble - Could you say more about the Koa Boulder Creek? Have you played a Tacoma? I am criosue how they compare. I also like takamine Basses.
 
#18
I have been playing one about 5 months now and couldn't be happier with it acoustically and playability wise. The only thing I ever struggle with is that it is so acoustically dynamic that it will feedback with my bands stage volume. It is controllable by selecting the frequencies on a good eq and removing them. Even doing that, it still sounds fantastic. Of course, now that the electic chanmbered and unchambered basses are coming out, I will be using a different Boulder Creek for those electric full band shows. Played those at Summer NAMM last week and loved the 5 string chambered bass. Played super great and had good tone as well. Looks awesome and well made.
 
#19
BigBeatNut said:
Any updates ? These look quite interesting.

Andy
Click to expand...

I've had my Boulder Creek EBR3-N4 for a few months now. My uses for this bass my not be the same as everyone else, or as they say "your mileage may vary".

First. The preamp on this bass still blows me away. It just has the right eq points and features. Most preamps in ABG's seem like an after thought, mainly made for guitars. Not so with the BC basses. Love the preamp and output options. (xlr or 1/4in)

I just read someone say they had an issue with feedback. I've found it to be just the opposite. I don't know if its the body construction or sound hole placement, or the preamp, but I can get this puppy louder than any other ABG I've played. I REALLY like having a sound hole on the top rib of the bass.

Acoustically, its louder than all the regular brand basses I've played, (Tak, Ibanez, etc) with a bigger sound.
That sound is big, warm, and organic. You can really fill out a mix with this bass. But it may not be a sound for everyone.... like me. We all have a sound in our head we're trying to get with our gear. As big and loud as this bass is acoustically, I never use mine acoustically. Its either in the board or amp. I've actually been thinking about moving on for a few months. Its hard for me to sell a "good" bass, but its just not my sound. Every time I use it I get great compliments on the tone and the balance is great. I'm still wrestling with it.

Anyway, the Boulder Creeks are (in my opinion) a real step up in tone and quality from most others on the market. Certainly up with Tacoma, Breedlove, etc. And when you consider the cost, not very much more money than the lower end basses.
 

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