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cheap decent acoustic bass

drewphishesp

drewphishesp

Feb 14, 2017
3,831
2,997
#1
SO I tried a uke bass.

The strings and scale just don't work for me. Returned it.

Looking for an acoustic bass to practice w downstairs on the couch, also to take camping/friends houses/outside on my deck

dont wanna spend alot bc itll basically be a beater

any suggestions?
 
#2
Sounds like a description of the Dean ABGs - big body and about as much low end volume as you can expect spending less than $1K... ...not sure which model(s), others here are more familiar than me, I'm sure someone will chime in.
 
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#4
jaybones said:
I was thinking Dean when I saw the thread tittle.

Don't have one, but am looking at the exotica series.
Click to expand...
Yup, that's the one I was trying to think of, couldn't remember the name - several people on here have reported good results with the Dean Exoticas. They're probably as good as anything you can get in that price range. Won't be able to keep up with even a couple of acoustic guitars without amplification, that's just the nature of the beast (there are ABGs that can; they're big, rare, and expensive).
 
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#5
I bought my Exotica for $250 with an ABS case, used…incredible plugged-in tone but not very loud at all unplugged, in part because I got rid of the horrible bronze-wound syrings.
Simple truth is, the cheaper Dean ABG is louder unplugged because of the jumbo body, but the electronics in the Exoticas (older models with the Aphex system) are so far superior that I wouldn't even consider any other accoustic bass, yeah, not even an Earthwood.
I simply bought a battery-powered Roland Micro Cube.
If you're not planning on plugging in, the bigger Dean would be a better deal.
 
Last edited:
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#7
jd56hawk said:
I bought my Exotica for $250 with an ABS case, used…incredible plugged-in tone but not very loud at all unplugged, in part because I got rid of the horrible bronze-wound syrings.
Simple truth is, the cheaper Dean ABG is louder unplugged because of the jumbo body, but the electronics in the Exoticas (older models with the Aphex system) are so far superior that I wouldn't even consider sny other accoustic bass, yeah, not even an Earthwood.
I simply bought a battery-powered Roland Micro Cube.
If you're not planning on plugging in, the bigger Dean would be a better deal.
Click to expand...
Hehe, ok, I'll take that challenge, but not with my Earthwood, with the new Emerald Balor. Mmmmmmm. Acoustic tone and volume that can compete with the big boys, and plugged in tone to die for. Of course, it was just ever so slightly more expensive than a Dean... ;)
 
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#8
drewphishesp said:
SO I tried a uke bass.

The strings and scale just don't work for me. Returned it.

Looking for an acoustic bass to practice w downstairs on the couch, also to take camping/friends houses/outside on my deck

dont wanna spend alot bc itll basically be a beater

any suggestions?
Click to expand...

I bought one just for that, Fender CB 60 SCE, works great and it is not expensive. The body is the same size as a guitar, you can play on the couch easily. Scale is 32" and the top wood is solid wood. I think it's perfect for what I want it to do.
 
#9
I bought a "Grand" acoustic bass at a pawn shop about 13 years ago. It was beaten to heck, scratched and had little cracks. Cost me $40.
It is a full size bass and holds tune well. I can plug it in if I want. I think they cost $135 new. It would be worth it if I bought it new.
 
#10
bholder said:
Hehe, ok, I'll take that challenge, but not with my Earthwood, with the new Emerald Balor. Mmmmmmm. Acoustic tone and volume that can compete with the big boys, and plugged in tone to die for. Of course, it was just ever so slightly more expensive than a Dean... ;)
Click to expand...
Yes, but I would be afraid to play that at open mic night or some of the bigger venues I have lined up.
If I had one in red, though, I would sure enjoy getting to know it!

This tone does it for me.
(Headphones are suggested)
 
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#11
jd56hawk said:
Yes, but I would be afraid to play that at open mic night or some of the bigger venues I have lined up.
If I had one in red, though, I would sure enjoy getting to know it!

This tone does it for me.
(Headphones are suggested)
Click to expand...

Playing with a pick always helps the acoustic volume too (not that it matters in this case since you're plugged in). Yeah, that's not a bad sound for a live recording. Interesting tune. :)
 
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#12
I was accused on facebook of only pretending to play along with the original video.
By the way, my pick.
261dfle.png
 
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#19
Another option to consider - the original Epiphone El Capitan, the one without the cutaway, is reportedly pretty loud acoustically. Even the latter cutaway ones are better than most inexpensive ABGs. Not sure if they come with pickups or not.
 
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