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Dean Club!!!

#3,441
Gruff said:
Hello Dean fans, I'm considering buying a Dean resonator ABG. I currently have a Fender, I like the tone and the portability but it's just not loud enough in a string band. It's 2-3 hours drive so I was wondering if anyone could share any experience of the resonator models? One of my band mates thinks I'll find it too treble-y in tone. It would be a shame to drive that far and find he's right. The best alternatives I've come up with are a battery powered practice amp or a mando-cello but they come quite expensive!
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#3,442
Gruff said:
Hello Dean fans, I'm considering buying a Dean resonator ABG. I currently have a Fender, I like the tone and the portability but it's just not loud enough in a string band. It's 2-3 hours drive so I was wondering if anyone could share any experience of the resonator models? One of my band mates thinks I'll find it too treble-y in tone. It would be a shame to drive that far and find he's right. The best alternatives I've come up with are a battery powered practice amp or a mando-cello but they come quite expensive!
Click to expand...
If you're considering a Mando- Cello, try stringing your ABG to GDAE and playing Mando Chords. You aren't going to get enough volume to hold up against more then a guitar or two with an ABG playing single notes without an amp.
 
#3,443
Gruff said:
Hello Dean fans, I'm considering buying a Dean resonator ABG. I currently have a Fender, I like the tone and the portability but it's just not loud enough in a string band. It's 2-3 hours drive so I was wondering if anyone could share any experience of the resonator models? One of my band mates thinks I'll find it too treble-y in tone. It would be a shame to drive that far and find he's right. The best alternatives I've come up with are a battery powered practice amp or a mando-cello but they come quite expensive!
Click to expand...
The following TB members (not members of this club for whatever reason?) own or used to own a Dean Resonator Bass. Send them a PM and maybe they can help you if they're still around.

@slappidypoppity
Resonator

@jorgepac11
Resonator

@tekhedd
Resonator
 
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#3,444
Gruff said:
Hello Dean fans, I'm considering buying a Dean resonator ABG. I currently have a Fender, I like the tone and the portability but it's just not loud enough in a string band. It's 2-3 hours drive so I was wondering if anyone could share any experience of the resonator models? One of my band mates thinks I'll find it too treble-y in tone. It would be a shame to drive that far and find he's right. The best alternatives I've come up with are a battery powered practice amp or a mando-cello but they come quite expensive!
Click to expand...

If you want information from people who actually use ABG's and enjoy using them visit here.:thumbsup:
Acoustic bass fetish club Part 2

However, I'm not sure anyone there has a Resonator, but at least you generally won't have to deal with naysayers as everyone their is an ABG enthusiast with actual experience and realistic expectations.:whistle:

ABG's are a different animal. People will say they don't sound like a DB. Well, no kidding. They never were supposed to sound like a DB. They have their own sound whether plugged in or not plugged in. Others will say if I have to plug in I might as well play my electric slab O'Wood bass with magnetic pups...well, you certainly can but it won't sound like an ABG.

An ABG is an ABG, just like an acoustic guitar isn't an electric guitar, an ABG whether plugged in or not is not an electric bass guitar. They are a different animal and have their own sound and vibe.

You have to play an ABG differently than a slab O'Wood electric bass. The action must be high if you want to be heard unplugged. If you plan on playing with the limp wrist light touch dead fish handshake super low action style like an electric bass you'll never be heard unplugged.

If you do plug in then feedback can be an issue. A sound hole cover can help. A notch filter will work wonders.
Experiment with strings. People who do plug in swear by tape wounds either GHS or LaBella.

GHS also make a Pressure Wound Phosphor Bronze that I like for unplugged reduced string squeak playing. I use Wedgie stiff rubber pics.

ABG's are not for everyone, but I own 23, so I sort of like them. They have their own vibe and own sound.
 
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#3,445
Gruff said:
Hello Dean fans, I'm considering buying a Dean resonator ABG. I currently have a Fender, I like the tone and the portability but it's just not loud enough in a string band. It's 2-3 hours drive so I was wondering if anyone could share any experience of the resonator models? One of my band mates thinks I'll find it too treble-y in tone. It would be a shame to drive that far and find he's right. The best alternatives I've come up with are a battery powered practice amp or a mando-cello but they come quite expensive!
Click to expand...

I'd advise against the mandocello option. It's tuned CGDA at cello pitch, so you'll have to learn a vastly different tuning from standard which doesn't go low enough for a traditional bass role. For reference, a close range equivalent would be an acoustic baritone guitar tuned B to b. I think the mandocello's a fantastic instrument, but as a solution to acoustic volume it's the least practical option.
 
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#3,447
Cal03 said:
I'd advise against the mandocello option. It's tuned CGDA at cello pitch, so you'll have to learn a vastly different tuning from standard which doesn't go low enough for a traditional bass role. For reference, a close range equivalent would be an acoustic baritone guitar tuned B to b. I think the mandocello's a fantastic instrument, but as a solution to acoustic volume it's the least practical option.
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Ah, I didn't mention I also play viola and mandola - so the tuning isn't a problem. But, as with the Dean resonator, they're rare instruments and I would want to try before buying, so as you say, not really a good option. Right now, getting a small battery amp and sticking with my Fender ABG seems a sensible option, but after watching the video that @B-Mac shared, the Dean is tempting!
 
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#3,448
Dean Rhapsody 5 BBB.jpg
 
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#3,456
Jimbowhit7 said:
View attachment 4880898

Finally got the Geezer Butler Signature pickup installed on my Paramount, this thing rips! It's not as loud as I expected, but an excellent sounding pickup overall.

Here's a little demo, fingers then pick, volume and tone wide open, running through a clean setting on my Neural Parallax plugin:
gzr demo
Click to expand...
Whoa! That is awesome! Drop right in without any mods?;)

I still have Dean USA pups that I have yet to try out on my Paramount and Juggernaut.

I purchased a hot set for both and a vintage set for both.

I’ll get around to it someday!

Thanks for posting the sound clips!!! Nice playing.:thumbsup:
 
#3,457
B-Mac said:
Whoa! That is awesome! Drop right in without any mods?;)

I still have Dean USA pups that I have yet to try out on my Paramount and Juggernaut.

I purchased a hot set for both and a vintage set for both.

I’ll get around to it someday!

Thanks for posting the sound clips!!! Nice playing.:thumbsup:
Click to expand...
Yeah, it's a drop in, it's super easy if you get the whole sauterless wiring kit that comes with it, I got mine as a B stock and had to purchase a pickup wire separately, had the luthier I go to splice and sauter the end going to the pots. And thanks! The bassline is from Eyelid's Mouth by Soundgarden, simple but fun to play.
 
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