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Ernie Ball Earthwood vs Guild B50

lordgamer

lordgamer

Nov 28, 2023
2
3
Los Angeles, California
#1
Greetings, my fellow TB'ers! This is my first TB post. I was wondering if there was anyone who could offer insight on the acoustic volume difference between the Guild B50 and the Ernie Ball Earthwood bass? Is one considerably louder than the other? Also, can someone who has tried both offer any information on the differences between the 6" and 8" Earthwood models?

These two are considered by many to be the golden standard of ABGs. The Earthwood basses seem to sell for considerably more than the B50 on the used market, although I believe this has more to do with its rarity. Given the current prices they are going for, I really wish they would reissue these models. Would appreciate any information you guys can provide :)
 
#2
Not the question you asked, but if you are after a large bodied acoustic, then I would include Emerald in your search.
4 string: Balor Bass 4 String - Powerful Acoustic Bass
5 string: Emerald Guitars - Balor Bass - 5 string Bass Guitar
6 string: https://www.talkbass.com/threads/lets-build-a-emerald-balor-6.1631083/

Absolutely love my Balor 5. Not having to worry about humidity control/caring for the wood is a big plus on these (full carbon fiber except for wood veneer top if you opt for one). Construction quality is excellent. Plugged in sound is excellent. Acoustic volume is decent, but not crazy loud. Expect you will find the same on the B50 and Earthwood. Balor ergonomics are very good, particularly for how large the instrument is.
 
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#4
I'm not familiar with the B50, but I can attest that the Earthwood has the most volume of any acoustic bass guitar that I've ever played. I've never owned one, but a studio where I often worked had one lying around (I think it was the 8" version) and unamplified it could actually keep up with a full band playing at low volume.
 
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#6
I had one of the giant blond Earthwood basses in 1975. It had a deep pleasant sound but was out of tune as you played up the neck. No pickup, and really not loud enough for most situations. Feeling those low notes against your body was an experience... The clownish-ly large body was kinda strange. These acoustic basses are pretty useless unless plugged into something or miced in the studio IMO. What can it do that a P bass can't do?
 
#7
Kansas said:
I had one of the giant blond Earthwood basses in 1975. It had a deep pleasant sound but was out of tune as you played up the neck. No pickup, and really not loud enough for most situations. Feeling those low notes against your body was an experience... The clownish-ly large body was kinda strange. These acoustic basses are pretty useless unless plugged into something or miced in the studio IMO. What can it do that a P bass can't do?
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Hmmm?
SC bass guitar(0).jpg

Clownishly large? Pretty useless? Strange....I play this one for money, very comfortably, and nobody complains. And where I play, a Pbass would be about as cool as training wheels on a chopper.
 
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#8
I've had both but not at the same time, I still have a b50. Like the earthwood it keeps up with actual acoustic instruments with some actual bass. Not an upright amount but it has its vibe.

I've had the others in this discussion as well, they were on the level of a Thunderchief as it there is compete tuve volume but it's not really bass. The thunderchief and Baylor were in that category. Still somewhat usable depending on what you are doing. But real acoustic bass is tough, the two you singled out are definitely in a different class.
 
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#9
lordgamer said:
Greetings, my fellow TB'ers! This is my first TB post. I was wondering if there was anyone who could offer insight on the acoustic volume difference between the Guild B50 and the Ernie Ball Earthwood bass? Is one considerably louder than the other? Also, can someone who has tried both offer any information on the differences between the 6" and 8" Earthwood models?

These two are considered by many to be the golden standard of ABGs. The Earthwood basses seem to sell for considerably more than the B50 on the used market, although I believe this has more to do with its rarity. Given the current prices they are going for, I really wish they would reissue these models. Would appreciate any information you guys can provide :)
Click to expand...
Also look into the Violent Femmes' Brian Ritchie's new weapon of choice, the bawdily-monickered Big Johnson Bass:
https://www.talkbass.com/threads/acoustic-bass-fetish-club-part-2.665642/
(&ff.)

@rawdge
 
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#11
Kansas said:
I had one of the giant blond Earthwood basses in 1975. It had a deep pleasant sound but was out of tune as you played up the neck. No pickup, and really not loud enough for most situations. Feeling those low notes against your body was an experience... The clownish-ly large body was kinda strange. These acoustic basses are pretty useless unless plugged into something or miced in the studio IMO. What can it do that a P bass can't do?
Click to expand...
I had an Earthwood too, I sold it because it was not comfortable. My Emerald Balor, with a med-high action, good (steel/chrome/nickel) strings has good volume and bass resonance. I useit in a string band setting with a banjo, guitar, fiddle and mandolin without any complaints.
 
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#14
GretschWretch said:
GretschWretch said:
Harp guitar luthiers have been making this body style for decades. This one is just strung for bass.
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I just looked at my avatar. Why am I even participating in this discussion?
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According to Brian Ritchie ...I am paraphrasing: The extended upper bout of the BJ bass which is above the body and neck of the instrument, are part of its raidcal design, besides the fact that it can be played upright. The extra bout capictates more sound and in turns helps stabilize the neck. The sound holes are also located there, and since there are several, it prevents feedback for the instrument when plugged in.

You'd really need to play one. I like how it plays upright. Vertically it would have a little bit of a learning curve because of the extra bout. It does sound really good plugged in and acoustically.
 
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#15
rawdge said:
According to Brian Ritchie ...I am paraphrasing: The extended upper bout of the BJ bass which is above the body and neck of the instrument, are part of its raidcal design, besides the fact that it can be played upright. The extra bout capictates more sound and in turns helps stabilize the neck. The sound holes are also located there, and since there are several, it prevents feedback for the instrument when plugged in.

You'd really need to play one. I like how it plays upright. Vertically it would have a little bit of a learning curve because of the extra bout. It does sound really good plugged in and acoustically.
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Oh, I agree with everything you've said here, and I think this bass would go a long way towards scotching that "an ABG will never be loud enough unplugged" argument. I merely was pointing out the design is not new. Its application to bass well could be new, but if you see many videos of harp guitarists you will see that design of the hollow upper cutaway horn many times.
 
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#16
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