Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Good But Cheap Acoustic Bass
- Thread starter rarbass
- Start date
Even the expensive ones are pretty mediocrish.
The Michael Kelly's are my favorite in the budget price range, but they still leave alot to be desired IMO..
The Michael Kelly's are my favorite in the budget price range, but they still leave alot to be desired IMO..
New, you'd probably be looking at a Dean. The guys that have'em seem to like'em. Do a search for "ABG" or "Acoustic". Lots of info.
Oh... and Check in here too...
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=443269
Oh... and Check in here too...
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=443269
Well I don't know how much I plan to do with an Acoustic Bass, but I figure I have approx. between $200-$300 (though closer to $200) budget to go off of, and I thought where better to ask?
Will definitely look into the models you guys have suggested though, thanks.
On a related note, how much does a pickup cost for an acoustic bass? Even just one you slip under the strings or whatever. I know they have them for guitars but I'm unsure on whether or not they have bass pickups...
Will definitely look into the models you guys have suggested though, thanks.
On a related note, how much does a pickup cost for an acoustic bass? Even just one you slip under the strings or whatever. I know they have them for guitars but I'm unsure on whether or not they have bass pickups...
If you're going to play with more than one acoustic guitar and want to be heard, you'll need to plug in. Fact...plain and simple....doesn't matter what brand, doesn't matter what model...it's the way it is. For that reason, most ABG's come with pickups already built in. If it doesn't have a pickup built in, don't waste your money.
After having dabbled with several brands and models of ABG's over the last 10 years, the best recommendation I can make is to go fretless.
I've had 7 or 8 ABG's over the years and every one had what I referred to as "fret rattle". Seemed no matter how cleanly I tried to play eacgh note, there was always a metallic "boinking" noise.
One of the things that caught me about my Michael Kelly Dragonfly Fretless 4 was the annoying "fret rattle" wasn't so noticeable. After I got it, I had a Pro setup and put GHS Tape Wounds on it and it's quite nice. The annoying fret rattle is completely gone and it approaches that Double Bass sound closer that any of the other ABG's I've had.
Musicians Friend has a Dean fretless in your price range.....I'd check it out...here's a link for ya'......
http://bass-guitars.musiciansfriend...icElectric-Bass-with-Onboard-Tuner?sku=515949
Good luck!
After having dabbled with several brands and models of ABG's over the last 10 years, the best recommendation I can make is to go fretless.
I've had 7 or 8 ABG's over the years and every one had what I referred to as "fret rattle". Seemed no matter how cleanly I tried to play eacgh note, there was always a metallic "boinking" noise.
One of the things that caught me about my Michael Kelly Dragonfly Fretless 4 was the annoying "fret rattle" wasn't so noticeable. After I got it, I had a Pro setup and put GHS Tape Wounds on it and it's quite nice. The annoying fret rattle is completely gone and it approaches that Double Bass sound closer that any of the other ABG's I've had.
Musicians Friend has a Dean fretless in your price range.....I'd check it out...here's a link for ya'......
http://bass-guitars.musiciansfriend...icElectric-Bass-with-Onboard-Tuner?sku=515949
Good luck!
- Oct 7, 2000
- 18,619
- 38,939
- Disclosures
- Endorsing artist: Musicman basses
The basses already have pickups in the bridges. In case you're unaware. Not sure why you'd really need another.
I think the acoustic basses in that pricerange are pretty hit and miss. I have a carlo robelli that I won that is absolutely awesome. It's the loudest bass acoustically I've ever played and the neck is perfect. Would have cost $150 (I think) had I bought it. I also have an old Michael Kelly that is aweseom, BUT not too long ago I ordered a 5 string. The bass had severe issues around the 12th fret. The store I bought it from immediately sent me another and it had the same exact problem. When I contacted MK they told me I could send it to them and they'd repair it but they wouldn't send me a new bass without the issue, and openly admitted to knowing of the problem but with a lame excuse that I don't even remember. It turned me off to the company bigtime, I returned the bass and bought a JBP 5 that I love. I got a great deal on mine though, paid half of what they go for in stores.
If you can't get out to check a bunch of them out, I think your safest bet is to go with a Dean. They're a reputable company, and if you get it at americanmusical.com or musicianssfriend you can always return it, no questions asked if you don't like it.
I'm not familiar with any of the Dean products other that a 6 string banjo that a buddy of mine has.
They seem to be a reputable company with a pretty diverse product line. I wouldn't say that I "strongly recommend it" but, it fits your budget.
They seem to be a reputable company with a pretty diverse product line. I wouldn't say that I "strongly recommend it" but, it fits your budget.
the Dean that sells for $199 most places. I played it against 5 other basses ranging up to $900 and was amazed how well it sounded. The things that I read was to buy the one you play. Chances to get lemon is greater. Also the electronics are not as good but acoustically I thought it held its own.
- Jun 16, 2005
- 3,584
- 31
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Spector, Aguilar, Darkglass
Add what you thought you might need to lay out for a PU to your bass budget, and it puts you inreach of second hand, $500-$600 basses.
fret and string noise sounds horrible IMO on an acoustic bass. It is charming for a guitar.. not so much for a bass.. and not when you have a couple acoustic guitars and an ABG all making fret noise.
the piezo wire bridge pickups are pretty flawed IMO.. it is near impossible to get equal contact across all of the strings..
of course, there is always the problem of volume with an acoustic bass..
the piezo wire bridge pickups are pretty flawed IMO.. it is near impossible to get equal contact across all of the strings..
of course, there is always the problem of volume with an acoustic bass..
I purchased a cheap acoustic bass a year ago on eBay. My biggest issue is with acoustic basses in general. I find that even when my band mates are playing acoustically, my bass part always seems better with an electric bass instead of the acoustic. Not enough volume, fret buzz & just not that warm sound you get with an electric. Because of that, my acoustic generally hangs on the wall collecting dust....does look nice though....artwork!
Ric5
Inactive
- Jan 29, 2008
- 29,772
- 30,452
- Disclosures
- I like 5, 8, 10, and 12 string basses
Acoustic basses are best used when a song comes over the radio and you grab one to play along. In a live setting with one acoustic guitar, your volume is lost. In a setting with two acoustic guitars, you had might as well be in another room. An amp is still a requirement.
I have a Hohner, but it cost me just a bit more than $200. The electronics work fine and I have used it dozens of times with good success in semi-acoustic gigs, running through FOH. But I have replaced two broken tuning keys (replaced all four eventually).
I have a Hohner, but it cost me just a bit more than $200. The electronics work fine and I have used it dozens of times with good success in semi-acoustic gigs, running through FOH. But I have replaced two broken tuning keys (replaced all four eventually).
