If you go used, I'd suggest seeing if you can find a Michael Kelly Dragonfly or Washburn AB10 at that price. I just sold my Washburn for $300 - good bass.
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 & Cheap Acoustic Bass?
- Thread starter WowSuchPunx
- Start date
MDBass
Supporting Member
- Nov 7, 2012
- 8,590
- 14,892
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Dingwall-Fender-Bergantino-Dunlop-Tech 21-Darkglass-Nordstrand
Even a $1000+ acoustic bass still needs to be plugged in/amplified in order to be at all useful in a band setting.
I play a very expensive Martin with a pop artist who's a Martin brand ambassador, and it's inaudible in a full band context unless it's plugged in; as such, I only use it on acoustic gigs where she's representing Martin, otherwise I'll play one of my electrics.
My advice?
Buy a quality used combo or micro (head+1x10/1x12) setup instead and just use your regular bass.
buldog5151bass
Kibble, milkbones, and P Basses. And redheads.
Some ABGs, especially those with bigger bodies, produce some decent tones, especially with flat or tape wound strings. The players in my jazz group prefer that to my P - says it comes much closer to the sound of a double bass, but it has to be amplified for any legit uses (especially with the flats). Biggest problem is feedback. I prefer playing my P, as it is easier to play.
Try some out and decide for yourself.
But nothing wrong with playing an electric for acoustic set. I would do that over getting a cheap ABG.
Try some out and decide for yourself.
But nothing wrong with playing an electric for acoustic set. I would do that over getting a cheap ABG.
BassByBaldSteve
Supporting Member
- Nov 17, 2011
- 703
- 741
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Fodera Basses, Aguilar Amplification
Look around for an Olympia. That is the import version of the Tacoma Thunderchief, which is one of the best and loudest ABGs ever made. My wife has an Olympia, she bought it used a couple of years ago for $200. I play it on occasion at acoustic jams, and it does ok with two acoustic guitars without amplification.
It has a two band EQ. I find that adding any treble adds string noise that I don't care for. I keep the bass and volume up full. I get a nice thump out of it with little sustain. It works well with acoustic instruments. While adding highs with the treble control doesn't float my boat, I can alter the tone with the EQ on my amp. Everyone who has heard it says it sounds great. I was out with it earlier today with my Fender Rumble 40 amp and got some great comments. I'm not in love with the feel of the stock strings. They're a bit too sticky, but if I use a lighter touch when I want to slide my finger up or down the string, it ain't too bad.
I bought a Dodge Journey so I can carry all my stuff. Now I'm buying all smaller stuff. Go figure.
buldog5151bass
Kibble, milkbones, and P Basses. And redheads.
I read some mixed reviews on build quality on the Olympia (do a search here), but I have only great things to say about my Tacoma Thunderchief, on which it is based. It has a large body, which takes a little getting used to, but the sound is great.
Last edited:
I tried a bunch of them when I wanted one. I was very unimpressed with the bottom of the line Dean, Washburn and Ibanez models. In the end, I spent $300 on an Alvarez and I've been very happy with it. I have been thinking about a first fretless. That Dean might be a just the ticket.
Ric5
Inactive
- Jan 29, 2008
- 29,772
- 30,452
- Disclosures
- I like 5, 8, 10, and 12 string basses
With a good set-up and on-board active electronics, Dean Playmate. A HUGE body and slim neck. And around $300.
I too have a Goldtone microbass as well as a Kala Ubass. I put the stock Paehoehoe strings that come on the Ubass on my microbass and it sounds great. I run the treble about half with these strings but had it turned down with the thunderguts which it came with because of finger noise. Both great basses with tons of bottom end. The Paehoehoes for the microbass must be purchased through Roadtoad because they are longer than the Ubass set. You need to order 23" for it.
OK, I see that 4 string sets are available in 22.5 - 24". However, there is a hitch. I wonder which sounds better, the black or the red. Are these as stretchy as the Thunderguts??
Red or black Paehoes are the same string. Yes they are stretchy, especially for the first few weeks. You will tune and tune and remove stretch and restring a few times. They are smooth compared to the Thunderguts, they tend to be more bottom heavy than the TG's also. Some people like them and some don't. My fingers stick to the TG's too much and produce some squeeking that drives me nuts. I have used powder on my fingers and strings but that helps me for maybe one song. Others have great results with them. You need to try them both and make a decision about which one is better for you. There is a string called thunder reds which are similar to the thunder guts. They don't make a length that will fit the goldtone microbass however.
I bought a slightly used Fender Kingman with a nice case for a good price. For the last 8 months it's been my full time bass. I got strange looks from the rest of the cover band (60s-70s-80s) when I first whipped it out but they all think it's got a simply amazing sound. Normally I'd alternate between P-Bass and Jazz and I play 99% fingerstyle with only a couple of picked songs. This Kingman is fantastic. I love it.
I second and third the Gold Tone GT MicroBass. I bought one a few weeks ago and I think it sounds great and the size is perfect for me. I played guitar for almost 50 years and often my friends would tell me to take up the bass, but I never wanted to be encumbered by a large electric, forget a standup bass, but now that there so many sub-short scale, I went for it. (I also ordered a custom 21" scale u-base from my uke builder in Vietnam, and just converted an Epiphone Les Paul Express 22" scale electric guitar into a base.)
I'd like to try the T-Bucket if I ever decide to replace my Fender BG29 (which is very similar in terms of scale & body depth.) I've been very impressed with some expensive ABGs with huge bodies and volume to match, but some of the cheaper options are surprisingly good.
Here ya go!
I switched out the strings for Pahoehoes, which have a slippery (less sticky) finish.
We all know that nothing sounds like an upright but an upright, but with the right amp settings, you can cop an upright vibe with it.
I find it more comfortable to play than a Ubass because of the bigger body. I find the short scale on the Ubass to be too much of a good thing. The 23" scale on the MicroBass is perfect for me.
Ibanez acoustics are really nice. A friend of mine has the standard [Invalid or Expired Link Removed], and I picked up one of their [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]. The mahogany one's got a nicer sound, in my opinion, and playing harmonics on it sounds clean as a whistle. The downsides are that you have to plug it in to use the built-in tuner and you don't have as easy access to the higher frets (not that you really need them). Both versions are in the $100-$150ish range, if memory serves.
