Before you take off your stock strings if you don't like them you can always try sanding the tops down or what I Is polishing compound and a knife strop And then buff with a non backed piece of leather And clean with alcohol
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Guitar Scale Acoustic Basses
- Thread starter SBassman
- Start date
I am just coming out of an enforced SEVEN MONTH layoff, due to chronic sciatica. This has been a hugely frustrating experience.
I'm giving some pretty serious thought to keeping the EUB and Dingwall, but swapping my 5-string P Bass for one of these, either an Ibanez or the Guild.
I called ghs and they said yes. Should have no issues if properly installed bent then access cut like other rounds
Gold tone 23 to 25 inch flats work but need bridge moved back for proper intonation .these of course will be higher tension too. I have read that pw strings are more stiff than same gauge rw.
Has anyone tried the Ibanez PNB14E vs the AVNB1E?
I'd like to know how they play and sound relative to each other, with plugged-in performance being the main concern.
The body size, nut width and scale are larger on the AVNB1E, to the tune of an extra 3/4" of body depth compared to the PNB14.
There's also an AVNB1E which shares the B1's larger dimensions, but is trimmed out with a gloss finish, binding, spruce top, etc.
I'm also curious about a couple of their 32" scale basses.
There's the PCBE12. No solid top on that one, I presume, as it's close to half the price of the others. There's also the AVCB9, which has a torrefied top. I've played a few of Ibanez' small-bodied guitars with the roasted tops, and they sound WAY better than I would expect for the price point.
I'd like to know how they play and sound relative to each other, with plugged-in performance being the main concern.
The body size, nut width and scale are larger on the AVNB1E, to the tune of an extra 3/4" of body depth compared to the PNB14.
There's also an AVNB1E which shares the B1's larger dimensions, but is trimmed out with a gloss finish, binding, spruce top, etc.
I'm also curious about a couple of their 32" scale basses.
There's the PCBE12. No solid top on that one, I presume, as it's close to half the price of the others. There's also the AVCB9, which has a torrefied top. I've played a few of Ibanez' small-bodied guitars with the roasted tops, and they sound WAY better than I would expect for the price point.
Want some Silverbacks? I have 2 unused sets. Only catch is I used the washers they came with for some "experiments" and I'm not sure where they are. But, if you can solve that, or just use them without the washers, I'm glad to send you a set if you like. The thickness of the E wouldn't go into the tuner on my PNB14E, and I was not inclined at the time to take out any power tools.
When I bought my PNB14E I got a chance to play it head to head with the AVNB1E, both plugged in and unplugged. I thought the AVN was a little nicer overall, but not twice the price nice over the PNB. The only thing noticeably better on the AVN to me was the tuner, however I am used to the funky tuner on the PNB now and actually like it.
Prior to buying the short scale I was playing the 32" scale PCBE12. I absolutely loved that bass, the tone, the stock strings, the look, literally everything except the 32" scale. It's a great bass. Unplugged the sound and volume are so/so, but it's fine for practicing on the couch. But plugged in the PCBE12 really came alive. If it were 30" scale or less I would still be playing the it. I liked the plugged in tone more than my Guild B30E... which is saying a lot. If you are comfortable on a 32 I would highly recommend the PCBE12.
Unfortunately I have tennis elbow issues with longer scale basses. Never had a problem with 30" scale or less. I thought I could get away with it on a 32" scale, but after a few months of playing the 32" scale acoustic my tennis elbow returned. So I sold the PCBE12 and got the PNB14E. Elbow is almost back to normal now
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I’ve gotten stung with extra tax and duties on cross-border purchases lately. So have other friends and family.
$75 extra on a $190 purchase, for instance.
We also have a mail strike.
This has me thinking pretty hard about going for the AVNB1E. It’s in stock in my area, and I don’t have to waste a half-day on a trip to Port Huron, MI and back to pick up the PNB14E.
The XLR out, fatter neck, solid top, better tuner, etc., are nice pluses. Nice growl on the plugged-in tOne toward the end of this clip:
$75 extra on a $190 purchase, for instance.
We also have a mail strike.
This has me thinking pretty hard about going for the AVNB1E. It’s in stock in my area, and I don’t have to waste a half-day on a trip to Port Huron, MI and back to pick up the PNB14E.
The XLR out, fatter neck, solid top, better tuner, etc., are nice pluses. Nice growl on the plugged-in tOne toward the end of this clip:
I like sitka solid spruce for treble melody instruments. That would not be my first choice for a bass although I have owned two abs that were spruce and s still own a spruce ubass. I prefer mahogany for rhythm or bass. Just my preference and fatter neck would not be a plus to me. Ultimately, it all boils down to individual taste. They look really pretty too.
As I reported in the sub short thread, these worked ok for home use, but I eventually had to conclude that the stability isn't there for gigging. Today, I took the same string construction - Ernie Ball Slinky Nickel - and stepped up from 90s to 105s. I need more time to make a final call on stability, but I am already seeing a big difference. I think the 105s - for my solid body electric 26" scale - will be a winner.
Not sure if 105s fit into the tuners on our acoustic basses. One of you can continue that research.
I'm getting tired - and broke.
Well, that was sudden...
I've been thinking about a GSAB to use for rehearsals and practice, while I recover from a prolonged bout of back and leg trouble.
The local selection is very limited. I still have yet to see the Guild in the flesh, never mind some of the more exotic European ones.
Last night, I found a dealer that had the Ibanez AVNB1E in stock, a half-hour drive away. They also had the Taylor GS mini, a Denver Uke bass, an Epiphone Viola, a Squier Bronco, and a Gio GSR250B (cheap, very light 34" active SR).
Road trip!
The short version:
Of the conventional electrics, the Bronco was closest to what I'm looking for. Still too heavy, not as good a tone as a regular P-bass, and it felt cramped and toylike (I'm 6' 3"). I don’t even want to talk about the Denver bass Uke. Let’s just leave it that it’s not up to Goldtone or Kala standards...
The Taylor looked expensive, had a nice slim neck, and the 14th fret neck joint made upper fret access easier.
In every other way, the Ibby killed the Taylor:
Other than price, the only advantage the PNB has from my point of view is the binding. I can understand wanting the retro vibe, but really, a solid Spruce top on an unbound body?
Thankfully, even that played to my advantage this afternoon- the floor model had a small ding on the front edge of the top. Between a price match with an online competitor, the dent, and Long & McQuade's Black Friday deals, I got a great price on account, with 2 years extended warranty and nothing to pay until February.
Sorry about the grainy, low-light shot, but no pictures, no NBD:
I've been thinking about a GSAB to use for rehearsals and practice, while I recover from a prolonged bout of back and leg trouble.
The local selection is very limited. I still have yet to see the Guild in the flesh, never mind some of the more exotic European ones.
Last night, I found a dealer that had the Ibanez AVNB1E in stock, a half-hour drive away. They also had the Taylor GS mini, a Denver Uke bass, an Epiphone Viola, a Squier Bronco, and a Gio GSR250B (cheap, very light 34" active SR).
Road trip!
The short version:
Of the conventional electrics, the Bronco was closest to what I'm looking for. Still too heavy, not as good a tone as a regular P-bass, and it felt cramped and toylike (I'm 6' 3"). I don’t even want to talk about the Denver bass Uke. Let’s just leave it that it’s not up to Goldtone or Kala standards...
The Taylor looked expensive, had a nice slim neck, and the 14th fret neck joint made upper fret access easier.
In every other way, the Ibby killed the Taylor:
- The sustain was longer and more even.
- The intonation was a lot better.
- I didn't seem to drive it into clanking as often as the Taylor.
- The 12-fret parlor body shape was more comfortable.
- The unplugged tone was still boxy, but better balanced.
- Plugged in, it was the same story:
- The Ibby had way more output than the Taylor, and the string-to-string balance was more even.
- The Taylor had a thin sound with limited dynamic range, and a midrange quack. It sounded like a cheap full-size ABG, but with a tighter low end.
- Neither issue could fixed via the one-knob tone control.
- In contrast, the Ibby had a beautiful, woody low end.
- It sounded a little dark with the 2-band EQ at noon, but it was easy to tweak for anything from a round, Hofner-ish sound to a decent Rock pick attack- something I've never gotten out of an ABG before.
- The Ibby had way more output than the Taylor, and the string-to-string balance was more even.
Other than price, the only advantage the PNB has from my point of view is the binding. I can understand wanting the retro vibe, but really, a solid Spruce top on an unbound body?
Thankfully, even that played to my advantage this afternoon- the floor model had a small ding on the front edge of the top. Between a price match with an online competitor, the dent, and Long & McQuade's Black Friday deals, I got a great price on account, with 2 years extended warranty and nothing to pay until February.
Sorry about the grainy, low-light shot, but no pictures, no NBD:
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AVNB1E day two review:
The Ibanez website is not a reliable source of information. The AVN is upposed to be 5” deep, but mine is 4 1/4, just like the other models. It should fit nicely in the Chromacast mini jumbo gigbag I ordered off Amazon.
I can comfortably hit the high B on the G string without shifting my thumb (16th fret), good enough for limited upper register accents.
Checking the intonation more closely with my Turbo Tuner confirms what my ears were telling me. It’s useable to the 16th fret on the G string and the 14th fret on the others. Much better than the Taylor I sampled, and good enough for what I’ll be doing with it.
The D’Addario strings are interesting. They roll under the fingers like a classical guitar, and aren’t very responsive to bends. A generous yank on the E string nets less than a semitone.
Given the short scale, this is a plus. It’s easy to get a nice, wide vibrato without pushing it out of tune. This would be a real problem with regular steel strings on this scale..
I’ve been mostly playing 24-fret 5-string electrics for over 20 years. As a result, a four-banger with no cutaway and 18 frets seems like a really small grid to work with. Instead of finding it frustrating, I’m enjoying having to think outside the box.
This seems to be one of those instruments that lends itself to songwriting, by making familiar ground feel new again.
I hope my negative comments about the Uke bass and the Taylor don’t sound like I’m trying to push the Ibanez. These are just my impressions with the two I sampled. Someone else might have come to different conclusions.
The Ibanez website is not a reliable source of information. The AVN is upposed to be 5” deep, but mine is 4 1/4, just like the other models. It should fit nicely in the Chromacast mini jumbo gigbag I ordered off Amazon.
I can comfortably hit the high B on the G string without shifting my thumb (16th fret), good enough for limited upper register accents.
Checking the intonation more closely with my Turbo Tuner confirms what my ears were telling me. It’s useable to the 16th fret on the G string and the 14th fret on the others. Much better than the Taylor I sampled, and good enough for what I’ll be doing with it.
The D’Addario strings are interesting. They roll under the fingers like a classical guitar, and aren’t very responsive to bends. A generous yank on the E string nets less than a semitone.
Given the short scale, this is a plus. It’s easy to get a nice, wide vibrato without pushing it out of tune. This would be a real problem with regular steel strings on this scale..
I’ve been mostly playing 24-fret 5-string electrics for over 20 years. As a result, a four-banger with no cutaway and 18 frets seems like a really small grid to work with. Instead of finding it frustrating, I’m enjoying having to think outside the box.
This seems to be one of those instruments that lends itself to songwriting, by making familiar ground feel new again.
I hope my negative comments about the Uke bass and the Taylor don’t sound like I’m trying to push the Ibanez. These are just my impressions with the two I sampled. Someone else might have come to different conclusions.
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I kinda had the same thoughts between the Taylor and and the PNB. Thing is, I think I like the Michael Kelly Sojurn 4K better than all of them. I like the looks of it the best and the price ($399 with gig bag) and with the string through bridge it is my top of the list. However, that may change if I would ever get a chance to try the Guild Jumbo Junior. I still also want to try the Guild B-240E and the Spector Timbre Jr (both are ~30 inchers).
I had jumped on the Ibby from Sweetwater..... but switched my order to a Guild B240e. Beautiful instrument, and hopefully considerably more comfortable to play than a full size.
The Guild to me looks to be the best of the bunch. Coming from a Guild B30E it probably should have been my first choice, but in Canada it was more than twice the price of the Ibby PNB. As I was not even sure if I would end up liking the shorter scale acoustics I went with the Ibanez. Absolutely no regrets, but if I happened to stumble across a Guild Jumbo Junior in my travels I might be pretty tempted to buy it
As an aside...how hard/different is it to string an acoustic with the pin bridge as opposed to a regular electric bass?
