• 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.

Guitar Scale Acoustic Basses

#481
revroy said:
You might try asking the dealer to replace the strings on the display one you like... because of the cost, they may be hesitant but I always do that when buying a guitar... it’s worth a try.
Click to expand...
Also, don’t be shy about asking to try another one from out back.

Particularly with instruments under $1,000, fairly large differences in feel and sound are common. $250 is still enough money that you deserve the opportunity to select the best one.

Best is a highly subjective term when it comes to musical instruments- it’s only fair that you be allowed to try them for yourself.
 
  • Like
Reactions: tymbrewolf
#482
Don, silvers are heavier gauges and if I had an extra set or two I have some other polishing ideas. For now going to pahahoes again and then may try thunder reds. Thunder blacks are just guts colored black and the red d and g are just guts colored red with copper powder changing the specific density to help with string diameter on e and a. I also like the slight bowl of the back and slight elbow taper. A good instrument to find used. If you like stock strings on ibby, I would go that way new
 
#483
tymbrewolf said:
Don, silvers are heavier gauges and if I had an extra set or two I have some other polishing ideas. For now going to pahahoes again and then may try thunder reds. Thunder blacks are just guts colored black and the red d and g are just guts colored red with copper powder changing the specific density to help with string diameter on e and a. I also like the slight bowl of the back and slight elbow taper. A good instrument to find used. If you like stock strings on ibby, I would go that way new
Click to expand...

Thanks! A local dealer had a 25 in the shop. They were asking $600. I about feel over laughing when I saw the price.
 
#484
Prior to the PNB14E I owned a Gold Tone Microbass in 25" scale for about a year. I could not bond with it in the least. Hated the rubber strings, was constantly tuning it. I had zero confidence to take it out to a gig. The other issue I had was it went through batteries like crazy. I finally just gave up on it and traded it in on a guitar.
With the Ibby I picked it up and within a week I was gigging with it. I've bonded with it totally and play it almost every day.
In fairness to the Gold Tone I don't believe there was a steel string option for it when I had it, or if there was I was unaware. That might have made a big difference. Oh wait, mine was fretted... so no... :)
 
  • Like
Reactions: Orangeclawhammr
#485
Personally I like the silver back plated copper nylon core strings much better than the dadarrio phosphor bronze on the ibby. But that is just personal taste. Especially since I am going back to synthetic after trying 4 different rounds. Dadarrio, silvers, the pressurewound, and ernie ball slinkies. But I am not interested in playing unplugged so volume is not an issue. Never liked thunder guts. Have had pahahoes on the fretless mbass I got rid of a few years ago. I am going back there because it fits within my 22.5 to 23inch basses to fill the niche of the db sound and smooth feel. This though should all move to the 25 inch mbass though so I add it here
 
Last edited:
#486
So to my surprise....one of the local big boxes near my house had the 23 and 25 fretted Gold Tone M Basses hanging on the wall in the acoustic room! I about fell over. Played both and I think l like these the best out of all the basses in this class. Main issue I see is changing strings would be a pain without the trapdoor on the back. Only problem now is - what size? Not sure I'm 100% on the poly strings either? I could almost see doing the 23 with the poly strings and the 25 with the Silverbacks. I can also see where a lot of people would like the 23 over the 25, it still has the feel of the U-Bass but has a much more useable neck and fretboard. The 25 just feels big, almost like a short scale bass. Luckily for me I have some time to think about it as I'm not getting paid until Congress and the President get their act together!
 
  • Like
Reactions: steve_rolfeca, SBassman and MakoMan
#493
Don M said:
So to my surprise....one of the local big boxes near my house had the 23 and 25 fretted Gold Tone M Basses hanging...

...Only problem now is - what size? Not sure I'm 100% on the poly strings either? I could almost see doing the 23 with the poly strings and the 25 with the Silverbacks.
Click to expand...
This thread is all about the “guitar scale” acoustics, as opposed to Uke basses.

I can totally see the 25” Goldtone with Silverbacks being a contender.

Recent developments make me wonder when Taylor will release a mark II version of theirs.

Given the lacklustre preamp output and poor intonation on the one’s I’ve tried, I can’t see the first guys out of the gate just watching everyone else grab their market share.
 
#494
I'm hoping we see this market grow.

I would personally like to see a manufacturer do an acoustic design with an electric/stage vibe.
Shallow body - not designed for optimal unplugged tone but plugged.
Small to non existent sound hole.
Pinless bridge.
25" scale.
Designed for an alternative bass tone on stage.
Shaped like an electric, but acoustic design body. Think Kramer Ferrington.

Would feel like a feather in your hands compared to a solid body.
 
  • Like
Reactions: MakoMan
#495
SBassman said:
I'm hoping we see this market grow.

I would personally like to see a manufacturer do an acoustic design with an electric/stage vibe.
Shallow body - not designed for optimal unplugged tone but plugged.
Small to non existent sound hole.
Pinless bridge.
25" scale.
Designed for an alternative bass tone on stage.
Shaped like an electric, but acoustic design body. Think Kramer Ferrington.

Would feel like a feather in your hands compared to a solid body.
Click to expand...

Or a Micro version of the Warwick Thinline!
 
  • Like
Reactions: MakoMan
#498
Okay...so I went to a different big box by the house today. They had two Guild Junior Jumbo basses on the wall. Nice and simple. Volume and tone on wheels inside the soundhole. Loud enough to practice solo unamped. Sounded nice through an acoustic guitar amp and very P like on a bass amp. Scale is long enough, neck joint sits at the 14th fret and the body is compact enough. It just felt right when I picked it up and started playing it. New top choice!
 
  • Like
Reactions: BassToGoGo, OrvCraig, steve_rolfeca and 2 others
#499
steve_rolfeca said:
Assuming that a thicker nylon core string would work, I’d trade a kidney for an AVNB5E with a low B.

That would also work for players that are put off by 12 and 14 fret, non-cutaway bodies. Tune the fifth string for high C, using a set of the 6 string La Bella bass strings...
Click to expand...

There is a 5 string short scale . It's in Argentina. Company is called Magma Strings if I remember correctly. Bass is called the Transpositor (?). If I recall correctly it would be like $800-900 to buy and get one to the USA. They also make strings (classical) style that you can convert an acoustic guitar into a bass VI! I just wondered if their strings would work on the guitar scale? Only issue is that I believe they don't have ball ends. Might work with the Gold Tones!
 
#500
Screenshot_20190119-195125_Chrome.jpg
Would like to see a small hollow body with adjustable bridge
 
  • Like
Reactions: SBassman

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back