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Guitar Scale Acoustic Basses
- Thread starter SBassman
- Start date
I don't think so. Their web site does not mention it.
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Man, I am with you one that one. I also agree on the Fender CD60 acoustic/electric bass. It is a super nice bass for the price but the scale is 2" too long for me.
I had a Guild B30E strung with flats and it was fantastic. Playing it standing up however was a chore.
Well, that’s a bit of a letdown...
When they say that these are good for up to 29.5”, they are not fooling around...
- Fender Kingman v2, pin bridge, 30” scale.
- Fresh set of ball-end La Bella CB40’s.
- E string is about 1/2” too short.
When they say that these are good for up to 29.5”, they are not fooling around...
I know that all this short and medium-scale stuff is off topic, but I think I might be getting close to pulling the trigger on a new project- to make a medium-scale sister to my AVNB1E!
After playing a bunch of regular ABG's with lower bouts up in the 17" range, I've managed to talk myself off the ledge in terms of going back to a large-bodied ABG. The B240e looks lovely, and the shorter neck would make it more managable than it's 34" cousins. But it's still going to feed back badly on loud stages, neg for a hard case instead of a bag, and feel clumsy in tight spaces.
One of the things I love about these guitar-scale minis, is how easy they are to leave beside/behind the couch, grab up when I'm sitting at my desk at work, etc.
I've checked out some smaller-bodied models including the Kingsman and the T-Bucket, but they didn't appeal to me. However, one of my local shops just received a defective Ibanez PCBE12MH:
The neck had a wicked back-bow, and it's going back. But it was playable enough in the upper register to give me at least an idea of what a good one would be like. The EQ points in the preamp seem very similar to the AVN. In a way, the laminated top is an advantage for a cheap beater bass. You can tell that it's been made to sell for half the price of the AVN (the finish is a bit rough and there's some fret sprout), but I didn't see anything that I couldn't take care of.
In pretty much every other way, it's like a slightly larger 15-fret sister to the PNB and AVN. Size-wise, it's a Martin OM with a 32" scale- a little over an inch wider than the AVN/PNB at the lower bout. Not quite as cozy as a parlour guitar, but close enough for a big lug like me. The extra room above the 12th fret is very satisfying.
They'll have a replacement in a week or two. Being a cheap old fart, I'm going to see if I can't get by with a set of tape wounds, but if that doesn't quite hit the mark, I'll have to spring for a set of the Thomastik Acousticores that Rick Turner puts on his Rennaisance basses. They're phosphor bronze instead of the silver-plated copper on the CB40's, but the internal construction is pretty much the same as the La Bellas and the D'Addarios.
The price is a bit of a jaw-dropper, though. At Strings by Mail, CB40's are $17.99, and the Thomastiks are $77.95. With the weak state of the Canadian dollar, that's over $100 a set. Good thing they last so long!
In the end, I'm not overly worried- a PCBE12MH with a set of Acousticores is still quite a bit cheaper than an AVNB1E by itself...
After playing a bunch of regular ABG's with lower bouts up in the 17" range, I've managed to talk myself off the ledge in terms of going back to a large-bodied ABG. The B240e looks lovely, and the shorter neck would make it more managable than it's 34" cousins. But it's still going to feed back badly on loud stages, neg for a hard case instead of a bag, and feel clumsy in tight spaces.
One of the things I love about these guitar-scale minis, is how easy they are to leave beside/behind the couch, grab up when I'm sitting at my desk at work, etc.
I've checked out some smaller-bodied models including the Kingsman and the T-Bucket, but they didn't appeal to me. However, one of my local shops just received a defective Ibanez PCBE12MH:
The neck had a wicked back-bow, and it's going back. But it was playable enough in the upper register to give me at least an idea of what a good one would be like. The EQ points in the preamp seem very similar to the AVN. In a way, the laminated top is an advantage for a cheap beater bass. You can tell that it's been made to sell for half the price of the AVN (the finish is a bit rough and there's some fret sprout), but I didn't see anything that I couldn't take care of.
In pretty much every other way, it's like a slightly larger 15-fret sister to the PNB and AVN. Size-wise, it's a Martin OM with a 32" scale- a little over an inch wider than the AVN/PNB at the lower bout. Not quite as cozy as a parlour guitar, but close enough for a big lug like me. The extra room above the 12th fret is very satisfying.
They'll have a replacement in a week or two. Being a cheap old fart, I'm going to see if I can't get by with a set of tape wounds, but if that doesn't quite hit the mark, I'll have to spring for a set of the Thomastik Acousticores that Rick Turner puts on his Rennaisance basses. They're phosphor bronze instead of the silver-plated copper on the CB40's, but the internal construction is pretty much the same as the La Bellas and the D'Addarios.
The price is a bit of a jaw-dropper, though. At Strings by Mail, CB40's are $17.99, and the Thomastiks are $77.95. With the weak state of the Canadian dollar, that's over $100 a set. Good thing they last so long!
In the end, I'm not overly worried- a PCBE12MH with a set of Acousticores is still quite a bit cheaper than an AVNB1E by itself...
If you're going to 32" scale, the Invalid Link Removed, and has a cutaway. They both come with the same carbon coated bronze strings:
I kinda want to add a larger acoustic bass to my collection (I don't have a problem, I can stop any time!), so I'm looking at all these with interest. The LA Guitar Center had a great collection of acoustics, which is where I was first introduced to the Taylor Mini. Not sure if the one in my town does but I'm going to check it and Sam Ash out.
Was thinking of the Ibanez PNB for a travel buddy since I worry about my Taylor but for that role, I'm now looking at the Hofner Shorty. I have to figure that would be harder to break.
Was thinking of the Ibanez PNB for a travel buddy since I worry about my Taylor but for that role, I'm now looking at the Hofner Shorty. I have to figure that would be harder to break.
Nice! Still a laminated top, but like the AVNB1E, I see that it also has the upgraded AEB-SQ2 preamp with the stronger output & XLR out, a Fishman Sonicore piezo element, bone nut and saddle, etc. Definitely a step up in fit and finish from the PCBE12MH.
Unfortunately, it looks like the Canadian importer isn't bringing it in. Probably because of the rosewood fingerboard and bridge, I'm guessing. The PCBE, PNB, and AVNB1E all use alternative hardwoods for the fingerboard and bridge...
With the CITES changes supposed to come into effect in November, maybe we'll be able to get the AEWB32 in stores here next year.
On the other hand, we do get the more expensive AVCB9CE, which also features a torrified (roasted) spruce top and bracing. It also has a more conventional Venetian cutaway, so it doesn't lose as much internal volume.
I haven't played the AVCB9CE, but I have played a few Ibanez acoustic guitars with the Torrified top and bracing. There's definitely a noticeable improvement in volume and tone, compared to conventional Ibanez acoustics.
It's getting up there in price, though. I'm staring down the barrel of retirement, so I'm not sure I want to spend that much on what amounts to a novelty instrument for me...
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I had a PCBE12MH and it is a highly underated acoustic bass. I prefer it to any of Ibanez's more expensive acoustic basses. Absolutely loved mine... heck I even liked the stock strings. I bought a B stock for less than half of the new price and I never could figure out what was supposed to be wrong with it. I ended up selling it for more than I paid new.
It would unquestionably still be my gigging acoustic bass were it not for the fact I discovered that anything over a 30" scale ultimately causes me elbow issues. Which in fact is how I ended up with a a sub short scale Ibanez and started following this thread in the first place. But I really miss my PCBE12MH.... it had a fantastic tone plugged in.
It would unquestionably still be my gigging acoustic bass were it not for the fact I discovered that anything over a 30" scale ultimately causes me elbow issues. Which in fact is how I ended up with a a sub short scale Ibanez and started following this thread in the first place. But I really miss my PCBE12MH.... it had a fantastic tone plugged in.
Here's my new Gold Tone MicroBass25FL fretless. I had decided to contact Gold Tone directly about having them set it up with the La Bella flatwounds. Gold Tone's president, Wayne Rogers, answered my request himself. He agreed that having them set the bass up would be the best way to go. Before I agreed to purchase, they installed the strings, performed an excellent set up, and then sent me a photo and a sample sound file. I am very happy with the sound and playability. With fretless, intonation doesn't require major changes at the bridge since you use your fingers and ears to find the right note, instead of relying on the frets to give it to you. Anyone interested in one of these should contact Wayne directly at [email protected] - Gold Tone gave me excellent personal attention and fast service at a fair price.
Here's the sound clip -
And here's a size comparison of the MicroBass 25 and a Guild 30" scale B-240EF.
Here's the sound clip -
And here's a size comparison of the MicroBass 25 and a Guild 30" scale B-240EF.
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Fretted is good for fast moving between scale lengths. I have moved from fretless for that reason having started in orchestra as a kid on upright bass. Fretless is great for good ears and lots of practice on that instrument. Gold Tone is great.
How much louder is the Guild compared to the Gold Tone, when they are unplugged?
The Guild is noticeably louder (25%?), but I do need a stool or straight-back chair to play it while sitting. The Gold Tone can definitely be a "sofa bass". To my old, damaged, mechanic's ears, they both sound a lot like an upright strung with steel strings.
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I tried several acoustic bass guitars including 30" scale and shorter in the acoustic guitar room at a local shop with my son playing an acoustic guitar to see if the basses would work in my acoustic duo. I felt the basses simply couldn't keep up without amplification so I decided to not bother with an acoustic bass guitar.
Thanks for the quick-acting GAS relief! For acoustic play with other instruments (which--within reason--would be the purpose of an ABG for me), it seems like it needs to be one of the biggies.
Agree they may not compete, but for practical uses, a small footprint bass and a portable amp would be my choice. I had one of these...
Acoustic Bass Guitars Product Page
Great bass. But might as well lug around an upright bass which i have done too.
Acoustic Bass Guitars Product Page
Great bass. But might as well lug around an upright bass which i have done too.
Guitarists don't give up on their instruments if they need some amplification from time to time. I don't know many serious guitarists who don't have at least one acoustic with a pickup in it.
IMO, the only difference is that we need the help more often than they do...
In most circumstances, even expensive unobtanium ABG's like the Earthwood, Klein, B50, etc, need a lift from some amplification. Not only do they get lost the minute you get a party crowd singing along or add some percussion, but they don't have the sort of depth in the low end that we are used to from a bowed acoustic upright or a conventional electric bass rig.
At minimum, you often need to do the same as most upright players outside of classical orchestras- bring a small amp like an Acoustic Image or an AER, and use it just to provide some reinforcement on the low end.
A lot of entry-level large ABG's (to me, that means at least a 17" lower bout, preferably no cutaway and 32" to 34" scale) are as quiet or quieter than the better parlour basses. Any accusation you can lay on a parlour bass in terms of lacking volume, applies equally well to the full-sized ones.
Where these little guys excel, is at home on the couch, or plugged into a battery or AC-powered bass combo. When they are amplified, I find them better than most large ABG's- they have a warmer tone because of the special strings, and less feedback because of the smaller body.
Are they truly acoustic, if you have to amplify them to keep up with a well-strummed acoustic guitar?
Not really, but the best of them still have an acoustic character that sits very well in that environment. When we play amplified, folk-inspired music, I don't have to push my little ABG on my bandmates- they ask for it.
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I've played my Taylor Mini in a couple fully acoustic situations. A living room with a tasteful acoustic guitarist, it's loud enough unamplified. A larger space with more guitarists? Probably not. Not sure how you would do with two. I'd add that back when I first saw the Taylor Mini, the sales guy (who put it in my hands and is responsible for me spending that money, lol!) said that it was actually louder than the larger acoustic basses they carried. I can't speak to that from personal experience but that is what he said.
