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Help with an ABG

Quap

Quap

Oct 14, 2008
302
193
44
Lubbock, Texas
#1
To start been playing bass for quite a while started in 3rd grade, I am now 26. I have played Marching Band stand tunes, jazz, classical, rock etc etc.

I have played electrics, acoustics and upright basses.

I recently sold a Carvin 5 string fretless, because I thought I wanted to buy an inexpensive upright, however, after researching I realized an inexpensive upright means a CCB that may or may not be playable and may or may not last a couple of years.

Purpose of the post, I would like to get an ABG, not for gigging, not for playing with others, for playing by myself at home, unplugged. I have owned an Ovation Celebrity which was tinny sounding, and also have owned a Washburn, which could cut through a wet paper bag.

I would like a four string fretless. And since I have owned a Carvin I was looking at the AC40. However, seeing as I don't live in California can't play one for myself. Anyone with experience?

Any other suggestions?

Thanks for the help!!

Adam
 
#2
The Tacoma Thunderchief ABG is arguably the standard against which all others are judged. There are more expensive instruments out there, and for a price there are "better" sounding ones... but... this instrument is recognized as a very solid, well made, excellent sounding instrument. And when it hit the market it did set a new standard for ABG.
 
#6
Quap said:
Ok, but does Tacoma make a Fretless? Any options? There website doesn't show much.

Any AC40 players?
Click to expand...

1) Yes, Tacoma makes a fretless (or at least they have--don't know specifically which models are in or out of production)

2) The Carvin is along the lines of the Rob Allen, Turner Renaissance, and Godin basses--more of a thin-bodied chambered instrument designed to produce a good "amplified acoustic" sound when plugged in than a really acoustic instrument intended to produce much volume in an unplugged setting. If your primary goal is to find something that you can play acoustically, I'd probably look at something like the Tacoma instead.

Mike
 
#7
I've been looking at ABG's recently. The only fretless I played was a Dean EABFL ($250 CAD). I thought it felt and sounded way better than the 2 fretted Ibanez I played. I also played the fender Victor Bailey($800 CAD) and a Tanglewood($450 CAD). Best value was the Tanglewood, and the Fender was the best looking.

If I decide to buy an ABG, I'll get the Dean.
 
#8
Slowgypsy said:
The Tacoma Thunderchief ABG is arguably the standard against which all others are judged. There are more expensive instruments out there, and for a price there are "better" sounding ones... but... this instrument is recognized as a very solid, well made, excellent sounding instrument. And when it hit the market it did set a new standard for ABG.
Click to expand...
+1 million.

I bought the first Thunderchief I ever saw or played the day after I played it. Before they even had a case available (it came with a gig bag only - which I am very happy to have). It made that much of an impression on me. I have never experienced another ABG that was its equal acoustically. Also, the bolt-on neck, with its ability to shim to fine-tune tilt, is a great feature to have IMO.

A Breedlove acoustic bass I played a few years ago at a shop was kind of nice and for a lower price.

Here's a picture of mine that Jive1 took at the GTG I hosted earlier this year:
tacoma.jpg
 

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