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Hi newbie here with newbie question

#21
Lots of good suggestions already. Get some different ones in your hands and see what feels good, then plug in and see if you like the tones it can produce. Short scale will feel more like home but try a 34 before you decide. You might like the feel of something bigger, and there are tonal differences as well. And there are options in between. And uke basses. Some people consider uke basses novelties, but I saw a guy grooving on one at Mick Fleetwood's bar in Maui, and he was getting down. You won't have to stretch your fingers out playing one of those!

More seriously, though, I'm with the solid body electric crowd vs an ABG. You already have amplification and ABGs can be limiting and unwieldy in my opinion.

One question: what's your current electric-to-acoustic guitar ratio? (No pun intended :D) Because for most of us on this end of the frequency spectrum, that number would be infinity. For me, it was 3 for a bit, but the ABG never got played, and presto-chango: it turned into a sweet Lakland Jazz bass! Back to infinity for now. If you play a lot more EG than acoustic, the music you're into is probably going to be more suited to the solid body electric bass.

And if you REALLY want to fit in, get a P with tort and don't change the flats that should already be on it!:roflmao:

And welcome to the deep end!
 
#23
If you're just getting into bass, I would play it safe and simple, and go with a Squier Affinity P/J. They're inexpensive, reasonably well-made, and you get to experiment with both the P and the J pickup. Just use your headphones and your Blackstar. As your taste matures, you can always sell the Squier for most of what you paid for it, and move on to something else. Or not. Or buy a dedicated bass amp and some pedals when you get your music room back.

You're kind of asking "What's a good first car?" and an acoustic bass is kind of a niche vehicle that may be more trouble than it's worth. Get yourself a nice Toyota Corolla--simple, unassuming, reliable, versatile--and then move on to other makes and models from there.
 
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#24
bsman said:
Right now, I have eight electric and five acoustic. I probably end up playing acoustic more, because I don't have to worry about anything but my fingers and voice. :)
Click to expand...

Hmmm...8/5...that's less than 2, so I guess you should try out a couple of ABGs if you can, then. I just couldn't bond with a beautiful Michael Kelly ABG, and I've tried a couple of others since, but to me they are harder to play because of the big body, and most had pretty thick necks, which isn't my thing. YMMV, of course. But I also prefer the tones of solid-body basses for the types of music that I play.

Might get the ratio down to 4, though. I'm thinking a uke bass might be good poolside!
 
#25
bsman said:
View attachment 3802023

I'm a long-time guitar player and have only briefly dabbled in the low end, but am looking for a way to incorporate bass into my recordings (something I'm getting more into under the SIP routine). Anyway - I've been looking at entry-level basses and was sort of interested in an A/E bass, because that would allow me to practice at noise levels not annoying to my 'cellmates', and noted that there is a Dean EAB listed on MF's SDOTD today for $170. I had been thinking about going well over that mark (perhaps a Fender Kingman, Guild B-240, or something comparable), but wonder if it makes sense to start out with the Dean? Any suggestions? FYI, I don't currently own a bass amp as such, but have a Blackstar ID:Core Beam that will also amplify a bass. I know it's insufficient for anything outside the house, but I don't really have plans to do much of that, because I have a cousin up in Santa Rosa who plays bass better than I possibly could even if I spent the remainder of this life and the next practicing. Anyway - cheers, and howdy from Santa Clara! :)
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I enjoy mine, but it’s a big acoustic bass body with a lower bout of 18” and a body depth over 4”. Some players have problems with playing a bass this size for extended periods of time.

This model has a new active preamp instead of the previous passive electronics of previous model years.
 
#26
Hi, welcome to TB. Normally would steer you towards a solid body bass, but your situation is unique. Perhaps a Hofner style violin bass would work. Lightweight, short scale, tight string spacing, hollow body (can be heard at low volume sans an amp), able to be played both left and right handed without issues, relatively inexpensive. Lots of vintage copies still floating around. Hope this helps.
 
#27
I've got to agree with most. Stay away from the acoustics unless you don't have a problem getting another bass in a year or so. As for short scale... I know plenty of guitarists that adapted to long scale basses. get a medium and you'd be fine.

You'll find that on this forum asking what the best first bass would be is like asking, what's the right religion, political party, or if it's true that the airspeed velocity of an unladen swallow really depends on if it's African or European. for you I'd think that string spacing and neck width will be more important. Because of that, I'd say a narrower neck like that of a Jazz bass, or any one of a number of peaveys might be a good choice.

You might find a G&L tribute, or a Musicman Sub to be a good less expensive bass, but I think they usually have chunkier necks.

No matter what... welcome to the bottom of the world.... or the world of bottom.
 
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#28
bsman said:
View attachment 3802023

I'm a long-time guitar player and have only briefly dabbled in the low end, but am looking for a way to incorporate bass into my recordings (something I'm getting more into under the SIP routine). Anyway - I've been looking at entry-level basses and was sort of interested in an A/E bass, because that would allow me to practice at noise levels not annoying to my 'cellmates', and noted that there is a Dean EAB listed on MF's SDOTD today for $170. I had been thinking about going well over that mark (perhaps a Fender Kingman, Guild B-240, or something comparable), but wonder if it makes sense to start out with the Dean? Any suggestions? FYI, I don't currently own a bass amp as such, but have a Blackstar ID:Core Beam that will also amplify a bass. I know it's insufficient for anything outside the house, but I don't really have plans to do much of that, because I have a cousin up in Santa Rosa who plays bass better than I possibly could even if I spent the remainder of this life and the next practicing. Anyway - cheers, and howdy from Santa Clara! :)
Click to expand...
Great applicable answer from a very wise @GretschWretch
V
V
V
V
Acoustic bass guitar vs. hollow-body electric bass
 
#29
bsman said:
View attachment 3802023

I'm a long-time guitar player and have only briefly dabbled in the low end, but am looking for a way to incorporate bass into my recordings (something I'm getting more into under the SIP routine). Anyway - I've been looking at entry-level basses and was sort of interested in an A/E bass, because that would allow me to practice at noise levels not annoying to my 'cellmates', and noted that there is a Dean EAB listed on MF's SDOTD today for $170. I had been thinking about going well over that mark (perhaps a Fender Kingman, Guild B-240, or something comparable), but wonder if it makes sense to start out with the Dean? Any suggestions? FYI, I don't currently own a bass amp as such, but have a Blackstar ID:Core Beam that will also amplify a bass. I know it's insufficient for anything outside the house, but I don't really have plans to do much of that, because I have a cousin up in Santa Rosa who plays bass better than I possibly could even if I spent the remainder of this life and the next practicing. Anyway - cheers, and howdy from Santa Clara! :)
Click to expand...
Here’s a great answer to a similar question on a different thread from @dmt that is also very much applicable
Acoustic bass guitar vs. hollow-body electric bass
 
#30
bsman said:
View attachment 3802023

I'm a long-time guitar player and have only briefly dabbled in the low end, but am looking for a way to incorporate bass into my recordings (something I'm getting more into under the SIP routine). Anyway - I've been looking at entry-level basses and was sort of interested in an A/E bass, because that would allow me to practice at noise levels not annoying to my 'cellmates', and noted that there is a Dean EAB listed on MF's SDOTD today for $170. I had been thinking about going well over that mark (perhaps a Fender Kingman, Guild B-240, or something comparable), but wonder if it makes sense to start out with the Dean? Any suggestions? FYI, I don't currently own a bass amp as such, but have a Blackstar ID:Core Beam that will also amplify a bass. I know it's insufficient for anything outside the house, but I don't really have plans to do much of that, because I have a cousin up in Santa Rosa who plays bass better than I possibly could even if I spent the remainder of this life and the next practicing. Anyway - cheers, and howdy from Santa Clara! :)
Click to expand...
Prime example
 
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#31
bsman said:
One other piece of advice I'm looking for (don't want to open Pandora's box, however): Since I'm coming at this as a guitar player (and a lefty playing righty at that) I wonder: would a short-scale bass make more sense??
Click to expand...
I vote for an ibanez mikro. My guitar playing dad loves mine and they're dirt cheap. Unless you are willing to put down some serious coin, acoustic bass guitars are usually a waste of time and $
 
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#32
B-Mac said:
Prime example
Click to expand...

dude awesome video. her playing makes me want an acoustic electric! great time, and she hits the harmonic just like chris issak hits the falsetto.
Im sure sure it doesn't sound that good in the room though, they gotta be plugged in for that rich bassyness.
OP, if you're leaning to acoustic electric, don't let anybody stop you. the best choice is what you like. if you can, try out a bunch of stuff. the right bass will find you. search your local craigslist. when you find it, let us know and make sure to post lots of pictures!
 
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#33
bsman said:
One other piece of advice I'm looking for (don't want to open Pandora's box, however): Since I'm coming at this as a guitar player (and a lefty playing righty at that) I wonder: would a short-scale bass make more sense??
Click to expand...
I got a Squire Bronco as a gift just before the COVID19 crap hit ($170US new) and I must say, I have not been able to put it down. I upgraded the bridge (due to uneven string spacing and intonation issues) and the tuners, filed down the nut slots to my taste and now I have a delightful little bass. It sounds and plays great.

Caveat try before you buy!
 
#36
Welcome to TB!

I agree with most: If the main objective is to keep the volume low, you're much better off with an electric. Actually, you're better off with an electric for a whole bunch of reasons.

Personally, the only acoustic/electric I'd consider buying is a fretless Kala U-bass.
 
#37
I just picked up one of *these*... as specs detail: 30” scale- 1.5” nut width, etc. I had some issues with electronics (had to do a bit of (re)soldering). I did raise the bass side of the bridge, a tad, and put Labella Low-tension flats on ‘er... as the rounds they provide are ‘clanky’. GC currently has them on sale- is a nice little bass!
https://www.guitarcenter.com/Mitchell/Terra-Acoustic-Electric-Bass-Edge-Burst-1500000286872.gc

81B5CAFD-F7F3-490F-B8A0-46D368DA9191.jpeg


I have one of these, arriving tomorrow, to give my thumb a rest! ;)
48BAEE88-81AA-42DB-A744-A708A46F7163.jpeg
 
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