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High End Acoustic Bass Thoughts/Recommendations

#41
"What's the best sound an ABG makes without an amp?

When it hits the bottom of the dumpster"

Pretty much the conclusion I reached after searching for one. I can't afford the best ones, and even in the case of Jack Casady's Ribbecke "Diana", I believe he eventually wound up adding a pickup. If THAT thing won't cut it un-amplified, I don't know what would.

Once I realized that the price point of a really good one was beyond my reach, I bought one of these (since it's very small/portable and can run on batteries) and just use it with an electric:

Roland Micro Cube Bass RX Bass Amp
 
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#45
Tanner5382 said:
Yeah I understand overall, but it's quite possible with the Emerald Balor (carbon fiber) and certain Martin models (have heard unplugged jams with these), and certain custom builds. Just depends on the thought process behind the build (bracing in particular) and materials. Luckily, I have no plans to gig with an acoustic bass guitar. Most of the reason I'm interested in them actually is that I have little to no interest in gigging anymore, and just want something to play around the house, and jam with a few buddies in reasonably close proximity to each other with an acoustic guitar or two, or an acoustic and a mandolin or banjo.
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Equally as important is your thought process, and that of your buddies.
My Takamine G series is by no means "high end", but with its somewhat high action, coupled with my genetically engineered, aggressive pizz technique, can project into campsites 60+' away. Point is, if your friends start and stop at 11, you're in for a workout! And if you're a low action, light touch type of player, you're in trouble.
 
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#46
MD said:
Equally as important is your thought process, and that of your buddies.
My Takamine G series is by no means "high end", but with its somewhat high action, coupled with my genetically engineered, aggressive pizz technique, can project into campsites 60+' away. Point is, if your friends start and stop at 11, you're in for a workout! And if you're a low action, light touch type of player, you're in trouble.
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Great point! I forgot about the Takamines, I always thought those looked nice.
 
#47
Tanner5382 said:
Great point! I forgot about the Takamines, I always thought those looked nice.
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I think they make what they refer to as a "pro" model; a CB something. Not the B/TB10, which I also own, but would not recommend for your needs. I also like the Boulder Creek, but like you, pin bridges are pretty much a deal breaker for me.
If I were looking... Breedlove.
 
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#48
Tacoma or Olympia. mine is a 2002, with a set neck. I play it, unplugged and with a pick, at open mics and pool-side gigs with a guitarist and a singer, and it has plenty of projection. When we practice at home, you can hear it a hall and a room away, no problem. :)
IMG_7979.JPG
 
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#49
I have a Martin BCPA4. Played with a pick and a lot of force on the strings has a very strong acoustic sound. Use the standard phosphor bronze strings. Very different sound than an electric bass or an upright acoustic bass. I like it, but may not be the sound you are after.

Totally different sounding if plugged in and played with fingers instead of a pick.

Works for me and glad I have it.
 
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#50
"And if you're a low action, light touch type of player, you're in trouble."

Add in "prefers flat-wounds" and that's absolutely the perfect storm that compounds my own problem when it comes to finding an ABG that will work for me.

So to review:

•unplugged, not very many ABGs project adequate volume for much more than solo, practice noodling
•many of the few that do tend to be either out of production and relatively rare or boutique/hand-made items and, therefore, prohibitively-expensive
•I play finger-style pretty exclusively with a light touch & low action (partly to minimize arthritis pain)
•I prefer flat wounds

Kudos to anyone who can make these instruments work for them sans amplification. I'm just not one of them.
 
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#55
I had a Guild B-30 for years. It sounded great, but really couldn't keep up volume-wise in anything but the quietest of acoustic jams. I tried playing it hard or with a pick for more volume, but the resulting thinned out brassy tone didn't work for me. Eventually, I put a K&K pickup in it, but I wasn't thrilled with the amplified tone. Later I switched to Thomastik acousticore strings. I lost some acoustic volume, but the amplified tone was beautiful! Good luck, I really love the sound of an acoustic bass. Now I have a Kala U-bass that I use for uber portable acoustic jams. Thinking about picking up a battery powered amp just to have a great portable and small bass rig.
 
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#56
DaveKirkpatrick said:
I had a Guild B-30 for years. It sounded great, but really couldn't keep up volume-wise in anything but the quietest of acoustic jams. I tried playing it hard or with a pick for more volume, but the resulting thinned out brassy tone didn't work for me. Eventually, I put a K&K pickup in it, but I wasn't thrilled with the amplified tone. Later I switched to Thomastik acousticore strings. I lost some acoustic volume, but the amplified tone was beautiful! Good luck, I really love the sound of an acoustic bass.
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Thanks very much, I appreciate you relaying your experience.
 
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#57
I have a Guild B4CE and a nearly new Epiphone Masterbilt. They are both short scale, which makes them easy to play. They can each keep up with a small group in a jam (maybe 4 people), but for any performance situation, an amp is necessary. I like both guitars. I think the Guild projects a little more. It also has a cutaway, if you like to play way up there. Both sound fine through an amp. (I'm thinking about selling the Guild, if anyone is interested.) If you like, I can post a side-by-side photo of the two.
 
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#58
shortscalesrule said:
I have a Guild B4CE and a nearly new Epiphone Masterbilt. They are both short scale, which makes them easy to play. They can each keep up with a small group in a jam (maybe 4 people), but for any performance situation, an amp is necessary. I like both guitars. I think the Guild projects a little more. It also has a cutaway, if you like to play way up there. Both sound fine through an amp. (I'm thinking about selling the Guild, if anyone is interested.) If you like, I can post a side-by-side photo of the two.
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Sure, if it’s no trouble, pics would be great!
 
#59
tfer said:
View attachment 2952784 My Breedlove - great bass.
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Breedlove has used different woods for the top and sides of the Solo bass in recent years, but they all have solid tops. The new Martins have solid tops, too. In my experience with acoustic instruments, solid tops always make more volume. I like Breedlove's "bridge truss" system from a stability standpoint, too.

 
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#60
macmanlou said:
Breedlove has used different woods for the top and sides of the Solo bass in recent years, but they all have solid tops. The new Martins have solid tops, too. In my experience with acoustic instruments, solid tops always make more volume. I like Breedlove's "bridge truss" system from a stability standpoint, too.

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Mine is cedar top, with mahogany back and sides.

And the truss system is brilliant. Distributes the tension on the bridge into the bracing.
 
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