You are right about the sound hole plug. But Tanglewood don't supply them and I've not see one elsewhere (the s/hole is oval on this bass). I did make one for myself and it made a difference: maybe I should make a better one?!
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How to mic-up an ABG for tone.....
- Thread starter Rockin John
- Start date
You are right about the sound hole plug. But Tanglewood don't supply them and I've not see one elsewhere (the s/hole is oval on this bass). I did make one for myself and it made a difference: maybe I should make a better one?!
okcrum
in your chest
DPA makes some very nice [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] for acoustic instruments. You might also try a contact mic.
FWIW, my experiment was an unqualified disaster. I didn't have much time to try this out, but it was not a success.
I've come to the conclusion the bass is flawed and that it's time to move it on for a decent instrument.
I've come to the conclusion the bass is flawed and that it's time to move it on for a decent instrument.
I've owned 3 Breedloves, 2 Ibanez, and 2 Deans - still have 2 of the Breedloves, if that says anything... I've actually made some decent $$$ with my AEBs the last couple of years - they can be very effective in the right situations...
If you shop around, one of these can be had on the used market for around $400:
This is the one I'm gigging the most these days:
This is the one I'm gigging the most these days:
Not to derail, but what about a semi-hollow EBG if you're going back to the drawing board on instrument? The new Ibanez series or a Spectorcore (I own one) with flats might get you the woody tone and response you're looking for without mics or feedback.
This is one potential route. I gigged a semi-hollow body Rob Allen Deep 4 fretless for a few years. Very nice tone! Came close to the "upright vibe" etc. But honestly - there's nothing quite like the tone of a true acoustic bass. If that's what you want, you have to play an acoustic to get it! (And it's why our friends on the other side of TB say if you want an upright tone, you have to play a double bass.)
Sure. Just to be clear, achieving an 'upright tone' does not figure at all in my equation. I don't want to replicate an upright bass and I fully agree with the good folk in DB. I've never sought the upright tone and I'm not doing so now with this quest.
The reason for considering mic-ing up the ABG was to get an ABG tone; an experiment to see whether it would give better results than the Fishman. So far, it's something of a failure!
Best.
J
The reason for considering mic-ing up the ABG was to get an ABG tone; an experiment to see whether it would give better results than the Fishman. So far, it's something of a failure!
Best.
J
Totally get it, and sorry that round 1 didn't work out. The semi-hollows I've worked with don't sound like uprights IMO, but they do sound very much like, well, themselves but louder. It's a sound of wood, minus the treble, hiss, feedback potential, etc.
It may not be the sound in your head, so apologies if it's not what you're looking for. But I think you might be surprised.
OK, since we're changing the topic slightly, here's a mic'd Rob Allen Deep 4 fretless with tapewounds. I used an AKG 400 large diaphragm condenser mic on a Greenboy Crazy8 speaker cabinet. The RA ran through a Puma 900 amp set with EQ neutral. Very clean setup. Pretty clear distinction between a pure acoustic bass and a solid body. Neither is bad, but both are different in their own ways.
Yes, the Rob Allens have a really nice sound. There's definitely a nasal woodiness to them that's really nice.
No worries at all! (As a side issue, I think on a general basis that there's far to much hype in bass playing circles about 'sounding akin to an upright'. Eg. Lots of string manufacturers bill their flats and nylon wrapped like that: it creates a false impression of what the strings actually sound like, IMHO. Anyway, enough said....!).
I agree - the reaction I've gotten from playing an AEB - and not trying to make it sound like an upright - has been great from both fans and bandmates... Not to take anything away from the mighty upright - but IMO/IME, there's definitely a place at the table for a good AEB as well...
