ABG is a niche instrument, not something that gets called on often.
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Is an Acoustic bass worth it
- Thread starter Kalsarikannit
- Start date
For the record, toured professionally on electric an upright bass.
ABGs tends to sound more like electric basses, unless you purposely choose string and use techniques to trick them into sounding more like uprights.
A cheap upright is going to cost $1,200 or so and may not be significantly louder acoustically than an ABG in this price. As others have said, upright is typically much more physically challenging to play until you become highly skilled. Also an upright generally will not sound like an electric bass. My point is upright is not necessarily a better choice. They tend to be way more expensive, harder to play, and they may still not be loud enough without using a pickup or mic.
I used to tour with a fretted Yamaha TRB6P, a NS Design US series 6-string EUB, and a professional acoustic upright that cost way more then $1,200. My last touring rig included a rack mixer, power amp, and Eden XLT series cabs, and this setup allowed me to switch quickly between instruments. I generally was free to use whichever bass I felt worked best with each arrangement.
If I did an "unplugged" type gig, I would use my Tacoma. It has the look and sound great. But yeah it get uncomfortable quickly and it's necessary to work around feedback problems. Keep in mind an "unplugged" gig should not be massively loud, so feedback should not be that big of a factor.
I also own a small collection of other electric basses: Rick 4001 (highly modded), Washburn Bantam (headless), Daion Power Mark XB, Fender Elite II, Modulus Flea 5, Modulus Genesis 5. Although I rarely play the Tacoma, I probably play it more than all of these other basses combined. #1 has been the TRB6P since about 1995. There is no significant justification to keep all of these basses. But somehow I still consider buying more. I have some degree of gas for a Jack Casady, and I think it would be a decent choice for an "unplugged" type gig as well. I also think about a Roscoe Beck V or a Hamer Cruise 5 with a 2 Tek bridge. Other gas inducing models include Takamine TB10 and Epiphone Zenith, which are both fretless with semi-hollow bodies.
If you think ABGs are a complete waste of time, IMHO your opinion is noted and respected, but some of us actually think they have a few redeeming qualities. In particular I think the direct sound of my Tacoma records really well when I am playing it through a small amp. It simply sounds huge and extremely organic.
My feeling is instruments are an individual choice. If you think you want an ABG, go try a bunch of them. Maybe you will find one you like, and maybe you won't. Don't expect any to be loud acoustically, but some can be loud enough acoustically for really quiet settings as long as you have reasonable expectations. If I was in a situation where I frequently jammed with my Tacoma, I would get something like a (battery-powered) Roland Cube Street EX.
ABGs tends to sound more like electric basses, unless you purposely choose string and use techniques to trick them into sounding more like uprights.
A cheap upright is going to cost $1,200 or so and may not be significantly louder acoustically than an ABG in this price. As others have said, upright is typically much more physically challenging to play until you become highly skilled. Also an upright generally will not sound like an electric bass. My point is upright is not necessarily a better choice. They tend to be way more expensive, harder to play, and they may still not be loud enough without using a pickup or mic.
I used to tour with a fretted Yamaha TRB6P, a NS Design US series 6-string EUB, and a professional acoustic upright that cost way more then $1,200. My last touring rig included a rack mixer, power amp, and Eden XLT series cabs, and this setup allowed me to switch quickly between instruments. I generally was free to use whichever bass I felt worked best with each arrangement.
If I did an "unplugged" type gig, I would use my Tacoma. It has the look and sound great. But yeah it get uncomfortable quickly and it's necessary to work around feedback problems. Keep in mind an "unplugged" gig should not be massively loud, so feedback should not be that big of a factor.
I also own a small collection of other electric basses: Rick 4001 (highly modded), Washburn Bantam (headless), Daion Power Mark XB, Fender Elite II, Modulus Flea 5, Modulus Genesis 5. Although I rarely play the Tacoma, I probably play it more than all of these other basses combined. #1 has been the TRB6P since about 1995. There is no significant justification to keep all of these basses. But somehow I still consider buying more. I have some degree of gas for a Jack Casady, and I think it would be a decent choice for an "unplugged" type gig as well. I also think about a Roscoe Beck V or a Hamer Cruise 5 with a 2 Tek bridge. Other gas inducing models include Takamine TB10 and Epiphone Zenith, which are both fretless with semi-hollow bodies.
If you think ABGs are a complete waste of time, IMHO your opinion is noted and respected, but some of us actually think they have a few redeeming qualities. In particular I think the direct sound of my Tacoma records really well when I am playing it through a small amp. It simply sounds huge and extremely organic.
My feeling is instruments are an individual choice. If you think you want an ABG, go try a bunch of them. Maybe you will find one you like, and maybe you won't. Don't expect any to be loud acoustically, but some can be loud enough acoustically for really quiet settings as long as you have reasonable expectations. If I was in a situation where I frequently jammed with my Tacoma, I would get something like a (battery-powered) Roland Cube Street EX.
Easy/inexpensive: Fretless uBass
Light, compact, easy to schlep. Provides a good simulation of the double bass sound. Fretted uBass, less so. Requires amplification. Can be acquired for around $500 if amp hardware is already available.
Hard/expensive: Double bass.
THE source of authentic acoustic bass sound. In a well setup acoustic band it provides not only the bass sound, but also the visual point of interest. A very physical instrument, it requires study and/or training to play without acquiring injuries. Depending on the volume of the band, may still require amplification, which requires sound collecting devices of some sort to be installed on the double bass. Best to think in terms of $2K as a starting point.
Make no mistake, these are both very different instruments than the electric bass; for the most part, the only thing they have in common is tuning. They will both require significant study/training to play well.
If only your "Portland" were Portland, Maine, would I have a deal for you! I have an acoustic bass and just have not "taken to it" sadly. It is entry level and I just don't care for it. Might even loan it out for a gig! (If only you were local).
Get an acoustic bass banjo.
Serves 'em right.
Serves 'em right.
I bought a $90 "best choice" brand acoustic bass that I really enjoy which gets use beyond a 'beater' axe, sounds great and has plenty useful pickups. It's Prime so you can send it back if you get a dud. Mine stays in tune and sounds great with stock strings, minor fret edge work made it rather perfect. Has seen plenty of exterior weather (hot deserts, damp campgrounds) and stays in tune. Slapped a pretty hummingbird pickguard on it, looks nice too.
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Hey if you want one--cool. GO for it.
Most I've played were large--and f I ever get another shoulder or arm injury--or even when I get old, I may not be ale to play it--so I have avoided buying one for that reason alone.
But a steely say -YMMV.
I have played smaller bodied ABGs--most feel like novelties--but some were fun to play.
Most I've played were large--and f I ever get another shoulder or arm injury--or even when I get old, I may not be ale to play it--so I have avoided buying one for that reason alone.
But a steely say -YMMV.
I have played smaller bodied ABGs--most feel like novelties--but some were fun to play.
Indeed, or the tone control in the bass as the OP suggested.
Just 'correcting' the statement someone made implying nylon coated strings have no top end. They're not as bright as stainless steel roundwounds, of course, but there's a lot of treble. Much more versatile strings than a lot of people think.
I thought it was obvious.
Who uses 100% nylon strings on an electric bass? It's going to be pretty hard to get any signal
One of the churches I play at had an "acoustic weekend" - I was playing there that weekend, so they loaned me a Breedlove Acoustic bass - a decent acoustic bass, supposedly. The thing didn't have any output to speak of from the E string - luckily I got it soon enough that I could get it working......better (albeit not really that well) with some in depth tweaking of things around the piezo pickup. It also desperately needed new strings. Once i got it up and running, the thing was....still an absolute chore to play - all kinds of ergonomic challenges, the tone and response was all over the map. It was an utterly frustrating experience. Once the weekend was over with, I was more than happy to leave the place without that instrument.
I'm never buying one of those blasted things. Ever.
I'm never buying one of those blasted things. Ever.
I never found one with a piezo I liked. I had used a piezo with upright before too and never liked it compared to a small microphone.
I ended up just putting a magnetic pickup on one. It does still sound distinct from an electric solidbody bass, the pickup being somewhat microphonic as is. But sure is less problematic and trashy sounding.
I ended up just putting a magnetic pickup on one. It does still sound distinct from an electric solidbody bass, the pickup being somewhat microphonic as is. But sure is less problematic and trashy sounding.
A Ubass / Uke Bass is in order.It will be useful on the long run too.
The rosin trick is awesome
if it were me i'd bring the regular fretted electric bass. turn the volume knob down a bit on the bass to warm up the sound a bit. also mute strings with right hand and pluck with your thumb to further soften up the tone. so rather than go out and buy an ABG, i'd take it as an opportunity to learn to play my electric in a quieter/subtle musical situation.
I would take the fretless over the ABG any day. And BTW, do you tell them what guitar or drums to play?
