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Looking For Acoustic Bass With Good Unplugged Projection

#24
ryevick said:
Or would it be just easier to through an effect on an electris that gives it more of an acoustic sound when plugged in? Less gear, less money spent. Maybe? Thoughts?



So which do you really prefer and why? Breedlove/electronics?
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I don't use effects so wouldn't know about that.

I like both of my ABGs as acoustic instruments equally. Both very nice players.
 
#28
A standard size acoustic bass with good unplugged projection doesn't exist. That is, physics don't allow it to exist, there's a reason some people use 4x15 cabs and the body of the upright is so large. Frequency response and resonant frequency shift downward the larger the body is so you can't really have a 'good' unplugged sound out of a standard sized acoustic bass guitar, unless 'thin and nasal' is your thing. To achieve a good tone and volume, you make it out of more resonant woods, better construction and bigger body... or just get an upright. The reason acoustic bass guitars work through an amp is the proximity effect, if you have a quality piezo that picks the wood vibration or even a mic inside the body (feedbacks like hell though) you will have a round bottom. Audience just 3 meters far from you will hear very little of actual bass frequencies acoustically.
 
#32
It's been my experience as well that a guitarron is the only acoustic guitar type bass that make a tone with any volume. Even the really funky folk-made ones sound better than an ABG.
The playing technique is different though, more of a finger hook and snap ala upright slap bass.
 
#33
Munjibunga said:
There is no such thing.
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Not in a a stock production instrument maybe but I've played a couple of handbuilt ABGs that were just loud enough. But even they required high action and a powerful touch to draw out the sound. One major deal breaker for most people is that to come anywhere near close to achieving useful acoustic volume from any ABG requires extremely high action and the technique to deal with it. The same touch you use on an amplified slab probably won't give you much volume even on a resonant, well set up ABG.
 
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#34
I played, and subsequently fell in love with a Fender T-bucket yesterday. It had good projection and sounded great plugged in. I'm going to pick it up today I think. I don't know how it would fare in a band context, but it was loud enough for me to notice. They are 399.00 new, but at the Best Buy near my house, I'd have it out the door at 240.00.
 
#36
If you find one, let us know. I've had the same experience of an ACB just not keeping up with a regular acoustic guitar. I have a Carvin AC40F fretless. The only resemblance to it being acoustic is the open hole in the front. It can only be played plugged in.
 
#37
T-Bird said:
Hi.



I'd assume that those weren't near the OP's ~$500 price point either ;).
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No, not even close! More in the $5k+++ range.

If you're willing to raise the action a lot even a cheap bass can almost be a useful acoustic instrument. A lot depends on the particular instrument more than model or brand. In past years I've spent quite a bit of time on this problem and for me it became more trouble than it was worth. Bottom line is that even if you're lucky enough to find a $500 ABG (or even a $5k one) that's got an open tone and nice projection you still have to play extremely forcefully but with a great deal of technique so as not to crap the strings out. I was of the "yes it can be done school" for many years but ultimately I found it physically damaging to play as hard as you need to play to be heard acoustically.
 
#38
willsellout said:
I played, and subsequently fell in love with a Fender T-bucket yesterday. It had good projection and sounded great plugged in. I'm going to pick it up today I think. I don't know how it would fare in a band context, but it was loud enough for me to notice. They are 399.00 new, but at the Best Buy near my house, I'd have it out the door at 240.00.
Click to expand...

What's that?
 
#39
When playing acoustic bass with acoustic guitars, I have found you can almost keep up if you bang on it with a medium or heavy flatpick (which sucks 'cause I'm a finger player). Fingers will never come close without an amp and as was said earlier, might as well use an electric.
 
#40
I have an Ibanez AEB5. I put an OPort into it. HUGE difference in tone and projection compared to the Ibanez without the OPort.

The OPort comparison - it actually overdrives the signal.

Clarity of tone with the OPort installed.

I play this bass acoustically with a trad group at session. Two flutes, two guitars, two mandolins, one banjo, a violin and a tin whistle. The banjo player sitting across the room commented on how good it sounded all the way over there to him. Now, bear in mind, no one is trying to play aggressively in this group, but everyone still heard it.

Hope that helps.

ETA: The soundcloud recording in my sig is the Ibanez with the OPort in it, recorded into my iPhone via Amplitube.
 

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