Looking for acoustic electric bass...

[holllowbody]

...with a budget of about $2000 and I want a 4 string bass.

There isn't much out there that I can go test out so I am basically stuck with looking at manufacturers web sites and reading.

What are the top choices in my budget?

 

[holllowbody]

Well, so far I see the Ovation B778 and the Larrivee B-03RE.

They both look fairly nice and are within budget.

Any thoughts on those two bass'?

Any other suggestions?

Thanks

 

[tttmmoorree]

the warwick alien acoustic is quite nice, or a rob allen of course

 

[theaterbass29]

There is a very nice used Warwick Alien at www.thelowend.net. I have played this bass in person and its in great shape and sounds awesome, $1750. Also, Brian has a used Breedlove 4 string for $599. I have a Breedlove 5 Atlas, and it is perfect for my needs.

 

[Surprise Panda!]

Try getting a used Guild Starfire, I've never played one but have heard nothing but great things about it

 

[Jimmy Bones]

If you want to be able to test something out and see if acoustic is your thing, try out a Dean Playmate EAB. Not a great instrument, and the preamp sucks, but it's a nice puddle to get your feet wet in.

 

[Wadge]

Of the top of my head I can think of Takamine and even a Martin, both of which can should be within your budget if you go used.

The Takoma Thunderchief gets quite good reviews also and it is renowned as the loudest of the acoustic bass guitars.

 

[MNAirHead]

Dollar for dollar an Ibanez AEB can't be beat.. I used to own one.. spent tons and tons of time shopping.. Just shipped it in a hard case for less than $300

I shipped it as am expecting a 5 string fretless acoustic.

The big name stuff (Takoma, Martin etc ~$1500) is OK... challenge is that many folks discuss volume - you commonly will have to plug in inless it's a 1 or 2 person acoustic setup.

Much of this depends on how much you plan on playing it.. where you plan on playing etc.

Now's the trickier issue.. they do sound different.

 

[lomo]

Best deal will be Takamine IMO. Nicer and more easily playable (but not as loud): Fender Victor Bailey. Nicest would be a Tacoma from Atlantabassgallery.com (now out of production).

 

[RustyAxe]

The Takoma Thunderchief gets quite good reviews also and it is renowned as the loudest of the acoustic bass guitars.

I have one, and two weeks ago would have said the same thing. But a friend let me play a set with his Martin B1 and I thought it was almost as loud. I'll keep my Thunderchief until it disintegrates, though.

 

[Bardley]

I vote for the Tacoma. One of the nicest and best playing ABGs I've ever played.

I would love to try a Rob Allen sometime.

 

[LAPetrarca]

There's an entire thread devoted to ABG's.......take a look.......maybe it will help you out....

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=443269

 

[spade2you]

The Rob Allen isn't a true acoustic, but since you'll hafta plug in anyway, nothing will compare to the ergonomics. That's why I have two....and will be picking up #3 in about an hour.

 

[jambassist]

Take a look at the Martin Guitar 16 series. They make a thin body one which is the 00C-16GTAE or the slightly thicker BC-16GTE. I owned the 00C and it's a great acoustic/electric bass. As others have said, they need to be amplified. You're simply not going to be heard otherwise. I live near the Martin factory and have friends there that work in the Custom Shop. I can personally vouch for the quality and sound of a Martin. Far as price goes, you're looking at 40% off list. That price is from Nazareth Music which is one of Martin's oldest dealers. If they don't have it, they literally pick it up at the factory. Check out Martin's website for the complete specs on both of these basses.

 

[richnota]

i enjoy my Tacoma a great deal (4 string fretless) but have to recommend the Rob Allen or Turner Renaissance for any setting where you'll plug in. Feels and sounds better--more versatile. Gorgeous tone.

Like spade2you, I own a whole bunch and still want more!

MB2:

 

[FenderP]

What sound are you going for? Right now I'm partial to my Takamine TB10. So much so, I'm even considering selling my Rob Allen Deep 4 which was the first one he made. Not 100% on that yet, but the thought is being kicked around.

 

[iammr2]

I've owned the Martin B-1 and now have the Fender Victor Bailey. Both are great basses though you will need an amp when playing with other instruments. It does surprise me how much I like the sound of them amplified though. Also, I tried 4 or 5 of each model before I purchased them. To me, there is more variation in the models of accoustics than slab-bodied basses. I would highly recommend that you try before you buy.

 

[ceviche]

Well, so far I see the Ovation B778 and the Larrivee B-03RE.

They both look fairly nice and are within budget.

Any thoughts on those two bass'?

Any other suggestions?

Thanks

I own a Larrivee CB-09-4. The "C" stands for the Florentine cutaway body. It came with a Fishman underbridge pup and pre-amp. It's very nice to play. Sounds sweet unplugged, though I haven't heard it through an amp yet. It was built back in the early 90's. There's an attached pic to my post in the "Acoustic bass fetish club" thread.

--Dave E.

 

[mike costelow]

i love my 4 string tacoma fretless but my input jack is loose and i can not fit my hand in the offset paisley soundhole to tighten it up.hate to do it and wont unless absolutly necessary,but may have to sand the soundhole big enough to get my hand in.used my nephews small arm once but couldnt get the input jack tight enough!any suggestions?

 

[Mr. Ray]

Hi I've owned the Martin B-1 ..great bass, but very delicate. You can only use light acoustic strings. I have owned the Washburn AB-10 nice sound plugged in but very quiet on it's own.The loudest acoustic I've owned is a Kramer Ferrington..you can use regular strings, I strung it with tapewounds..killer tone.. They are on Ebay once in awhile.