Ric5
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- Jan 29, 2008
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Loud acoustic bass
- Thread starter Bergerac
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- loud acoustic
JeezyMcNuggles
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- Feb 23, 2018
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There aren't any. Bass frequencies are much quieter than guitar frequencies. Though, they carry farther.
Every time this question comes up, the most common answer is: get an upright bass. I know, that sounds hard. But really, it's not as hard as you think. If you are already competent on the electric bass, you can make useful sounds within a week or so on the upright. Seriously! In a few weeks if you work at it, you will be on your way. Yes, it's big and hard to carry around, but that's why it sounds so much better. A surprising amount of your experience carries over to the upright. If you're intimidated by the lack of frets, put some pencil lines on the fingerboard. You might get some attitude, but so what? Learn to play the upright, not because some snob says you should, but because it isn't that hard and it is a lot of fun.
I solved the problem by using a mandocello. It doesn't go as low as a bass (only down to C) but sounds way thicker than a guitar which allows playing bass parts.
The doubled, high tension wound bronze strings also make it loud with a sharp attack, at the cost of sustain. I use a pick to mazimize attacks too.
So yeah I sacrifice sustain, finger playing and a part of the range.
In exchange I get a great thick tone, easily heard against guitars in quite a small volume.
It's a good compromize for me and the mandocello can be used in many other ways.
The doubled, high tension wound bronze strings also make it loud with a sharp attack, at the cost of sustain. I use a pick to mazimize attacks too.
So yeah I sacrifice sustain, finger playing and a part of the range.
In exchange I get a great thick tone, easily heard against guitars in quite a small volume.
It's a good compromize for me and the mandocello can be used in many other ways.
I have a 5 string Doderer acoustic bass and it really is quite loud and sounds fantastic besides being loud.
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I bought a Roland Micro Cube for just that purpose. I would also consider a Tonewood Amp as well. It is no match for the Roland or the Joyo ..but it is a good option to consider because it will give you just enough extra to get I the mix.
Played in octaves and the the action is high so you can pluck really hard.
I have been on both sides of the ABG and I totally agree with you it can be done and people will hear it well enough so it makes a difference. As player I don't find it very satisfying though because it really does feel like the guitars are dominating.
In addition to the physics related to the size of the body required to reproduce the fundamental you also have to deal with the Fletcher Munson curve.
What this charts shows is that for equal perceive loudness, low notes actually have to be considerably louder. Also note that the difference is most significant at lower volume levels. So even if an ABG could play as loud and an acoustic guitar, it would not sound as loud.
If you want an acoustic bass that can easily keep up with two guitars, then please check out this post for a Rigel. It might be just what you are looking for.
For Sale - Rigel Acousta Bass Guitar - local pickup only NJ
For Sale - Rigel Acousta Bass Guitar - local pickup only NJ
I just stopped by to say you’re on an impossible mission. The journey is long and dark, much danger and disappointment awaits you.
You must ask yourself, it worth it?
No.
No it is not worth it.
Get a little battery powered amp.
There’s a reason EVERY single acoustic bass guitar has a built-in pickup.
You must ask yourself, it worth it?
No.
No it is not worth it.
Get a little battery powered amp.
There’s a reason EVERY single acoustic bass guitar has a built-in pickup.
This is what I'll do. All those huge basses are for sure delivering, but more flexibility and portability I get with such a combination.
BTW I ordered myself an E-Bike and it's metaphorically the same thing - my bio-power + some "electric tailwind".
Looking forward to go with the E-Bike, an ABG on my back and a Joyo MA 10-B (or similar) to those summer-things.....
It's been said here... Acoustic guitar basses are typically disappointing around other acoustic instruments, especially if you get into playing along with bluegrass instruments. If you really want something that can be heard acoustically -- with no electricity -- it's a double bass.
That said, there are some reasonable alternatives if you don't have the space or money for a double bass, and don't mind involving electricity. For those few situations where I just don't want to bring my double bass, I have purchased a fretless uBass (Kala) and a small but relatively powerful battery powered bass amp (Roland), and they work out pretty nicely together; I have wireless transmitter/receiver sets, so my amp requires no cables. uBasses aren't as fun or versatile as a double bass, but they are still lots of fun and they are very light and compact.
It's worth mentioning that even a double bass typically won't compete very well un-amplified with amplified instruments or with a big band section of horns with percussion. Many double bassists do setup their instruments with pickups and/or with mounted mics. My double bass has a double piezo pickup system for the bridge and the fingerboard (for pizz and slap) that feeds into a mounted 2-channel pre-amp, plus it has a mounted mic for a clear FOH feed. Piezos are typically more feedback resistant, while mics typically produce more natural tone.
That said, there are some reasonable alternatives if you don't have the space or money for a double bass, and don't mind involving electricity. For those few situations where I just don't want to bring my double bass, I have purchased a fretless uBass (Kala) and a small but relatively powerful battery powered bass amp (Roland), and they work out pretty nicely together; I have wireless transmitter/receiver sets, so my amp requires no cables. uBasses aren't as fun or versatile as a double bass, but they are still lots of fun and they are very light and compact.
It's worth mentioning that even a double bass typically won't compete very well un-amplified with amplified instruments or with a big band section of horns with percussion. Many double bassists do setup their instruments with pickups and/or with mounted mics. My double bass has a double piezo pickup system for the bridge and the fingerboard (for pizz and slap) that feeds into a mounted 2-channel pre-amp, plus it has a mounted mic for a clear FOH feed. Piezos are typically more feedback resistant, while mics typically produce more natural tone.
I play upright so ABG isn't really on my radar, but I have played one that came close to being able to compete unamplified - an early 70's Ernie Ball Earthwood bass. They have exceptionally large bodies, but I didn't find it too uncomfortable to play.
The Earthwoods are probably pretty rare birds at this point, but if I were in your position I would keep an eye out for one.
The Earthwoods are probably pretty rare birds at this point, but if I were in your position I would keep an eye out for one.
My EAB is nothing special...a Dean I got for $60 from 16 year old who said he never played it. Of course the action was high, neck bowed, the usual.
After some time on the bench I've got it playing and sounding pretty good...even with those awful bronzewounds.
If I need more volume I use a Pignose Hog30...
After some time on the bench I've got it playing and sounding pretty good...even with those awful bronzewounds.
If I need more volume I use a Pignose Hog30...
you really need to go around and play a few high quality ABGs so you can get an idea of what loud is when talking about an ABG.
an upright bass will have a lot more fullness, volume, and presence. depending on your string height. I remember talking to a double bass luthier about acoustic volume, and he swore that a bass player who is a long time friend and client of his played for years in a bigband (!!) unamplified and not only could be heard, but was heard with a full and clear sound. His strings were so high off the fingerboard most of us would not be able to get one note to speak, never mind playing a scale, never mind playing an entire tour with a big band..
anyway, getting into upright is the most unrealistic option if that is not your plan.
a bass guitar with a small/battery amp is the most annoying answer, but it's actually a pretty practical one.
getting a quality acoustic bass guitar is a fine idea, as long as your expectations are managed. they are not that loud, and they are not that full/deep sounding. obviously there are finely made ones that will have a full tone with good volume; but that is only compared to other ABGs. a $200 flat top acoustic guitar will be enough to outshine even some pretty high quality ABGs.
I still say get one, as the tone of an acoustic instrument is worth its shortcomings. there is nothing like the sound of the wooden body being excited by the vibrating string. Just don't expect to be heard over the guitars that well, is all.
an upright bass will have a lot more fullness, volume, and presence. depending on your string height. I remember talking to a double bass luthier about acoustic volume, and he swore that a bass player who is a long time friend and client of his played for years in a bigband (!!) unamplified and not only could be heard, but was heard with a full and clear sound. His strings were so high off the fingerboard most of us would not be able to get one note to speak, never mind playing a scale, never mind playing an entire tour with a big band..
anyway, getting into upright is the most unrealistic option if that is not your plan.
a bass guitar with a small/battery amp is the most annoying answer, but it's actually a pretty practical one.
getting a quality acoustic bass guitar is a fine idea, as long as your expectations are managed. they are not that loud, and they are not that full/deep sounding. obviously there are finely made ones that will have a full tone with good volume; but that is only compared to other ABGs. a $200 flat top acoustic guitar will be enough to outshine even some pretty high quality ABGs.
I still say get one, as the tone of an acoustic instrument is worth its shortcomings. there is nothing like the sound of the wooden body being excited by the vibrating string. Just don't expect to be heard over the guitars that well, is all.
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I'll throw this in.
I play occasionally with an acoustic project. I tried a bunch of ABG but didn't find one that sounded good or had the volume I needed. I realized that if I'm going play plugged in anyway, I would just play an electric. Sometimes I bring my fretless jazz (with flats) and other times I bring my semi-hollow body Hagstrom Viking. Both basses sound great in the context of the band. I have a small 2x10 amp that I use as a stool to sit on for these gigs.
I guess my advise is, look for a tone that works.
(FWIW, the semi-hollow Hagstrom is just loud enough unplugged to for early morning practice. I get up at 5am for work and will spend 20 minutes running scales, modes and such on the bass. Its loud enough for me to hear but doesn't wake my house up.)
I play occasionally with an acoustic project. I tried a bunch of ABG but didn't find one that sounded good or had the volume I needed. I realized that if I'm going play plugged in anyway, I would just play an electric. Sometimes I bring my fretless jazz (with flats) and other times I bring my semi-hollow body Hagstrom Viking. Both basses sound great in the context of the band. I have a small 2x10 amp that I use as a stool to sit on for these gigs.
I guess my advise is, look for a tone that works.
(FWIW, the semi-hollow Hagstrom is just loud enough unplugged to for early morning practice. I get up at 5am for work and will spend 20 minutes running scales, modes and such on the bass. Its loud enough for me to hear but doesn't wake my house up.)
