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Loud acoustic bass?

fryBASS

fryBASS

Aug 8, 2006
884
3
New Haven, CT
#1
Hey there everyone. I know this has been discussed a lot, but I really just wanna know, are there any acoustic basses that are loud acoustically? I know a lot of people buy them for the amped sound, but I'm not. I hear a lot about crappy pre-amps and stuff like that, but personally I could care less for that. What I want one for is the acoustic sound. Not the amped sound.

So does anyone out there have an acoustic bass that they can vouch for that has a good, loud, non-amped sound?
 
#9
Okay here's a relatively factual answer:

I have a Dean Playmate 5-string (cutaway). I can play with up to two guitars and a djembe with no problems being heard. If you tend to play with your thumb on the pickup, you'll probably play resting it on the end of the (long) fretboard, at which point you'll lose a little volume.

Two weeks ago I had two experienced jazz teachers listen to me while playing and say it was by far the loudest acoustic bass they'd ever heard.

So:

The Dean EABGC5 is probably not the loudest, but it is loud enough to play with a few acoustic instruments. Nice tone, too.
 
#10
Forget it.

Or were you pulling our chain?

I have personally owned about 10 ABG's, done would do what you are wanting.

But I have not wasted my money on a Tacoma yet.

Just get you a small amp, and a nice fretless.

Good luck on your search, I know I wasted a lot of money on mine.
 
#11
theshadow2001 said:
you want a loud bass your going to have to go down the route of an upright or else by an amp
Click to expand...

That's not the point of it. I already HAVE an upright. That's not what I want. I want a bass guitar, that happens to be acoustic, and can be played so. Is it really that hard?

1954bassman said:
Forget it.

Or were you pulling our chain?

I have personally owned about 10 ABG's, done would do what you are wanting.

But I have not wasted my money on a Tacoma yet.

Just get you a small amp, and a nice fretless.

Good luck on your search, I know I wasted a lot of money on mine.
Click to expand...

I also have a fretless, which is not the sound i'm going for either. I'm looking at fretted here. And the reason why I want one is for long car rides and busrides, etc.
 
#13
fryBASS said:
That's not the point of it. I already HAVE an upright. That's not what I want. I want a bass guitar, that happens to be acoustic, and can be played so. Is it really that hard?
Click to expand...

:rollno:

You didn't say you had an upright. Yes it is that hard, due to the laws of physics. Small box small low end volume what more do you want? Acoustic basses for the most part can't compete with other acoustic instruments. I've heard it myself and i've read it here.
 
#14
I had a Tacoma and it was very loud solo but would be drowned out as soon as more than one guitar and some moderate vocals got going. The Thunderchief feels good and sounds amazing but needs an amp despite being loud. Lower priced brands were near pointless. I didn't say they were not fun to play but unable to cut it in a group situation unamplified. Anyone got a fretless Tacoma they don't want anymore?:D
 
#18
In my experience the only thing loud enough is a guitarrón. Not exactly a ABG though. In a sense the whole notion of ABG is a misnomer. They just are not loud enough to cut it in most situations. I own a Yamaha APX-B12F it's a beauty, but not loud enough un-amplified to play with more that a single guitar and since i put TI Jazz Flats on it it is even quieter. BTW, action makes a difference; higher = louder, but that difference isn't huge.
 

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