I'm looking for an ABG that is relatively loud when used without an amp, preferably in the 300-350 euro range.
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loudest acoustic bass guitar?
- Thread starter Gonzo476
- Start date
The loudest was the Earthwood . Sadly they are no longer made and have become very expensive and collectable .
They are huge ... That was the secret to the volume .
They are huge ... That was the secret to the volume .
Hofner or Orteaga at that price. but for a 4 string definitely the Hofner!
Followed possibly, by the Cort......
It's a hopeless quest - give it up. Unless you're going to carry around one of those Mexican guitars that are the size of a small automobile, you'll never be satisfied with the volume.
They're all kind of quiet, but great for practicing while porch-sitting. I have a crappy old Applause and it's really quiet and sounds terrible but cool, if that makes sense. If you want to play with other people where there's no 'lectrics., spend the money on a battery powered amp and some rechargable batteries.
edit note: mine is not loud enough to play w/two acoustics and singing going on without playing way too hard.
edit note: mine is not loud enough to play w/two acoustics and singing going on without playing way too hard.
Every thing is relative. even an acoustic guitar, becomes very quickly amped above the size of a sitting room.
An ABG will or should be only expected to to work acoustically in a sitting room or very small busking environment.
in a folk jamming session in a pub even an acoustic guitar is lost other than a vague background strum noise.
It's a Physical issue!
Sadly, this is true. Bass never sounds good unless you're pushing some real air. To get real volume, you're going to want it amplified. Completely on its own, an acoustic bass guitar isn't a very satisfying instrument if you're going for actual rumble and its not very convenient, relative to most situations. I think you'd actually get more volume using a standard solid-body electric bass plugged into a small practice combo... I can probably get more volume out of my measly 20-watt Acoustic B20 than any acoustic bass guitar.
I hate to be so negative... it sucks just saying "you can't do it". But that's the same cold pragmatism you have to give whenever people ask how they can make a tiny combo with one 12 inch speaker loud enough to keep up with their very heavy-hitting drummer and guitarist who happens to like 100-watt Marshall stacks for playing heavy metal. It can't realistically be done.
This is probably doable... but you DID ask for the loudest so loudness must be a priority.
It definitely is, but after reading some of the answers given I think I'll settle for enough volume for jamming in a living room.
godofthunder59
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- Feb 19, 2006
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Sadly not even the best contemporary ABG will keep up with your friends on acoustic guitars. I have been down this road it's just as easy to bring a small amp with your solidbody electric in tow. You will actually be heard.
I haven't found one that will keep up with the quietest of acoustic guitars.... Let me know if you find one....
I'm happy with my Cort fretless abg. I've tried ibanez ab10 (iirc), but Cort much better in terms of loud sound and build. You'll be "okay" if you jammed with acoustic guitarist, unplugged. But much much better if you're amped. Hope that helps
Cheers!
Cheers!
You should try out a guitarron.
They are built to project, but have a limited range. It's a neat instrument, but tough on the both hands.
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They are built to project, but have a limited range. It's a neat instrument, but tough on the both hands.
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I've tried a couple of Deans that were loud (by ABG standards...). very thick bodies. Definitely the best acoustics i've played.
I own a Beaver Creek... not loud by any stretch of the imagination, but I play it in my living room with one friend on an acoustic guitar, and it holds its own. I can't keep up with two, however. I originally wanted an acoustic bass to take to sea with me (i'm an electronics tech in the Navy), but i find even alone in our work spaces, its is barely audible over the ventilation system of the ship. ended up picking up a cheap headphone amp that i can just clip on the strap. works fine, and allows me to practice when I'm away from home.
Only other one that specifically sticks out in my mind that i've tried was an ibanez. beautiful guitar, and played great, but very quiet, especially compared to the Dean. Sounds awesome plugged in, though.
I own a Beaver Creek... not loud by any stretch of the imagination, but I play it in my living room with one friend on an acoustic guitar, and it holds its own. I can't keep up with two, however. I originally wanted an acoustic bass to take to sea with me (i'm an electronics tech in the Navy), but i find even alone in our work spaces, its is barely audible over the ventilation system of the ship. ended up picking up a cheap headphone amp that i can just clip on the strap. works fine, and allows me to practice when I'm away from home.
Only other one that specifically sticks out in my mind that i've tried was an ibanez. beautiful guitar, and played great, but very quiet, especially compared to the Dean. Sounds awesome plugged in, though.
Say whaaa? That's not a bass.
Out of curiosity, what music do you play with that? What notes do the strings play? What is the scale length? How does it fit in musically? Is it similar to a bass, in terms of the function it serves in the song?The best source for this topic would be Brian Ritchie, of course. He uses:
Basses: '80s Ernie Ball Earthwood acoustic bass guitars with Martin Phosphor Bronze strings; Music Man StingRay; fretless Wishbass, Antlantsia Solitaire 1-string; Electring String electric washtub bass
Rig: Gallien-Krueger 800RB, various 8x10 cabinets, Countryman DI's
"I generally use a Gallien-Krueger 800RB. If I'm playing a Precision Bass or something that has a boomy sound, I might use the G-K's treble boost. With the Earthwood I use the mid cut so I get a 'scoop' with a nice low end and a clear hig end and not too much honking midrange. I sometimes take my Trace Elliot amp out on tour but mostly I use whatever they provide at the venue. I'm not fussy because they're all good."
Source: Bass Player magazine
That may not be pertinent to the OP but it's good advice for anyone intending to play shows with an acoustic bass guitar.
FYI - the Earthwood (pictured above) was inspired by the Mexican Guitarron.
according to wiki:
The guitarrón is usually played by doubling notes at the octave, which is facilitated by the unusual tuning of A D G C E A
I've played one before and it would be an interesting challenge to incorporate / substitute Guitarron for Bass guitar, but not impossible.
My current ABG is an old El Capitan.
I put flatwounds on it, it sounds better. Rounds are tinny on ABG's.
El Capitan is loud, but nowhere near guitarron loud.
according to wiki:
The guitarrón is usually played by doubling notes at the octave, which is facilitated by the unusual tuning of A D G C E A
I've played one before and it would be an interesting challenge to incorporate / substitute Guitarron for Bass guitar, but not impossible.
My current ABG is an old El Capitan.
I put flatwounds on it, it sounds better. Rounds are tinny on ABG's.
El Capitan is loud, but nowhere near guitarron loud.
To follow up on my earlier post - i'm not being negative, just trying to save you some money. I've owned several ABG's and none will keep up with an acoustic guitar (seriously - you would need to slap the _____ out of your bass to keep up).
I have a Kingman and love it for practicing - it is my "bedroom bass." I would not play it in a group unplugged though.
I have a Kingman and love it for practicing - it is my "bedroom bass." I would not play it in a group unplugged though.
The ovation can get pretty loud. I was lucky to find one used. They are pretty hard to tame amped, but sound decent when just playing without amplification.
