My band goes unplugged! Which bass do I bring?

Easy...Starfire.

 

Nobody will hear you, so bring the one that looks cooler. I think that Dearmond looks sexy, so that is my vote.

Another suggestion is to leave your bass at home and bring a small hand drum or percussion instrument. This is what I used to do (bring my bodhran drum for acoustic jams and gigs), before I started playing acoustic bass.

If you had more time before the gig, I would say, rent an acoustic bass. Renting a student-grade acoustic bass for a month is not terribly expensive.

 

Hi Axstar

A P bass is always right!

Second thought:



Fretless it is even better!


may the bass be with you

Wise(b)ass

 

As stated previously...Starfire

Will fit in visually even though it technically is not an ABG since it has magnetic pups

Plus tons and tons of Mojo!

Just maybe do a dry run for possible feedback maybe?

 

Definite sacrilege bordering on heresy of the church of bass

Taken tongue in cheek of course
...maybe

 

Starfire!
I played tons of "acoustic" gigs with an Ibanez Artcore semi hollow or a vintage viola bass. Looks right and sounds right.

There is real stage value to something like the Starfire that the audience will "read" as acoustic. I wouldn't bother borrowing an ABG though. A true unplugged acoustic set with bass and two acoustics is neigh impossible anyway as you'll be nearly inaudible unless you have a doublebass, guitarron or one of the very few "better" acoustic basses with loud enough volume such as a thunderchief.

Bring the starfire and the smallest amp you have or just go direct if there's a PA. Not a bad idea to mellow your tone a bit maybe even try a mute.

If I may offer one last bit of advice, generally it's better for the bass to err on the side of playing less in an acoustic setting. Not always the case, but I've seen some acoustic sets ruined by overplaying.

Best of luck for your group's first acoustic gig! Let us know how it goes.

 

All attempts at cleverness aside. I think either bass works but I vote the Starfire as well for the same reasons other people have stated about vibe and look.

I also vote no cajon. As a "real" drummer and one who studied afro-cuban playing on set and on congas, I find watching people ineptly tapping these thing to be defamatory to what are actually noble instruments. Kind of like if you all went to a gig like this and the drummer was handed a Kala bass and without knowing major from minor or a I chord from a V chord was childishly plucking at it anyway.

Mugre

 

Starfire. I gig with a 5 string Boulder Creek Solitaire acoustic into a Zoom acoustic creator into the P.A.
This bass has been a lifesaver. Our band fizzled out as these gigs turned into duo and trio shows with no amp and only our little P.A. I've now done over 25 shows with the acoustic bass in less than a year.
This is the future of local live music.
Live it.

 

Option 2

 

I agree with everyone on the Starfire. My choice in this situation is my Carvin AC50 semihollow. Same idea. The central block eliminates all the massive feedback problems of ABGs and yet still maintains a hollowbody tone that does it for "unplugged" gigs. And as Eilif noted, the "acoustic" look helps give the right appearance vibe that helps cover that the bass is not really "unplugged". I have a triangular piece of foam that goes under strings to mute tone (triangular because low strings need more muting material than high strings). It easily comes in and out and works great.

Can't help with the hair thing, tho.....

 

I play my Jazz bass with an acoustic guitar player and mandolinist in a living room jam every two weeks on old 20 and swing jazz tunes and other stuff through an amp designed for acoustic guitar.

 

it looks the part good luck with your acoustic gig!

 

My band goes unplugged! Which bass do I bring?
The one that sounds best for the situation.

 

Starfire

 

B.C. Rich Warlock through Darkglass 900-watt to 4x10 with 15 inch extension cab

 

Agreed. You already have the right strings on it as well!