New Emerald carbon fiber ABG - impressive!

[GBassNorth]

More info I picked up...

4. They are still deciding what pickup to use. If you have suggestions, post them here - Emerald is reading this thread. ;-)

Now, what color to pick? The red is gorgeous, but so is the amber...

Please please please try the neck mounted Shadow Nano Mag pickup!

Oh, and make mine Amber. If it's like other Amber CF weave basses it takes on a retro tweed look.

Since it sounds like you're in talks with them about building a bass, any idea on the lead time for an AEB 4 string?

 

[bholder]

In regards to the question about how loud it is, I asked user Iomo, who has owned one of these XB-35's, how it compares volume-wise to other ABG's and he said it wasn't as loud as a Tacoma Thunderchief, generally considered the loudest ABG outside of the Earthwood.

That said, I'd be willing to wager it's more durable.

Having all 3, I would put the Guild B50 right up there with the Earthwood, both way ahead of the Thunderchief. FWIW.

And I kind of expected these to be louder than they apparently are, hmmm.

 

[GBassNorth]

Having all 3, I would put the Guild B50 right up there with the Earthwood, both way ahead of the Thunderchief. FWIW.

And I kind of expected these to be louder than they apparently are, hmmm.

I don't think the OP is referencing the XB35 in this thread. The new offering from Emerald is claimed to be louder. Maybe on par or even better than the Guild or Earthwood, yet to be determined.

My Breedlove is noticeably louder than every Thunderchief I A/B'd it with before buying it. Haven't tried the Earthwood or Guild but I also own a graphite Rainsong AEB and its louder and has even better projection than my Breedlove.

As a side note I'll also say that when I was hunting for the best AEB I could buy I found staggering differences in tone, volume and playability not only from model to model and brand to brand but even between the same models and the same brands. I probably tried 50 or 60 different AEBs across 10 or 15 stores in the southwest Ohio tri-state area before settling on the Breedlove that I bought. It was the best I could find at any price point. I suspect (or maybe hope) there will be less variability from instrument to instrument with a graphite model.

 

[HaphAsSard]

They are still deciding what pickup to use. If you have suggestions, post them here - Emerald is reading this thread. ;-)

I've been curious about this one for a while:

B-Band Acoustic Soundboard Transducer (AST 1470)
I suppose it would still need the correct preamp to sound best, but it should have none of that annoying undersaddle piezo quack. A mixing preamp, mag+piezo, would also be a cool idea. If the big body does its job and the unamped sound turns out phat enough, as a variant of the dual system idea the piezo might be replaced by an internal mic.

 

[foothilla]

Having all 3, I would put the Guild B50 right up there with the Earthwood, both way ahead of the Thunderchief. FWIW.

Very similar to my experiences. I have owned a ton of ABG's. I've had Martins, a Taylor, an Earthwood, a Guild B50, a Thunderchief,....many of the ones credited for having the most acoustic volume. The loudest I've played are the Taylor, the Guild B50, the Earthwood, and the 1960's Harptone B4 (shown in my avatar).

The Taylor was loud, but incredibly uncomfortable to play. I've found a long scale neck on a huge body is unwieldy (and I am a tall guy). The Earthwood was loud, but the narrow neck bugged me, and tonally it was kind of thuddy and lifeless. The Guild was nice, and my second choice of what is out there. But, my favorite by far is the 1960's Harptone B4. The Harptone is rarely credited for being the first AGB, but according to my research, it was the first one - predating both the Earthwood and the Guild by several years. The Harptone has the best combination of volume, tone and playability. If you can find one, I highly suggest them. But, they are rare beasts.

One thing that is rarely mentioned when discussing ABG volume, is that a lot of it has to do with set up, string choice and right hand attack. If you set the strings up really high, and really dig in with your right hand, you can easily hang with acoustic guitars (with any of the ABG's that I mentioned). But, if you have low action and a medium/light right hand attack, then you are going to get drowned out by other instruments. You have to play hard if you want to hang with other instruments, which just can't be done with low action.

 

[foothilla]

I probably tried 50 or 60 different AEBs across 10 or 15 stores in the southwest Ohio tri-state area before settling on the Breedlove that I bought. It was the best I could find at any price point.

Interesting, I didn't find the Breedlove to even be in the ballpark of the Guild, Taylor, Earthwood, or Harptone,...in terms of volume or tone. IMO, the Breedlove in the league with Martin basses. Clear, bright and thin, with moderate volume.

 

[foothilla]

I've been curious about this one for a while:

B-Band Acoustic Soundboard Transducer (AST 1470)
I suppose it would still need the correct preamp to sound best, but it should have none of that annoying undersaddle piezo quack. A mixing preamp, mag+piezo, would also be a cool idea. If the big body does its job and the unamped sound turns out phat enough, as a variant of the dual system idea the piezo might be replaced by an internal mic.

If you end up getting that, please let us know how it sounds. I find amplifying ABG's to be very frustrating. I am currently running a piezo (I've tried several different ones), run into a Headway preamp. While it sounds nice, and deep and clear - it sounds unnatural. It sounds nothing like the acoustic tone of the bass. I love the acoustic tone of my Harptone B4. The only ways I have found to amplify it's natural tone are with a really good mic (which presents obvious limitations), and an super expensive Schertler soundboard pickup that is properly placed (which also has an inconvenient set of limitations).

I would love a better, more natural, plug and play method of amplifying an ABG.

 

[HaphAsSard]

If you end up getting that, please let us know how it sounds.

Sure thing, I'll remember to!

The Harptone is rarely credited for being the first AGB, but according to my research, it was the first one - predating both the Earthwood and the Guild by several years. The Harptone has the best combination of volume, tone and playability. If you can find one, I highly suggest them. But, they are rare beasts.

I'd never heard of these, thanks! Introduced in 1967 (according to Guild at least) as opposed to the Earthwood's appearance in 1972 - the latter was also preceded by the Maton Bindara (1968 per Link Removed - search for "bindara" and click on one of the results), another rare and huge beast.


For comparison, and for myself to get an idea
(body length x max width x max depth):
Ernie 25" x 18 3/4" x 6 5/8" or 8 1/4"
Guild 21 3/8" x 18" x 6 3/4"
Link Removed 23 1/2" x 18 1/2" x 8 1/4"

 

[IamJohn]

More info I picked up - I'm actively talking to Emerald about having one of these built:

1. This is definitely not the XB-35 that is currently on the website. It is a brand new instrument with much larger internal volume. The new one (name to be determined) should be on their website in the next few days.

I didn't realize this was a new model. My interest has been piqued. I've never been an early adopter before, but this might be worth jumping on right away.

 

[tfer]

One of the best things (among many) of the Breedlove basses are the L.R. Baggs electronics. Very natural sounding.

 

[HeavyDuty]

Please please please try the neck mounted Shadow Nano Mag pickup!

Oh, and make mine Amber. If it's like other Amber CF weave basses it takes on a retro tweed look.

Since it sounds like you're in talks with them about building a bass, any idea on the lead time for an AEB 4 string?

We haven't talked times yet.

 

[HeavyDuty]

I've been curious about this one for a while:

B-Band Acoustic Soundboard Transducer (AST 1470)
I suppose it would still need the correct preamp to sound best, but it should have none of that annoying undersaddle piezo quack. A mixing preamp, mag+piezo, would also be a cool idea. If the big body does its job and the unamped sound turns out phat enough, as a variant of the dual system idea the piezo might be replaced by an internal mic.

My concern with a soundboard transducer is the way they amplify string and body finger noise - I had a K&K in my first Tacoma. Great tone, but touchy!

 

[Honch]

I've been curious about this one for a while:

B-Band Acoustic Soundboard Transducer (AST 1470)
I suppose it would still need the correct preamp to sound best, but it should have none of that annoying undersaddle piezo quack. A mixing preamp, mag+piezo, would also be a cool idea. If the big body does its job and the unamped sound turns out phat enough, as a variant of the dual system idea the piezo might be replaced by an internal mic.

No, I've tried those. They may work very well for nylon string acoustic, but lo and behold, picks up mostly treble. When combined with their 22-R undersaddle pickup (not piezo), they can do wonders to acoustic steel string, but I think bass notes and bass strings will be best picked up by something "under saddle" not necessarily piezo. One thing with piezo undersaddle pickup, is that 9 volt batteries are limiting. If you happen to use a undersaddle pickup and can power it with phantom voltage from outside (48 v) , like the english company HEADWAY does (or is it Scottish?) you hear the increased headroom and get rid of that quack. Low bass strings needs more than 9v. Period.

B-band has the uncanny and proprietary idiosyncrasy of that you can only use their own preamps to their own pickups, undersaddle or not.

Now, if Emerald should think of something, is that - at least - HAVING THE OPTION to run any pickup (undersaddle or not) from outside power, and not rely SOLELY on onboard 9 v batteries. Low frequencies demands higher power to be able to cut through especially in dynamics. I'd suggest Emerald calling up Headway and strike a deal on something entirely new solution, that will be a deal maker. Outsource, or making. But not as limiting as B-band. All B-bands I've tried I can easily pluck and pick very easily and make it choke. You can hear the limiting occuring. It doesn't have the piezo quack though. But all other idiosyncrasies that are not that good.

Whatever the solution, make options, and ramp up the power voltage a bit...

 

[spade2you]

My KR 7 string acoustic guitar has a B-Band AST+UST. The B-Band XOM preamp allows to blend between the AST and UST as desired. By themselves, they sound meh. They have a much more 3d sound when blended. That being said, Taylor's ES2 is basically a piezo slightly behind the saddle and sounds great on acoustic guitar. No clue how it would sound on bass.

 

[spade2you]

I too, am not in a band these days. I keep looking for a more acoustic oriented project but have not found anything 'round here.

Same here. Just working on True Fire courses to keep my skills reasonable. My job and family life aren't the best for the bands hoping to have a world tour, provided they make it out of the basement. On the bright side, the lack of band has allowed me to choose any genres on bass or guitar at the drop of a hat.

In the mean time, I have been cycling a lot. Racing has been fun. Sometimes I wonder if I could have been a lot better if I completely put music on the backburner.

 

[spade2you]

Most of the bands I have been in have, fortunately made it out of the basement.

If you do decide to retire from music to go for that TDF career, please send my your fanned fret instruments, thanks, they will have a good home here.

Tour de France? LOL, I'm a hack in the amateur ranks.

Speaking of fanned frets, my 2nd KR acoustic should be done soon. Redwood top, no cutaway, and probably will be stuck in DADGAD.

 

[HeavyDuty]

Still more info:

1. Build times - they try to keep the Opus series instruments in constant stock, but he said they sell quickly. The Artisan series ones are built to order and seem to run three to five months right now. Plenty of time for me to sell a kidney.

2. Tuners - the Artisan series will have Gotoh Res-O-Lite 350s, and the Opus series Gotoh GB707s.

3. Pickup - Emerald recently standardized on the LR Baggs Element Active System - VTC for their acoustic guitars so they are likely to use something from LR Baggs here, too. They expect to finalize what specific pickup and preamp in the next week or two.

4. Colors for the Artisan series are as follows (shown on their X20 guitar). There are threads on the Acoustic Guitar Forum where you can see the colors in better light.

5. They're still hoping on having the new ABG up on the website this week, so I'm sure more details will be forthcoming soon.

I have to wonder if the fanned fret six that's being built now is for a TBer? I'm trying to get pics - it has a bubinga top.

I'm hoping to send my deposit in shortly - watch for my kidney FS post in the classifieds.

 

[GBassNorth]

Still more info:

1. Build times - they try to keep the Opus series instruments in constant stock, but he said they sell quickly. The Artisan series ones are built to order and seem to run three to five months right now. Plenty of time for me to sell a kidney.

2. Tuners - the Artisan series will have Gotoh Res-O-Lite 350s, and the Opus series Gotoh GB707s.

3. Pickup - Emerald recently standardized on the LR Baggs Element Active System - VTC for their acoustic guitars so they are likely to use something from LR Baggs here, too. They expect to finalize what specific pickup and preamp in the next week or two.

4. Colors for the Artisan series are as follows (shown on their X20 guitar). There are threads on the Acoustic Guitar Forum where you can see the colors in better light.
View attachment 934003

5. They're still hoping on having the new ABG up on the website this week, so I'm sure more details will be forthcoming soon.

I have to wonder if the fanned fret six that's being built now is for a TBer? I'm trying to get pics - it has a bubinga top.

I'm hoping to send my deposit in shortly - watch for my kidney FS post in the classifieds.

Thanks for the info! Love their color selection. If I went with the green I'd feel compelled to play it on St. Patrick day gigs regardless of the venue. The blue looks sharp as does the red but I already have those colors covered. I so need an amber "tweed" AEB. My interest is very peaked!

 

[Honch]

My KR 7 string acoustic guitar has a B-Band AST+UST. The B-Band XOM preamp allows to blend between the AST and UST as desired*. By themselves, they sound meh. They have a much more 3d sound when blended. That being said, Taylor's ES2 is basically a piezo slightly behind the saddle and sounds great on acoustic guitar. No clue how it would sound on bass.

See there. That's a solution too, among others. Taylor has made a concession and left their old ES system. They're much better now. I have a slight reluctance to anything blended or double, that one pickup takes up the top and one other takes up strings, when blended, phase errors occurs, and feedback can be harder to buck. If the top or acoustic sound is loud I don't think a strip that senses the top only would be that smart. If a bass, and a loud one with a CF top, it's better to use something else that senses the strings, the Taylor idea MAY be a solution too... but still...powered, not passive, and powered by more than 9v or at least the option to phantom power it with more. It's a bass ya know. And while the bass is CF and high end like around 2-3 K USD you might as well up the ante in the pickup department too, and not equip it with just anything that sounds ... meh.

And for gods sake, no goose neck real condenser microphone inside. That was the thing a decade ago. Wonder whatever they'd been smokin' who came up with that.

* Sorry, but it really doesn't. It leaves at all times the UST (Under saddle) on, and you can only blend in the other one AST (Acoustic Soundboard Transducer) into 50 percent. It's either 100 % UST, or blend in the other. You can't have AST at 100 % with the XOM. You can only have 100 % percent UST, or blend in the AST, you can't get rid of the UST altogether and run only on AST. Not with that XOM preamp at least.

 

[foothilla]

Low bass strings needs more than 9v. Period.

Low frequencies demands higher [preamp] power to be able to cut through especially in dynamics.

I don't know who taught you that, but it's fundamentally untrue.