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Recommend an acoustic bass guitar...

J

JustMessin

Apr 11, 2010
16
0
#1
I've started playing in a small 'folky' trio (with guitar/dobro and mandolin, playing some light pop/country stuff) and thought I might try playing an acoustic bass guitar (the big 4-string jumbo guitar). I've played EB and UB for 20+ years but haven't even touched one of these acoustic thingies.

So my first question is - are they worth the effort, or should I just stick to upright?

Assuming the answer to the first question is 'yes', what's a decent-playing, decent sounding 4-string acoustic that won't break the bank? (this is just a fun little side project). A built-in pickup might be nice, but not necessary.

Thanks...
 
#2
If you want "competitive" volume out of an acoustic bass, count on either amplification, or spending $$ on a large bodied acoustic bass. I always knew that to be true from reading and even just thinking about it, but I bought an Ernie Ball Earthwood in December that truly makes the point.
 
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#3
I'm curious about the same thing. I am auditioning tonight for an acoustic duo/trio/quartet (depending on the gig). I told them I currently only play electric, and that may be just fine with them. But, I have started doing a little readin'-up in case I need to buy an ABG.

JustMessin, one thing I have gleaned from searching/reading here on TB is that the consensus is that an ABG without a pickup is a waste of time. Popular opinion seems to be that an acoustic guitar is just too small to project a good bass sound. So, outside of playing around a campfire, it needs a pickup and amplification to be really useful.

To anyone who might be able to answer questions, I would like to piggyback onto JM's question and ask if there are any decent ABG's that are made in America? I know that if *I* buy one, I will only buy something that would be good enough sound and quality to use when gigging, and it will have a pickup. (Not that that means it has be made in America - MIA is just a preference when all other factors are equal)
 
#4
It kind of depends on what you want it for. If it's for playing around the campfire, I don't know what to tell you. Two guys with acoustic guitars will drown out any acoustic bass guitar you buy. Even with those horrid brass round wounds. If you are going after an upright sound with amplification I can recommend the M. Kelly Club bass. Just put some low tension flats like Thomastiks or Dogals and pull the mids out with the onboard EQ. Gettin a fretless model will also help. I have had upright players rush up to me after playing one on stage asking what the hell I was playing to get "that sound"! Yes, I am an endorser.
 
#5
StuartV said:
I'm curious about the same thing. I am auditioning tonight for an acoustic duo/trio/quartet (depending on the gig). I told them I currently only play electric, and that may be just fine with them. But, I have started doing a little readin'-up in case I need to buy an ABG.

JustMessin, one thing I have gleaned from searching/reading here on TB is that the consensus is that an ABG without a pickup is a waste of time. Popular opinion seems to be that an acoustic guitar is just too small to project a good bass sound. So, outside of playing around a campfire, it needs a pickup and amplification to be really useful.

To anyone who might be able to answer questions, I would like to piggyback onto JM's question and ask if there are any decent ABG's that are made in America? I know that if *I* buy one, I will only buy something that would be good enough sound and quality to use when gigging, and it will have a pickup. (Not that that means it has be made in America - MIA is just a preference when all other factors are equal)
Click to expand...

I have to disagree, there are acoustics out there that do not need amplification to keep up. But they won't be found in the conveniently sized and priced end of the market.
 
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#6
bholder said:
I have to disagree, there are acoustics out there that do not need amplification to keep up. But they won't be found in the conveniently sized and priced end of the market.
Click to expand...

I have no problem qualifying the statement to "conveniently sized and priced" ABGs! :-) That is definitely what I would want. Convenient size and, well, not TOO painful price. $3K - 4K for an Earthwood is definitely WAY too painful.
 
#7
The question is whether or not you plan on playing without an amp. If not, you're better off playing your upright if you want to be heard. If you're gonna plug in then there's lots of great options but this thread might as well end now if that's not the case.
 
#8
StuartV said:
I have no problem qualifying the statement to "conveniently sized and priced" ABGs! :) That is definitely what I would want. Convenient size and, well, not TOO painful price. $3K - 4K for an Earthwood is definitely WAY too painful.
Click to expand...
Yeah, I understand - there are some others out there, but I somewhat doubt you'll find anything loud under $1K, unless you're lucky in the used market. I remember reading that Breedloves were once rated highly, I've always wanted to try one, don't know how loud they are, but they can be found in the <$1K range.

If anyone knows of any currently manufactured big loud ABGs, chime in, I'm not coming up with much. (Well, Ribbecke, but again, $$$.)
 
#9
Moe Monsarrat said:
It kind of depends on what you want it for. If it's for playing around the campfire, I don't know what to tell you. Two guys with acoustic guitars will drown out any acoustic bass guitar you buy. Even with those horrid brass round wounds. If you are going after an upright sound with amplification I can recommend the M. Kelly Club bass. Just put some low tension flats like Thomastiks or Dogals and pull the mids out with the onboard EQ. Gettin a fretless model will also help. I have had upright players rush up to me after playing one on stage asking what the hell I was playing to get "that sound"! Yes, I am an endorser.
Click to expand...

I was looking at those M. Kelly basses on GC's website. I just looked at MK's website. I can't tell where they are made. Based on the price/features, I'm guessing somewhere in Asia?
 
#10
If you're looking for a small portable amp for ABG with a battery option, I can vouch for the Phil Jones Briefcase, but again, the good stuff ain't cheap.
 
#11
I wonder how loud the Michael Kelley Turner Renaissance is acoustically? Anyone? Or is that a "must amplify" bass? Dying to try one...
 
#12
I don't know about JM, but for me, I know I'd be using amplification for gigs. So, I'm not (TOO) concerned with how loud it is acoustically. I'm more concerned with how good it sounds (amplified), and the overall quality. I've always heard that acoustic guitars are harder to play than electric guitars. Is that also true for ABGs? Is it possible to get the action on an ABG down as low as the action on a good electric?
 
#13
StuartV said:
I don't know about JM, but for me, I know I'd be using amplification for gigs. So, I'm not (TOO) concerned with how loud it is acoustically. I'm more concerned with how good it sounds (amplified), and the overall quality. I've always heard that acoustic guitars are harder to play than electric guitars. Is that also true for ABGs? Is it possible to get the action on an ABG down as low as the action on a good electric?
Click to expand...
On some, but not generally, nor would you want to, really, it'd affect the sound. But a good ABG shouldn't be any harder to play than a good electric, just a different feel.
 
#14
bholder said:
If you're looking for a small portable amp for ABG with a battery option, I can vouch for the Phil Jones Briefcase, but again, the good stuff ain't cheap.
Click to expand...

The band I'm auditioning with uses a proper PA, at least for vocals. So, plugging in a "real" amp would not be an issue for me.

Honestly, they may not give a rip if I play electric, instead of ABG. I just don't really know yet. If they really don't care, then there is definitely other stuff I'll be spending my money on right now than an ABG. Especially considering how often I expect to actually be working with them.
 
#15
Yes, you can make them just as easy to play as an electric notwithstanding the body shape. Micheal Kelly guitars are made in Korea I believe. I have not tried the new Turner model but with no sound hold I would expect it to be a amp only axe for gigs. No ABG is really loud enough for any gig that I play without amplification.. I will say this: if you take an MK Club or Dragonfly and put some good and appropriate flats on it (with a set up of course)....you will flat out be amazed at the sound. I mean the whole band will turn around with a big grin after the 1st note. I have a Dragonfly, but if I had it to do over I would buy a Club. The Dragonfly has that beautiful inlay on the fretless finger board but, sometimes temperature and humidity changes cause the abalone to rise and you must have it sanded down. The Club doesn't have that stuff and is cheaper for it. Same pickup and electronics just no inlay.
 
#16
Moe Monsarrat said:
Yes, you can make them just as easy to play as an electric notwithstanding the body shape. Micheal Kelly guitars are made in Korea I believe. I have not tried the new Turner model but with no sound hold I would expect it to be a amp only axe for gigs. No ABG is really loud enough for any gig that I play without amplification.. I will say this: if you take an MK Club or Dragonfly and put some good and appropriate flats on it (with a set up of course)....you will flat out be amazed at the sound. I mean the whole band will turn around with a big grin after the 1st note. I have a Dragonfly, but if I had it to do over I would buy a Club. The Dragonfly has that beautiful inlay on the fretless finger board but, sometimes temperature and humidity changes cause the abalone to rise and you must have it sanded down. The Club doesn't have that stuff and is cheaper for it. Same pickup and electronics just no inlay.
Click to expand...
Yeah, as soon as amplification is in the picture, there are lots of inexpensive workable choices.
 
#17
We'll have a small PA, with shared condenser mic(s) for vocals & instruments- but there will be a couple channel slots free for plugging in.

For this particular gig setup, I'd like to carry as little as possible and go ampless/pedalboard-less - straight into the board from the instrument would be great. Although I've got a couple different DI pedals that I could use.
 
#19
Hey, this doesn't seem right... this thread has been up for an hour and no ABG bashers yet?

JustMessin said:
So my first question is - are they worth the effort, or should I just stick to upright?
Assuming the answer to the first question is 'yes', what's a decent-playing, decent sounding 4-string acoustic that won't break the bank? (this is just a fun little side project). A built-in pickup might be nice, but not necessary.
Thanks...
Click to expand...

They've been worth it for me; I own two.
My knock around ABG gets played around the house, outside on the deck, in the back yard by the fire pit. It gets tossed in the jeep for camping and road trips. My good ABG gets 95% of the gigs I play; duo-quartet jazz - clubs, restaurants, parties, outdoor events, etc...
Both are loud enough to hear over the TV, or playing with BIAB/play-a-longs. The camping bass can be heard around a campfire with finger picking guitars, sitting in a stream with moving water, and even by friends in a neighboring campsite ~60' away.

How fragile is the bank?
 

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