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Recommend an acoustic bass guitar...

#21
JustMessin said:
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...
Click to expand...
Firs Generation El Capitains (MIK).
They sound awesome - they are huge (I get more comments on that bass than all my other instruments put together) and you can get them for PEANUTS!
Plus they are just about the largest non Expensive one on the market - full size jumbo body (even a little deeper I think) and full scale length so they are among the loudest most "acoustic" of ABGs too - which is what originally attracted me.
They were like $900 new with case - now you see them for like $250 with case. People see "Epiphone" and an EBG and assume it is just another generic import cheapy - they are not - the Fishman electronics in that bass are worth what many inexpensive AGBs go for nowadays.
You can tell the early ones because they have no cutaway and are made in Korea. I don't know what they other are like, but I know they went down drastically in price around 2000ish and they sure looked cheaper to me when I saw them.
 
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#22
Very happy with my Acoustic/electric Epiphone El Segundo (discontinued) but if you can find one trying it out mine works great



upload_2015-2-27_13-18-56.png
 
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#23
danosix said:
Firs Generation El Capitains (MIK).
They sound awesome - they are huge (I get more comments on that bass than all my other instruments put together) and you can get them for PEANUTS!
Plus they are just about the largest non Expensive one on the market - full size jumbo body (even a little deeper I think) and full scale length so they are among the loudest most "acoustic" of ABGs too - which is what originally attracted me.
They were like $900 new with case - now you see them for like $250 with case. People see "Epiphone" and an EBG and assume it is just another generic import cheapy - they are not - the Fishman electronics in that bass are worth what many inexpensive AGBs go for nowadays.
You can tell the early ones because they have no cutaway and are made in Korea. I don't know what they other are like, but I know they went down drastically in price around 2000ish and they sure looked cheaper to me when I saw them.
Click to expand...
Hah - just did an ebay search - one showed up used at a Guitar Center somewhere for $199! Click on it, quick! "This item is out of stock." Well, they do exist, someone just scored.
$_12.jpg
 
#24
I have the Dean EAB. Not MIA, but pretty cheap. One of the louder ones out there too, but still can't keep up with too much competition. One thing to remeber about EAB's, It doesn't sound at all loud to you when you are playing, but most of the sound projects through the sound hole. People in front of you hear it way better than you do playing it. And it is fun in the backyard. "Pickups" on this one are pretty good to, nice sound through our PA or an amp. Have a Pignose Hog 30, does the trick nicely outside with a couple of accoustic guitars.
 
#25
GoLeafsGo said:
I have the Dean EAB. Not MIA, but pretty cheap. One of the louder ones out there too, but still can't keep up with too much competition. One thing to remeber about EAB's, It doesn't sound at all loud to you when you are playing, but most of the sound projects through the sound hole. People in front of you hear it way better than you do playing it. And it is fun in the backyard. "Pickups" on this one are pretty good to, nice sound through our PA or an amp. Have a Pignose Hog 30, does the trick nicely outside with a couple of accoustic guitars.
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The Boulder Creek ABGs, and a bunch of others, have a 2nd sound hole on the top side so you can hear yourself play. It helps, but I wouldn't say mine is particularly loud acoustically. Sounds nice plugged in though!
 
#28
I would avoid the entry level Dean and Ibanez offerings, had not so great experiences with them.
The Ibanez had electronics that were constantly cutting out, even after being serviced.
And the Dean's fretboard was separating from the neck, as was the neck separating from the body.
Both basses were stored in "healthy" environments, I just never had any luck with them.
+1 to a Martin or Breedlove though, fantastic ABG's.
 
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#29
JustMessin said:
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...
Click to expand...
Dean Exotica with D'Addario black tapewounds. DMT I2EX preamp, Aphex Aural Exciter and Big Bottom Circuitry. Sounds better than my Fender Jazz bass and P bass.
99piyq.jpg
 
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#30
JustMessin said:
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...
Click to expand...
I jumped to my previous response in my zeal to promote the sadly unsung El Capitain. Having re-read your post - I'd personallyo stay with the upright - it is only "truly" acoustic bass option and is definitely more "legit" option/look.
 
#35
JustMessin said:
So my first question is - are they worth the effort, or should I just stick to upright?
Click to expand...

No.

Stick to upright.

AEB's are great fun to work out basslines in a quiet space, but can't compete with even one strumming guitarist. Unless you get one of those gigantic mexican guitarrons.

If you want smaller and don't mind schlepping an amp, then maybe an AEB (or Kala type). But if you are ok with the size of the upright, you're already in the right place.
 
#36
I have an Ibanez AEB10 and it is nice, plays well, sounds good.

But in my experience I would play an EB, DB or EUB when playing with others or gigging. The acoustic sounds good but it has too much sustain and does not fit in well IMHO. I play in a bluegrass/new grass sort of trio and the acoustic just had too much sustain and did not work as well as either my Fender P or my NS Design EUB. Either of those with an amp is far superior in sound to the Ibanez through an amp.

I do love the Ibanez for just being able to pick it up at home at a moment's notice and it is great for traveling, say I'm going out of town on vacation and just want to play a little while relaxing. I have used it for the campfire and it was fine unamplified with the guys. Of course we were all 3/4 lit so no one cared! So an acoustic has its place, I wouldn't invest a ton of money in one. Ironically it would probably work better for metal than bluegrass!

This is not an ABG bash, just my experience.
 
#38
I have owned several ABG over the years and was never happy unplugged. had several that sounded great plugged in but just could not keep up with the others. I bought a breedlove solo last year and have been very pleased. I play bluegrass (as a side project) with 4-5 acoustics, banjo and mandolin and everyone listening says they can hear me with the rest. It is nice having the extra sound hole on top so you can hear yourself. Paid about $1100 new. not a bad option. good luck
 
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#39
I have the 5-string Michael Kelly Club with the Roto 88 Tru Bass nylon flats. Closest tone to an upright that I have (although mine is fretted and they are available fretless, I believe). Great range of tones plugged in, versatile Fishman pup with eq, that B-string shakes the house! You can practice or maybe do the campfire thing without amplification but not much more than that. It might be my most beautiful bass, black with mother of pearl inlays. Plays ok but the body is chunky compared to any solid-body electric bass.
 
#40
TylerW brings up another question I was wondering about. Are 5 string ABGs any better or worse than 5 string electrics? A 34" B string is a 34" B string, whether it's on an acoustic or an electric?
 

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