I use three different ABGs, depending on the application.
Left is Tacoma Thunderchief. Middle is a Martin B-1E. Right is a custom unit built by a fado player. The body is 25x19x6, scale is 32
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Recommended acoustic bass guitar?
- Thread starter kokox3
- Start date
I use three different ABGs, depending on the application.
Left is Tacoma Thunderchief. Middle is a Martin B-1E. Right is a custom unit built by a fado player. The body is 25x19x6, scale is 32
And do you find all of these give adequate sound to hold their own in, say, a group of five or six other acoustic instruments?
I have a fretless Tacoma Thunderchief that serves as a passable upright stand-in (with Rotosound TruBass tapewounds) for old-time stringband type jams. It's plenty loud for playing with fingerpicked guitar, fiddle, open back clawhammer banjo, and mandolin, and it'll keep up just fine with an acoustic guitar or two for more rock/folk type use as long as they aren't beaten on too hard.
I made a new cocobolo nut and saddle for it and set it up with a little higher action so I can dig into it pretty hard for volume/projection, and I play it with a fairly heavy hand. I also put a K&K Pure Bass pickup in it, and I have a Phil Jones Bass Briefcase which can be battery operated if I need to keep up with loud guitars or percussion or whatever.
I tried a Boulder Creek, sent it back because it only gives the illusion of being loud because of the top monitor soundhole, it was nowhere remotely as loud as my Thunderchief to anyone but the player, and scarcely any louder than some compact easy to play 'normal' a/e basses designed to be amplified for non-solo use.
If I were aware of them when I bought my Thunderchief, I would've bought a Lamont Flatback instead. They're essentially a modern, structurally improved Ernie Ball Earthwood, and they should be roaringly loud (Earthwoods certainly are), and if you could find a used one it should be in your price range (they're 1900-2500 new if you don't want a super fancy one).
The old big Guild basses, the B-30 and B-50, there may have been other models in the series but I'm not sure, are also good playing basses that are loud enough for some unplugged jamming. I doubt you'd find one under $1500, though, since they're rare-ish and haven't been built for many years.
From everything I've heard, the Emerald Balor basses are superb and as loud as if not louder than the Earthwood/Lamont, but their ultra-modern construction and appearance make me not so interested in one for my particular purpose. I may try to get a fretted one someday for more rock-type-use.
I can't think of any other genuinely usable acoustic bass guitars that aren't big bucks.
I made a new cocobolo nut and saddle for it and set it up with a little higher action so I can dig into it pretty hard for volume/projection, and I play it with a fairly heavy hand. I also put a K&K Pure Bass pickup in it, and I have a Phil Jones Bass Briefcase which can be battery operated if I need to keep up with loud guitars or percussion or whatever.
I tried a Boulder Creek, sent it back because it only gives the illusion of being loud because of the top monitor soundhole, it was nowhere remotely as loud as my Thunderchief to anyone but the player, and scarcely any louder than some compact easy to play 'normal' a/e basses designed to be amplified for non-solo use.
If I were aware of them when I bought my Thunderchief, I would've bought a Lamont Flatback instead. They're essentially a modern, structurally improved Ernie Ball Earthwood, and they should be roaringly loud (Earthwoods certainly are), and if you could find a used one it should be in your price range (they're 1900-2500 new if you don't want a super fancy one).
The old big Guild basses, the B-30 and B-50, there may have been other models in the series but I'm not sure, are also good playing basses that are loud enough for some unplugged jamming. I doubt you'd find one under $1500, though, since they're rare-ish and haven't been built for many years.
From everything I've heard, the Emerald Balor basses are superb and as loud as if not louder than the Earthwood/Lamont, but their ultra-modern construction and appearance make me not so interested in one for my particular purpose. I may try to get a fretted one someday for more rock-type-use.
I can't think of any other genuinely usable acoustic bass guitars that aren't big bucks.
I agree, there should be an acoustic bass guitar forum. They really are a different thing altogether, and in my opinion anything that increases interest in them can only help in developing new, better ABGs.
It's an archtop acoustic bass guitar. They're nice, and sound good, but pretty quiet. I played one in a shop last year, nowhere near the volume and projection of my Thunderchief. The one I played was full acoustic, no electronics at all.
The Martin can hang with two or three guitars, if they arent beaten too hard. The other two crank enough volume to be heard in an oldtime jam circle.
I had a ThunderChief ... I sold it about 15 years ago... Great bass. I sold it because it just seemed kind of delicate. I have since got a Breedlove Atlas that I like....
One more vote if not for separate forum, at least a club for ABG players.
I've been gassing for an acoustic bass for a number of years. i bought a Furch Bc61-CM. The entire back story is in my NBD thread.
They are certainly worth adding to the list to be considered. They aren't common in the US but there are a couple listed on Reverb now at or near the OP's price point.
I've not played mine with any other instruments at this point so I can't speak to how it will sit with a group of players, but I expect it will hang with a single singer/songwriter who isn't bashing away. Mine was used and came with a set of D'Addario tapewounds which I'm sure are not the loudest strings available but they do sound very nice.
Here's a video of the fretless version... not me playing
Mine is fretted.
I've been gassing for an acoustic bass for a number of years. i bought a Furch Bc61-CM. The entire back story is in my NBD thread.
They are certainly worth adding to the list to be considered. They aren't common in the US but there are a couple listed on Reverb now at or near the OP's price point.
I've not played mine with any other instruments at this point so I can't speak to how it will sit with a group of players, but I expect it will hang with a single singer/songwriter who isn't bashing away. Mine was used and came with a set of D'Addario tapewounds which I'm sure are not the loudest strings available but they do sound very nice.
Here's a video of the fretless version... not me playing
Mine is fretted.
This was put out there a couple time over the years, but the idea was poo-pooed by those at the top.
I also agree, at least a sticky to establish a running ABG thread at the top of the page.
I have no doubt that it's delicate. The wood is thin and REALLY... alive, for lack of a better term. The finish is very soft and thin, too. Mine's a 1998 pre-Fender model, I've heard that the post-Fender ones were a little sturdier, but not nearly so magical. I'm just careful with it, and if I ever break it I'll repair it or have it repaired. I bought it to use, and I use it.
One more vote if not for separate forum, at least a club for ABG players.
I've been gassing for an acoustic bass for a number of years. i bought a Furch Bc61-CM. The entire back story is in my NBD thread.
They are certainly worth adding to the list to be considered. They aren't common in the US but there are a couple listed on Reverb now at or near the OP's price point.
I've not played mine with any other instruments at this point so I can't speak to how it will sit with a group of players, but I expect it will hang with a single singer/songwriter who isn't bashing away. Mine was used and came with a set of D'Addario tapewounds which I'm sure are not the loudest strings available but they do sound very nice.
Here's a video of the fretless version... not me playing
I've looked at those a bit, they seem to be pretty similar in size and design to the Thunderchief/Timbre/Alien, so I'm sure they sound pretty good and are louder than most. I like that thumbrest/ramp, I keep debating on whether to make a similar one out of rosewood and gluing it to my Thunderchief's top. I've been concerned that maybe it'd restrict soundboard vibration, so I've hesitated.
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Well said!!! Sounds to me you both love what you're doing and know what you're doing. Very few of us can truly say that.
I'd love to hear your bass as well as your recommendations for Acoustic Basses. Unfortunately, I can't go $1,500 and up, but I'm only playing at home to entertain my wife and me. Anything between $600-$1,000 that would fit my category? A solid spruce top and bone nut and saddle I imagine is a minimum requirement.
Thanks.
I tried the Jr with cutaway. I surprisingly found the scale to be uncomfortable and I love short scale basses (typically 30"). It just didn't work for me.
There are sometimes Tacoma Thunderchiefs a little under $1000. They're a good bet. If you dont need the big volume, many of the ones from Alvarez and Ibanez might do you well. I hear good things about the new Guilds too. Best idea is to try them all, since tone and feel are so individual.
I'm really looking forward to spending time with the Alvarez AB60CE. Solid spruce tops and bone nut and sadle just to start. LRBaggs preamp sounds inviting and just the care they proclaim to put into their work and materials (and it looks that way from their final products).
Now I've never play a Jumbo so I'm hoping it's going to feel good in my lap. And if it's challenging, that I'll push myself to adapt for I'm sure the sound and tone will be worth any extra effort. And maybe it will be like any other acoustic I own and just be fun. My Martin is only 1.5" narrower at the lower bout so I stuck a towel under it to simulate a Jumbo width and liked it. Not exactly scientific.
Well thanks for the input. It was very welcome news concerning the Alvarez.
