I have a Fender CB-100CE that I like, it's full scale and pretty freaking big when you hold it, but it plays very nice and I like the electronics including built-in tuner. I don't know if they can be called budget anymore, but you can find them used pretty regularly at different prices.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Recommended budget acoustic bass
- Thread starter Sean Parsons
- Start date
Here's a big part of the debate that isn't explained.
Guitarists usually, but not always, start out on an acoustic guitar. They learn how to play and then get an electric guitar afterward and also learn on that. They fully comprehend and understand that the two types of guitars are different animals and require different techniques.
Not so much the same with the majority of bassists, unless they're a guitarist first. Bassists usually almost always start on an electric bass. They want to be like their idol. They learn tabs and patterns. The majority skip notation. They also play with an extremely low action and the limp wrist dead fish hand shake technique of playing because the amp can do the talking.
If you want to play an Acoustic Bass Guitar (ABG) you need to play with a different technique. If you play an ABG like an electric bass with an extremely low action and limp wrist dead fish handshake technique you will never be heard in ensemble playing regardless of what ABG you buy unless you plug in, even an Earthwood or a Thunderchief. Doesn't matter.
In order to be heard on an ABG unplugged you must play with a high action so the strings can ring out. You must play with finesse (picture John Entwistle or Geddy Lee playing an ABG) or use a pick (Rubber picks from 'Wedgie' are great as they have little to no plastic clickity-clack). You should also use loud Phosphor Bronze strings that are pressure wound to allow the strings to ring out and have minimal string squeak.
If you must have the super low action for the limp wrist dead fish hand shake technique of playing then you must plug in. If you do play that way, then tape wound strings are the way to go on a plugged in ABG.
Understanding this will dramatically help with not having your expectations dashed.
Last edited:
May be just outside what he wants to pay, but I think Breedlove makes excellent and affordable ABGs. I have the 'Jumbo Solo' fretless.
I have a Fender CB-60 with a 32” scale. It cost around $330 when I bought it around a year ago. I enjoy playing it. It just has a different vibe and feel from an electric instrument. I don’t expect it to do the same thing.
Some years ago I bought a Rogue fretless ABG. These used to be kind of a low end house brand at Musicians Friend, and I'm not sure the Rogue brand is even around anymore. It was very cheap (like $149 US$), but I was surprised by how decent it sounded. I put some spare Thomastik Acousticores on it (about half the cost of the bass itself 
) and works fine for what it is. I still use it for certain things.
FYI, here's an old TB post about them:
NBD - Rogue cheapo fretless ABG | TalkBass.com
good luck OP, looks like you have lots of options to choose from.
) and works fine for what it is. I still use it for certain things.FYI, here's an old TB post about them:
NBD - Rogue cheapo fretless ABG | TalkBass.com
good luck OP, looks like you have lots of options to choose from.
I scored a used Ibanez AEB-10 from Craigslist with the original hard case for $80.
I think it's a pretty sweet bedroom bass for the money spent.
I think it's a pretty sweet bedroom bass for the money spent.
I have this Cort acoustic bass (see my avatar) for 12 years and am quite happy with it. @B-Mac is dead right on his approach to ABG technique. Mine has phosphor bronze strings and at times was heard mixed with two acoustic guitars, accordion, violin and tambourine, not mentioning singers.
I think I've paid $300 for it new. Could be obtained cheaper on a 2nd hand market.
I think I've paid $300 for it new. Could be obtained cheaper on a 2nd hand market.
Another vote for the Fender Kingman. I have mine strung with GHS precision flats, and I like the sound (I play with a pick). I only play at home by myself, so I don’t need to get too loud. I have other electric basses and enjoy them, but when I want to learn a new song or just noodle around, I use the ABG. Sometime playing plugged in just doesn’t work (early mornings, house guests, playing on the couch). I find that most of what I learn on the ABG transfers well enough to my electric basses, but I’m not a fanatic about technique, what little of it I might have, and I play mainly short scale.
I have an Ibanez I bought used about 15 years ago for under $200 used. It's nice for what it is, but it mostly hangs on the wall, because as noted, it's not really an acoustic instrument. My old band did some acoustic gigs, and I always still had to bring an amp. I quickly thought "what's the point of playing this giant, awkward thing when I could just as easily play one of my electrics."
I do intend to get another hollowbody electric though soon.
I do intend to get another hollowbody electric though soon.
Seconded. The Kingman is an excellent acoustic bass. Great active electronics, too.
Yes yes and yes! If your brother wants to jam unplugged it can certainly be done.
So I went the opposite of most and began with ABG, specifically the Olympia version of Tacoma's Thunderchief. I used dunlop picks, heavy attack, and some form of phosphor bronzes (I usually stuck with Elixirs). I regularly jammed with two guitars and light percussion (e.g. djembe or the like, because those were cool twenty years ago), everyone was unplugged and we could all hear each other fine. I was chasing the Brian Ritchie/Violent Femmes tone, he played an Ernie Ball Earthwood (massive bass!).
I do agree though that the right bass makes a huge difference here-- I tried a lot before I found the Tacoma/Olympia. The larger size of this and similar instruments makes unplugged jamming possible and not just frustrating.
I will say that after getting an electric, I realized that the technique I had developed on the ABG was all wrong for electric. I had/am having to relearn a lot. Also, just for fun, I put LaBella LTF's on the Olympia, and it has a nice sound, but very different and not nearly enough volume to go unplugged.
Three different versions of Kingman. Two different of the first version in long scale dreadnaught body and then short scale. Which are you referring to?
This older G Series has been with me for 15 years give or take - can't go wrong. I imagine the newer Gs are ok, but the EG512 has a string through bridge and not a pin bridge.
I'm gonna throw another vote to the Kala U bass series. I EFFING LOVE the tone plugged in. Acoustic, it's perfect for just noodling on my own at the house. Not much volume, but the plugged in tone is too die for when compared to the other ABGs I've owned in the past.
Expanding on what B-Mac and NCBaker have previously said: An AGB can drastically alter your technique in ways which you might not otherwise account. There're no volume or tone controls on an AGB, so everything you do comes straight from your hands. Getting a super clean sound from an AGB requires a different way of playing and it can do wonders for how you approach your instrument.
That being said, if you can find an older Korean made Breedlove, snatch it up. I picked up a used Luna AGB about ten years ago for $250 US dollars, and for what I paid for it, it has served me faithfully. Had a Dean, didn't like it.
That being said, if you can find an older Korean made Breedlove, snatch it up. I picked up a used Luna AGB about ten years ago for $250 US dollars, and for what I paid for it, it has served me faithfully. Had a Dean, didn't like it.
I've owned a few and they are the only basses I ever sold. I use a battery powered amp for campfire jams.
Great post B Mac. Incorrect mindset and unrealistic expectations can lead to problems. This is a universal truth for all things in life.
