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Resonator Bass or Acoustic Bass?

Discussion in 'Basses [BG]' started by Danilixo, Jun 24, 2017.

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  1. Jun 24, 2017 #1
    Danilixo

    Danilixo

    Nov 26, 2016
    South Africa (US Citizen)
    So my band's beginning to become a lot more acoustic and I've been struggling to be heard. Right now I'm using a Kala U-Bass and I honestly can't even hear myself when everyone else chips in. I like the U-Bass for traveling and practice, but it honestly can't stand up against everyone else.
    I know most people suggest simply plugging in and playing, though where we practice acoustically there is absolutely no access to power and I'm not keen on constantly buying batteries (I have a battery powered Yamaha combo amp but playing by bass just drowns the batteries out in two days of practice)
    So this finally brings me to my question, what do you guys recommend for an unplugged bass that can be heard over everyone else? I've seen some resonators but there's a much larger selection of acoustics. Give me your thoughts.
     
  2. Jun 24, 2017 #2
    Bodeanly

    Bodeanly

    Mar 20, 2015
    Chicago
    Upright or SOL.
     
  3. Jun 24, 2017 #3
    blue4

    blue4

    Feb 3, 2013
    St. Louis area
    Nothing but upright will matter. There's no resonator, banjo, or acoustic bass that will be able to be heard over any other instrument.

    Here's the answer I found works best in your situation. The pignose 30 rechargeable amp.
     
  4. Jun 24, 2017 #4
    bassbrad

    bassbrad

    Aug 17, 2000
    Leander, TX (outside Austin)
    I have a Dean Playmate EABC5 that is a huge ABG and can get pretty loud especially when playing octaves or a pick but still if there is too much going on it will get lost. If you have an amp that runs on batteries then get a rechargeable battery.
     
    McG likes this.
  5. Jun 24, 2017 #5
    Gorn

    Gorn

    Dec 15, 2011
    Queens, NY
    There's a reason upright basses are big.
     
  6. Jun 25, 2017 #6
    MD

    MD

    Nov 7, 2000
    Marin Co. CA.
    How many in an "everyone else"? You may get away with a quiet rehearsal in a living room using a jumbo body ABG; but live, with mics and a PA, in a small public venue, nope.
    After a certain point, ABGs have to be plugged in, that's why they come with on board electronics.
    Find an ABG that sounds/feels good to you and play it for its tonal and visual properties. Just plug it in.
     
    jd56hawk likes this.
  7. Jun 25, 2017 #7
    jd56hawk

    jd56hawk

    Sep 12, 2011
    The Garden State
    Exactly, just like they used to do on MTV's Unplugged.
    You simply need to buy an amp like this with a rechargeable battery. 2z52exv.jpg
     
    Last edited: Jun 25, 2017
  8. Jun 25, 2017 #8
    HaphAsSard

    HaphAsSard

    Dec 1, 2013
    Italia
    Iff you're gonna be out in the boonies with no chance to so much as recharge a battery, a resonator is not such a bad idea. Since resophonic basses are indeed few and far between, here's an idea, recycled from another thread:
    Emphasis added.
    (On second thoughts, a stiff pick such as ceramic picks recommended further on in the thread might be even better.)
    The general idea for the strings would be to use gauges typical of B-E-A long-scale (sub)sets; instead of the Fernandes set you could custom-order them in the required length (try contacting La Bella via bassstringsonline.com) or attempt unravelling normal bass strings (you may need something to stop them where you want them to - between nut and tuner -, such as superglue or heat shrink tubing).
    Also, intonation would be almost certainly bad up the neck: you might then ask a woodworker for a custom biscuit bridge, with the saddle slanted and set a little back from center (or possibly order prototypes with different positions).