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Shopping for a new ABG

marwady

marwady

Jul 9, 2005
1,101
28
73
Northern Michigan
#1
Looking to replace my MK Dragonfly 5er with a 4 banger so I stopped in GC (I know :o ) today to try a few. Let me also say that I primarily use my ABG to practice while I watch TV, I have not gigged with one yet.

Some obsevations............

Fender Victor Bailey - Even with grungy strings (typical GC), this one played great and sounded pretty good. The smaller body and Dao wood gave it a nice, defined tone but, volume was not that great and tone was a little midrangy. I did love the neck, almost a Jazz feel and a nice matte finish. With fresh strings, I bet the tone would improve. The smaller, arched back body was by far the most comfortable feeling. By the way, I was suprised to see that this was a Korean instrument.

I played another Fender with a similar neck but different body (spruce and mahogany construction) and larger size. Bigger sound but not as much definition. If I had to choose between Fenders, the VB would be my choice.

Takamine Jumbo Q Maple - By far the biggest and best tone but the bass was HUGE. Beautiful wood and finish on the body. Neck profile was a bit chunkier and had a gloss finish that I didn't care for. All in all, a nice sound but uncomfortable to play for me.

I need to make a trip to another local shop but they are about 1 1/2 hours from me. They have always had a really nice bass department and have other brands including Tacoma. I keep hearing great things about them but have never played one.

I do like that VB so far, nice and small and a great player....................we'll see.

Stay tuned, my search continues.
 
#2
After playing a few more ABGs at different stores, I went back and played that VB acoustic at GC and am still diggin' it. The salesman gave me a killer price on it, I think thats the one for me!!

My MK is up on the bay and, if it sells, I will probably go for it.

I will do a final "cash in hand" negotiation for it to see if I can even do better.

Geeked!!
 
#4
TP,

Interesting design on this bass. Body is small and comfortable for an ABG. Even though it is not as loud and big as the Tacoma, it has a really nice punch to the tone that makes it seem louder than it is. I can tell you this, it is more comfortable than anything I have tried and I am a pretty big guy. If I was slight of build, I could hide behind some of the one I tried. :)

I know if I use this to play with other musicians, I would use a small combo amp anyway. I think that any ABG would require this based on what I have heard, except if you were jamming with maybe just one acoustic guitar or a not so loud acoustic piano. With drums, I would definitely want an amp.

I bet if you play one, you will dig it!
 
#5
marwady said:
TP,

Interesting design on this bass. Body is small and comfortable for an ABG. Even though it is not as loud and big as the Tacoma, it has a really nice punch to the tone that makes it seem louder than it is. I can tell you this, it is more comfortable than anything I have tried and I am a pretty big guy. If I was slight of build, I could hide behind some of the one I tried. :)

I know if I use this to play with other musicians, I would use a small combo amp anyway. I think that any ABG would require this based on what I have heard, except if you were jamming with maybe just one acoustic guitar or a not so loud acoustic piano. With drums, I would definitely want an amp.

I bet if you play one, you will dig it!
Click to expand...
Sounds like just what I'm looking for in a bass, and at 5'7" and 160 lbs. most ABG's out there are bigger than I am.

Just great though, the LAST thing I need is another bass to GAS for.
 
#7
Sold my MK 5er and just picked up the VB Acoustic......so far, I am really diggin' it!! :bassist:

The truss rod needed a slight tweak and I need some new strings but, the price was right and this bass will stay with me for quite a while.

I will do a more comprehensive review after "bonding" with it.

Some pix:


P1010127.gif

P1010128.gif
 
#9
That's a sweet bass! I almost bought one of those last year but I decided to go with a Martin instead. The Martin was more expensive but the tone/playability was really close. The only reasons I bought the Martin instead of the Fender are: the Martin is made of aluminum and HPL, so I feel it will be more durable than the laminated construction of the Fender. Also, Martins are made in the US, and I feel it is important to support US businesses, especially now. Anyway, congrats on the new purchase.
 
#11
Hello all,

After further bonding and plugging into my rig, I am absolutely loving this bass. The smaller size of the body and slim, almost Jazz sized neck make this puppy easy to play.

You want to hang on to it just a little longer and that makes me practice more....a good thing.

I have noticed a couple of nice little additions to the electronics package.

First, there's a built in tuner, very convenient.

There is also an additional piezo pup with a separate volume pot mounted just inside the sound hole. I have been experimenting with it and it has a nice "woody" sound when you mix it in just a bit. If you add too much, the bass starts to honk and it's a feedback monster. Interseting tonal variation, though.

This ABG does just what I wanted it to do, allows me to sit on the couch and practice comfortably with a nice, pleasing tone.

As I posted earlier, I want to change the relatively dead phosphor bronze strings out for somthing different. I think I want some light guage roundwounds that are not overly bright. I think I would hate that metallic zing on this bass. I don't want to go as far as flats, too thumpy and probably more tension than I would dare to go on a ABG.

Any suggestions based on the tone I am describing?
 
#12
Just installed a set of SIT Silencers in light guage on the VB.

They are a nickel pressure wound design and sound pretty nice. I have been buyng my strings lately from Bigcitystrings.com and they recommended these after I told them what I was looking for. Very nice folks and, so far, they have not steered me wrong, great service and pricing also.

They are still a little bright for me but most new strings are. The pressure winding is kind of cool, a round wound with a smoother feel and not so much finger noise. This bass has a slightly darker sound so these should be perfect once they break in a bit, we'll see.

The longer I own this bass, the better I like it, absolutely no buyer's remorse.

This is one of those instruments that talks back to you when you play it, if you know what I mean. Makes me want to pick it up and play :bassist: ....a good thing.
 

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