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Small-bodied acoustic basses?

M

MBlackbird

Jun 27, 2011
42
0
#1
I'd like to get an acoustic, so I can practise outdoors now that it's finally summer. Thing is, all the ones I've tried had absolutely enormous bodies, and I have a hard time getting my arm around those comfortably. Has anyone here seen or played a nice smallish acoustic, price range <$1,000? I've seen (and frequently been recommended) the U-bass things, but I'm really looking for 34" scale.
 
#4
I have an older Washburn AB-20- it's a slightly smaller-bodied bass, although it's of course bulkier than a P. There's a VICIOUS rumor that few ABGs work well outdoors- depending on what you're trying to play along with(mosquitoes, iffy weekend-only acoustic steel-string guitarists, voices in your head, etc :))- also, IME a smaller body seems to result in less acoustic volume than a larger one. My ABG is great for plunking at the computer, learning tunes- but it gets tricky if so much as a cat is breathing too loudly in the next room. YMMV :cool:

Edit: Godin made(makes? Not sure)a very nice, small-bodied bass. Nice, not much good unplugged(again- IME).
 
#5
I'd never even heard of the Club bass - those are beautiful! Painfully expensive though... Does someone make a decent knockoff version? I know the violin-style bass has been copied by many companies, often quite decently. I have to admit I've never played one though, because I'm shallow and I don't think they're pretty.
 
#6
bassteban said:
I have an older Washburn AB-20- it's a slightly smaller-bodied bass, although it's of course bulkier than a P. There's a VICIOUS rumor that few ABGs work well outdoors- depending on what you're trying to play along with(mosquitoes, iffy weekend-only acoustic steel-string guitarists, voices in your head, etc :))- also, IME a smaller body seems to result in less acoustic volume than a larger one. My ABG is great for plunking at the computer, learning tunes- but it gets tricky if so much as a cat is breathing too loudly in the next room. YMMV :cool:

Edit: Godin made(makes? Not sure)a very nice, small-bodied bass. Nice, not much good unplugged(again- IME).
Click to expand...

Yeah, I've heard that acoustics aren't much for volume, and that a smaller body will probably (though I think this depends more on the wood & the way the body is made - think about those little archtop guitars that sometimes out-volume a massive dreadnought). I don't need volume though; I'll be playing by myself in the middle of the moods, probably without iffy guitarists (maybe with a viola player though :). I just need something that's a little more resonant than my unplugged solid-body electric, so I can hear myself playing.

I'll definitely have a look for the Godin you mentioned - they make such lovely instruments - thanks for the tip!
 
#9
I have an Ibanez AEB-10 that I just bought and love. Normally it goes for $350.00 but I got mine for $230.00 on sale brand new. For an acoustic, it has a pretty decent sound and is pretty audible when playing with other acoustic guitars not amped. 2 weeks ago, I took it ad my Taylor to the Lake for the 4th of July and a friend and I had a nice little jam sessions with just the 2 instruments. Everybody heard us just fine and both instruments sounded great together.

The body size is also a huge plus of this bass too as it is not super big. To me, it feels just right. I also used to have a Guild B-4E that was also a fantastic bass. In fact, I still wish I had that thing back it was so good but it is a lost cause with it.

Dean also has some decent acoustic basses for cheap but the only draw back to them is there is no place to hook a strap onto them. Dean really dropped the ball in that department thinking bass players don't ever use guitar straps!
 
#10
I've had a couple ABG's. They are too bulky and get really uncomfortable after a while.

What I like to do is use a Tascam bass trainer - the mp3 model. You can load all your songs on it and use it with your regular electric bass and headphones. The Tascam will tuck neatly into a shirt pocket or your back jeans pocket.

You can walk all over the yard and play with better sound and way more comfort than a ABG. You can practice along with songs, with just the sound of your bass, or with the supplied rhythm tracks.
 
#12
bickele said:
Not what you asked for, but this will solve the problem if you practice alone or with an iPod:

VOX | amPlug | Headphone portable guitar amp
Click to expand...

raytsmith said:
I've had a couple ABG's. They are too bulky and get really uncomfortable after a while.

What I like to do is use a Tascam bass trainer - the mp3 model. You can load all your songs on it and use it with your regular electric bass and headphones. The Tascam will tuck neatly into a shirt pocket or your back jeans pocket.

You can walk all over the yard and play with better sound and way more comfort than a ABG. You can practice along with songs, with just the sound of your bass, or with the supplied rhythm tracks.
Click to expand...

Those are both really good ideas, and I will most definitely look into them. I do like the idea of being able to play unplugged without having to use earphones, but I also like the idea of being able to practise anywhere on my usual instrument. And I definitely like the idea of spending $60 on an Amplug rather than $600 on a half-decent ABG. Thanks a lot!
 
#20
MBlackbird said:
I'd like to get an acoustic, so I can practise outdoors now that it's finally summer. Thing is, all the ones I've tried had absolutely enormous bodies, and I have a hard time getting my arm around those comfortably. Has anyone here seen or played a nice smallish acoustic, price range <$1,000? I've seen (and frequently been recommended) the U-bass things, but I'm really looking for 34" scale.
Click to expand...

You might find a used Martin for $1K.
The body is small and they are generally very sweet sounding instruments that amplify nicely and play well.
 

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