The Once-in-a-Lifetime ABG /EABG purchase.

[Rockin John]

This thread is all about my attempt to find "the" Acoustic / Electro-acoustic bass guitar.

I'm hoping for thoughts and advice from guys to help with this idea.

Being in my mid 60s I've come to the point where I want to buy 'the keeper' instrument. I want something top of the range - there or thereabouts! The points for consideration are:-

Must be unlined fretless.
4 or 5 string.
Money no object (well, almost no object!).
'Off the shelf', not bespoke made.
Will consider any traditional style of instrument. Eg, f-hole style, jumbo style.
It will be used amplified: I have no plans (until one comes along ... ha ha) to use it unplugged.

Research has turned up very few, high end names, and I suspect that is because I want a fretless instrument: very few people make them!

Furch / Stonebridge.
Takamine (TB10).

I'm sure there must be others. It's always possible that discontinued basses are out there somewhere, too, but I've no clue about makes and models. I've not yet been to / contacted any dealers and that is clearly another avenue to investigate.

Wisdom as always, gratefully received.

Tks.

John

 

[Rockin John]

FWIW, This is my current EABG. Tanglewood Sundance TW55 FR super jumbo. Grovers, Fishman, solid Sitka Spruce top and solid African Mahogany back and sides, ebony board.

 

[two fingers]

View attachment 1177073
FWIW, This is my current EABG. Tanglewood Sundance TW55 FR super jumbo. Grocers, Fishman, solid Sitka Spruce top and solid African Mahogany back and sides.

That's really purdy. I'm assuming you meant "Grovers"....as in the tuners.

 

[bholder]

Emerald Balor

This is the fretted, but they'll make a fretless too (mine's on order).

 

[Stumbo]

That's really purdy. I'm assuming you meant "Grovers"....as in the tuners.

I think he meant as written...TBrs sre always hungary.

 

[Anachronism]

If you're using it amplified, the Rick Turner Renaissance is a great choice. Mine is a lined fretless 4, but it comes in a variety of flavors.

 

[JTE]

Used OK with you? If so, look for a Guild B30 or B50. Both were available unlined fretless (with ebony boards I believe ), and made by a real acoustic guitar factory, going back to 1975.

Of all the ABGs I'very played over T 0 years, only these big Guilds and the Erie Ball Earthwoods have been able to function as real bass and real acoustic instruments. The highly touted Tacoma is almost there, but not in the same realm as these.

 

[kesslari]

If you can find one, Epiphone Zenith

 

[Rockin John]

Yes, Two Fngers, Grovers. (Damned fingers don't type so well on a touch screen!) Ha ha!

 

[JACink]

In the real world, I fell in love with the Warwick Alien, but in fantasy land, there is a huge list of Rob Allen stuff that I think is amazing.

I am by no means educated in the acoustic bass guitar world, both my ABGs cost less than $70 (combined), but I remember being told by a flamenco guitar player many years ago that no two acoustic instruments are the same, and that the exact same build and woods would produce a different result each time.

When I visited a well known luthier (in the world of flamenco guitars), I asked about the possibility of him building me an acoustic bass guitar, his reply was that he would do it no problem, but he wouldn't put a price on any of the instruments that he made until they were finished, as the instrument could turn out to be a masterpiece or a fail.

Obviously I didn't order the bass (if I need to ask how much, then I can't afford it ), but it did remind me of what the guitarist told me, and I have also seen this repeated in many places since.

My point to this is that the only way to find the perfect ABG is to play until you find it. It may turn out to be a 6 digit masterpiece or a 2 digit used bass at a garage sale, but when you play it, you will know that it is the best.

 

[Rockin John]

I did look at a Zenith at one time. I'm sure they're around on the used market.

 

[Gorn]

I did look at a Zenith at one time. I'm sure they're around on the used market.

Barely.

 

[Rockin John]

What I'm really looking to do is blow $2000 / $3000 + on something **really, really special**: as I said, a once in a lifetime purchase. I'm looking for something that's both beautiful and a great playing bass.

I'm not into fancy adornments like inlay and carving. Just something that's incredibly well built and that sounds stunnngly good.

For example....
Aria do an f-hole unlined fretless - the FEB FL. Great looking IMHO and that would be a nice choice on paper (not tried one). But it's not my once in a lifetime bass. Not dissimilar to the Takamine TB 10 which I **really** like (but also have not tried).

Some of the Corts are supposedly really good but, again, they're not **the** bass.

Thanks to all contributors so far.

John.

 

[Rockin John]

For JACink, I have tried some Rob Allen stuff. Sound really nice, etc, but I just couldn't like the look. Too much like an 'ordinary' BG for my taste for m taste and this purpose. I want it to look like an acoustic instrument (which is why the suggestion by, Bholder, wouldn't really work tho it's a lovely instrument, thanks).

J

 

[bholder]

For JACink, I have tried some Rob Allen stuff. Sound really nice, etc, but I just couldn't like the look. Too much like an 'ordinary' BG for my taste for m taste and this purpose. I want it to look like an acoustic instrument (which is why the suggestion by, Bholder, wouldn't really work tho it's a lovely instrument, thanks).

J

OK, then I'll 2nd the Guild B50 - hard to find, but I think it meets your spec:

 

[MD]

What I'm really looking to do is blow $2000 / $3000 + on something **really, really special**: as I said, a once in a lifetime purchase. I'm looking for something that's both beautiful and a great playing bass.

I'm not into fancy adornments like inlay and carving. Just something that's incredibly well built and that sounds stunnngly good.

For example....
Aria do an f-hole unlined fretless - the FEB FL. Great looking IMHO and that would be a nice choice on paper (not tried one). But it's not my once in a lifetime bass. Not dissimilar to the Takamine TB 10 which I **really** like (but also have not tried).

Thanks to all contributors so far.

John.

The B/TB10 is certainly a unique instrument to say the least. The FB radius is closer to a DB than a BG which works for me, but I can imagine players that want a flat board may not like it. Takamine also has another model along the B/TB's price point, but maybe not in a blank plank flavor. It's more a traditional ABG design than a hybrid. Perhaps a special order can be made.
Breedlove makes an unlined fretless as well.

 

[BBQisgood]

Maybe the Taylor AB series. There was one in my favorite music store for years when I didn't have the money to buy it.

I went there right after almost a decade of school with extra money I had and part of my sign on bonus. It had just sold. And it may have been one of the last new ones.

Note: I don't own this pic; it's off an eBay auction I have no connection to

 

[Relsom]

If you can find one of these.......highly recommended. Godin Acoustibass LR Baggs.

 

[Kirk Bryant]

The Accoustic Taylor/(Kline) AB I played on many occasions was by FAR better sounding and louder than any other ABG I have ever played. It was stunning in a black finish. The craftsmanship was superb. The bass nearly played itself.
That Godin above is a nice bass, I played one a lot, but does not meet the criterion and is not really Accoustic.
Also the Taylor's are somewhat available.

Edit....the bass I played was a Taylor/Kline collaboration

 

[Kirk Bryant]

I also just watched a vid on UT of a guy playing the Takamine in a semi upright position that sounded very close to an upright bass. I was very impressed with that bass.