Hello fellow bass players! I've been playing for like 6 months. Did about 2 months of lessons. I'm 16 years old. Pearl jams unplugged was a huge inspiration. Jeff ament (bassist of pj) skateboards and so do I. So I got into it. But I was wondering, is it too soon to get an acoustic? Washburn AB-10 to be specific. Heard good stuff. Want a guitar I can just jam out in my backyard with or bring it on family trips. So just wondering if it was too soon of an investment? Thanks!
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Too soon for an acoustic?
- Thread starter Smith_brc
- Start date
It's not too soon, if you want one and you can afford it then go for it. Most ABG's are kind of "novelty" in that they're not really loud enough to play with other musicians unless you plug them in, but if it inspires you to play than it's probably not a bad investment.
The are probably a few practical questions you might have to answer first or talk over with your parents, like can you afford it? Where are you going to keep it? Is there enough room in the car to bring it on family trips?
But no, it's not too soon I don't think. And I think your family will really enjoy having you play that in the back yard rather than plugging in an electric and playing it back there.
But no, it's not too soon I don't think. And I think your family will really enjoy having you play that in the back yard rather than plugging in an electric and playing it back there.
You're most likely not going to be able to hear your typical Acoustic Bass Guitar around a campfire or over a couple Acoustic Guitars without a) some type of Amp, at the least a decent wattage 1x10"or 12", or b) an extremely expensive ABG that's designed from the get-go to be a Bass and be heard (most Guitar Center-level of ABGs are simply Dreadnought guitar bodies with a longer, Bass neck attacked). And one that *can* be able to be heard over acoustic guitars will be expensive, somewhat fragile, and VERY LARGE - the only way that they can be heard acoustically. You've probably got better wants and desires to spend your money on.
(And this is coming from someone who owns a rare, expensive, large and acoustically loud ABG...and waited 10 years and $2K to acquire it. I'll be damned if I'll bring my Taylor out to a campfire...
)
(And this is coming from someone who owns a rare, expensive, large and acoustically loud ABG...and waited 10 years and $2K to acquire it. I'll be damned if I'll bring my Taylor out to a campfire...
)I agree with the previous replies. Prob wont be hearable to any real extent without amp and does take up lots of room compared to solid body.
My Dean acoustic, is more than simply a Dreadnought guitar with a bass neck attached. The body is noticeably bigger. And I can keep up with my guitar playing friend ok, volume-wise. (Technique is important, though -- you gotta play like you want to be heard.)
Me playing the Washburn AB-10 in a backyard as mentioned haha. Notice that I'm plugged in while the guitars are not? It's a fantastic sounding bass plugged in and is fine for playing alone but don't expect to be able to hear it over two or even one loud acoustic guitars while you're unplugged. I've used it busking along with one guitar but needed to play hard with a pick to get any good sound projection. It's never too soon to pick up an acoustic bass though!
Yep, an ABG will be lacking in volume and take up a great deal of the family car on those trips. You could look at an Aria Sinsonido. You can play it IN the car or the backyard with headphones, it takes up very little space despite being a full-length instrument. And it's the most distinctive-shaped bass if you want to be surprising and use it for gigs, when the tone can be deep and warm or pretty hi-fi. I've had one for years and wouldn't be without it when I'm away from home: somewhere here there's a post with a photo of me playing it on a yacht in Greece.
Edit: found it: it's dated 5th June 2006. Some useful chat about the bass in that thread.
Smith_brc
It's not too soon. Go out and buy one. Play it and have fun.
Also, do a search on ABG and acoustic. Go to the "acoustic bass fetish club". There are a lot of threads on the subject.
As far as investment goes, that's between you and your folks. You can spend a lot less and still have a decent beginner ABG.
It's not too soon. Go out and buy one. Play it and have fun.
Also, do a search on ABG and acoustic. Go to the "acoustic bass fetish club". There are a lot of threads on the subject.
As far as investment goes, that's between you and your folks. You can spend a lot less and still have a decent beginner ABG.
Thanks everyone for some advice! If I was with a group I would definitely plug it in. I just wanna be able to practice to myself in various places without having to take my amp along. And I can afford it. But my dad says "oh you have to be more into bass to get one.. Blah blah" but he doesn't realize how much I'm into it!
^^^
I read somewhere that the Washburn was a drag to play sitting down. Something about the rounded back slipping, and not being too stable rest in the leg. You might want to play it first.
I read somewhere that the Washburn was a drag to play sitting down. Something about the rounded back slipping, and not being too stable rest in the leg. You might want to play it first.
Most will be Acoustic/ lectric with piezo pickup, so you can plug it when needed.
As in other posts...most likely to be severely weak in volume..unless you hasve the ONLY instrument.
Perhaps some with larger bodied and far more expensive models may be adequate, but my Fender AB-1 better be plugged in to be heard above a whisper.
And of course BUY ONE if you have the $$....buy whatever you like ALWAYS..as long as your priorities are in order.
As in other posts...most likely to be severely weak in volume..unless you hasve the ONLY instrument.
Perhaps some with larger bodied and far more expensive models may be adequate, but my Fender AB-1 better be plugged in to be heard above a whisper.
And of course BUY ONE if you have the $$....buy whatever you like ALWAYS..as long as your priorities are in order.
I would look at getting a portable battery powered amp. Phil jones bass makes one that runs off a motorcycle battery. Acoustic basses are fun to sit on the couch with especially when you don't feel like hooking stuff up but as mentioned several times, unplugged they just don't hang with acoustic guitars when it comes to volume.
This is going to sound odd, but try an Applause/Ovation AE140. I've played a few dozen high- and low-end acoustic basses in my day; the AE140 loud and surprising musical! I couldn't believe my ears when I played it! Most of the volume is coming from mid-range, but it projects very well. Also, it's inexpensive. Just my $.02.
I use my ABG almost daily for practicing around the house, and at least once or twice a week jamming with my son on our "acoustic set". And when I travel to the beach, my ABG always comes with me.
ABG's are great if for no other reason than it can lead to more practice time because it is just so convenient to grab and play without any fuss.
I agree with previous comments though, don't expect miracles volume wise.
Down the road consider a portable battery amp such as a Roland Bass cube or Crate Taxi or the spectacular Carvin S400D to REALLY unlock the total usefullness and fun of ABG ownership.
ABG's are great if for no other reason than it can lead to more practice time because it is just so convenient to grab and play without any fuss.
I agree with previous comments though, don't expect miracles volume wise.
Down the road consider a portable battery amp such as a Roland Bass cube or Crate Taxi or the spectacular Carvin S400D to REALLY unlock the total usefullness and fun of ABG ownership.
I have the fretless Dean acoustic. They're only about $200 new. I put tapewound strings on it and it works great in a campfire setting with two other guitars. You absolutely do have to play like you mean it, but even then, I've been asked to play quieter.
It's never too soon not to get an acoustic.
Biggest waste of money ever in my opinion. You won't be heard with an acoutic guitar and, if you're plugging in, you might as well play your electric. Also, I've found acoustic basses to sounds rather "clanky." You need to play hard to be heard, and it ends up sounding like you're playing a tin drum.
Biggest waste of money ever in my opinion. You won't be heard with an acoutic guitar and, if you're plugging in, you might as well play your electric. Also, I've found acoustic basses to sounds rather "clanky." You need to play hard to be heard, and it ends up sounding like you're playing a tin drum.
Do you have an iPhone or iPad? Grab an Apogee Jam, download Jamup XT and the bass expansion pack, and enjoy! All of the models sound excellent, and they do rival a "real" amp or anything else. You can download a few other apps to do all kinds of cool stuff, and they also sound really good too.
You an check out the iOS Bass Player Club in the effects forum for more info on it.
