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Uses for acoustic bass...

M

micahv

Aug 21, 2011
6
0
#1
Hello,
I have a question regarding acoustic basses. Do people typically use them for live sessions or more for unplugged and practice? I bought one a year ago and it has been collecting dust because I mainly use my standard electric when I play at my church. Lately Ive been feeling guilty for not playing it and was thinking about using it live more often. To me it would seem a bit odd to use one with a standard live set (electric guitar, keyboards, drums etc..). I guess my question is how acoustic basses are used typically... thanks!
 
#2
I use mine in an acoustic trio (but amplified through the PA) that plays Brazilian choro music. Works very well for that. I have also used it in a jazz setting and it's pretty good at that as well when strung with tapewounds. When used with electronic keyboards my wife thought that it made the keyboard sound particularly electronic due to it's more organic acoustic sound.
 
#4
I've used mine for:

Learning songs without an amp.
Acoustic gigs (where it's more for vibe than function, but definitely makes other band members happy).
The beach and other such outdoor things (with a battery powered Roland Microcube).
Inspiring different things than my electrics would when I'm writing.

I actually rarely use my acoustics any more lest the kala ubass that I just bought that I can't yet put down. :) I do however think they're an essential tool to have in the shed for any working bass player.

Ahh yes, and I don't discount the use as home decor like mike mentioned. My Michael Kelly has a beatiful transparent blue finish.
 
#5
I bought a CHEAP one to use when I didn't want to turn in an amp. I tried a few of these and didn't like any of 'em. I don't care for the larger bodies, even on a good (Breedlove). Playing it taught me that I am a short scale guy. I subsequently got an Epiphone Viola and Squier Jaguar SS. I prefer either of them, even without an amp, when I don't want to get loud. I have taken it to open mics where the host will let me use it through the PA but won't let me use my other basses. It seems to have a nice, uprightish sound through the PAs.

I still hate it.

I don't think it would burn long enough to be firewood. that is the one reason I wouldn't burn it.

SkyBass.gif
 
#6
I use mine for a lot of things. Playing late when everyone is in bed, I have a few friends that play guitar so every now and then we get together and just jam acoustically, I take mine to the lake or beach and play there, I use it at gigs on certain songs like power ballads and such. Heck, every now and then I simply play it because I like it and want too.
 
#9
They are pretty useless playing with most other acoustic instruments.

If your acoustic bass has a pickup, Try this;
Drop on some LaBella tape flats
Take the bass to an acoustic guitar store and have them but a "tone block" under the bridge (keeps the top from vibrating) (like a stand up bass)

It should be able to be played at high volume and sound pretty good since piezo pickups tend to sound like the string they are amplifying.
 
#11
My uses:

1) Practice

2) Use very rarely cabled up on stage, only with rubber plug in sound hole to limit feedback.

One thought - if you REALLY want to hear what you are playing, get the guitarists to bring acoustics, tell the drummer to take the night off, and do a practice session ALL acoustic - your acoustic bass, their acoustic guitars. You will hear note definition better than you ever did when amplified.
 
#12
I've gigged mine with an acoustic/pop band, a folky duo, and I keep it on the wall as my go-to "need to noodle/work out a part" bass. It plays wonderfully, and it also helped me with thumb placement (because there's no p'up to rest on) and gave me good finger strenght - and taught me how to play the strings with my right hand for different attacks. It's a very useful tool.

It's also THE coolest thing to have for a campfire jam. Nobody else brings a bass!
 
#14
I alternate my AEB with my SR500 for a venue that won't let me (or just glares at me when I do) take a Fender bass with me.

The reason? I play a Wine & Cheese Cafe three times a week and the music genre calls for classy and somewhat refined music that is conducive to free wine and cheese balls.

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Actually I like the sound and the audience likes the looks and classy-ness of the AEB (AND the SR500), so I have no real problem playing it anyway. Running into a B-450/210 and using a sound hole plug I have a good command of the bassline without booming the patrons or rattling the windows.
 
#15
ThudThudThud said:
It plays wonderfully, and it also helped me with thumb placement (because there's no p'up to rest on) and gave me good finger strength - and taught me how to play the strings with my right hand for different attacks. It's a very useful tool. It's also THE coolest thing to have for a campfire jam. Nobody else brings a bass!
Click to expand...

What Mr Thud said.
I had always wanted one. Perhaps at first it disappoints you because it doesn't play like a standard electric solid body does - probably the reason for the snotty, and unhelpful to you, "firewood" comments above by a few who obviously don't know what they're talking about. Get used to it, and the approaches to your fingerwork, as Mr Thud has said, and it'll work to improve your over playing.

My Fender Kingman is my 'porch' bass and the one that sits in the living room (hellya its great decor!), so I can pick it up and play when the mood hits and hear it without plugging in and booming everyone else who's home. IMHO its where a lot of creative inspiration builds because it is an acoustic and plays so differently.

Started playing it at practice, and for a lot of tunes it really kicks axss. Full, deep sound - EQ whatever growl or plume you need. Being active it punches through very nicely. Strung with D'Add's med-light groundwounds, and use a rubber sound hole plug. Had some feedback issues but my notch filter on its Fishman pre, and adjusting the harmonics and brilliance on my VXL preamp/stomp fixed that issue. Look forward to a gig with it. Something different on stage.

Sit on your porch on a warm summer night, with a nice dark beer, gentle breeze and the peepers n' crickets for accompaniment, and Rock the neighbourhood without anyone calling the cops or throwing their boot at you. That's were it shines (and kitchen/campfire jams).
 
#17
Orangeclawhamme said:
I bought a CHEAP one to use when I didn't want to turn in an amp. I tried a few of these and didn't like any of 'em. I don't care for the larger bodies, even on a good (Breedlove). Playing it taught me that I am a short scale guy. I subsequently got an Epiphone Viola and Squier Jaguar SS. I prefer either of them, even without an amp, when I don't want to get loud. I have taken it to open mics where the host will let me use it through the PA but won't let me use my other basses. It seems to have a nice, uprightish sound through the PAs.

I still hate it.

I don't think it would burn long enough to be firewood. that is the one reason I wouldn't burn it.

SkyBass.gif
Click to expand...

ha! i own this exact bass! i bought it for a 1-time church acoustic gig. oh man its terrible. i do let my kids play on it all they want, tho...which they very much like & think is cool. so its worth it for that.

sounds like crap. plays like crap. taught me that i *don't* like short scale. only on TB would i find someone who owns this POS haha
 
#19
I've had one (Fender BG-31) for about 4 years. It was a $100 Christmas present. So often, I've wanted to get rid of it. But then I think, and I remember that I live in an apartment and this thing is perfect for that. Sounds really weak plugged in, needs a setup, etc. But it gets the job done. I would never gig with it. If you buy one, don't expect to project enough to keep up with any other instrument.

YMMV IMHO etc.
 
#20
AgIdoc said:
ha! i own this exact bass! i bought it for a 1-time church acoustic gig. oh man its terrible. i do let my kids play on it all they want, tho...which they very much like & think is cool. so its worth it for that.

sounds like crap. plays like crap. taught me that i *don't* like short scale. only on TB would i find someone who owns this POS haha
Click to expand...

Well. I was all set to ask what he thinks of it since my local GC has one for sale, used, cheap.
Guess I got my review. Thanks... I'll avoid. :D

D
 

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