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Wasn't Sure Where To Put This-Acoustics Basses?

K

Kat_Mia

May 7, 2004
88
0
38
Dorset, UK
#1
I have played the double bass for four years now and last year brought a Stagg fretless as my first guitar. I have just brought my boyfriend a Stagg acoustic for his birthday and have been playing on it but not being a fan of frets, I don't particuly like it. I love the sound and everything but I have the frets. So I'm wondering if a fretless acoustic is possible? I'm just thinking for the future, if I wanted an acoustic, is fretless possible?

Cheers, Kat x
 
#3
Hi, Kat -

Welcome to TB. Not to worry, a mod will fling this to Basses before too long.

Yes, fretless ABGs are possible and fairly common. You may want to do a web search for Tacoma Thunderchiefs to see what they're like. Several regular posters here have them. (Mine's fretted - I need all the help I can get!)
 
#6
Kat_Mia said:
I have played the double bass for four years now and last year brought a Stagg fretless as my first guitar. I have just brought my boyfriend a Stagg acoustic for his birthday and have been playing on it but not being a fan of frets, I don't particuly like it. I love the sound and everything but I have the frets. So I'm wondering if a fretless acoustic is possible? I'm just thinking for the future, if I wanted an acoustic, is fretless possible?

Cheers, Kat x
Click to expand...

Yep, very possible. They can be hard to find though, and most normal music stores won't have them (around here, at least). Several years ago I even got laughed at when I called to ask if such a thing existed.

Actually if you're looking for a double bass-like feel, you might want to try getting a fretted acoustic and defretting it - that way the action will probably be a little higher (and also easy to find).

Unfortunately you won't find an acoustic bass guitar that sounds like an upright - it's physically impossible. Volume-wise, the best you should hope for is one that can be heard when playing with an acoustic guitar when unplugged (believe me, a LOT of them fail this test).

Resonators (the ones with the great big metal plate over the soundhole) are generally louder but they lack low end.

Never tried any of them, but people on this board seem to dig Tacoma, Martin and Warwick the most.
 
#9
Welcome to Talkbass, Kat.

There are several companies that make fretless acoustic bass guitars. As Ken(HeavyDuty) pointed out, Tacoma makes a very good one at the mid price level.

There are others out there that cost less, but are a little harder to find.

Your best bet would probably be one of the bass only stores that sell online, like www.basscentral.com or www.bassnw.com

I am moving this to the Basses forum.
 

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