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What's a good acoustic bass?

#21
I've been in the market for a good ABG (fretless) - the only one I've played that was decent was a Tacoma Thunderchief. All those cheap ones (yes, I played them) were, to me, awful.

If I had the money, I'd try to find a used Taylor or Laravee ABG... Alas, I do not!
 
#22
I had a Thunderchief, and while it sounded awesome, I couldn't get used to that large body. LOL.

I recently picked up an brand new Ovation B778TX for a song and was floored by how nice this thing sounds. Nice tone, projection, and playability. It's 34" scale with a 1 9/16" nut-width, so it fits right in line with my Sterling and Stingray SLO. Oh, and the stealth motif looks KILLER to boot. The on-board electronics boast EQ, compression, and tuner. It does need some nice flats tho. I also play with a pick, if that helps any.

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Haven't tried it with my skinny-string brethren yet, but I also picked up a Micromark...just in case...

By the way, nice tunes on the band site Jakehooker! Right up my alley.
 
#25
I have a Michael Kelly Dragonfly 5 fretless bass
It is one of thus most nicest looking acoustics out there

I play in an indie rock band and wanted to get an acoustic for pretty much the same reasons as yourself but on the other hand I wanted a different sound. Knowing that I would still have to plug in, why would I want to splash out on another instrument that sounded like what I had already? Well that was my thinking anyway, you may well be happy to get something purely for looks!

Anyway I couldn't be happier with what I have. The default strings were bronze phosphor, quite bright sounding and a little harsh on my fingers. I put on a set of Thomastik Jazz flat wounds and it has made the world of difference. I get a great natural almost double bass like tone out of the thing now.

It has really worked great recording some new band tracks with strings and piano in the mix

So don't assume that when you try out an acoustic in store that the sound cannot be improved on or changed to suit your tastes...think about your String choice too

Here in the uk these are quite expensive basses, luckily I was able to pick one up at a very good price whilst on holiday in FLorida. I got it at Dean Johnson's Music in Zephyrhills....would definitely recommend him to others

I have some pics somewhere, so will post some shortly

Personally, also I see nothing wrong in playing a regular electric solid body bass even when performing an acoustic set with my band....my ric doesn't quite have the right look though. Lol!

Also what about something like a hollow body gretsch?

HTH
 
#26
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personally I love the natural finish with the quilt maple top
but there is also a more amber finish I have seen and a pretty nice transluscent black finish available too

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#27
You should just go the whole hog and get a double bass. You'll be able to keep up acoustically with a dreadnought guitar, plus you will look effing cool.

... once you start playing it. You will look decidedly uncool huffing and puffing all the way to the gig. :)
 
#29
I have a M. Kelly Dragonfly 5er and, just like Madfiddler, found the original strings to be fairly bright (too bright for me and "too clanky" on the frets)...I put Chromes on mine and OMG! fantastic sound!

As others have said, you need to amplify it if you want it heard....mine comes through extremely well when amped and on recordings....I am very pleased with it....and as has been mentioned many times, they are GREAT looking! mine is amber quilted and is a beauty!

I also like the fact that it is a 34" scale.
 
#30
I have five acoustic basses (Applause, El Capitan, Washburn, Breedlove, and an Ovation B768). The Ovation is by far my favorite. It projects well, and has even tone across all the strings. They are expensive, and I haven't seen too many used ones for sale (probably a good reason for that). Worth trying one if you can find it.

And, believe it or not, I've had the same Thomastik strings on the inexpensive Applause for almost 20 years and it still sounds great!
 
#31
Why not just go the extra step for the acoustic gigs and cross over to the double bass side of things? You can get a good imported ply bass well setup by one of any number of qualified luthiers, several of which contribute to this very forum, for @$1500 to $2000, and will last the rest of your life, and help you broaden to other acoustic and semi-acoustic gigs and styles.
 
#32
I just don't understand why people suggest db when the topic us about abg...

Just accept that it's not the same thing...

And go whine about volume issues elsewhere, you just don't get ABGs.

There I said it,

Sorry guys I needed to vent.
 
#34
The Michael Kelly basses are really nice, as are the Dean Performer series.
And no one else here has called them out, but if you're into the look, find a Kramer Ferrington. You asked for clear and punchy-this one WILL deliver. To further elaborate, listen to/watch KISS MTV Unplugged. That's Gene with the Kramer in action. FWIW-this one is on my wishlist:D
 
#35
Well....

A couple of things pop up every time the ABG question comes around.

1) Cost. We all have our budgets, right?
2) Feel. This seems to stand out a little more with these than a regular electric bass, just because of body shape and neck scale.
3) Volume. Yes, my friend, the bass frequencies require a large resonating chamber to accommodate them. This is why traditional bass instruments are bigger than their higher range sisters.
4) Tone. Surprised that this is the last on my list? That's because I think it's the last one most people's list. Great tone is expensive for an ABG and most people are more concerned with having an ABG for gig-appropriateness than for having one for the sound.

Here's what I recommend: Buy the biggest bodied ABG you can afford and get your arms around. Most of the ones on the market now are rather slim, so they don't carry the weight of the low frequencies unless they are plugged in. But the big ones sound better. You're looking for "deep". The extra size gives you the bass frequencies, and last time you checked, you're a bass player. Don't worry the highs will be there, its an ABG.

I play a Guild B-30. Of course they don't make these anymore, but if you're patient, you can find one on ebay. Should be $1k or less. The old Australian Taylors are amazing but you probably can't find them. American Taylor is definitely not the same thing.

Good luck on your hunt, and enjoy the acoustic gig format. It's a lot of fun and if you really get into it, you might find that it improves your technique and your ear.

And you can play it on the beach.... :D
 
#36
^^^
I agree wholeheartedly with all you say. I'd add that I see most ABGs set up to play like electric solid bodies and that simply will not give you close to the acoustic potential of the instrument. As with many acoustic instruments you don't set it up to feel good as much as you set it up to sound good.

And BTW there is a B-30 for sale here on TB. Great basses.
 
#37
JonathanMc said:
I have five acoustic basses (Applause, El Capitan, Washburn, Breedlove, and an Ovation B768). The Ovation is by far my favorite. It projects well, and has even tone across all the strings. They are expensive, and I haven't seen too many used ones for sale
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The NS line is outrageously expensive! However, the Ovation B778TX I picked up is well within the OP's budget. There's an eBay store (E F Productions Music and Sound) that sells them at the lowest price point on the net (I did my research) but up's the ante with free shipping AND the Ovation issued HSC.
 
#38
iiipopes said:
Why not just go the extra step for the acoustic gigs and cross over to the double bass side of things? You can get a good imported ply bass well setup by one of any number of qualified luthiers, several of which contribute to this very forum, for @$1500 to $2000, and will last the rest of your life, and help you broaden to other acoustic and semi-acoustic gigs and styles.
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1.) He's not worried about volume as his particular situation will be amplified.
2.) Out of the OP's budget
3.) Reformed skinny-stringer who plays with a pick
4.) Have you checked out his band site? Not exactly DB appropriate.

Just sayin'.

Most of these points ring true to those suggesting AEB's that have better volume acoustically as well. I'm sure the Earthwood can hold its own with two or even more 6-stringers, but let's face it, the OP's not in a Mariachi band. :D That thing is freaking HUGE! :eek:
 
#39
Bottum's Up!, thanks for checking out the site! Your points were actually just in mind- we are plugging into the soundboard and all. In the long run though, it's best to be prepared for anything, and there may not always be a soundboard, so I'm looking for something that will hold its own without cables or pickups.

On the double bass subject- I absolutely want one, and would figure out how to make it sound proper in my applications. I'm a firm believer in "buy the best to start with, and you only buy once", but I currently need practicality. An ABG is actually best for me in this case. Plus, I'm a collector, so I'll get to the upright in due time! Thank god I'm feeling pretty well set with my guitar gear!
 

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