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Why An ABG?
- Thread starter Acousticdude
- Start date
TheFantod
#5 of the Pentaverate. Took Col. Sanders' spot.
Something to noodle around on when I didn't feel like plugging in amp. Also, something I could take with me and play outside, to a communal gig, et. al.
With the benefit of hindsight, I probably wouldn't have paid as much, and would have bought a cheaper, more entry level model. They just can't be heard over unplugged guitars. Of course, plugged in it sounds awesome, but that kind of defeats the point.
With the benefit of hindsight, I probably wouldn't have paid as much, and would have bought a cheaper, more entry level model. They just can't be heard over unplugged guitars. Of course, plugged in it sounds awesome, but that kind of defeats the point.
I bought a Kramer Ferrington several years ago, for playing outside, with a few friends, or, playing acoustic parties. I definitely say that it was worth the investment. Before I got married, my bachelor party was a group of friends jamming, acoustically. There were three acoustic guitars, a banjo, and a mandolin. I took a break to talk with my best man, some 20 feet away, and I could hear the 'ole Ferrington, just plunkin away! I love that instrument, and i will never sell it, for just that reason. It has its downfals, but, as a budding luthier, I plan on fixing them.
Mine is too big to sit comfortably on my lap while watching football while surfin' porn, it can only be heard amped so it defeats the campfire thing, however it looks great as a decoration. A real conversation piece.
The first time I bought one many years ago was because my family kept complaining about me constantly playing my electric unplugged. Plugged in it was too loud and unplugged drove them batty with the clickity clacking, hence the acoustic.
Sadly I sold my last ABG this winter for bill money and dearly missed it. I never once plugged it in but I used to play it all the time. Nothing to me is finer than to spend a hot summer afternoon sitting in the shade with my ABG and a cool drink, or better yet a cool summer eve cooking on the grill and playing while watching the sun set and the bats swooping around the sky for bugs as the fireflies flicker among the trees.
I broke down and bought a cheap replacement last week...I got my summers back.
Sadly I sold my last ABG this winter for bill money and dearly missed it. I never once plugged it in but I used to play it all the time. Nothing to me is finer than to spend a hot summer afternoon sitting in the shade with my ABG and a cool drink, or better yet a cool summer eve cooking on the grill and playing while watching the sun set and the bats swooping around the sky for bugs as the fireflies flicker among the trees.
I broke down and bought a cheap replacement last week...I got my summers back.
Groove Master
Commercial User
- Apr 22, 2011
- 1,808
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For me it was to find a suitable substitute for an upright bass for a tv show. I bought a Martin that I send direct from the preamp into a di and send it to a Ampeg 15n mike with an RE20 and the engineer blends both together at 50/50. The sound is pretty good on the air and it fits the concept of having acoustic instruments on the show even if I use an amp ;-)
I got one because I like the look- I've since grown to like it for *pick up & play/learn tunes off the computer* convenience. Defretted it, sounds cool. It's an older Washburn AB-20, very resistant to feedback when amped.
Acousticdude said:
Played everything available. Bought the Guild but wanted the solid top and long scale. I found the Dave Maize. Reclaimed woods. It now has "bridge pins" that prevent the string ends from pulling out. That and it's graphite bars in the neck cause it to ring and sound woody. After happily using D'Addario ABG strings for years I found that the DRs have an additional level of sweetness and lows and highs. No brash bronze wound sound that so many sets can have.
I bought for it's sound. I don't plug it in. Sounds amazing. I find that strumming and acoustic techniques are transferable to and expand your electric palette. You do that unconciously.
The ABG teaches you to get the sound out.
The ABG teaches you that the sound is in the fingers.
Why an ABG? This is why:
1. You do not look out of place when everyone else has their acoustic/electric stuff plugged in and playing.
2. They sound good when playing folk music.
3. Uprights can be a pain to move around, especially on public transit.
4. Playing an upright can be like trying to wrestle a gorilla for smaller folks like me.
5.They can be played in personal practice time and be heard without resorting to an amp. They also won't wake up the spouse, grandma, or kids for the same reason.
6. They have a unique voise of their own which most bassists overlook.
1. You do not look out of place when everyone else has their acoustic/electric stuff plugged in and playing.
2. They sound good when playing folk music.
3. Uprights can be a pain to move around, especially on public transit.
4. Playing an upright can be like trying to wrestle a gorilla for smaller folks like me.
5.They can be played in personal practice time and be heard without resorting to an amp. They also won't wake up the spouse, grandma, or kids for the same reason.
6. They have a unique voise of their own which most bassists overlook.
Engine207
Losing faith in humanity...one call at a time.
This
And this.
My Michael Kelly Dragonfly hit the "previously owned gear" section of my profile soon after I came to terms with these points.
A different vibe than my slabs. It's a fretless MK Dragonfly and I've got it setup with tapewounds. I can EQ it to come very close to an upright.
I do consider it a "niche" instrument but, I don't have enough use for a double bass to warrant taking up all the room storing it. This represents a good alternative plus, it's easy to just pickup and play.
It's not my "go to" instrument by any means but it's still a great weapon to have in the arsenal.
I do consider it a "niche" instrument but, I don't have enough use for a double bass to warrant taking up all the room storing it. This represents a good alternative plus, it's easy to just pickup and play.
It's not my "go to" instrument by any means but it's still a great weapon to have in the arsenal.
It's something to plunk around on while not having to be plugged in. Great for really, really quiet practices.
I didn't buy it as an "investment" but it's certainly earned its keep. I enjoy it and play it quite often.
I didn't buy it as an "investment" but it's certainly earned its keep. I enjoy it and play it quite often.
If you buy a cheap one you're missing out on great tone. When you hear a good one resonating through your own body you'll get the appeal. Play one that's not laminated or at least with a solid top.
Play one by a manufacturer or luthier who set out to give us a quality instrument.
Be aware that some of the best manufacturers have used some cheap electronics. These things plugged in, can sound horrible. I took a well known ABG, bypassed the pickup and pre. I added K&K transducers and put their endpin jack in place of the original. Its amazing!! The original is in place no wiring no muss.
The Highlander is a very natural undersaddle piezo. Like a good mic. Still I prefer a contact pickup inside on the plate to the saddle position. The saddle picks up too much string sound.
There's a funny thing here. You're not going to take a nice one on the beach at night or camping where the extremes of temperature and moisture are deadly. Hope your guitarist friends aren't either!
Play one by a manufacturer or luthier who set out to give us a quality instrument.
Be aware that some of the best manufacturers have used some cheap electronics. These things plugged in, can sound horrible. I took a well known ABG, bypassed the pickup and pre. I added K&K transducers and put their endpin jack in place of the original. Its amazing!! The original is in place no wiring no muss.
The Highlander is a very natural undersaddle piezo. Like a good mic. Still I prefer a contact pickup inside on the plate to the saddle position. The saddle picks up too much string sound.
There's a funny thing here. You're not going to take a nice one on the beach at night or camping where the extremes of temperature and moisture are deadly. Hope your guitarist friends aren't either!
I bought mine of my drummer in my cover band years ago. I was lugging a rig around for an acoustic band - Best thing ever! Used to lug my acoustic and a DI and that was it- 5 second pack down! It also looked ok cos it matched the singer/guitarists acoustic. Sounds like balls unplugged!
