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Yes, it's ANOTHER ABG thread! Looking for NEW input.

Worldeeeter

Worldeeeter

Inactive
Mar 29, 2010
2,964
1,906
Asheville, NC
#1
I am doing an acoustic project with two other members of my current band; we'll be playing mostly unique covers-of-covers (Billie Jean by Chris Cornell, Sober by Staind, etc.). We're doing open mic nights for fun, and opening for ourselves (acoustic, then another band, then electric).
I have been shopping for an ABG to use for this project. I really like the feel of the Takamine G-series neck: low, fast action. I am also very interested in trying a Washburn AB40SH (Stu Hamm sig ABG). I have been eyeballing an Ovation on evilBay too. Unfortunately, no one stocks most of these.
I have read all of the ABG threads on here, and they all revolve around the same issue: not loud enough for acoustic use. I will be playing through an amp, as will be the guitars, and vox are going through the PA. So, removing acoustic volume/presence from the equation, I would like to know your thoughts on the Takamine and Washburn models I mentioned, as well as any others that boast low, fast fretting and a great feel.
 
#5
3234718 said:
If unplugged volume isn't a factor, I'd get a carvin ac40.
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I am NOT a fan of Carvin electronics. I agree that their stuff is well-made, and plays well. However, I don't want to change out the electronics in a guitar that I buy. I'd rather find something that gives me the sound I want out of the box.
I played the Takamine G through an acoustic guitar amp (Fishman) that GC had set up, and it sounded really nice.
 
#11
Worldeeeter said:
I am NOT a fan of Carvin electronics. I agree that their stuff is well-made, and plays well. However, I don't want to change out the electronics in a guitar that I buy. I'd rather find something that gives me the sound I want out of the box.
I played the Takamine G through an acoustic guitar amp (Fishman) that GC had set up, and it sounded really nice.
Click to expand...

I presume this opinion comes from not ever having even heard an AC40 (or AC50). It's a piezo system like all AGB, so what Carvin magnetic basses sound like don't matter. What would you change out the electronics to? Fishman?

The key item in the AC40/50 (I own an AC50 fretless) is the issue of feedback. Normal guitar-style sound hole ABG instruments when used with a PA will tend to feed back like MAD at the first provocation. The Carvin does not! Personally I don't want to buy a new instrument and then have to put duct tape over the sound hole so you can play it at a gig. You may be different.

As for me I can't recommend the Carvin AC40/50 series highly enough. But it's your money and your choice.
 
#12
bassbenj said:
I presume this opinion comes from not ever having even heard an AC40 (or AC50). It's a piezo system like all AGB, so what Carvin magnetic basses sound like don't matter. What would you change out the electronics to? Fishman?

The key item in the AC40/50 (I own an AC50 fretless) is the issue of feedback. Normal guitar-style sound hole ABG instruments when used with a PA will tend to feed back like MAD at the first provocation. The Carvin does not! Personally I don't want to buy a new instrument and then have to put duct tape over the sound hole so you can play it at a gig. You may be different.

As for me I can't recommend the Carvin AC40/50 series highly enough. But it's your money and your choice.
Click to expand...
+1
Though I've never had a problem with regular carvin bass electronics either.
 
#13
bassbenj said:
I presume this opinion comes from not ever having even heard an AC40 (or AC50). It's a piezo system like all AGB, so what Carvin magnetic basses sound like don't matter. What would you change out the electronics to? Fishman?



The key item in the AC40/50 (I own an AC50 fretless) is the issue of feedback. Normal guitar-style sound hole ABG instruments when used with a PA will tend to feed back like MAD at the first provocation. The Carvin does not! Personally I don't want to buy a new instrument and then have to put duct tape over the sound hole so you can play it at a gig. You may be different.



As for me I can't recommend the Carvin AC40/50 series highly enough. But it's your money and your choice.
Click to expand...


I had an Icon5, which has the piezo in the bridge. The sound was bad all around: magnetics, piezo, preamp. I am not a fan of the electronics they use.
Different brands yield different sounds; that's why there are various companies that manufacture preamp electronics. If I were to go Carvin, I would be purchasing an instrument without playing it; not my cup 'o tea.
I have played Takamine and Ovation; both are good with me. The Washburn is the only wild card, and I can buy one from Amazon with a 30-day full refund policy, so I'm not concerned.
Carvin's business model requires you to live in SoCal in order to evaluate one of their instruments. Been there, not impressed.
 
#14
Can't go wrong with a G series Takamine IMO. I've owned one for maybe 8 or 9 years now. Gigged it regularly when I first got it; good electronics, amplified well and played well. It ended up becoming my camping bass. Along the way, I've pulled the frets, replaced 2 tuners, the neck joint cracked (user blunder) and it's been knocked to the ground a few times around a campfire. It still plays, but with high action for acoustic volume; pretty much built like a tank... or a really sturdy ABG.

They added another G series with a bridge having pins instead of a string through. I prefer the string through as I've read issues of pins slipping out with larger strings. Got mine on ebay for around $350.00 with HSC.
 

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