Acoustic Basses

NeoLarkins · Posted: Thu Sep 04, 2003 3:25 pm Post subject: Acoustic Basses

So what are all your opinions on the acoustic basses. Any good brands?

NUTT · Tadpole Joined: 10 Nov 2003 Posts: 23 Location: Normal

Takamine

I have an acoustic 6 string guitar, Dad has both 6 and 12 string guitars... just buy the slightly more expensive ones.

They have a bass that I have been drooling over for years, I just can't seem to spend $700 on an acoustic bass that I will only play at home.....
_________________
--0--
NUTT
www.bunkmusic.com

CaptainSaveAHo · Bear Cub Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 647

I can't drop any names, because I've never used one. But I have to say, I'd love to own one!! But like Nutt said, it won't see much action outside your home unless you decide to play 'unplugged' settings (there's no way you're playing one live without plugging it in ^_^).

Christov · Posted: Sun Nov 30, 2003 6:47 am Post subject:

I agree, even the best ones do not seem to be too loud when accompanied by guitarist using "picks", instead of fingers. I have owned several over the years, so here is my experience:

1. Applause model AE-40 I believe. Round back ovation plastic back, short scale neck, and spruce top. It had a built in piezo pickup under the bridge, a volume and tone control. All in all pretty nice, but the top separated from the round back. Kaman music company replaced it with bass number 2.

2. Applause model AE-40F Same bass, only fretless. I liked this one except I had a hard time with intonation on the short neck. I was familiar with the "feel" of a 34" neck, but was always off on the short scale. This led to acoustic bass number 3.

3. Guild B-500E Guild jumbo body with cutaway and fishman preamp. Again, this is a short scale bass, so I once again had issues. The bass is black, which caught my eye however. Also, the serial number is number 2, so I bought it just for a collectors piece. I still have this one. So now I need one that I can "play". This leads to bass number 4.

4. Ovation celebrity adamas 5 string acoustic. Once again the round back, but this one was 5 string WITH a full length fingerboard. I loved the bass when I bought it, it sounded great and was gorgeous as well. My problem was the neck. It had a mahoghany neck which didn't seem to be up to the task of holding back all of the string tension of 5 strings. My action was always too high!! I would adjust the truss rod over and over, only to still be too high. I ran out of adjustment and sold the bass. This led me to bass number 5.

5. Martin BM. Absolutely wonderful. 34" scale, ebony fingerboard without dots, mahoghany back, sides and neck, spruce top. Kind of a matte un shiny finish. Fishman preamp with equalizer... sounds great plugged in. Also sounds great acoustic, which is the point, right? This is a loud bass, with a great feel. I would recommend this to anyone, regardless of their style. Very versatile. Very stable, great neck. Great craftsmanship. US made. After all the others I think I have found my voice.
_________________
My life is based on a true story.

HowardR · Newbie Alert Joined: 16 Jan 2004 Posts: 2 Location: NYC

Hi...I'm new here.

Any reviews or experience with the higher end Tacoma Thunderchief?

FunkDoctorK · Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2004 1:51 pm Post subject:

i play, among other axes, a dean playmate acoustic/electric bass. i like the action and the sound is big for being as cheep as it is. 200 bones. i find it keeps up with guitars when they are picking...but maybe i just play hard. Very Happy

it also has a very nice plugged sound. dean also makes the same model with active electronics, named performer, and about $150 more. im sure its just as good.
_________________
"Excuse me Sir, but do you know how to get to Carnegie Hall?"
"Practice man, practice."
Bass on! Cool

Bass411 · Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2004 2:34 pm Post subject:

Yea I like acoustic/electric bass guitars, but im just gonna stick with electric basses, becuase i mostly play fast stuff like Metallica and it wont be very cool looking if I did with that kind of music Very Happy

I really like the Ibanez ones, but i never tried one before Exclamation

_________________

~Norma Jean~

FunkDoctorK · Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2004 2:58 am Post subject:

yeah, ibanez has some good ones that look good as well, but once again...it was 200 bones...almost cant turn it down...that and i wont use it enought to make spending any more on it worth it
_________________
"Excuse me Sir, but do you know how to get to Carnegie Hall?"
"Practice man, practice."
Bass on! Cool

hood_of_harry1 · Not So Newbie Joined: 22 May 2006 Posts: 6

I love acoustic basses. But one thing no matter who is giving you advice on this site abuot acoustic guitars. Im telling you what you should get. They are deff worth the money and most of them sound fantastic. I have a Martin alternative X probibly my favorite acoustic bass EVER! PERFECT if you are going to get one don't waste your money on a peice of crap. Get a good Martin and you'll be happy. Mine was around 1,300 but after i got it my mouth dropped

bluesrocker · Posted: Tue May 23, 2006 2:22 am Post subject:

I have an Agile lefty, and love it! Get the right strings for your style playing, and you're good to go.

Don't expect to be loud unless you plug in, but for certain styles of music the acoustic bass fits in well.
_________________
OLD DUDES ROCK HARDER

Fender lefty MIM Jazz
Fender lefty MIA P
Agile lefty acoustic/electric
Bassman 100
Zoom
Sansamp
DigiTech
Two fingers and a thumb

Death Metall Bassist · Not So Newbie Joined: 17 May 2006 Posts: 8

Okay, so their are not a great number of good acoustic basses but their are some that you can find a suiting. I don't like Ibanez electric basses, but i own an acoustic ibanez and i like it alot the tone is great i don't have an problems with it. Dean makes terrible acoustic basses. the wood is really cheap. Carvin makes great acoustic basses and i think they are the best acoustic basses around. I havent tried a michial kelly but i here they are good.
_________________
I am Zak, I am an inspring bassit. I am in love with bass and this is what I plan to do with the rest of my life. My favorite bassits are Les Claypool, Steve Digorgio, Tom Araya, Jeff Berlin, Boosty Collins, and James Laymen

Creeping Death · Tadpole Joined: 22 Oct 2006 Posts: 15 Location: Oregon

Dean's are hella cheap yet the quality is outstanding. Having been used to the sound of my bass-gawd the Warwick Corvette 5 String, getting my first listen to an accoustic bass coming from a Dean bass that was only 175 dollars, I was freakin amazed at how good it was.

And it doesn't even have rotosounds Surprised

Ankhanu · Posted: Mon Oct 23, 2006 4:55 am Post subject:

I've tested out a couple, so far my favorite has been the Martin BC=15E.

My suggestion is to test as many as you can; there's a lot of variation in tonal capabilities across the acoustic bass spectrum. I do suggest solid tops though, for obvious reasons. You're going to pay for a good sound though. I find with acoustic basses, you really have to pay for sound, whereas with guitars, you can find cheaper decent sounding options.

If you're not looking to play actually acoustically, but amped with an acoustic, the Godin A4/A5 is a nice bass as well. They're semi-acoustics; unplugged, their sound is a little thin (but so is the body), but plugged in they're much fuller, sound and feel great.