Author Topic: Beater Acoustic Bass? (Read 322 times)

hydrargyrum · « **on:** November 15, 2011, 06:39:38 AM »

Hey Guys,

I've been considering swimming off into the deep end, and picking up an acoustic/electric bass. I'm a guitar player for the most part, but there are occasions where it would be nice to fill the role of bass player, particularly in an acoustic setting. I'm not looking to spend much on it, and probably not going to do anything until the beginning of next year, but I can't imagine a better place to look for advice on the topic than here. I'm considering an acoustic bass partly because I'll mostly be playing roots rock, or blue grass. I also want something I can practice on without amplification, even if it seems unlikely to compete with a hard picker. I'll primarily be using my P/A in a band situation for amplification when I need to compete with other instruments or drums. Eventually I'd expect to pick up something similar to a sans-amp, but for the short term I plan on plugging in direct to the board with no modeling, etc. I've been considering the Ibanez AEB10, and some similarly priced offerings by Dean. Mostly I want an instrument that plays well throughout the neck, without buzzing or the other common problems that seem to plague the lower price end of these instruments. Anyone have any thoughts?

sonicus · « **Reply #1 on:** November 15, 2011, 07:38:15 AM »

HI, If you can find a Guild B30E you might like it .
http://www.elderly.com/items/200U-308.htm

Glynn · « **Reply #2 on:** November 15, 2011, 09:41:29 AM »

I have a Fender BG29 (short scale) and a Fender Victor Bailey acoustic/electric bass. Both are great but I think you may struggle to get anything decent below ?300/?500. You perhaps need to try instruments out at music shops to see what you like. As a guitar player, you will know what to look for in an instrument. Another way round it would be to buy say a Squire Electric Jazz or Precision bass for just under ?200 and a small practice amp for at home and you could still plug into the PA! I would buy something with a known name in case you change your mind and want to sell - it will still have a value.

jacko · « **Reply #3 on:** November 16, 2011, 04:51:40 AM »

I have a fretless Kelly Dragonfly 5 that I picked up for around $500 plus shipping to the UK from grand central guitars on evilbay. I can't really fault the bass - it arrived in perfect condition apart from one slightly lifting fingerboard inlay that I glued down with a dab of superglue. It also came with a decent quality gigbag. I have it strung with LaBella deep talkin flats and it's a joy to play. Action is perfect (for me at least) and the tone with the flats is very 'Round'. The bridge piezo works fine apart from on the B string where it only puts out about 3/4 the volume of the other strings but I don't amplify it so that doesn't bother me. As it doesn't need amplifying it's probably my most used instrument as it's so easy to just pick up and play.

graeme

hydrargyrum · « **Reply #4 on:** November 16, 2011, 06:51:26 AM »

Thanks guys. I appreciate your responses.

I'd love to have a guild (I'm a big supporter of their acoustic guitars, and my first quality electric was a Starfire IV). They may be a bit out my price range though.

It's tempting to buy a used squire or other Fender, but I'm not sure it would fill the role I'm looking for in an acoustic jam. They are just such an electric instrument, if that makes sense.

Graeme,
I've kicked around the idea of a fretless acoustic bass, mostly because that solves about 95% of the problems that seem to be encountered in the lower end instruments (bad fretwork, intonation, etc.). I'm inclined to go for an instrument with a lined fretboard if I go this route.

I've been watching a low end Breedlove on eBay to see how much it might fetch. It seems closest to what I might seek so far.

hieronymous · « **Reply #5 on:** November 16, 2011, 07:19:59 AM »

When I sat in with an acoustic group, I played my Gibson EB-2 - kind of looks like an ES-335. So obviously not an acoustic instrument but I felt like it fit the vibe. I should mention that these guys were pretty electric for an acoustic group - they used the PA system and were pretty loud, but maybe something like an Ibanez Artcore bass or some other semi-hollowbody electric bass?

I did a little searching on Breedlove basses - seems like that might be a good option.

mario_farufyno · « **Reply #6 on:** November 16, 2011, 09:21:01 AM »

This seems interesting...

http://www.vintageguitar.com/7793/epiphone-zenith-fretted-and-fretless-bass/

mario_farufyno · « **Reply #7 on:** November 16, 2011, 09:29:11 AM »

and expensive... sorry

serialnumber12 · « **Reply #8 on:** November 17, 2011, 02:43:07 AM »

This Dean acoustic/electric retails for $150.00 new with gig bag

(Message edited by serialnumber12 on November 17, 2011)

hydrargyrum · « **Reply #9 on:** November 17, 2011, 06:30:40 AM »

Hey Keavin,

So how do you like it? I've read some pretty good reviews that say it can't be beat for the price, and compares well to basses costing hundreds more. For the price I don't expect the world's best instrument, but as long as it is easily playable I'd be happy.

tbrannon · « **Reply #10 on:** November 17, 2011, 08:17:55 AM »

Kevin,

I've played a couple Deans and they were comparable to any of the other acoustics for >$1000 that I've laid my hands on- at least acoustically. I've never played a Dean plugged in, so can't speak to the pickup quality.

Your last post mentions 'easily playable'- which raised the red flag in my mind, being that you're primarily a guitar player. The action on acoustic basses tends to be MUCH higher than I prefer on my electric basses and that combined with the thick acoustic body makes for an uncomfortable playing experience for me. Those two factors are the reasons I don't own an acoustic bass. Since you're a guitar player an undoubtedly own an acoustic guitar, the body thickness thing probably won't be a factor for you, but the higher action and large strings might seem like a major leap for you.

tubeperson · « **Reply #11 on:** November 17, 2011, 08:26:18 AM »

I tried a few Dean acoustic electric basses but to me their necks were too bulky. My Michael Kelly's are more comfortable, and at Chris Guitars in Albany NY (www.chrisguitars.com) they have a used one for $400.00. It needs a case, but it is really nice. My fretless sounds really fine, and the fretted cetainly will work in an unplugged setting, especially if you use a Phil Jones Suitcase with it.

hydrargyrum · « **Reply #12 on:** November 17, 2011, 09:53:13 AM »

I've owned basses and baritone guitars in the past, so differences in scale length don't frighten me too much. As for bulky necks, for a long time I played nothing but classical guitar, so when I had a custom electric built for me I made sure to have an extra wide and deep neck on it. Most folks think it's huge, but to me it's just right. I can probably find one of these Dean's locally to be sure it's not too much to handle. I'm really digging the look of those Michael Kelly's though. Does anyone have any experience with the club model, or does everyone play mostly the dragonflies?

serialnumber12 · « **Reply #13 on:** November 19, 2011, 05:33:32 AM »

the neck is a 35' scale but other than that its a cool Bass plugged in, it has a 3 band EQ & good Low end the body is a bit Bulky but i love big women so its very comfortable.

benson_murrensun · « **Reply #14 on:** November 21, 2011, 11:29:41 AM »

I have had two different Tacoma Thunderchiefs. They were both excellent instruments, but suffered from feedback issues far more than most others that I have tried. The only acoustic bass guitar I tried that could keep up volume-wise with an acoustic guitar was a Martin, I think it was a B-65; I didn't buy it because it was beyond my budget at the time. Between the low volume and the feedback issues that acoustic bass guitars tend to have, I no longer keep one around. I could always break out my Jack Casady model Epiphone if need be...