Author Topic: Acoustic Bass Guitars (Read 330 times)

jazzyvee · « **on:** March 12, 2007, 11:24:36 AM »

Hi Guys, I'm in need of some fast advice.
I have this morning been asked to play bass on an unplugged session for an artiste next week.
But I need to get an acoustic bass for the gig.
I've called the stores around and there is not much variety.

I tried this bass out today very quickly and it sounded ok and the neck was the better of the ones in the shop.

Not loud acoustically but sounded good through the acoustic bass amp.
http://www.ibanez.co.jp/ac_page_2007.php?PAGE_ID=117&COLOR=CL02&AREA_ID=3

Do you have any experience with this bass.
It's a 32 inch scale 4 stringer.
Any views?
They want ?300 for it but I'll get them to drop it if I turn up with the cash.

Cheers
Rehearsals start tomorrow or Wednesday so any views would be welcome.
There was a dean bass there also but the neck and action was dire.

Jazzyvee

tubeperson · « **Reply #1 on:** March 12, 2007, 11:42:51 AM »

Michael Kelly makes a really good for the money ABG. I have a 5 string fretless and fretted, and they have held up well. They feature quilted maple tops, backs and sides which are plywood constructed both on the outside and inside surface. They have neck action similar to electrics. If you go to www.michaelkelly.com, or it may be www. michaelkellyguitars.com you can hear samples of each.

flaxattack · « **Reply #2 on:** March 12, 2007, 12:28:26 PM »

check this one out
www.ribbeckehalfling.com
supposedly the best around

a kelly is not bad for the money
i have one

jazzyvee · « **Reply #3 on:** March 12, 2007, 04:55:19 PM »

Thanks for the thoughts guys but, we don't have those basses here in the UK as far as I know and my need is for something I can get quickly before next week Tuesday.

So, of the ones I had the opportunity to try, this Ibanez sounded and felt the best to play. I know it's not in the same league as those you mention but I'm working to a budget and time.

Cheers for your time anyway
Jazzyvee

richbass939 · « **Reply #4 on:** March 12, 2007, 06:18:25 PM »

Jazzy,
I don't know anything about Ibanez ABGs. I also don't know if you have Tacoma over there, but I'm really happy with mine. Great acoustic sound. The amplified sound is just like the acoustic sound, not colored at all. Good luck finding something you like.
Rich

jacko · « **Reply #5 on:** March 13, 2007, 06:36:59 AM »

Sorry jazzy, i can't be much help - like you I've been looking for an acoustic and haven't come across anything in the UK that rings my bell. I'd pretty much decided on importing a michael kelly 5 string fretless dragonfly and steve and Flax's comments have pretty much clinched it. Luckily, my need isn't as urgent as yours.

Graeme

adriaan · « **Reply #6 on:** March 13, 2007, 07:07:23 AM »

I was listening to someone playing an Ibanez ABG through a very small Ibanez amp, in a late 19th century church on an Amsterdam canal - high and narrow, with wood everywhere - excellent acoustics. With 20 people singing in the choir, violin, clarinet and a classical guitar also with a small amp - you could hear the bass well enough.

The Ibanez should sound fine for accompaniment.

tubeperson · « **Reply #7 on:** March 13, 2007, 07:16:13 AM »

Jacko, I think you will really enjoy the Michael Kelly. Also their customer service is similar to Alembic's excellent record. My first 5 string fretless developed a neck warp, while under warranty and although the dealer was useless in solving the problem, the distributor, HHI, replaced the bass at no charge.

ajdover · « **Reply #8 on:** March 13, 2007, 07:23:21 AM »

I have a Godin A4, an Ovation CC074, and a Martin BC-15E. The best of the lot is the Martin. The Ovation plain sucks - no way you can get a decent low action with it due to the saddle/bridge design. The Godin isn't bad, but its too uprighty sounding for my tastes in most instances. The Martin is spot on for me - great action and tone. To each his/her own as they say.

IME, AEBs need amplification. Unless it is an insanely huge bass like an Earthwood, it doesn't have enough volume to be heard acoustically.

My solution? A Phil Jones Briefcase. It runs on batteries, 120V, and 220V too. It's perfect in my view for an ABG.

Alan

jacko · « **Reply #9 on:** March 13, 2007, 07:26:44 AM »

Steve. Thanks for that. One question, How does it sound, acoustically and amplified?

Alan. i tried a Godin at a local shop and didn't think much of it acoustically. it seemed very expensive too.

Graeme

tubeperson · « **Reply #10 on:** March 13, 2007, 07:40:11 AM »

For Jacko and all interested - The bronze strings that came with the basses really ring and let out the higher end, and help project the volume. Currently I use D'Addario half rounds on the fretless, which really sound sweet. The Phil Jones amp is quite a marvel, but the B string is not served well unless you add another cabinet. Even then, much as I really like the Jonesy amp, the B string cannot really bust out due to speaker and power limitations. I've been fortunate to hear Acoustic string players use the Phil JOnes combo and compare it to the Michael Kelly, and with the half rounds, you can get close to a stand-up bass. Black taped strings are also a good choice, although I have not tried them myself. I am focusing on strings because each amp will add its own sonic signature to any bass or guitar(yes I am an audiophile and Tubes really do rule - the group and the glass!).

jazzyvee · « **Reply #11 on:** March 13, 2007, 12:16:25 PM »

I have found out now that the gig is for radio and not Tv phew... so I may cheat and take my SC dlx for the session. We are supposed to be having a couple of rehearsals this weeks so I can find out from the artiste, what the real deal is then. Hopefully I won't need to buy an acoustic bass in a hurry.

Thanks for the input the additional information it is always helpful for times when the rush isn't on.

Jazzyvee

dfung60 · « **Reply #12 on:** March 13, 2007, 11:04:56 PM »

I've always found that the problem with acoustic basses is that they basically don't work without amplification! No way you're going to keep up unamplified with somebody pounding away on a Taylor dreadnought!

If you really were serious about playing without an amp, then my favorite is actually relatively cheap if you can find one - look for a Kramer Ferrington bass from the 80's. They're generally not too pricey (these were made in Japan or Korea unless you find a real Ferrington which would be very expensive). Very loud and well balanced acoustically with a nice, electric bass-like neck. The piezo pickup is totally hopeless unless you have a reasonable external buffer amp though.

The Tacoma is good as well, although not as full sounding as the Ferrington. They're pretty reasonably priced too.

If you want to spend a LOT on one, then see if you can find one of the Taylor AB-1 basses with the huge body and offset soundhole. It doesn't sound as good unamplified as the Kramer, but again amazingly balanced, even if you get the 5-string one.

If you're going to be plugged in but want it to sound acoustic, the Turner Renaissance Amplicoustic basses are really good. Idiosyncratic neck profile (it's sort of strangely large). They have an excellent pickup, and you'll like the sound of the Thomastik nylon-core strings until you have to pay for a new set. This is more like an electric bass sound than an acoustic bass guitar (in fact, probably more like an upright bass than an acoustic bass guitar). This bass was designed by Rick Turner who was one of the early core folks at Alembic, so there's a bit of a connection there (although the relationship with the Alembic folks hasn't been good for a long time).

I've got a lot of basses that have piezos (Spector, Modulus, Parker, Bolin NS), but these basses all sound sort of like an unusual electric bass rather than anything like an acoustic instrument. I've also got a Veilette Mk IV 5-string fretless which sounds very similar to the Turner but plays more like an electric.

I tried many times to like the Martin acoustic bass, but it doesn't sound good at all unplugged and, to my ears, not that much better plugged in. It's beautifully built, but sort of a dreadnought with a long neck.

Go find one of those Ferringtons, you won't regret it!

David Fung

ajdover · « **Reply #13 on:** March 14, 2007, 06:45:34 AM »

David,

Funny, the Martin sounds the best to me, though I've not played a Taylor, Ferrington, or turner. It does have a long neck, but I just liked the tone (The BC-15E is made of mahogany). I tried their bass made with the Aluminum top, and I didn't like that one at all. Since I pretty much use my AEBs for knocking around the house, it doesn't have to be real loud anyway, and I've got amps for it in the event it needs to be amplified.

Like I said, the Ovation is the worst of the lot - impossible action.

Alan

jack · « **Reply #14 on:** March 14, 2007, 11:20:26 AM »

I second Dave's appraisal of the Turner Renaissance, although Flax didn't like his, I don't think. One thing about those nylon core strings, they sound fantastic but they play like rubber bands. I went to chrome flatwounds, that required a little set up (a lot more tension). They play great, although you lose a little mwah. Also tough to find any strings locally for a 35 scale five string where the strings go through the back. Internet only.

-Jack