OT: Acoustic bass

[kaaikop]

If you find this thread unappropriate, just delete it, I would understand...

I've been dreaming of getting myself an accoustic, just for the heck of it, for the
cabin fever, camping, etc.
Any of you would could point me in the right direction?
PM me if this is really not suitable for here.

 

[roballanson]

Find an Earthwood (i think they are called) Huge and wonderful!

 

[bovinehost]

Other than an Earthwood, they all suck.

Any decent six string acoustic overpowers them.

 

[adouglas]

Other than an Earthwood, they all suck.

Any decent six string acoustic overpowers them.

+1, though I dunno about the Earthwood, having never seen or heard one. I assume that's not just EBMM jingoism at work....

I understand the urge, having had it myself. My best friend and bandmate is an acoustic guitar player, and it sure would be nice to be able to play with him without all that gear.

But so far every acoustic bass guitar I've picked up has been sorely lacking. The alternative is a small, battery-powered amp.

 

[kaaikop]

Never heard of Heartwood either, but gotta say that I had tried a few in the
local store (cheapo models), and I was not very impressed...
Thought the high-end models might be better. Oh well, maybe I should get an
upright, LOL (just attach it to my backsack LOL)

 

[roballanson]

Dude can highly recommend an upright!!!

 

[Aussie Mark]

I know it's all PC to praise the EB Earthwood, but I haven't seen one in the flesh, let alone played one, so I can't comment objectively. All I know is that every acoustic bass I've tried in person, including horribly expensive Taylors and Martins, have not had enough unplugged volume to be heard over a vocalist playing an acoustic guitar.

 

[AnthonyD]

Earthwood for sure, but I think Brian Ritchie has most of them...

For the rest of y'all, need to to hear a Tacoma Thunderchief - it's the only bass I've found in the current market that can hold it's own in an acoustic setting.

 

[bass&cookies]

ive tried a few michael kellys that seemed like they might be loud enough.
i plugged one in and it sounded killer

 

[JB1]

My advice would be to get a semi-acoustic (use with a practice amp to keep up with the geetars).

Try also to choose one with a rounded back (much more comfortable).

 

[todd4ta]

For just plunking around while you're sitting in the house (or cabin as it were) just about any acoustic bass will do. I find that I can pick up songs more easily on an acoustic sometimes, and it doesn't shake the house when I practice. I would rather practice on an acoustic bass than through a headphone amp sometimes, I do both plenty. I have two budget but decent acoustics sitting around just waiting to be picked up. One is the lower end Ovation (Celebrity maybe?), and the other is an Oscar Schmidt. Both were around $200 used, and I think are pretty cool for my domestic use.

 

[AnthonyD]

Sitting on the deck with two other guitars is the challenge...

 

[UKFIN]

There was an interview in one of the bass magazines last month with the violent femmes bass player and he talked at length about his earthwood.That may be a good reference

Being a lefty there aren't that many acoustic basses out there . I personally own a michael kelly dragon fly acoustic . It has a great sound when amplified and is well constructed . It has a really nice fishman pick up in it .

 

[Steve Dude Barr]

As previously stated above, I don't know of any that will keep up with one or two acoustic guitars around a campfire and if just plunking in front of the tube any will do.

 

[kaaikop]

Thanks for the advice!
I did see a few of them "Dragonfly" on e-bay, there sure "look" cool...
but there are so many of them for sale, that I just wonder...

 

[tkarter]

It takes an upright to do that unplugged. They are a lot of fun to play too. Like moving a house to take one with you some place though.

tk

 

[UKFIN]

I dont know why there are so many dragonfly's on ebay
IMO there great . The only prob I had with mine was fret buzz , but a little adjustment fixed that. The stock strings where crap so I changed them

I do agree with others though unless amplified they're lost against six string acoustics, but in a live setting they're great

Never the less the michael kelly's have a great sound are great for just sitting infront of the box and playing

 

[kaaikop]

Well I was considering a fretless... so fretbuzz wouldnt be an issue.
But if it sounds right... I am really tempted, they look damn good!
For a few hundred bucks... and yeah, it's just to grab it when I get an urge to
play without having to plug everything and rock the house, or just to learn a
new bassline, while playing the MP3 file on my computer.

 

[HeavyDuty]

Look at Tacomas. I have no problems keeping up with a guitarist, and if I use a felt pick I can bury two of them!

 

[boyet]

It takes an upright to do that unplugged. They are a lot of fun to play too. Like moving a house to take one with you some place though.

tk

+1000 I'm an upright player and it's worth "moving a house" when you can "move the house" playing that big old bass with the big old tone.