Martin
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Post by Martin on Oct 3, 2017 9:59:04 GMT
Yes, I know this is in the 'electric' section, but since almost every acoustic bass comes with electronics, why not? I recently sold my bass guitar and amp. I wasn't playing it at all, the amp was taking up a lot of room, and it was a faff having to plug in all the time if I wanted to play. I think I'm resigned to being pretty much exclusively acoustic for the forseeable....anyway, I still like the bass, and still want to play occasionally, maybe even learn to do it a bit better. How much of a realistic option is it to try an acoustic bass? I realise the volume isn't really there acoustically, having tried one or two in the past, but then it's really only for me and practice. If I was to ever join a band (ha!  ), then I'd have to reinvest in proper gear anyway, so it's not for that. If it isn't a silly notion, what sort of thing would be reasonable? Money IS an object, therefore I don't want to spend much at all. There's not a lot on the used market either, so I'm a bit in the dark. Basses I've looked at (online): Fender T-Bucket, Dean EAB, Sigma BME, Vintage VCB430, Tanglewood ACB1 and TW155. Hard to judge what's good/bad, and there's not too much I fancy in stock locally either. Nothing's imminent, but the idea took me, so wondered what you lot thought about it. |
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ocarolan
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Post by ocarolan on Oct 3, 2017 12:26:15 GMT
..if you get to try a Sigma, let us know what you think of it!
I have a seriously crap acoustic bass (forgotten the make/model!) with a hole in the rim - sort a soundport for my thigh - bought v cheaply on eBay some years ago. Acoustic volume doesn't even cope with one acoustic guitar. Glyn's (borrowed) one he had at HB8 is much better - a Vintage something or other - is just about OK for small acoustic jams. A small amp helps, even at home though.
Keith
...or maybe a U-bass?
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Martin
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Post by Martin on Oct 3, 2017 12:42:25 GMT
There is a Sigma in a shop in Glasgow. I went in and had a look at it, but didn't want to play it as I felt a bit conspicuous (only me and about 10 shop assistants in attendance). It looked very nice (and BIG) but on closer inspection it looked as if it had been hanging around ( ) for a while, with discoloured fret wire and a dusty coating. Might pop back in for a play, but at £315, more than I want to risk on what is probably just a fleeting fancy. I really don't want to get another amp, so if it needs one, I think I'll just give up on the idea. I know I won't bother plugging in if I need to, so it will become another ornament  A U-Bass is interesting - hadn't thought of that. I know Dave built one a while back, but without frets. I'm a bit lost without frets, but the idea is intriguing, albeit it doesn't help the 'no amplifcation' rule as they'll be even quieter than the big boys. Interestingly, while I was in the guitar shop earlier, they had an extremely nice Faith Neptune PJE Signature guitar, made with British Honeyed Sycamore (I think). Really gorgeous. Should probably have played it, but funds would not permit if I liked it  www.musicradar.com/reviews/acoustic/faith-signature-fsgnhsy-honeyed-sycamore-620510 |
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Post by grayn on Oct 3, 2017 12:48:07 GMT
The U-basses are pretty decent and I saw some small bodied/scaled electro acoustic basses, at Promenade Music that looked well made and played very easily.
I had a a Crafter Electro bass, i played in a Celidh band, some years back. It was a good bass.
For home use, you don't need a high end bass.
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Martin
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Post by Martin on Oct 3, 2017 14:25:08 GMT
Still looking at u-basses, but also saw this Ibanez as an option and liked the look and the sound.
Price is pretty good too.
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Post by grayn on Oct 3, 2017 18:15:11 GMT
Yeah that looks a very cool bass.
Sounds OK too.
Could do with someone playing it, who's good.
That guy sounds like a guitarist, playing bass.
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Post by littlemart on Oct 3, 2017 20:48:45 GMT
The U-basses are pretty decent and I saw some small bodied/scaled electro acoustic basses, at Promenade Music that looked well made and played very easily. I had a a Crafter Electro bass, i played in a Celidh band, some years back. It was a good bass. For home use, you don't need a high end bass. I was going to suggest a Crafter as well. Their acoustics all seem to be very good value for money, so one can only assume the same for the basses. John Tams seems to think their instruments are good enough to play on stage so surely worth a try? |
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Riverman
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Post by Riverman on Oct 3, 2017 21:54:44 GMT
I had a Tanglewood acoustic bass until last year. There was enough acoustic volume for home use, but it really needed amplifying to be heard properly. But it was huge...and just not worth the effort for the amount of sound it produced, in my view.
The U-bass is a fun instrument but there's even less unamplified volume, and I should think the fretless version would be a nightmare to play with correct intonation - the distance between the right note and one that's marginally sharp or flat must be tiny! You can now get them with regular wound strings, which will sound different but feel more familiar than those fat rubber band ones.
Earlier this year I played a prototype of the new Taylor GS Mini bass, which was a pretty cool instrument. I think they're coming into the country in very small batches now, but they're well above your budget unfortunately. I could see myself selling my electric bass and acquiring one of these in due course - enough acoustic volume for home practice, good amplified sound, and a very familiar feel for people more accustomed to guitar. Maybe not an instrument for a serious bass player, but pretty much ideal for an acoustic guitarist dabbling in bass - at a price!
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Post by Deleted on Oct 5, 2017 6:13:15 GMT
Have a look at the Spector Timbre series- they are exact copies (licensed?) of the now discontinued Tacoma Thumderchief, and everyone raves about those. Well above your budget I know, but one of the finest acoustic basses I have played are the ones made by Furch. Absolute music in Poole have a second hand one for just under a grand, and it is in perfect condition. At the other end of the scale, if you are after a uke style bass, a guy I know in Trowbridge will build you one using bodies of very cheap classical guitars (usually Tanglewood). The other bass player in my band uses one and they actually sound rather good plugged in (less so unplugged if I’m honest). Here is their website : www.buzzardsfieldukuleles.co.uk/store/c2/Bass_Ukes.htmlRobbie |
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Martin
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Post by Martin on Oct 5, 2017 7:52:15 GMT
Have a look at the Spector Timbre series- they are exact copies (licensed?) of the now discontinued Tacoma Thumderchief, and everyone raves about those. Well above your budget I know, but one of the finest acoustic basses I have played are the ones made by Furch. Absolute music in Poole have a second hand one for just under a grand, and it is in perfect condition. At the other end of the scale, if you are after a uke style bass, a guy I know in Trowbridge will build you one using bodies of very cheap classical guitars (usually Tanglewood). The other bass player in my band uses one and they actually sound rather good plugged in (less so unplugged if I’m honest). Here is their website : www.buzzardsfieldukuleles.co.uk/store/c2/Bass_Ukes.htmlRobbie Cheers, Robbie. Just spotted this on the Buzzard website   |
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Post by littlemart on Oct 5, 2017 11:36:39 GMT
Just spotted this on the Buzzard website Ah yes, I see it is sporting the new Addidas tennis shoe-laces. They knock Daddario's out of the ring with their sustain.  |
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Martin
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Post by Martin on Oct 5, 2017 11:48:45 GMT
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), then I'd have to reinvest in proper gear anyway, so it's not for that.
Jo whoever he is.
