Basses for acoustic "style" gigs

[cocco]

I've got a hofner club bass for such occasions.

[4-string-thing]

I saw Simon Nicol of Fairport Convention playing what I think was a Kala U Bass on sky arts the other day, it sounded really good, but it wasn't really in a band situation, as all 5 of them were playing ukeleles....

Apart from the drummer, that is!

Edited December 29, 2010 by 4-string-thing

[Chris2112]

I am still perplexed by the feeling that you need something that "looks the part" for an acoustic gig. How strange! I'm not typically a fan of acoustic basses because of the issues getting them amplified properly and still sounding good. A decent electric through a good combo at a reasonable volume is always a better idea IMO.

[Cat Burrito]

I can certainly see sense in just using a Precision. I've different experiences with acoustic bass guitars & I've tried some really nice sounding ones. The bigger bodied ones tend to sound better.

Personally I have an upright bass but I also have a resonator bass that I use when I just want to throw something in a case & jump on a train. Originally it sounded awful but I've strung it with flats and it now has a certain charm.

[xgsjx]

Another option is the Godin A5 fretless. But it's a similar price to the 2nd hand NS.

[redstriper]

The Kala U-Bass is great if you want a woody, deep and thumpy sound.
They are available with or without frets, but quite expensive.
Another option is the Ashbory, only available fretless and tricky to intonate if you play complex lines high up the neck, but has a great sound for less money.

[greyparrot]

i bought one of those stag stick basses. For £250 they are perfect for blues and jazz stuff. I cant play it anywehere near my bongo, but i dont need to as the sound is huge, and as far as playing walking bass lines its just perfect for that. I would say get an upright for this sort of thing, and also being strait up, they take no room, and women love it!

[icastle]

[quote name='greyparrot' post='1072203' date='Dec 29 2010, 10:13 PM']I would say get an upright for this sort of thing, and also being strait up, they take no room, and women love it![/quote]

I remember the video.
When you say "women love it" what you actually mean is "she didn't slap me"

[molan]

Godin semi acoustics are really nice. Capture some of the acoustic vibe, look pretty cool, IMHO, and feel pretty much like a 'regular' bass so you spend more time actually playing with the band rather than struggling with technique.

[greyparrot]

[quote name='icastle' post='1072214' date='Dec 29 2010, 10:21 PM']I remember the video.
When you say "women love it" what you actually mean is "she didn't slap me" [/quote]



True!

[ThomBassmonkey]

[quote name='Chris2112' post='1072091' date='Dec 29 2010, 08:12 PM']I am still perplexed by the feeling that you need something that "looks the part" for an acoustic gig. How strange! I'm not typically a fan of acoustic basses because of the issues getting them amplified properly and still sounding good. A decent electric through a good combo at a reasonable volume is always a better idea IMO.[/quote]

Each to their own. I don't "need" anything, I "want" something that looks the part. I've been using my electric basses for every acoustic gig I've ever done on bass so far, I always feel a bit as though I've not made the effort. Plus I enjoy playing uprights and like having various strings to my bow, I don't think it'd hurt anything if I did get one, so I don't see the problem.

Thanks for that video, Grey. I'll give it a good listen in a bit.