Marky L Posted March 7, 2011 Share Posted March 7, 2011 I want to get hold of a budget acoustic bass, ideally used to bring the price right down, but I really have little idea of what is worth considering or stepping well away from. Preferably something with a reasonable un-amped volume for some duet work with my singer (and his acoustic guitar) and also for an after school club teaching kids the basics. Any hints, tips, advice appreciated. Ta muchly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neepheid Posted March 7, 2011 Share Posted March 7, 2011 Regret to report that a single acoustic guitar will easily drown out an acoustic bass guitar - they just don't produce enough volume on their own. I had a rehearsal round someone's house with an ABG versus a single acoustic guitar and a singer. Couldn't hear myself at all - had to plug in anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ahpook Posted March 7, 2011 Share Posted March 7, 2011 [quote name='neepheid' post='1152631' date='Mar 7 2011, 04:08 PM']Regret to report that a single acoustic guitar will easily drown out an acoustic bass guitar - they just don't produce enough volume on their own.[/quote] plus the one. fine for solo practice, but if you're going to play with anyone else... you'll end up using an amp anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beedster Posted March 7, 2011 Share Posted March 7, 2011 My EKO is VERY loud for an acoustic bass, Holds it's own with guitarists. String selection is important for volume, medium-heavy flats work best Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmshaw37 Posted March 7, 2011 Share Posted March 7, 2011 best ones i've found within a decent budget are the crafter, and the takamine g(?) series! they are the only ones i could get a reasonably bassy sound out of! possibly why some struggle to hear against a normal acoustic guitar? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat Burrito Posted March 7, 2011 Share Posted March 7, 2011 (edited) Whilst I agree with the original reply, go for one with a bigger body and decent soundhole as that will kick out the volume a lot more. I had an old Aria that was huge and that sounded fine with an acoustic guitar. I say "old Aria", I'm only going back 7yrs and I think Aria still do a large bodied acoustic bass. Edited March 7, 2011 by BurritoBass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marky L Posted March 7, 2011 Author Share Posted March 7, 2011 Thanks for the replies. I had heard about the volume issue before and that is a concern, but it looks like there could be hope! I am quite tempted by the B grade gear that Aria are shifting on Ebay, though they require varying states of repair but there is one on there with damage to the body (no biggie) and the electrics not working which I'm sure could be solvable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveB Posted March 7, 2011 Share Posted March 7, 2011 Can't comment on volume but +1 for the Crafter, and they come in fretted or fretless Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ajoten Posted April 18, 2011 Share Posted April 18, 2011 I've seen a few VERY cheap ABGs on eBay (sub £100), which I'm tempted by as my budget for one is £150. I'm not bothered about volume or cosmetics, I just want to be convinced they won't fall to pieces and have the bridge pulled off for example. Any knowledge thereof? Brands like Cheetah, Swift, Gear4Music, Lindo etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the-bass-man Posted April 18, 2011 Share Posted April 18, 2011 Similarly looking into a cheap ABG, seen the Cheetah ones on the 'Bay, anybody have one and can comment? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neepheid Posted April 18, 2011 Share Posted April 18, 2011 In my experience these cheapy ones are effin awful - poorly put together, dodgy intonation (which with a fixed bridge you can do very little about) - the one I had the unfortunate encounter with had a dodgy piezo where the A string was way quieter than the others when plugged in. You can't expect miracles for £50 but that watered down excuse of an instrument made me cry. I freecycled it in the end - I couldn't ask for money for it and keep a clear conscience. If your budget is £150 then you could pick up something way better like a second hand Ibanez AEB. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dubs Posted April 18, 2011 Share Posted April 18, 2011 Deffo go for something second hand for around £150 - this kind of price point should maximise your budget with regards to the quality/price trade-off. Keep an eye out locally and you might get a bargain. With regards to volume, I use a pic when playing with other musicians and this provides enough attack to be heard comfortably. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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