bassjamm Posted June 2, 2008 Share Posted June 2, 2008 Hi guys, Kind of been toying with the idea of this for a while, but i'd like to get myself a 5 string acoustic bass that i can tune E-C for some jazz action! Now, i'm not looking to spend a stupid amount, so something like £300 is my ideal budget, but i'd consider others if they were worth it! So, my requirements are: 5 string E - C'able acoustic bass Shortest scale possible without lossing too much tone, preferably 34" Would need to have as low action as possible, or but good enough to get set-up well and what not! Sound half-decent Here's what i've spotted just now: [url="http://www.guitarguitar.co.uk/bass_guitars_detail.asp?stock=07020214035129&guitars=2"]Ibanez EWB205WNE-NT[/url] [url="http://www.guitarampkeyboard.com/en/ba-580/10397"]Crafter BA-580EQ[/url] [url="http://www.soundslive.co.uk/product~name~Michael-Kelly-Club-Custom-5~ID~9105.asp"]Michael Kelly Club 5[/url] Does anyone know of any others around my price range? And do any of you know anything about the above guitars? I'd rather have a decent low spec one rather that a shoddy high spec'd bass! Thanks in advance for your help and thoughts. Jam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassjamm Posted June 2, 2008 Author Share Posted June 2, 2008 The other thing that has occurred to me is where will i find a high C string for acoustic bass? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bremen Posted June 2, 2008 Share Posted June 2, 2008 [quote name='bassjamm' post='211204' date='Jun 2 2008, 04:30 PM']Hi guys, Kind of been toying with the idea of this for a while, but i'd like to get myself a 5 string acoustic bass that i can tune E-C for some jazz action! Now, i'm not looking to spend a stupid amount, so something like £300 is my ideal budget, but i'd consider others if they were worth it! So, my requirements are: 5 string E - C'able acoustic bass Shortest scale possible without lossing too much tone, preferably 34" Would need to have as low action as possible, or but good enough to get set-up well and what not! Sound half-decent Here's what i've spotted just now: [url="http://www.guitarguitar.co.uk/bass_guitars_detail.asp?stock=07020214035129&guitars=2"]Ibanez EWB205WNE-NT[/url] [url="http://www.guitarampkeyboard.com/en/ba-580/10397"]Crafter BA-580EQ[/url] [url="http://www.soundslive.co.uk/product~name~Michael-Kelly-Club-Custom-5~ID~9105.asp"]Michael Kelly Club 5[/url] Does anyone know of any others around my price range? And do any of you know anything about the above guitars? I'd rather have a decent low spec one rather that a shoddy high spec'd bass! Thanks in advance for your help and thoughts. Jam[/quote] [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/5_string_acoustic_basses.html"]http://www.thomann.de/gb/5_string_acoustic_basses.html[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassjamm Posted June 2, 2008 Author Share Posted June 2, 2008 [quote name='bremen' post='211211' date='Jun 2 2008, 04:46 PM'][url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/5_string_acoustic_basses.html"]http://www.thomann.de/gb/5_string_acoustic_basses.html[/url][/quote] Thanks for that, i've already checked Thomann. As my post said, i was really looking peoples opinions and thoughts rather than simply alternatives...or at least alternatives with some explanitions as that will be useful information. J Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bremen Posted June 2, 2008 Share Posted June 2, 2008 [quote name='bassjamm' post='211353' date='Jun 2 2008, 08:42 PM']Thanks for that, i've already checked Thomann. As my post said, i was really looking peoples opinions and thoughts rather than simply alternatives...or at least alternatives with some explanitions as that will be useful information. J[/quote] Sorry, you did ask if anyone knew of any others around your price range. Which I do :-) I have no personal experience of acoustic basses, but I do have of Thomann's service - they will happily give you your cash back if you don't like an instrument, no questions asked. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldGit Posted June 2, 2008 Share Posted June 2, 2008 I had the Crafter BA400 acoustic (4 string.) Not the one you are looking at but the Crafters seem to be good all round so relevant. Very good for the money. Nice neck and very good "live friendly" and usable controls including feedback defeating phase switch and a mute which was essential for turning the thing off without changing the volume settings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassjamm Posted June 2, 2008 Author Share Posted June 2, 2008 Thanks for both of your replies guys! That's interesting stuff about the Crafters. I must admit, i prefer the look of the Ibanez, but it's not all about that i know! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldGit Posted June 2, 2008 Share Posted June 2, 2008 [quote name='bassjamm' post='211379' date='Jun 2 2008, 09:18 PM']Thanks for both of your replies guys! That's interesting stuff about the Crafters. I must admit, i prefer the look of the Ibanez, but it's not all about that i know![/quote] Just in case it's the same, the scale length of mine was a 32" ..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassjamm Posted June 2, 2008 Author Share Posted June 2, 2008 [quote name='OldGit' post='211426' date='Jun 2 2008, 10:13 PM']Just in case it's the same, the scale length of mine was a 32" .....[/quote] Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iamthewalrus Posted June 7, 2008 Share Posted June 7, 2008 Hi, Can recommend the Crafter 5 ABG - my wife bought it for me for my birthday last year. Scale is 32" & sounds pretty good both acoustic & plugged in - I mainly use it for practicing but I would definitely gig it if the situation allowed. The strings (Bronze) supplied are light & you might be able to get away with tuning it E-C? It also has a built in tuner which is also handy! Cheers, iamthewalrus. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardH Posted June 8, 2008 Share Posted June 8, 2008 I was gassing for one of those Ibanezes (either in 4 or 5 string) for a good while, but have decided to go for a Godin A4 instead. Couldn't find many/any reviews on them, but the general impression I got was that they were pretty nice (I know someone who has played one of the guitars in that range, and was very impressed). There are a couple of UK stores that seem to stock them, so may be worth a trip to try? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Burpster Posted June 8, 2008 Share Posted June 8, 2008 BJ, After my experiences with accoustics, two things I would suggest are huge consideration points. 1, just find one that you enjoy playing.... at that price range they may not have great actions so are not dead easy to play.... and 2. dont buy it on the assumption that it will have enough volume or abilty to match it with an accoustic guitar. It wont unitl you plug it in! So you need to buy one that you like the feel of and are happy playing and that sounds how you expect an accoustic to, plugged in. I ended up with what would be classed as a semi, as big bodied basses just wouldnt keep up with my guitarists 6 string... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldGit Posted June 8, 2008 Share Posted June 8, 2008 [quote name='The Burpster' post='214817' date='Jun 8 2008, 12:01 PM']BJ, 2. dont buy it on the assumption that it will have enough volume or abilty to match it with an accoustic guitar. It wont unitl you plug it in![/quote] +1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassjamm Posted June 8, 2008 Author Share Posted June 8, 2008 Thanks guys. I'm not bothered about it's unplugged volume...but i appreciate the words of wisdom! I'm more interested in having an E-C bass that i can just pick up and play as and when i want to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bnt Posted June 8, 2008 Share Posted June 8, 2008 [quote name='bassjamm' post='211208' date='Jun 2 2008, 04:41 PM']The other thing that has occurred to me is where will i find a high C string for acoustic bass?[/quote] You're looking at a gauge in the 0.025"-0.030" range, so... know a shop that sells acoustic guitar singles? This thread has got me thinking about doing something similar, but fretless... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enigmatic Posted August 5, 2008 Share Posted August 5, 2008 I've had 3 acoustics over the last 6 years all strung E-C. Unfortunately the nicest one's were Dean Performer Plus 5 (I've had 2 and both were stolen) which are no longer made. They were 32" and played really well. Almost loud enough to jam with a guitar, no drums. But had a beautiful tone when plugged in, and worked really well in the guitar trio I used it in. Both had a good finish and no buzzing high up the neck even with the relatively low action I'm always on the look out for one, as the Washburn AB-35 i have now is way to big for me (35" scale), even if i do like the tightness of the strings. In fact if you see one on Ebay (other auction sites are available) i will fight anyone for it! I haven't tried the one's on your list, but I will definitely be having a look at the Crafter as the 32" does appeal to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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