Acoustic Basses

thebassman · 22-08-2006 8:51am #1

Hi

Just sending out feelers on opinions on acousitic basses. I bought one there a while ago mainly to sit at home and work out basslines without having to hook up to an amp. I had no intention of really using it for live sets as an electric bass could do the job just as well (although I am getting a lovely double bass kind of sound from it!!), but I had a heated debate with my friend over acoustic basses over the weekend, where he, in brief, was convinced of the "total waste of money" it was in purchasing one.

Any opinions?

Doctor J · 22-08-2006 9:24am

I played in a band with a guy who played one, they are terribly prone to feedback in live situations, almost useless if the bassist wants to hear themselves on stage. If you want that sound live, really just put a piezo bridge on a regular electric bass and you'll be near enough. There are a few companies like Hotwire who have taken an imaginative design approach to getting that sound but, again, it is kind of prone to feedback in live (loud) situations.

Rustar · 22-08-2006 3:08pm

If you enjoy it, it's never a waste of money.

And an acoustic is great for recording, playing for a campfire group, etc....you can always buy another bass for another purpose. I have 2 basses and 4 guitars, and they're really 6 different instruments.

The first bass I used to play in a band with was an old mid-60's un-intonateable hollowbody Harmony. Although I did have feedback issues due to the fact that we played loud hard rock, many people have cried that no bass I've played since then sounded as good. I think I've gotten close with my Iceman and a 450w amp, though.

The Harmony wasn't an 'acoustic', but I'm a big fan of airspace in the right guitar.

JaneHudson · 22-08-2006 5:58pm

I've heard bass guitar being played at trad sessions and to be honest I think it is a bit too funky. However I got to thinking would an acoustic bass be mellower/ more folky or do ye think it would be too quiet altogether (imagine there is an accordian and some uileann pipes to contend with) and you would have to plug it in and go back to square one anyway?

Can anyone recommend any music/artist/song that makes good use of an accoustic bass guitar? I don't think I have heard it before or if so I can't remember if there was any difference.

Alter-Ego · 22-08-2006 6:28pm

I think flea used one on "Road Trippin'". Can't say i know any other acoustic bass songs.

squibs · 23-08-2006 10:05am

I think flea used one on "Road Trippin'". Can't say i know any other acoustic bass songs

The Violent Femmes eponymous album - blister in the sun etc.

JaneHudson · 24-08-2006 6:53am

I will definitely give those a listen, thanks.

thebassman · 25-08-2006 1:29pm

Well, I mainly use an Ibanez SRX705 for my live sets. Had a great acoustic session with our guitarist in his kitchen last night with our acoustics & found the acoustic bass great just for working out bits & pieces without having to wait to find an amp to plug into.

I can imagine it being drowned out if in a session, like in a trad session (above), especially being in a pub, but using a plek gives it substantial additional volume without having to plug it in

Shanannigan · 26-08-2006 1:11pm

best band to listen to to get an idea for acoustic bass are the violent femmes... they use it s well too

Oink · 12-02-2007 12:09pm

[snip]double post[/snip]

(Note to self: need to stop reopening threads that have been dead for 6 months)

Oink · 12-02-2007 12:10pm

I am the only one here who wants to scream "Nirvana: Unplugged in New York" ?

I mean - he didn't reinvent the bass guitar for that gig, but the bass sounded fantastic.