Bass Guitar Question. Go semi acoustic or not...

seachto7

Hi all,

A quick query. I play the odd gig with a 5 piece trad style band. It's composed of

concertina
fiddle/banjo
semi acoustic guitar
drums/percussion

For noise levels it gets as loud as this:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUJp6nu9JMk

That's not me on bass.

I am currently playing a decent copy of a fender jazz bass. The thing is it's very clacky clacity clack soundwise. As in, it sounds close to a fender jazz style bass!! I'm not happy with it. I am dialing in different settings on the bass amp and it's still picking at me. It's ok, but is picking at me.

Before that bass, I used an Aria 5 string with active humbuckers, which sounded "fuller", not as clackity clack as the jazz copy.

I had contemplated one of those semi hollow ibanezes but funds didn't allow.

I did pick up a lovely Tanglewood acoustic bass today, which had a pickup. I would imagine something like this would get totally lost in the mix with a full drum kit? As in, we puck it out when we do the rocky road to dublin and the likes. I love the sound, acoustically, off the Tanglewood bass, but I guess it would not work putting it through an amp, it would just feedback??

I suppose I am now thinking of sussing out a humbucker style bass again, (Ibanez artcore...???)

Any thoughts or opinions? I don't gig with that band enough to justify getting a really expensive bass, but something around the €300-€400 would do....

bayles

I sessioned with a band for years playing a semi acoustic Bass . It took me the guts of about 5 gigs before i was completley comfortable with it . In my opinion it doesnt matter what anyone says an acoustic bass is an entirly different beast to an electric bass , you need to adapt your style of playing to suit and you need to fight for any sustain on the notes but when it starts to fall right it can be a terrific adition to the overall sound of the band .
My guess is if its a tanglewood then it has a fishman pickup ? , these things are great and very sensitive to any changes in EQ so you should be able to get a sound that you are happy with by playing around with it , it may not happen at the first gig but i reckon you will get there eventually also i cant see why you reckon you would be getting feedback from an amp unless your standing facing it and the sound starts resonating around the sound hole , just stand with your back to the amp ! I used to put mine through an ampeg B15 and it was fine.

seachto7

I could D.I. it, and put it straight into the PA, or I could get a monitor and get the bass out through it.......

Rigsby

Have you considered your strings ? A lot of people under estimate just how much they contribute to your tone. Before you fork out three or four hundred euros on a new bass, try a set of flatwound strings (assuming you dont use them already). They should tame down that clackity clack sound.

bayles

seachto7 wrote: »

I could D.I. it, and put it straight into the PA, or I could get a monitor and get the bass out through it.......

You can D.I. it alright but you will still need a monitor on stage and if you dont have an amp that means you will be coming back through a wedge which you will be standing infront of.
Your best bet is to bring your own amp and use that as a monitor and D.I. it , or move the wedge if it starts giving trouble .

seachto7

Rigsby wrote: »

Have you considered your strings ? A lot of people under estimate just how much they contribute to your tone. Before you fork out three or four hundred euros on a new bass, try a set of flatwound strings (assuming you dont use them already). They should tame down that clackity clack sound.

good point........

Rigsby

seachto7 wrote: »

good point........

If you do opt to experiment with the flats, make sure to give them a week or two (depending on playing time) to break in before coming to a a definitive opinion on them. IMO, they would suit the other instruments in the band anyway.

seachto7

im still in the phase of testing out the guitar to get the best tone, so a change of strings might work to at least try........