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Author
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Topic: Acoustic Bass Guitars
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DennisRogerReed
Member
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posted 08-11-2004 07:18 AM
   
I played a couple of Martin acoustic bass guitars in a bluegrass/newgrass band for about 5 years, with some of that time devoted to touring and playing the festival circuit. Other than pre-performance practice using a pick and a hard attack (as opposed to a heart attack) I had to plug in.
I used a small combo Galien Kruger amp, and depending on the festival/sound man, my favorite way was to have the amp run direct into the board AND have the bass itself be miked as well. That gave the bass a woofier, woody tone that I found very appealing.
Also, as far as the debate that "why not just play electric," an acoustic bass guitar is pounds lighter and that matters during long gigs.
In all the festivals we played throughout the States and Canada, I only recall seeing a handful of other bands that used acoustic bass guitars. The vast majority use the upright bass. [This message has been edited by DennisRogerReed (edited 08-11-2004).] |
Paul Kotapish
Member
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posted 08-11-2004 04:14 PM
I have an inexpensive Epiphone "El Capitan" four-string bass guitar that I keep around for sessions and parties and music camps. The action is easy and the acoustic tone is pretty nice, but it is quiet, and the unplugged sound is only good for small living-room sessions. At camp or in a big jam I run it through a small battery-powered amp--a Crate or Pignose or Marshall or whatever's handy--and it has plenty of sound for nearly any mostly-acoustic session. It's no replacement for a true acoustic bass, but it sure is simple and easy and portable, and the sound is surprisingly good. It's a nice alternative to have available at CCMC or PSGW when 20 guitar players show up for a jam. If you are looking for a portable upright bass, you'll probably want to look at a Clevinger, Emminence, KYDD, Messenger, or equivalent solid-body electric upright. |
HIC
Member
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posted 08-12-2004 07:13 AM
acoustic resonator basses are most likely loud enough to be heard, and they would fit into a bluegrass context as far as sound, etc.another type of acoustic bass (that I'm sure you won't find anywhere) is one that I saw a man in Costa Rica play in a little 3 piece string ensemble, I tried to ask him what it was, and as far as my understanding in spanish goes, all I could get out of him was "Big Guitar", it was about the size of a cello (maybe a little bit deeper believe it or not) but from the front had a Jumbo guitar shape
it was pretty cool |
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