Acoustic bass guitar

[Gary Blanchard]

At the radio concert last night all guitars were amplified with mic rather than plugging in. Several of the acts included acoustic bass guitars. First, I was surprised that the three I saw used were all Martins; I don't usually think of Martin for acoustic bass. The next thing I noticed was that two of them sounded decent with the mic, but the third had no resonance or volume unplugged. The third thing I noticed was how much just adding a bass player can add to the sound. Maybe I should find a bass player.

 

[Flamencology]

I generally approve. An upright player would be cooler, though.

 

[Dogsinplastic]

At the radio concert last night all guitars were amplified with mic rather than plugging in. Several of the acts included acoustic bass guitars. First, I was surprised that the three I saw used were all Martins; I don't usually think of Martin for acoustic bass. The next thing I noticed was that two of them sounded decent with the mic, but the third had no resonance or volume unplugged. The third thing I noticed was how much just adding a bass player can add to the sound. Maybe I should find a bass player.

What I find surprising about the Martin acoustic basses is that they use the OM body and not a dreadnaught or a jumbo body. Most companies that have built (non-upright) acoustic basses go with a larger body to move more air.

As to the deadened tone/sound of one of the them, it might depend upon the strings they were using. They also could be old strings. Or, that player could have just gotten a dud of an instrument. Maybe it was filled with foam. Folks will do that eliminate feedback, but it also kills the acoustic properties of the instrument.

 

[Kerouac]

I strongly dislike most acoustic basses. I think those bass ukes are actually better sounding and more portable. Otherwise just find an upright.