Summer is the time for outdoor fun. No news there, but with the great selection of acoustic bass guitars (ABG) these days, now you can add jamming to your list of summer activities. I’m pleased to have an even bigger list of models and manufacturers to bring you this summer. Did I miss one? Leave me a comment!
Since buying my Ovation Celebrity CC074, I’ve been spoiled. It’s great to sit under a tree and play in the sunshine whenever you feel the urge. If I feel like taking my bass out to the park or the beach, I can bet I’ll be the only bassist around. With guitarists being a dime a dozen, I’m Mr. Popularity.
The only drawback to ABGs is the fact that without additional amplification you tend to be drowned out by the rest of the band. Even my round backed Ovation doesn’t project enough to compete with a heavily strummed acoustic guitar and vocals. Add a drummer, and you might as well just pretend to be playing. But fear not — a portable rechargeable amp like Fender’s AmpCan can help. The small speaker means you’ll likely have to do some fiddling with your ABG’s onboard EQ (if available) and the amp’s tone to find a tone that sounds good without overloading the speaker… but it’s workable. With my rig, I found good tone by setting the AmpCan’s tone on 10, boosting my Ovation’s bass EQ to the max, and leaving the mid and treble basically flat. Fender says their AmpCan is good for 4-6 hours per charge. For the record, I’ve never had mine run out of juice on the beach yet.
An acoustic bass is also the ideal practice instrument. Forget the hassle (and noise) of your big amp or uncomfortable, warm headphones. My ABG follows me around the whole house, in front of the TV, out to the back yard… anywhere I feel like learning. I love it.
Below are links to a selection of ABGs for any budget. If you have a suggestion to add, leave comment! Please include the company website address and product link if possible!
APPLAUSE
AE40
ARIA
Elecord FEB-SPL
AMB 50B
Sandpiper SPB-4
CARVIN
AC40 4-String ($699 Direct)
AC50 5-String ($769 Direct)
CORT
NTL-B
SJB
DEAN
Performer CE
Performer 4 Plus
Performer 5 Plus
Exotica Radiant
EPIPHONE
El Capitan
El Capitan Fretless
El Segundo
GUILD
B30-E
IBANEZ
AEB30LG
AEB305LG
FENDER
BG-29 ($810)
BG-32 ($730)
GODIN
A4 Semi Acoustic
A5 Semi Acoustic
GRETSCH
G6175 Acoustic Fretted
G6175W Acoustic Fretted, Western
G6176 Acoustic Fretless
HOHNER
EAB40 & EAB 50
MARTIN
BM ($1299)
B1 ($1499)
BC-15E ($1599)
SWB ($3200)
OSCAR SCHMIDT
OB100
OVATION (2000 Specialty Series)
Celebrity CC074
B778
ROGUE
AB-304
AB-304F
TACOMA
CB10
TAKAMINE
EG-512C
B10
WARWICK
Alien Stage Acoustic
WASHBURN
AB10 ($999)
AB34 ($1099)
AB35 5 String ($1199)
AB35FL Fretless 5 ($1299)
YAMAHA
BEX4C
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