Bass choice for acoustic tracks

[Pinball]

Hi, I normally play Stingrays or an Ibanez SR3005E but am now working on an acoustic song based guitar/vocals project and would like an alternative bass sound. I have a modest budget and or could trade or sell my Ibby

I normally play 5 strings, 34" scale in rock bands and loads of pedals

Whatever I listen to sounds good e.g. P basses, Jazzes, EMG's, That should make it simple but just makes it more confusing HELP!

Any suggestions or am I just overthinking this? It sounds like a "which guitar is good for metal post"

Edited August 18, 2015 by Pinball

[CamdenRob]

I used to play in a similar project and alternated between a P with flats with the tone rolled all the way off and a fretless (which is what I use for that sort of stuff now).

[Mykesbass]

My only bass is a 5 string fretless P Bass which I have used in full electric band and stripped down acoustic settings. I'm now depping with a ceilidh & traditional Irish band - fiddle, accordion, mandolin, acoustic guitar, and the sound works fine. With flatwound strings I can get a nice little percussive edge that works very nicely without a drummer.

[BigRedX]

If looks are important then it has to be a double bass.

Otherwise any bass with no frets and flat wound strings will do the job.

[Pinball]

Thanks, I can do fretless.

Also this bit nails what I'm trying to achieve

[quote name='Mykesbass' timestamp='1439888778' post='2846423']
With flatwound strings I can get a nice little percussive edge that works very nicely without a drummer.
[/quote]

Cheers!

[Bilbo]

I have one bass I have used for 30 years in Jazz, Rock, Funk, Latin, SMall Group, Bog Band, Shows.....

I woudl sell one of your existing basses and get on with it with the other one

[Adrenochrome]

In my acoustic trio I've found that my fretless (Aria in PJ format) sounds way better than my ABG. I have very well played-in rounds on mine.

[Lw.]

Fretless electro-acoustic - It'll look the part with the acoustic guitars & you can send it through a discreet DI/EQ for the audience.

[EssentialTension]

I play in a group with two electro-acoustic guitars, electric piano, and small drum kit.

I vary between upright, fretless Takamine B10, Precision with flats and used to have fretless Precision. They all worked fine.

[Mykesbass]

[quote name='EssentialTension' timestamp='1439895663' post='2846507']
I play in a group with two electro-acoustic guitars, electric piano, and small drum kit.

I vary between upright, fretless Takamine B10, Precision with flats and used to have fretless Precision. They all worked fine.
[/quote]

Let me know the next time you're gigging the B10, always loved the look of them, would love to hear one in action. (Sorry for brief thread hijack Pinball)!

[tauzero]

In the ceilidh band I played in, I changed between a fretless Warwick Thumb (with roundwounds), a NS WAV-4 EUB, and an Ashbory Mk I.

You might consider one of the Harley Benton bass ukes, just as something rather different and somewhat uprightish-sounding.

[EssentialTension]

[quote name='Mykesbass' timestamp='1439896080' post='2846510']
Let me know the next time you're gigging the B10, always loved the look of them, would love to hear one in action. (Sorry for brief thread hijack Pinball)!
[/quote]
We are slightly dead in the water at present but we hope to catch a breeze soon. I'll let you know.

[Pinball]

Thanks all you have helped my clarity of thinking

[geoham]

[quote name='tauzero' timestamp='1439899230' post='2846563']
You might consider one of the Harley Benton bass ukes, just as something rather different and somewhat uprightish-sounding.
[/quote]

Exactly what I use! Great fun for not much cash, and always gets you noticed!

[Pinball]

I'm going the solid body fretless route....I'm pleased with things so far

[ead]

I would say a fretless, or maybe try playing you bass with the thumb resting on the end of the fretboard to get a softer/warmer tone.

[wateroftyne]

Palm muting works for me on a lot of acoustic stuff.

[Pinball]

As an update I recorded the vocals and guitar int he studio acoustically and then added the bass at home. Finger style fretless sounds best to me. I tried 3 different basses from a Stingray to a P bass and they all sounded good. I'm probably going to go with the P bass.

Note: I wish I had recorded the bass first...you live and learn

I'll stick up a link to something once finished

[Telebass]

A P bass with flats. Job done. As I'm now using in just such a project.