MWH Posted May 28, 2018 Share Posted May 28, 2018 Hi, what's the chances of an opinion on a short scale Gretsch semi acoustic , and even better if you know of a better one, £700 max, that you would recommend, any thoughts on the Chowney gear. Just want something I don't always have to plug in. Ta.! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger2611 Posted May 29, 2018 Share Posted May 29, 2018 I am a massive Gretsch guitar fan and loved the look of the Electromatic bass range when they came out, I played one at our local PMT and hated it, it played poorly and sounded worse, PMT also had the Jack Cassidy Epiphone in store which held little or no appeal to me but playability and sound wise it knocked the Gretsch for six. GAS for a Gretsch bass instantly cured! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cato Posted May 29, 2018 Share Posted May 29, 2018 (edited) On 28/05/2018 at 18:22, MWH said: Hi, what's the chances of an opinion on a short scale Gretsch semi acoustic , and even better if you know of a better one, £700 max, that you would recommend, any thoughts on the Chowney gear. Just want something I don't always have to plug in. Ta.! In my experience semi acoustic basses aren't noticeably any louder than solid bodies when both are unplugged. If you want something that has a much louder unplugged sound your best bet might be an acoustic bass. Edited May 29, 2018 by Cato 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CameronJ Posted May 29, 2018 Share Posted May 29, 2018 1 minute ago, Cato said: In my experience semi acoustic basses aren't noticeably any louder than solid bodies when both are unplugged. If you want something that has much louder unplugged sound your best bet might be an acoustic bass. This. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dad3353 Posted May 29, 2018 Share Posted May 29, 2018 My principal bass is a vintage Hofner Verithin bass; it plays nicely unplugged, solo, but won't match up to anything more than a nylon guitar, played softly. Most hollow-bodied instruments are not really hollow, they have a centre block and hollow 'wings', that's all. The old Hofners, including the violin bass, the Verithin and the President basses, are truly hollow, but not loud at all. Hope this helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maude Posted May 30, 2018 Share Posted May 30, 2018 I've just bought a Hofner Club bass, not with me yet. I've seen good reviews and gone for the cheapest option (Ignition) as its fully hollow, the medium priced (Contemporary) has a centre block which I don't want and the real deal expensive one is fully hollow but prohibitively expensive. I'll report back how loud it is acoustically when it turns up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MWH Posted May 31, 2018 Author Share Posted May 31, 2018 Thanks guys Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jebroad Posted May 31, 2018 Share Posted May 31, 2018 Go for chowny, great quality for their price and they are great instruments Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MWH Posted May 31, 2018 Author Share Posted May 31, 2018 1 hour ago, jebroad said: Go for chowny, great quality for their price and they are great instruments Mmm, there's one for sale on this forum, a semi-wotsit, tried the solid body with passive pup and sold it on, prefer active electrics and use a Landing but for what i want it for the Chowny might do nicely, darned if i know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jebroad Posted June 1, 2018 Share Posted June 1, 2018 18 hours ago, MWH said: Mmm, there's one for sale on this forum, a semi-wotsit, tried the solid body with passive pup and sold it on, prefer active electrics and use a Landing but for what i want it for the Chowny might do nicely, darned if i know. At least with the chowny swb, if its an active it comes to their office passive and they wire in an emg 2 band eq. Im sure if you ask stephen you can get an active Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikel Posted June 1, 2018 Share Posted June 1, 2018 Try the Ibanez Talman short scale. I have one and its punches well above its price point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monkey Steve Posted June 1, 2018 Share Posted June 1, 2018 Not had a Gretsch bass, but did give in to my GAS for one of their Electromatic hollow bodies a few years ago. Have to agree with Roger, it looked great bit felt and played like a bargain basement version of the original. It was certainly playable, and I persisted for a few months, but never loved it, and sold it on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedSlap Posted June 1, 2018 Share Posted June 1, 2018 (edited) Chowny SWB Pro for your price range ? Tonnes of resonance! Very light and snappy with quite a growl: Far above Gretsch in every way Edited June 1, 2018 by RedSlap Typo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jebroad Posted June 1, 2018 Share Posted June 1, 2018 3 hours ago, RedSlap said: Chowny SWB Pro for your price range ? Tonnes of resonance! Very light and snappy with quite a growl: Far above Gretsch in every way Agreed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Blank Posted June 1, 2018 Share Posted June 1, 2018 3 hours ago, RedSlap said: Chowny SWB Pro for your price range ? Tonnes of resonance! Very light and snappy with quite a growl: Far above Gretsch in every way Just sayin’... https://www.basschat.co.uk/topic/325336-for-sale-chowny-swb-pro/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MWH Posted June 3, 2018 Author Share Posted June 3, 2018 Yes, I take your point, but I've had one of these and didn't get on with it, interestingly nobody seems to have a good word for the short scale Gretsch, but thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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