NancyJohnson Posted August 20, 2023 Share Posted August 20, 2023 Went to a barbecue yesterday, guy hosting has a ton of guitars, ranging from his early purchase copies through to the current crop of Gibsons and Fenders. He's not a brilliant player and plays - by his own admission - in a terrible cover band, but has disposable income and loves guitars. Interestingly, he needed/wanted an acoustic bass for something and picked up a used G4M acoustic bass locally for £90.00. He asked me for an opinion. I think I must have played it for over an hour. Genuinely surprised at how wonderful it was. Only criticisms were that there were some sharp fret ends up the dusty end and the action could have been a mm or two lower, but it was just brilliant. Played acoustically, tonally it was full and rich, amazingly so. Zero fret buzz, neck straight, no high frets. Neck profile was quite shallow. Very playable. Do I need an acoustic bass? Well do I? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petecarlton Posted August 20, 2023 Share Posted August 20, 2023 I was bought one for my first bass five years ago. I traded it in for a SUB Stingray after about six weeks. I loved the Ray, but wish I'd kept the acoustic for noodling, if nothing else. I do though seem to remember some sharp fret ends. But to answer your question, of course you do! 😊 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neepheid Posted August 20, 2023 Share Posted August 20, 2023 Not this again. No, you don't. You'll think you do, buy it, have it for a while, think "why did I buy this again?" then flog it off for £90 to someone else, and the cycle continues... 2 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jd56hawk Posted August 20, 2023 Share Posted August 20, 2023 (edited) 4 hours ago, NancyJohnson said: Went to a barbecue yesterday, guy hosting has a ton of guitars, ranging from his early purchase copies through to the current crop of Gibsons and Fenders. He's not a brilliant player and plays - by his own admission - in a terrible cover band, but has disposable income and loves guitars. Interestingly, he needed/wanted an acoustic bass for something and picked up a used G4M acoustic bass locally for £90.00. He asked me for an opinion. I think I must have played it for over an hour. Genuinely surprised at how wonderful it was. Only criticisms were that there were some sharp fret ends up the dusty end and the action could have been a mm or two lower, but it was just brilliant. Played acoustically, tonally it was full and rich, amazingly so. Zero fret buzz, neck straight, no high frets. Neck profile was quite shallow. Very playable. Do I need an acoustic bass? Well do I? You should seriously consider a better one. Other than that, don't listen to the deriders and don't buy into that "hollow-body or semi-hollow is the way to go" line. Edited August 20, 2023 by jd56hawk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ahpook Posted August 20, 2023 Share Posted August 20, 2023 1 hour ago, neepheid said: Not this again. No, you don't. You'll think you do, buy it, have it for a while, think "why did I buy this again?" then flog it off for £90 to someone else, and the cycle continues... This. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smithy Posted August 20, 2023 Share Posted August 20, 2023 (edited) Now, being part of a forum dedicated to everything concerning the most beautiful instrument in the world, I think the only reason for your question is to get absolution for an answer you already know.😉 No, maybe you don´t need one, but how will you come to know that you do? Buying and selling (if so...) basses is the most pleasant trial and error method I can think of. Edited August 20, 2023 by smithy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGreek Posted August 20, 2023 Share Posted August 20, 2023 Put the money towards a semi acoustic . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smithy Posted August 20, 2023 Share Posted August 20, 2023 4 minutes ago, TheGreek said: Put the money towards a semi acoustic . Really solomonic advice🙏 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newfoundfreedom Posted August 20, 2023 Share Posted August 20, 2023 (edited) 1 hour ago, jd56hawk said: You should seriously consider a better one. That's quite possibly the nicest looking acoustic bass I've ever seen. 👌 What model is it? Edited August 20, 2023 by Newfoundfreedom 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jd56hawk Posted August 20, 2023 Share Posted August 20, 2023 (edited) 9 minutes ago, Newfoundfreedom said: That's quite possibly the nicest looking acoustic bass I've ever seen. 👌 What model is it? Dean Exotica, the older model with the Aphex System electronics...Aural Exciter and Big-Bottom Sound. So good I had to buy two. Edited August 20, 2023 by jd56hawk 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Blank Posted August 20, 2023 Share Posted August 20, 2023 2 hours ago, jd56hawk said: Other than that, don't listen to the deriders and don't buy into that "hollow-body or semi-hollow is the way to go" line. As someone who plays hollow and semi-hollow basses I have to say that it's a way to go, if not the way. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
floFC Posted August 20, 2023 Share Posted August 20, 2023 Dean also used to have the Stylist bass, a big bodied hollow beauty that was really quite deep - loud enough to play acoustically and sounds great as a semi. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jd56hawk Posted August 20, 2023 Share Posted August 20, 2023 1 hour ago, Frank Blank said: As someone who plays hollow and semi-hollow basses I have to say that it's a way to go, if not the way. Yes, the same can be said regarding the Precision or Jazz bass...one way to go. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lfalex v1.1 Posted August 20, 2023 Share Posted August 20, 2023 I had an acoustic bass. It sounded nice through its pickup/ preamp. It was well- made and played as well as such things can. But..... It was a Korean Ovation, and I couldn't get a case for it. It would feedback in noisy environments. My acidic sweat annihilated the phosphor bronze strings almost instantaneously. The Unplugged volume was once drowned out by the sound of a pin dropping. I guess it was OK for noodling around the house if everything was absolutely silent. But that was it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baloney Balderdash Posted August 20, 2023 Share Posted August 20, 2023 No! But you do need this: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T-Bay Posted August 20, 2023 Share Posted August 20, 2023 I have one gathering dust (not that model but similar) that I would happily trade for beer and a bottle of something nice. I used it loads at first but it’s lived in a bag under the bed for the last couple of years. I just noodle on my Jazz now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LowB_FTW Posted August 20, 2023 Share Posted August 20, 2023 I wouldn't trade my Washburn AB-35 for anything. I have a Washburn AB-34 which I may be selling at some unspecified point in the future, but the AB-35 is going nowhere. Mark 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulThePlug Posted August 20, 2023 Share Posted August 20, 2023 @NancyJohnson... I likes mine... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJJS Posted August 22, 2023 Share Posted August 22, 2023 Before you buy an ‘acoustic’ bass try a double bass for a while if you don’t have one already. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petecarlton Posted August 22, 2023 Share Posted August 22, 2023 3 hours ago, MJJS said: Before you buy an ‘acoustic’ bass try a double bass for a while if you don’t have one already. If you have the space! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jd56hawk Posted August 22, 2023 Share Posted August 22, 2023 7 minutes ago, petecarlton said: If you have the space! Not to mention the money. What, $1,500 and up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJJS Posted August 22, 2023 Share Posted August 22, 2023 19 minutes ago, jd56hawk said: Not to mention the money. What, $1,500 and up. I just passed a really nice G4M bass down the line for £400 with a bag and pickup. Starter double basses are making strides like starter electric basses….. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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