mellowgerman
Senior Member
Ever since I first started reading up about the b50 I've been dreaming about having an acoustic bass that can actually be heard in an acoustic jam without amplification. My problem is that, considering my apartment rent, food, and constant car expenses, there is absolutely no hope of me being able to afford and/or justify a b50 or b30 in the next decade or two. I also considered the Tacoma thundercheif bass as it's a bit cheaper and still said to have great volume and projection, but alas they still run at least $900, so they're out of the question too.
My solution.... on the cheap, I picked up a blemished one of these:
http://folk-instruments.musiciansfriend ... sku=514035
Couldn't be happier! In shipping to the original buyer (when it was new) it took a hit to the treble side of the body which left a nasty gash and separated the top from the side. I took it upon myself to do the repair with some craft wood glue (i know hide glue is recommended but this was a super cheap buy and the wood glue did the job just fine). Success!
The tone is sort of how you would expect an upright with big fat round wounds to sound... but jamming with a singer, dreadnaught, and a flute, it sounds just like an upright and cuts through the mix effortlessly. The action on these is relatively high and it's not intended for any victor wooten wankage, but it's an absolute delight for acoustic blues/folk jams.
Also, when I go camping and to festivals in the summer, I don't have to worry about bringing a super-expensive piece of Guild art along with me
Finally, here's a photo of me jammin away with my beefy new mexican pal:
My solution.... on the cheap, I picked up a blemished one of these:
http://folk-instruments.musiciansfriend ... sku=514035
Couldn't be happier! In shipping to the original buyer (when it was new) it took a hit to the treble side of the body which left a nasty gash and separated the top from the side. I took it upon myself to do the repair with some craft wood glue (i know hide glue is recommended but this was a super cheap buy and the wood glue did the job just fine). Success!
The tone is sort of how you would expect an upright with big fat round wounds to sound... but jamming with a singer, dreadnaught, and a flute, it sounds just like an upright and cuts through the mix effortlessly. The action on these is relatively high and it's not intended for any victor wooten wankage, but it's an absolute delight for acoustic blues/folk jams.
Also, when I go camping and to festivals in the summer, I don't have to worry about bringing a super-expensive piece of Guild art along with me
Finally, here's a photo of me jammin away with my beefy new mexican pal: