Slim line acoustic bass?

[grmps]

So, it's getting on towards summer, My wife and I usually sit out on our driveway and enjoy the evenings/nights while I play a guitar.
For Christmas I bought her an 02(?) AE series ibanez acoustic bass, but the only problem is she has a helluva time playing it because the body is so fat.
I love the sound of my songbird. I checked the search for thinline acoustic bass but nothing came up here specifically.

She really likes the the carvin AC40 but there's only a fretless available on reverb and it's about 1k more than what they normally have sold for. (And she doesn't want a fretless)
Her 2nd choice would be the ibanez Bass workshop SRH500. but I'm not sure how well a semi hollowbody will sound without an amp
She kinda likes the ESP LTD TL4 but she doesn't like how sharp the cutaway is. (Whatever! that's my favorite one. LOL)

So, I thought I'd ask you fine people if you can recommend a thinline Acoustic bass from Guild if they make/made one... (or even another brand perhaps?)

So, TL;DR
Does guild make/made a thin body acoustic/electric 4 string bass?

 

[krysh]

The problem with acoustic Basses is, that if they are small or thinline, they can't compete with an acoustic guitar volumewise anymore, and a semi-acoustic like the starfire definively not.
the best compromise would be a semi hollow bass for comfort and a battery amp. Guild doesn't offer any slim acoustic basses. There was one in the 80's: FB-46: http://www.guildsofgrot.com/images/full_size/Basses/1982eFB-46Bass-4.JPG but these are very rare and also need an amp.

 

[SFIV1967]

Everything mentioned above (Carvin, Ibanez, ESP) seems to be more usable as electric bass, so you need an amp.
If you want acoustic only, what about the "Jumbo Junior Bass"? They are small enough to be comfortable I think, especially for the purpose you mention. You probably even find a used one for even lower money.

Guild Jumbo Junior Flamed Maple Acoustic-electric Bass Guitar - Antique Blonde Satin

Acoustic-electric Bass Guitar with Solid Sitka Spruce Top, Flamed Maple Back and Sides, Ebony Fingerboard, and Onboard Electronics - Natural

www.sweetwater.com

Guild Guitars | Jumbo Junior Bass

We chose a solid Sitka spruce top and arched flamed maple back to mirror the tone woods that have been used in upright bass construction for centuries, resulting in a clear, tight bass tone that is impressive for its reduced size.

guildguitars.com

Lower Bout Width: 14 1/2"
Upper Bout Width: 10 1/2"
Body Depth Upper Bout: 3 3/8"
Body Depth Lower Bout: 4 1/8"




Ralf

 

[twocorgis]

While I still own an acoustic bass, my experience with them has been that once you play with more than one guitar (especially if it's a dread or larger) you get drowned out, or need to plug in. And if you're plugged in, you might as well be playing an electric bass.

 

[cupric]

There's this:

Guild Acoustic Fretless Bass | Reverb

For sale is a very cool Guild Acoustic Fretless Bass, sounds great and condition is good with some scratches, scruffs and some damage to the finish-see pictures for more details! For more in-depth information on this guitar, please message us! Our hours of operation are Tuesday-Saturday, 11am-6pm...

reverb.com

 

[krysh]

There's this:

Guild Acoustic Fretless Bass | Reverb

For sale is a very cool Guild Acoustic Fretless Bass, sounds great and condition is good with some scratches, scruffs and some damage to the finish-see pictures for more details! For more in-depth information on this guitar, please message us! Our hours of operation are Tuesday-Saturday, 11am-6pm...

reverb.com

Mrs grmps doesn't want a fretless....

 

[cupric]

Mrs grmps doesn't want a fretless....

This shows that Guild produced thin line basses. A fretted one may be out there somewhere.

 

[krysh]

The B4 was a little bit thinner but not a thinline Bass and couldn't keep up with an acoustic guitar

 

[The Guilds of Grot]

Well what are you all calling "Thinline"?

Is 3-1/2"deep a "Thinline"? If so find a B-500 like this:

Or if you're defining "Thinline" as the Crossroads Series and therefore 1-1/2" deep, you need a B-46-Bass like this:

(This would be the cousin to a Songbird but it's not very loud.)

 

[fronobulax]

My first thought would be to look for a Guild B4 because it's a Guild. They were made in the 90's and the existence of fretted models does not have to be inferred. We have seen many of them @cupric Depending upon condition I'd plan on $750 plus or minus.

That said, I often accompany Mrs. Fro. who is usually leading or accompanying singers. She plays a D-25 which has quite the presence. When I had a B4 there was always some question as to whether anyone could hear the bass, including me even when I had the added advantage of feeling it as well. I took the opportunity to get a B-50 which is a contender for the loudest acoustic bass guitar that was ever in mass production. Enough people knew I was there with he B-50 that I gave the B4 to my sister. I play the B-50 when I can't use an amp but if I can use an amp the ergonomics (it is BIG) are such that I'd rather play a Starfire.

So I'd investigate a B-4 knowing it won't be as loud as you might like or look for a small amp that can run on batteries.

I'm going to move this to Bass because some of the bass players don't read other parts of the board.

 

[krysh]

there is no exact definition of thinline instruments. the name comes ftom the telecaster thinline, I believe.
usually a thinline instrument is hollow or semihollow and is not much thicker than an electric instrument, ≤ ca. 2-1/2".
The B4 and B-500 and even the Mini Jumbo Bass have thicker bodies that I'd not consider as thinline. but maybe the original poster may clarify?

 

[grmps]

there is no exact definition of thinline instruments. the name comes ftom the telecaster thinline, I believe.
usually a thinline instrument is hollow or semihollow and is not much thicker than an electric instrument, ≤ ca. 2-1/2".
The B4 and B-500 and even the Mini Jumbo Bass have thicker bodies that I'd not consider as thinline. but maybe the original poster may clarify?

Yeah, when I said slime line, I just meant something with a significantly skinnier body than a dreadnaught. Really, that B4 is what I had in mind. There's 1 on reverb for 1k right now, but I'm not doing that, especially since the seller admits there's a crack in it that's been repaired.

 

[grmps]

GUILD B4CE-NT 4-STRING ACOUSTIC/ELECTRIC BASS from the 1990s IN HARD CASE | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for GUILD B4CE-NT 4-STRING ACOUSTIC/ELECTRIC BASS from the 1990s IN HARD CASE at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

Is this a fake?
What happened to the head stock?

 

[grmps]

I'm going to move this to Bass because some of the bass players don't read other parts of the board.

Thanks. I wrestled with where to post it.

 

[grmps]

The B4 was a little bit thinner but not a thinline Bass and couldn't keep up with an acoustic guitar

my experience with them has been that once you play with more than one guitar (especially if it's a dread or larger) you get drowned out,

I more often than not play an electric without an amp. I'm not trying to piss-off the neighborhood. Since that's the case,drowning her out isn't an issue.

 

[grmps]

Well what are you all calling "Thinline"?

Is 3-1/2"deep a "Thinline"? If so find a B-500 like this:

Or if you're defining "Thinline" as the Crossroads Series and therefore 1-1/2" deep, you need a B-46-Bass like this:

(This would be the cousin to a Songbird but it's not very loud.)

Where do you find these guitars? I can't find these on the net anywhere.

 

[fronobulax]

GUILD B4CE-NT 4-STRING ACOUSTIC/ELECTRIC BASS from the 1990s IN HARD CASE | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for GUILD B4CE-NT 4-STRING ACOUSTIC/ELECTRIC BASS from the 1990s IN HARD CASE at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

Is this a fake?
What happened to the head stock?

I'm going to say legit but since it says there were neck repairs the front of the headstock was probably a casualty.

 

[fronobulax]

Where do you find these guitars? I can't find these on the net anywhere.

Grot's been collecting Guilds for half a century, plus or minus.

Blank

 

[davismanLV]

GUILD B4CE-NT 4-STRING ACOUSTIC/ELECTRIC BASS from the 1990s IN HARD CASE | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for GUILD B4CE-NT 4-STRING ACOUSTIC/ELECTRIC BASS from the 1990s IN HARD CASE at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

Is this a fake?
What happened to the head stock?

No, it's real but it's had a super hard life, yeah?? Beat to hell and the headstock has been refinished and big old crack in the soundboard and lots of scuffs and bruises, but probably sounds good. That seems like a good price. Might could even get it less. Plus with the electronics (if they work) you can plug it in or not. Very slim profile.

 

[The Guilds of Grot]

Where do you find these guitars? I can't find these on the net anywhere.

The Vault!