The world of music is very broad, and more when it comes to instruments, this time we will focus on acoustic basses, but to begin with, we will tell you a little more about these wonderful instruments. The acoustic bass is one of the great instruments in musicals that serve as a harmonic and rhythmic basis in any melody or song.
In addition, since it is acoustic, it does not require the use of microphones and amplifiers. This is a great advantage for playing this bass in places where you don’t have speakers.
The acoustic bass is a bit more complicated to handle and play, but you can use it to perfectly execute any technique or simply to practice from the comfort of your home. The sound has a different nuance than electric bass especially when plugged into an amplifier or microphone.
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Fender CB-60SCE |
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Ts-Ideen 5350 |
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Tanglewood TW-TWRAB |
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Ibanez PCBE12MH |
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Gear4Music AB5-100NT |
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TS Music Fidelity |
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Roundback By Gear4music |
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Chateau C08 Of Nbass4 Of N |
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Jack & Danny Acoustic Bass |
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Electro-Acoustic Bass Log |
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Taylor GS Mini-E Koa Bass |
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What must be taken into account before buying an acoustic bass?
Acoustic basses, like all instruments, come in different price ranges. This means that you can obtain instruments from the high, medium, or low range, depending on your budget and your preferences.
It would be good that before choosing the best acoustic bass guitar, you establish an amount of money that you will allocate to buy your instrument and look for a model that fits your needs. Of course, keep the following important points in mind before buying:
Body type
This is important, because the size of the holes, also affects the sound quality of an acoustic bass. A good acoustic bass should have a large body that gives it a perfect tone compared to those with a small body.
Guitar scale
Also, it would be good to check the scale of the acoustic bass. When we talk about scale, we refer to the length of its strings, the idea is that these can vibrate freely. There are different scales that you can choose between those that are short (30 inches), medium size (32 inches), and long (34 inches), ending with extra-long (35 inches).
Strings
In this topic, we can say that there are different ways in which you can tune the strings so that they fit your musical needs. There are different types of materials in which the strings are made, to start you can choose between those that are nylon, bronze, catgut, and steel.
There are a few others that you should consider if you decide you want an acoustic bass. One of them is the number of strings. Instruments are traditionally designed with 4 strings, this is normal. However, you can find any type of upright guitar, or in this case, basses with 5 or 6 strings.
Expert Tip: The acoustic basses that have 5 strings come with a string a little lower than the traditional E, the low B, and the basses that have 6 strings have the low B and a string a little more in tune higher than the G string, a high Yes.
Some musicians find extra strings more useful. Because this way they will be able to find different forms of chords, they have a greater frequency range than a traditional 4-string bass and they will retain some movement of their hands, being the notes a little more accessible in more parts of the neck.
However, another group of bassists prefer those with traditional 4 strings, these claim that they can find any other sound you need with only 4 strings and that these extra notes on a 5 or 6-string bass do not belong in the bass range.
Bass fingerboard
Another consideration, which is good to take into account when buying a bass, is whether or not you want frets. A fretted bass is a bit more common, however, you can also find fretless basses. This will give you the ability and ease of gliding and achieve softer tones, similar to that of a vertical bass.
At first, it can be more difficult to find exact notes on fretless bass, but it will only take practice to play fretless bass, you will see that over time this will become second nature for you.
Neck Scale
To close, with these factors, one last consideration for you to choose your perfect bass is the scale of the neck. The fingerboard of a bass is a traditional full length, this is known as a full scale. In the market, you will find, basses with a low scale, as well as other instruments with a short scale such as cellos, violins, guitars, etc.
When the basses are short-scale, the frets are closer together, this will make it easier for you to move between the frets, especially if you have small hands. Short-scale basses may have fallen into a bit of oblivion and have acquired a reputation that they are only for kids or beginners, but this is not the reality.
Here we leave you a list with several options of recognized brands of basses, which we consider to be one of the best acoustic bass guitars that you can find:
1. Fender CB-60SCE
This is considered one of the best acoustic basses of the moment and one of the most interesting models, according to music experts. Therefore, we recommend it this time. To talk more about this, it is a standard-size acoustic bass, that is, it has a 34-inch scale starting from the bridge to the nut. This means that it emits a sound a little deeper than the small bass.
On the other hand, we mention that its value for money is unbeatable, in addition to having a top made of spruce, back, sides and a mahogany neck, as well as a rosewood fingerboard, this combination is excellent, made of exotic woods that provide a unique and special sound.
In addition, this base model comes with an active pre-amplifier (Fishman Isys III), which also brings a digital tuner along with 3 equalization bands, that is, you will be able to adjust treble, mid, or bass. As if that weren’t enough, this Fender bass comes with its four strings of G, D, A, and E.
Regarding the tone, it has a wide range of great definitions. This bass is a great option for both people who are just starting to play, as well as for advanced users looking for an instrument that has good performance.
As for its size, it has a Folk-type design, so its soundboard is wide enough, capable of emitting an optimal volume of the sounds you play. It’s certainly an acoustic bass that goes far beyond what any entry-level bass can offer without being overpriced.
2. Ts-ideen 5350
Continuing with this list, we have the Ts-ideen 5350, it has all the answers you are looking for, first, we can say that it has a top made of fir, painted in a black tone, and lacquered to give it a more aesthetic finish.
Likewise, we can also say that it has sides and a back made of Sapele, which is a wood that makes the sound clear on the bass. In addition, its fingerboard is made of rosewood, which is a good quality wood that matches the color of the instrument.
Although it comes with the strings installed, it also brings another set of replacement strings, so if the strings deteriorate later, you can change them. The package also includes a cover to protect your acoustic bass from shocks and dust while moving it from one place to another.
On the other hand, we can say that this instrument has an active pre-amplification system, which will help you connect the bass to amplifiers and you can play it live. In addition to this, it also brings a pickguard next to the mouth of its resonance box, to protect the wood and the paint on the lid.
3. Tanglewood TW-TWRAB
This bass model has 22 frets, plus several white dots to more easily identify the notes you want. In addition, the soundboard has a Cutaway design, so you can play the highest notes on your bass with better comfort.
Likewise, you must know that the soundboard has a combination of wood that can emit bass sounds with good volume and sound, since it is made of spruce and mahogany wood, its color is similar to that of natural wood so its aesthetics will not remain unremarkable.
Expert Tip: Another aspect of this acoustic bass design is that it has a pre-amplification system, through which you can connect the instrument to professional sound equipment without any problem. So it is possible to use it in musical performances using an instrument cable.
4. Ibanez PCBE12MH
This acoustic bass is medium in size, and has a 32-inch scale from its nut to the bridge, being a good option for beginners or children, or people with small hands. Although it is a small bass, it has 20 frets, which is more than enough to play some high notes, like in jazz solos.
This bass is made with mahogany on the top, with its back, sides, and neck, in addition, its fingerboard is made of rosewood. It also has a natural brown hue, so it will attract the attention of other musicians.
We can only say that this bass has 4 strings and has an active Ibanez brand preamplifier, which helps you connect your bass to amplifiers or speakers, thus acquiring a much louder sound and the possibility of equalizing it.
5. Gear4Music AB5-100NT
It is considered by many to be the best acoustic bass, in terms of value for money at the moment, which is why it is one of the most accessible, it has 5 strings, G, D, A, E, and Si. Thanks to this fifth string, you will be able to emit sounds more bass than other 4-string acoustic basses.
It also has five chrome pegs and in addition to a built-in tuner in its active pre-amp, this means that it will be easy to give adequate sound to each string before playing the bass. In addition, the pre-amplifier provides us with the equalization of the treble, bass, and midrange.
On the other hand, the fingerboard is dark brown and is made of poplar, which is a robust wood that better transmits the vibrations of the strings to the bass resonance box. We can also say that its sound is warm and pleasant, which will be useful for rehearsing or playing with musical bands.
6. TS Music Fidelity
It has four strings, it is a bass with a classic sound and it has good finishes. Its sound without plugging into an amplifier is perfect to use as an accompaniment to acoustic guitars. Its resonance box provides a more natural sound with a great tone.
It is made of a more resistant material with a matte black finish and has a sound reminiscent of a double bass.
This bass also has a rosewood bridge, and decorative inserts on its neck with a pearl look, it also has a 3-band equalizer with bass, mid and treble control, in addition to having a presence control. It is a good bass that you can use to practice at home, its weight is light, so it makes it more comfortable to transport.
7. Roundback by Gear4music
This model is ideal for any bass player who is looking for a small and light instrument with a somewhat bold and striking design. Its top is made of spruce and the back is round and made of ABS with an equalizer included. The equalizer is 3-band, it also includes a tuner with a battery indicator.
It is compact, and the fact that it includes a tuner makes it more attractive to musicians, so on stage, you will not need external tuners and it will help you feel more comfortable playing. The equalizer is 3-band and includes parametric-type potentiometers for bass, middle and treble, it is much easier to use.
Expert Tip: The fingerboard is made of rosewood, giving it a great tone. If you are looking to start on acoustic bass this is the best option without spending so much money.
8. Chateau C08 of nbass4 of N
This bass has four strings, with a preamp system with four pickups to increase the volume of the bass. It is made with mahogany, spruce, and rosewood, and its finish is excellent in a natural color.
9. Jack & Danny Acoustic Bass
It is made with excellent materials, which makes it a good quality acoustic bass, it has an excellent value for money. For its design, various types of wood such as bundiert, mahogany, spruce, and also maple will be used, as well as a finish in natural and matte tones. Additionally, this acoustic bass also features a preamp system with a built-in equalizer.
10. Electro-acoustic Bass Log
This beautiful bass features a 41-inch size, allowing you to do a wide chromatic scale to impress all your listeners. Its body is made of mahogany wood while its frame is made of Spruce wood.
On the other hand, its fingerboard and neck are made of rosewood, this achieves a fine sound in this mix of woods. You find it available in wood color and black, its price is accessible, making it more attractive for those with a reduced budget.
11. Taylor GS Mini-e Koa Bass
This bass is made of Koa from Hawaii, on its back and the frames combine in layers of Koa, allowing it to produce a beautiful and clean sound with a wide spectrum. Its fingerboard is made with toasted maple and its bridge with fine ebony brought from West Africa. It has measures of 23 and a half inches making it excellent for both adults and young people.
This bass also includes a protective bag for greater protection during transportation. Its frets offer you a somewhat spongy feeling allowing you to practice for hours without discomfort on your fingers. The pegs are made of chromed stainless steel achieving a luxurious look that combines perfectly with the ebony on the bridge.
To close, we can say a lot about each of these options that we mention has its advantages and disadvantages, depending on your needs. In this article, we have tried to summarize which are the best options for you and get a general idea before choosing your perfect acoustic bass.
Can you slap an acoustic bass guitar?
With the rise of bassist Youtubers that love to play songs with slapping to add funkiness to the progression, you’re probably wondering if you can also do that to acoustic bass.
Acoustic bass has a wider body and thicker neck and it is more difficult to play here as the strings are harder to press, unlike electric bass guitar where it is easier to press the strings and the frets are closer. So can you slap acoustic bass guitars?
Yes, you can but it will not have a good slapping tone and will just sound like you slapping an acoustic guitar. Compression is very important when slapping and you can’t have a compressed acoustic sound because acoustic guitars are made of wood. When you slap your acoustic bass, you’ll only get an incredibly silent, kind of boxy sound with uneven string responses.
Expert Tip: Acoustic bass guitars are not made for slapping. It may depend on the model and but most acoustic basses are hard to slap.
Should I learn to use an Acoustic guitar or a bass?
The acoustic guitar is one of the well-known musical instruments around the world. This is where most musicians begin as they can be carried around and don’t need an amplifier or speaker. Its 6 strings resemble the notes and the standard tuning is E-A-D-G-B-E.
Bass guitars only have 4 strings but they are thicker than the strings of an acoustic guitar. The bass is the backbone of the instruments, holding them up and keeping the notes in balance.
So is acoustic guitar easier than bass?
The answer is No. An acoustic guitar plays a variety of roles as it provides rhythm. You also need to study a lot of chords like the Family chords, Barre Chords, jazz chords, blues, and power chords. These are a lot harder compared to bass where you can play note by note as you’ll only be providing the lower tunes.
Bass can also immediately teach you about harmony, melody, and new rhythms. This is something you cannot instantly pick up in acoustic guitars because you’ll have to study strumming, plucking, and fingerstyle patterns.
Both instruments have complexity on their own and we all have preferences of what we like. But in the technical aspect, the bass is easier than an acoustic guitar.