Acoustic Bass

RJ.MacReady · 3rd February 2012

I am not a guitar/bass player, but am wanting to buy a friend an acoustic bass as a gift. Can anyone recommend something in the $300-400 range? Tough to figure this one out. The search isn't turning up much. Thanks!

Peavey6505 · 3rd February 2012

Sounds nice of you. I'm not sure if they still make a dean acoustic bass but that had a good tone and do does the acoustic epiphone bass. Hope it helps

RJ.MacReady · 4th February 2012

Thanks for the reply! I'll look into those.

jdsowa · 6th February 2012

Couple of considerations:

1) Is your friend a Fender person? You might want to look at Fender's acoustic bass, as it has a Strat-style headstock.

2) Is your friend interested in getting close to an upright bass sound, or do you think they'd prefer to play it plugged-in with that god awful modern buzzy brass string sound that you might hear at a coffee shop? If the former, you might want to consider a fretless (if you know this person can play such a thing), or at least get flatwound strings put on it. Otherwise, just keep the stock brass strings on it. Also to consider is the depth of the instrument. If you think they're likely to want to play it unplugged, then something like the Epiphone acoustic bass has too shallow a body to give sufficient acoustic resonance.

3) If not sure about the above: if you're able to go to a local store, just test the ones they have and pluck the lower strings. Get the one that seems to have the fullest, deepest sound.

I just got a Laguna acoustic bass for $399 on clearance at Guitar Center. Switched the strings to flatwounds and am very happy.

RJ.MacReady · 7th February 2012

thanks, jdsowa! I ended up going with an Ibanez AEB10E. It got pretty solid reviews and even its critics seem to agree that it's good for the price. I think that with a set of nice strings, like the flatwound strings you mentioned, should have him doing pretty well.

3rd February 2012	#1
RJ.MacReady Gear Head Joined: Feb 2011 Posts: 38 Thread Starter	Acoustic Bass I am not a guitar/bass player, but am wanting to buy a friend an acoustic bass as a gift. Can anyone recommend something in the $300-400 range? Tough to figure this one out. The search isn't turning up much. Thanks!

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3rd February 2012	#2
Peavey6505 Gear interested Joined: Jan 2012 Location: Canada Posts: 7	Sounds nice of you. I'm not sure if they still make a dean acoustic bass but that had a good tone and do does the acoustic epiphone bass. Hope it helps

4th February 2012	#3
RJ.MacReady Gear Head Joined: Feb 2011 Posts: 38 Thread Starter	Thanks for the reply! I'll look into those.

6th February 2012	#4
jdsowa Gear maniac Joined: Dec 2004 Location: NC Posts: 284	Couple of considerations: 1) Is your friend a Fender person? You might want to look at Fender's acoustic bass, as it has a Strat-style headstock. 2) Is your friend interested in getting close to an upright bass sound, or do you think they'd prefer to play it plugged-in with that god awful modern buzzy brass string sound that you might hear at a coffee shop? If the former, you might want to consider a fretless (if you know this person can play such a thing), or at least get flatwound strings put on it. Otherwise, just keep the stock brass strings on it. Also to consider is the depth of the instrument. If you think they're likely to want to play it unplugged, then something like the Epiphone acoustic bass has too shallow a body to give sufficient acoustic resonance. 3) If not sure about the above: if you're able to go to a local store, just test the ones they have and pluck the lower strings. Get the one that seems to have the fullest, deepest sound. I just got a Laguna acoustic bass for $399 on clearance at Guitar Center. Switched the strings to flatwounds and am very happy.

7th February 2012	#5
RJ.MacReady Gear Head Joined: Feb 2011 Posts: 38 Thread Starter	thanks, jdsowa! I ended up going with an Ibanez AEB10E. It got pretty solid reviews and even its critics seem to agree that it's good for the price. I think that with a set of nice strings, like the flatwound strings you mentioned, should have him doing pretty well.