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What’s the Best Acoustic Bass Guitar for Me?

The acoustic bass guitar can be played unplugged and is little more manageable than the double bass while having a similar sound. Electro-acoustic versions can even be hooked up to an amp or PA system. Since there are so many to choose from, which acoustic bass is the one for you? In this Guide, we answer all of your most frequently asked questions about the acoustic bass. If you can’t find the answer to your question here, feel free to contact us!

1. What’s an Acoustic Bass Guitar?

Like an acoustic guitar, the body of an acoustic bass is a resonance box finished with one or more soundholes. In contrast to an electric bass, an acoustic bass doesn’t need to be plugged into an amplifier to produce a full sound since the sound is ‘amplified’ by the resonance box. If the music you play is on the quieter side, or you need an instrument for acoustic gigs, then the rounder, more mild sound of an acoustic bass might be right for you.

As you can see in the image included, the acoustic bass looks a lot like a standard steel-string acoustic guitar. Of course, there are some details and differences that bass guitarists might need to take note of. Read on for more about this.

 Acoustic Basses

1. Wat is een akoestische basgitaar?

2. Should I Get an Acoustic or an Electro-Acoustic Bass?

This depends on what you plan to use your new bass for. If you prefer to play through an amplifier since you’re part of a band or ensemble, and regularly play gigs, then the smartest choice would be an electro-acoustic bass. An electro-acoustic is basically a standard acoustic bass but with a built-in pickup, internal preamp, and a 6.3mm jack output for connecting to an amp. You’ll find that most acoustic basses are actually electro-acoustic.

If you only tend to play at home on the sofa, or play intimate, low-volume gigs as part of a fully acoustic band, then a normal acoustic bass will be perfect for you.

 Electro-Acoustic Basses
 All Acoustic Basses

Should I Get an Acoustic or an Electro-Acoustic Bass?

3. What’s a Semi-Acoustic or Hollowbody Bass Guitar?

If you’re looking for a sound that sits somewhere between an acoustic and electric bass, then a semi-acoustic (also known as a hollowbody) model might be the best option for you. Just like an acoustic bass, semi-acoustic basses have a resonance box with soundholes, but are fitted with the kind of pickups that you usually find fitted to standard electric basses. Also, this kind of bass usually has a very different look to standard acoustic and electric basses. Note: while you can play a semi-acoustic bass without plugging it into an amp, the sound is much quieter than that of an acoustic or amplified electric bass. This is because the resonance box is usually a lot more shallow than that of an acoustic bass, as you can see in the included image. However, these basses definitely deliver enough volume for practising at home without using an amplifier.

 Semi-Acoustic Basses

3. Wat is een semi-akoestische ('hollow body') basgitaar?

4. What Body Shape Should I Choose?

The bodies of acoustic basses are often based on the body shapes of acoustic guitars. Jumbo, grand auditorium and thinline body shapes are the most common. Larger bodies, like the jumbo, produce a fuller, louder sound. But without compromising too much when it comes to these features, you could just as easily opt for a grand auditorium. In terms of body depth, the most compact option is the thinline, but these tend to produce much less volume when unplugged and are more designed to be coupled up with an amplifier. If the body of most standard acoustic basses feels too big for you, or if the neck is too long, then there are some more manageable models available. It might even be that you’re looking for a bass ukulele, which you can find included in our ukulele section.

 Acoustic Basses
 Bass Ukuleles

What Body Shape Should I Choose?

5. When Should I Change the Strings of My Acoustic Bass and Which Strings Should I Use?

It’s very hard to break bass guitar strings, so it’ll be a long time if you’re waiting for one to break before changing them. How often you change the strings depends on your preference: if your bass isn’t sounding as good as it once did, then it’s probably time for a fresh set of strings. It’s also time to change the strings when your bass starts sounding out of tune even when you’ve just tuned it up. Some bassists actually change their strings every month, while others rarely if ever change their strings, so it really comes down to what you prefer.

The majority of acoustic basses will only need a set of standard acoustic bass strings. These are made of steel that’s been wound with phosphor bronze. Another option is a set of flatwound strings (these are usually found on electric basses). These strings produce a more double-bass style sound. If you’re not sure of which string gauge you need, then a set of ‘45 - 100’ strings are the most popular, ‘medium’ strings available. And, if you like the strings you already have, then just get the same ones. By taking a look at your bass model on the manufacturer’s website, you’ll be able to find out which strings your bass came with.

If you prefer a higher string tension, then it might be worth having your bass set up by a luthier.

 Acoustic Bass Strings: 45-100, Phosphor Bronze
 All Acoustic Bass Strings
 Flatwound Strings: 45-100
 All Flatwound Strings

When Should I Change the Strings of My Acoustic Bass and Which Strings Should I Use?

6. What Else Should I Get with My Acoustic Bass?

If you’re playing with other people, they’re probably going to appreciate it if you can stay in tune. As such, a tuner is an absolute essential, unless one has already been built into your electro-acoustic bass. If you regularly tote your bass to lessons, rehearsals, or gigs, then a good gig bag or case is a must, and to keep your bass in a safe place at home, in the rehearsal room, or on stage, getting a secure stand or wall mount is also a great idea. While acoustic basses are generally played seated, you might prefer to play standing, in which case you’ll need a strap, and if you sometimes want a more punchy sound out of your acoustic bass, then a set of plectrums will help.

 Tuners
 Acoustic Bass Gig Bags & Cases
 Stands
 Wall Mounts
 Straps
 Plectrums

What Else Should I Get with My Acoustic Bass?

7. Should I Get a Fully Laminated, Solid Top, or All-Solid Acoustic Bass?

If the overall stability of your bass is important; if you play gigs regularly and your instrument is going to be exposed to a lot of different temperatures and humidity levels, or you’re just starting to play and maybe have a limited budget, then a fully laminated bass might be the best option. The benefits of a fully-laminated model is that they tend to have a stronger resonant chamber and are generally cheaper.

If you prefer more volume and a richer sound, then a solid-top acoustic bass will give you that. ‘Solid top’ means that the soundboard of the resonance box is made from solid wood rather than laminated plywood, since solid wood has more natural resonance. If you demand a really rich overall sound, then an ‘all-solid’ acoustic bass will probably suit you better, since every part of the resonant box is made from solid wood.

 Acoustic Basses

Should I Get a Fully Laminated, Solid Top, or All-Solid Acoustic Bass?

8. What Should the Soundboard be Made of?

When it comes to cheaper models, the wood used to make the soundboard won’t matter so much. Also, if you’re just learning to play, then it’s less likely that you’ll hear the difference between one type of wood and another. Also, if you’re going for a smaller body or a thinline model, then the impact that the soundboard will have on the acoustic sound is less important.

In general, you’re most likely to come across different kinds of spruce (like sitka spruce) and mahogany soundboards when it comes to acoustic basses. Spruce lends a rich foundation and a light sparkle to the sound, while mahogany has a rounder, more ‘wooly’ sound to it.

If the look of your bass is more important than the sound, then you can get basses topped with soundboards made of more exotic, complexly grained woods like zebrano, or flamed or spalted maple.

 Acoustic Basses

What Should the Soundboard be Made of?

9. Is the Wood Used to Make the Other Parts of the Bass Important?

Just as with most other acoustic stringed instruments, the wood of the soundboard plays a larger role in shaping the sound than the wood used to make the other parts. If you have a well trained ear, then you might want to know more about the effects of different woods. In order of tonal influence, you have the back of the body (resonance box), the sides, the neck, and finally, the fretboard. For a ‘clearer’ sound, choose maple. Mahogany will always add warmth. And if you prefer a less brightness in the trebles, then a rosewood fretboard is a smart choice when it comes to any of the other body parts or the fretboard. However, since rosewood is now in limited supply and protected by CITES legislation, alternatives like walnut, micarta, and ovangkol are used since they share similar sound properties. More expensive models will sometimes have a pau ferro fretboard.

 Acoustic Basses

9. Is het hout van de andere delen van de basgitaar ook van belang?

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