Acoustic Bass Guitars

The Unplugged Alternative
When Leo Fender introduced his Precision Bass to the world in 1951, few people had given any thought to the idea of a solidbody electric bass guitar. The upright bass reigned supreme in almost every type of popular music, and was even used in early rock and roll. Today, most people assume that all bass guitars are solidbodies. However, for the past ten or 12 years, the acoustic bass guitar has gained popularity, partly because it is easier to amplify than before and partly because of its exposure from MTV's Unplugged series. If you don't want to invest in an amplifier and want a bass that provides enough sound for playing with other acoustic (unamplified) instruments, then an acoustic bass is a good choice. Also it allows you to jam with other friends who play acoustic guitars or other acoustic instruments, without lugging your amp with you.

Acoustic bass guitars are different in many important ways from regular acoustic guitars. Building an instrument that properly supports the tone and delivers low end at usable volume levels is very difficult. Upright basses like you see in jazz bands and classical orchestras evolved their big body for one reason: To produce lots of volume in the low-frequency range. Even the biggest acoustic bass guitar has a body with only about one-fifth the size of an upright bass, so don't expect the massive woooom underneath the sound of an acoustic bass guitar - unless you plug it into an amp.

Although their prices range from about $250 to over $2,500, acoustic bass guitars can be categorized in three ways: those designed to sound good acoustically, those designed as a compromise between good plugged-in and unplugged sounds, and those designed primarily as electrics even though they provide an acoustic tone. This is where you have to make your choice when selecting one of these instruments, and that choice will be the result of how you plan to use it.

What do they all have in common? Most acoustic basses are offered with a piezoelectric (pronounced "pie-EE-zo-e-LEC-tric") bridge pickup and active preamps to shape the tone (well worth the extra money if they're optional). The preamps are, almost without exception, reasonably quiet and flexible, often with separate treble, midrange, and bass controls. Some of the basses feature a cutaway so that you can reach the high notes more easily.

Some acoustic basses seem custom-made for those who want or need a shorter neck. Their scale lengths can be as short as 29-3/4", instead of the standard bass length of 34". The tradeoff, however, is fewer frets (meaning you can't play as high), decreased sustain, and a darker tone. Another consideration for anyone without a strong back or shoulder: An acoustic bass can weigh much less than a solidbody electric bass.

When selecting an acoustic bass guitar, check these things:

  • Does it come with a pickup, and if so, is it a standard feature, or do you have to pay extra?
  • Does it have strap buttons so that you can wear a strap and use the bass while standing up?
  • Is a gig bag (soft-sided case) available? How about a hardshell case?
  • How does it sound to you (have someone else play it while you listen)?
  • How does it sound to another bass player (have someone else listen while you or another bassist plays it)?