Show us your ABG...

1964 · Post by **1964** » Thu Jan 05, 2006 11:05 am

Here's mine:

Epiphone El Capitan-4 acoustic-electric, 34"-scale:

Rog · Post by **Rog** » Thu Jan 05, 2006 3:45 pm

Although I've been a bassist longer than most of this board have been alive (I even jammed with Noah while it rained for 40 days), I'venever considered buying an ABG. Thought about a double bass briefly, but that was it.

I guess I have this mental image of Mexican bands playing in bad westerns (I love bad westerns, btw) - there's normally a bass in there somewhere.

Can't see this old fart with a drooping moustache and sombrero

1964 · Post by **1964** » Thu Jan 05, 2006 5:32 pm

http://namm.harmony-central.com/WNAMM05 ... G-GR1.html

thehenderson · Post by **thehenderson** » Thu Jan 05, 2006 6:07 pm

I've got a double bass with some very mean pickups

don't know about all this acoustic bass guitar business

1964 · Post by **1964** » Thu Jan 05, 2006 7:16 pm

> "don't know about all this acoustic bass guitar business"

I don't think there are that many worth bothering with for more than practising on the couch.

Rog · Post by **Rog** » Fri Jan 06, 2006 6:17 am

http://namm.harmony-central.com/WNAMM05 ... G-GR1.html

Arrrggghhh - that's the image..

Kev77 · Post by **Kev77** » Fri Jan 06, 2006 9:49 am

Ive had a couple, not really worth the hassle really, unrealiable for gigs, too quiet playing acousticly with mates, i had a five string el Capitan, and another who knows brand, all gone to the land of samick now.

1964 · Post by **1964** » Fri Jan 06, 2006 12:40 pm

I can't imagine a B-string on an ABG being much use, especially unamplified. And I think even the best ABGs will struggle to hold their own with two strummed or flat-picked acoustic guitars, even played with a pick.

The El Capitan is supposed to be the best of the cheaper ones and better than some of the dearer ones. A mate has one of the higher-end Cort models with solid-top and cutaway, which heâ€™s very happy with, and is happy to dig in. He hasnâ€™t tried it playing with others though, or plugged-in at volume, for which I think the solid-top is a negative.

I basically got mine for unplugged practise, and for accompanying one or two acoustic guitars and vocals, all plugged in. I intend to de-fret mine too, as I donâ€™t see much point in a fretted ABG.

No big deal if it doesn't work out. I should easily be able to get what I paid for it, even de-fretted.

crushing day · Post by **crushing day** » Fri Jan 06, 2006 1:00 pm

1964 wrote:http://namm.harmony-central.com/WNAMM05 ... G-GR1.html

Good Lord ... Mariachi Madness! ... can't see a big market for them here.. maybe only amongst authentic Mexican Restaurant bands

malevolentsparkle · Post by **malevolentsparkle** » Sat Jan 07, 2006 7:11 am

ive got a made in china cheapie, prety good esp for what i got it for. but what i really want is one of the origainal earthwood ABGs that earnie ball made with the help of Brian Richie (of Violent Femmes fame). it was the first production ABG as far as my research can tell. had a body on it more than twice as thick as an acoustic guitar - that gives it some good volume! only 1000 ever made though so chances are slim. it was based on the Mariachi bass but 4 strings and generally less cheesy looking... ill see if i can find a photo.

malevolentsparkle · Post by **malevolentsparkle** » Sat Jan 07, 2006 7:16 am

here you go:

and theres a pic on this page:
http://www.getthatsound.com/song%20page ... r_sun.html

1964 · Post by **1964** » Sat Jan 07, 2006 10:53 am

That Earthwood might have decent unplugged volume, but that body seems ridiculously large, and unplayable for most people. Pics much appreciated though.

malevolentsparkle · Post by **malevolentsparkle** » Sat Jan 07, 2006 2:58 pm

yup, brian richie is a big man, guess that one of the reasons why they only made 1000 - large acoustic bass playing people is not a huge market