ACOUSTIC BASS GUIDE: History, Features, Scale, Tuning. Different Types and Suggestions: Fender, Ibanez, Dean, or Cort.
If in the guitar we have the Spanish guitar, the electric guitar, and the acoustic guitar, the equivalent in the bass versions would be the classical double bass, the electric bass, and the acoustic bass or ABG (acronym for “acoustic bass guitar”).
And as with different types of guitars, different types of basses also have their own qualities and characteristics.
Acoustic Bass: History
Although the development of the steel-string acoustic guitar dates back quite a long time, it was not until the early 1970s that Ernie Ball attempted to create the first ABG.
Ernie Ball rightly thought that if the electric bass was created for the electric guitar, then someone should build an acoustic bass for acoustic guitar.
At that time, the closest thing to an instrument of this style was the guitarrón used by Mexican mariachis. So Ernie Ball went to Tijuana to get one of these instruments and thus begin to study its characteristics.
Ernie Ball would have the collaboration of George Fullerton. One of Leo Fender’s oldest and main collaborators, who would be in charge of manufacturing the prototype.
First Acoustic Bass
And in 1972 the Earthwood Acoustic Bass Guitar was introduced. The first acoustic bass without any electronic amplification. As a result, it had a body that was too big, which made the instrument very difficult to handle.
For this reason, sales of the Earthwood never met the expectations of its manufacturers. But its acceptance by professional and amateur musicians was quite limited.
An instrument that would prove to be ahead of its time, and failed to find a place in the market. Although it did set the precedent for other brands to begin devising ways to significantly increase the performance of the Earthwood Bass.
The popularity of the instrument increased following TV series developed by MTV in the 1990s known as “Unplugged”. This series was based primarily on performances in which mainly acoustic instruments were used.
A trend that has continued ever since to this day, and this instrument finally takes its place in the history of modern music. Also used as a practice instrument by purely electric bassists.
The basic principles of an acoustic bass would be similar to those of an acoustic guitar, but geared towards obtaining a deeper sound. Also, everything is much more physically voluminous.
The sound of the ABG is developed through a larger size, a wider sound box, and of course thicker strings.
Acoustic Bass Scale
Although all of this can vary depending on the scale size of our bass. The standard acoustic bass scale is 34 inches, determined by Fender for the development of the electric bass, and is the pattern generally used for long-scale acoustic bass.
The 32-inch scale would be the one established for medium-scale basses. And those called short-scale would be basses that are 30” or under 30”.
This is important to keep in mind, as the longer the scale of our bass, the lower its sound will usually be. But this can also depend on the depth and size of the sound box.
Tuning Acoustic Bass
The standard tuning of the electric bass is also commonly used for the four-string acoustic bass (E – A – D – G).
The nut width of an ABG is usually wider than that of an electric bass, and therefore the strings are a little further apart. This is one of the reasons why some people consider the acoustic bass to be a little more complex to master than the electric bass.
However, there are always exceptions, such as the Fender Kingman, which has a standard electric bass nut width of 38 mm.
Since the frequencies produced by ABGs are quite low, they can be difficult to hear when playing with other instruments. As a result, the vast majority of these basses are usually found in electroacoustic format, and have pre-amplification systems, equalization and, in most cases, an integrated tuner.
And just like the electric and acoustic guitars, the acoustic bass has its own set of strings compared to the electric bass.
In terms of sound, the acoustic bass is somewhere between double bass and electric bass.
In the ABG we can also find woods similar to those used in the manufacture of acoustic guitars such as:
- Rosewood
- Mahogany
- Spruce
- Sapele
- Maple
- Cedar
Acoustic Bass Mini
We also have mini versions with a scale and size similar to that of a standard guitar.
También tenemos las versiones mini con una escala y tamaño similar al de una guitarra estándar. These instruments have a smaller size compared to medium and long scale basses, to improve their manageability and transport.
But let’s not kid ourselves. Wherever there’s gain, there’s most likely also loss. And while this type of bass is optimized to produce the best sound possible, don’t expect the projection and sonority of a medium or long scale bass.
Best Acoustic Bass Guitars Quality Price
Nowadays, this type of bass in all its varieties is manufactured by countless brands such as the aforementioned and omnipresent American manufacturer Fender.
Fender CB-60
Fender’s CB-60 model with a medium 32” scale length is among the best-selling acoustic basses on the market due to its quality-price ratio.
If we analyze the characteristics of this bass, everything can lead to the conclusion that we are referring to an instrument of a certain cost. As it is a legendary brand, and has a considerable size.
It also has a pre-amplification system and certain details such as the incorporation of a cutaway in the body to more easily reach the last frets of the fingerboard.
However, its price is a modest $270. For a reason it is one of the most popular models.
Tanglewood DBT-AB-BW
The British brand Tanglewood is another manufacturer to consider for its good quality-price ratio. For example, this brand develops the Tanglewood DBT-AB-BW electroacoustic long-scale model at a very competitive price of around $340.
Cort AB850F
Asian brands always have something to say about this. As they also develop electroacoustic basses with very narrow profit margins. As in the case of the Cort AB850F for a cost of around $330. Also with a 34-inch scale, electroacoustic system, and with cutaway.
Ibanez
Profit margins would be further tightened on the Ibanez PCBE12-OPN model. A 32” scale electro-acoustic bass made from standard woods such as spruce and mahogany for a surprising $270.
If we needed a bass with an amplification system, but less bulky for easy transport. We can always opt for the Ibanez PNB14E-OPN with a 24.75-inch scale similar to that of a Les Paul-style guitar.
Fretless Acoustic Bass
We can also opt for Fretless acoustic basses like the Guild B-240EF for a price of around $530.
With this bass we can enjoy in acoustic format, the peculiar and characteristic sound of fretless basses. As well as five-string models such as the Ibanez AEB105E-NT for a cost of approximately $430.
