Acoustic Bass Guitar: What Does It Sound Like & When Would You Use One?

[@SvensonGus]

Really nice video about acoustic bass. Yes, they don’t sound loud enough to play alongside a couple of guitars as many other YT-videos point out. But I love mine to just grab and play on the couch at home. Only downside for me is that it often fills up with various toys since our toddler love to put things inside the sound hole. Luckily the hole is off centre.

[@OnlineBassCourses]

Luckily my one never did that but I feel your pain. 😂

[@celestelongway7315]

ha ha ha ha

[@thediminished98]

I mean, why would 1 bass need to keep up with many guitars? If it keeps up with 1 it's ok

[@SvensonGus]

@@lain9719 I’ve only played my cheap acoustic bass. It’s a quiet a bit louder with a pick and I can imagine a more sophisticated built one can turn up the volume. Also a resonator bass with pick seems like a louder option.

[@chrisjs6123]

I went down a rabbit hole trying to get a sound like a double bass and realised I would never do it without actually getting one. Ended up buying a fretless Godin bass which is the best equivalent sound I’ve heard, not the same but has its own vibe and works well with an acoustic trio. Superb instrument.

[@OnlineBassCourses]

Those are great. Yes, I think there's no way around it. The only thing that sounds exactly like a double bass is...a double bass.

[@explosionof9]

I love my fretless Godin as well.

[@deadandburied7626]

I have read Hofner basses have a classic sound, especially hollow bodied violin ones.

[@chrisjs6123]

@@deadandburied7626 funnily enough I ended up selling the Godin and buying a German made Hofner. Still not like a real upright but has a lovely sound and the fast decay has a wonderful thump up it.

[@danieltanke7532]

Hi chris, fretless would be the way to go. But there is a actual hybrid which is the Takamine TB10. It's the closest a guitar will get to a double bass

[@paulnicolosi4792]

I had the fretless version of that bass and used it acoustically, whilst performing aboard a cruise ship in Hawaii. I was part of a duo that would play in the Grand Salon dining room. We’d stroll from table to table, singing for the dining passengers. We had a great system, as to where we’d stay just long enough to become annoying. They’d usually end up tipping us to go away....$$$

[@OnlineBassCourses]

Now that is a great gig tip! Love it. 🤣

[@angeldiaz762]

That's one way to make money as a musician

[@dubdelay]

Your vids are brilliant for learning. I always end up watching half of one and going off for a week to practice what I’ve learned. It’s gonna take forever to get through them all. Thanks so much dude.

[@OnlineBassCourses]

Thanks so much! Watch a few and you'll realise that I bang on about the same things a lot. Those are the core concepts to get down.

[@peekaboo4390]

Acoustic basses are great to have around, I sometimes get together with a bunch of acoustic guitar players and use mine, but I have never recorded with it.

[@hamkaab3634]

Thanks for this video, acoustic bass don't get much love on the internet. I've been searching reviews and opinions about acoustic bass because i was considering it might be a good option for easy to grab & practice while at home.

[@OnlineBassCourses]

I really think you'll enjoy it for that exact purpose. 👍

[@johngray4476]

I also have a Breedlove acoustic bass and I love it it is my go to bass

[@Schmuddel]

There are two major attractions to the acoustic bass: the first is that it's easier to play if you're used to electric bass, the second is that it's 1/10th the price of a double bass. The double bass is better in every way otherwise, although a U-bass has a similar sound.

[@OnlineBassCourses]

I have a U bass and a double bass and I agree with you. I'm not sure many people use one to replace the upright - you can't really replicate that tone!

[@jaschul]

@@OnlineBassCourses also, some of us have homes where there's just no place to put an upright bass -- and carrying it around New York City would...not be fun. But it's true, I can't imagine most classic acoustic jazz recordings with the acoustic bass guitar -- or an electric fretless, or anything except the big fiddle.

[@jaschul]

Dan, do you have a favorite jazz upright bassist?

[@OnlineBassCourses]

@@jaschul I love Steve Rodby's playing and, of course, the master Ray Brown!

[@theart8039]

I don't think that acoustic basses are easier to play at all than electric ones, if you play them well

[@NMranchhand]

At the beginning, and from 4:25-4:35, you seem to play a scale, but very melodically. I’ve seen you do it often, and though it seems simple to you, I long to see a step-wise demonstration of how you (meaning “I”) gradually, slowly progress from playing a boring scale into beautiful, musical expression. I think there is a gap there between what you see as quite a simple, logical addition of musicality, and my beginner’s need to see the thing built up from the scale in small increments that I can copy and memorize to get the light bulb to go on. Thanks for all your great instruction, hard for a dead beginner to pick up, but I will follow you doggedly because I can really see the value in the way you see things (I just need help seeing your lightning fingers).

[@OnlineBassCourses]

That’s a great idea - I’ll do a lesson on that sometime soon… 🙏👍

[@michaelandcarmenmaguire1108]

It sounds absolutely lovely. Thank you for sharing this. Bass solos are normally a good time to get up and use the restroom. This is very different.

[@OnlineBassCourses]

They are, usually, yes! 🤣

[@bigdazz8636]

I love my acoustic bass.. I bought it 2nd hand, it's heap and cheerful. I often work away and stay in a lot of hotels, it's bang on for practicing in my hotel room because it's quite quiet, even when I play if quite hard with a pic. I've not had any complaints so far and I owe a lot of what I've learnt so far to practicing on that bass...& your uploads of course Dan.😊

[@OnlineBassCourses]

That’s a great use of that type of bass! Keep up the great playing.

[@Chattosaurus]

Got a fretless acoustic I really love! I would have preferred a fretted, but the fretless was the on 34" scale I could find. The rest were 32" and I figured it might screw up my muscle memory. Even playing just acoustically, it sounds great with flatwound 55 gauge strings.

[@BlakouttheMM]

I know it's a year late, but I got an Ovation acoustic bass that I love and it's 34" scale. And fretted, obviously.

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

Michael Kelly makes a 5 String version and the Low B String just Booms.

[@deadandburied7626]

I have a fretless, and am getting a fretted acoustic bass.

[@lasse3412]

Really Love My Dean 5 string acoustic bass. Easy to play and sounds amazing .

[@OnlineBassCourses]

Nice basses!

[@wisctex]

Do you have a suggestion for a sound hole pickup?

[@MICHAELMENSAH-dt6st]

Wow I really like the acoustic bass guitar ♥️♥️

[@guitargod6997]

Beautiful playing, tone, and review! Thanks!

[@OnlineBassCourses]

🙏🙏

[@emsalsalik]

Thank yoı. The inspiration while playing or practicing acoustic bass is very different than electric bass also.

[@KlevonOfJesup]

Nice drop 2 voicings at the beginning of the vid! You nailed the arpeggios, but it's tougher than you make it seem!

[@OnlineBassCourses]

Thanks. This bass players pretty well!

[@mrbungle7586]

Hi Dan, I've had a few acoustic basses over the years. The photo with my handle is a Victor Bailey acoustic I owned and adored but was stolen unfortunately. Vic was a genius and I'm a massive fan, his sorely missed. Ive currently got and love, a Sigma mahogany ABG now for several years. Looks, plays and sounds beautiful, unplugged or plugged in. Paid around 1k at the time. A better instrument than FENDERS and some other ABG's in that price range I owned previously. I use it mainly for practice and it's great to play sitting around a fire, camping or take on holiday in general. Ive just been away on holidays for 3 weeks and looks like you've been busy. I have some vids to catch up on. Cheers

[@OnlineBassCourses]

Hope you had a great holiday! I like the look and sound of those Sigmas.

[@emily_the_studd]

I really hadn’t had a serious drive to pick up bass until now. Hearing you play.. either its the bass or your playing! Maybe it’s both!

[@OnlineBassCourses]

Pick up the bass! You’ll love it.

[@robertosinglemalt]

Dan, your videos are always a very positive and welcome surprise

[@OnlineBassCourses]

Thanks very much for giving them a watch.

[@nopeoplecorp]

I will check if you have made any videos about micing the acoustic bass. Nice presenting and demo!

[@OnlineBassCourses]

Thanks! No, not yet.

[@nopeoplecorp]

Just purchased an acoustic bass. I would certainly appreciate a video on micing it well 👍

[@handler803]

Ive read somewhere that practicing on an acoustic bass would help you play cleaner once u go back to eletric bass

[@OnlineBassCourses]

Sounds plausible!

[@kitsvn]

Great video! Glad I stumbled on your channel recently. I’ve got a mini acoustic bass that I take to the park when the weather is nice. Chords sound great on the acoustic too.

[@OnlineBassCourses]

Great to have you here! That's a lovely thing to do...

[@silentplayer6656]

beautiful sound

[@Robyn19fnq]

Thank you so much. I've just started learning bass, but I don't like the weight of the electric. Also, my amp is very low quality. I never knew that there even was such a thing as an acoustic bass! I also live in a very humid climate in the North of Australia.

[@OnlineBassCourses]

They’re great instruments! I live in Singapore so I feel your pain/humidity…

[@kcjones2737]

Hey Dan, would love a lesson on what you called “that classic finger style... freestyle” type of plucking. Or at least some intro ideas? Thanks man!! Keep em coming!!🤘🏻🔥

[@OnlineBassCourses]

I did one a while back! kzbin.info/www/bejne/e2esdKmpbdGMgq8. But I think I might do another one...

[@angelbzbzbmoralesb7527]

Look at bajoloche it's a technique that you can play fully acoustic and still sound loud

[@Manakel77]

Lucky dude, you found an acoustic bass intonated! I could only make that on an AB20 Washburn with adjustable single saddles.

[@OnlineBassCourses]

I've never done anything to this bass so I guess I'm lucky!

[@adrianch2527]

Hi Dan, good to see u play an Acoustic. I have 2 myself.. A Harley Benton n A Samick. Simple n good instruments.

[@OnlineBassCourses]

Yes, they're very cool instruments. 👊

[@adrianch2527]

@@OnlineBassCourses Can u do a few videos on the bass work by 80's new wave bands like Joy Division, Monaco, INXS, The Cure, etc.

[@OnlineBassCourses]

@@adrianch2527 Good idea. I'll put it on the list...

[@wisctex]

Anyone have a suggestion for a sound hole pickup?

[@alandust2188]

????What strings would you recommend???? 32" scale THANKS

[@OnlineBassCourses]

Not really sure with acoustic bass guitar, Alan. I just go with what’s available!

[@davidphilpott1509]

Useful as an acoustic is for just quickly picking up the problem I have with mine is needing to keep the action quite high to keep the string break angle at the bridge great enough to get enough sound projection. Do any of you find this?

[@OnlineBassCourses]

I don't with my one. Maybe it's worth investing in a setup? They're quite tricky to to yourself unless you really know how to do it.

[@ryanlane7153]

Of course it sounds great….. it’s a Breedlove!😃👍🏼✌🏼

[@juanioherrera8322]

Hello, thank you for sharing this video. I have a quick question. My wife and I are wanting to play small acoustic gigs. I have my acoustic guitar. Now to add her on on bass...do we need an amp with electric bass or should we plug her directly on our small powered PA? Thank you for your time and hope to hear from you soon. Or would an acoustic bass be a better choice.

[@OnlineBassCourses]

All valid options to be honest! I think electric with small amp is probably the easiest option. If the amp has a DI out then you can put some bass in the PA if you want. Or you could get a DI and go through the PA but your wife would need to hear herself properly. That's why I think the amp is the best option...

[@juanioherrera8322]

@@OnlineBassCourses thank you so much for getting back to us. We really appreciate your advice. 😎✅

[@OnlineBassCourses]

Have fun making music together!

[@richardrichard5409]

Is that first noodle by September?

[@OnlineBassCourses]

No - just something random.

[@jamescarter8699]

My Bassist uses it when we do table side serenades on birthdays, marriage proposals. And just plain playing lover's favorite songs.

[@gman2794]

New subscriber here...Thanks for the video. Big acoustic bass fan. Great for parties, campfires or just sittin on the couch💪

[@OnlineBassCourses]

Thanks! Yeah, they’re great instruments.

[@Wagano89]

where'd you get the bass?

[@OnlineBassCourses]

Bought it online in the UK years ago.

[@Wagano89]

@@OnlineBassCourses whats the bass called

[@OnlineBassCourses]

@@Wagano89 it’s called steve. Only joking. It’s a Breedlove acoustic. Can’t remember the exact model but I think it has ‘studio’ in the name.

[@Wagano89]

@@OnlineBassCourses alright thank you for telling me about steve

[@Goriaas]

Is an ABG loud enough for a living room jam session with say a guitar and soft percussion? And how hard do you have to play it for that? (Pick?)

[@OnlineBassCourses]

I would say yes. They all sound different but a good one should be heard in that setting without having to play uncomfortably loud.

[@Goriaas]

@@OnlineBassCourses Ok thanks a lot for the quick answer

[@kaonashi9582]

Great great video! Lately I've been using my acoustic bass a lot in smaller gigs and I was looking for ways to improve the sound. Mic+piezo is a nice combo, but how about mic+standard magnetic pickup (using steel strings of course)? I'm thinking about placing a passive humbucker right above the soundhole. I feel that would drastically reduce feedback problems and give me way more possibilities to shape the tone.

[@davidlalrinnunga6352]

Would you recommend buying, if i were to start learning bass??

[@OnlineBassCourses]

I would recommend a really cheap starter kit that has bass, cable, amp, strap, and tuner. Something like the ones on Thomann (most big shops and online retailers would sell them). Acoustic basses are great but a little specialised. A solid body electric is more versatile so I’d get that to start with.

[@davidlalrinnunga6352]

@@OnlineBassCourses thanks so much.

[@Tiddleypidlei]

Great video!! I would love to see a video about that Jules Dove Cage Monique Preamp in the background!

[@OnlineBassCourses]

Thanks for watching! Yes, I'll do that...

[@TheDoublebassist]

I'm trying to record my acoustic bass guitar with my interface to DAW. It gives miserable effects, and I have no electric bass or double-bass right here where I moved recently. I am trying to record with built-in pickup, with my vocal/acoustic microphone, and with my mixer that contains double-bass piezo + bass microphone, suitable for double-bass. It all sounds like a misery, even if I'm recording on four separate sources at once and later balancing them. Surprisingly, the best result of all gives simply acoustic record with my vocal mic. Any advice on recording an acoustic bass guitar in a home studio? I make pieces with light percussions, ukulele, and MIDI controller (pianos, effects). I'd love to have two final tones: 1. Close to double-bass richness and meat, 2. Durable (long lasting) sound like on electric bass, that doesn't work at all with acoustic bass no matter what I'm trying. I'm a professional classical double-bassist BTW, so I'm not lacking musical knowledge. I know no to very little about recording.

[@OnlineBassCourses]

Are you happy with the bass sound before recording? The source has to be good before doing anything. I keep things simple but I use an Apollo interface which is decent. Then a good mic like a Neumann TLM 102. Good cables are a must for me. Then it’s all about setting the gain structure properly, as well as mic placement (experiment with this but position the mic about 6 inches away from the sound hole). Acoustic instruments with DI like to be recorded with ultra high impedance (like one million ohms) so check that too otherwise the tone might sound weak and thin. Hope that helps a bit.

[@TheDoublebassist]

@Dan Hawkins - Online Bass Courses thank you for taking the time to reply with advice. I admit this far my acoustic bass was just a grab-and-mess-around instrument, but I can get better tone from it with a bit of old double-bass symphonic German/Hungarian school tricks for good pizzicato. I don't have any fancy equipment, nothing bespoke or custom, I simply got "that better one" stuff at the music store, I have no experience with these. I'll try to make things up with the guidance you so kindly shared with me. I wish you a wonderful day!

[@steverolfeca]

What strings were you using in this video? That’s a nice, woody tone…

[@OnlineBassCourses]

Thanks! I’ll not actually sure. They’re the ones that came with the bass.

[@nordmende73]

Thank you!

[@bwhog]

It also works well when you're the guy standing behind Lindsey Buckingham going crazy on his nylon strung guitar. ;)

[@johnhinks279]

Hi Dan. Very useful video, thank you. Any thoughts on using flatwound strings on an acoustic bass ?

[@OnlineBassCourses]

Thanks John. One of the best basses I ever played (I should have bought it) was a Yamaha acoustic fretless. That had flats on and it felt and sounded amazing. I haven't used them on a fretted but I bet it would work very well.

[@lucapappalardo5574]

Thank you soo much for this video in response to my enquiry!!!! I'm glad that you consider it a good tool for practicing as I'm learning with it. Would you recomend a bonk thumbrest to learn how to position correctly the right hand (plucking hand)? Once again thanks for your kind advices!!!

[@OnlineBassCourses]

You're welcome! I don't actually know what those are but I can guess. Honestly, I don't really think you need one. You can rest the upper part of your wrist at the top body and anchor that way and it should feel secure. Then you can move your hand and fingers where you want.

[@lucapappalardo5574]

@@OnlineBassCourses Ok I'll stick on your suggestion 👍

[@VichyCelestins]

thanks for your video I play classical guitar and I love the sound of this bass! i've got a question: can you plug it on an electric guitar amp without the amp suffering from the low notes ?

[@OnlineBassCourses]

Thanks! Yes you can, as long as you don’t drive it too hard you’ll be absolutely fine.

[@les7118]

Hi. Can you help please with acoustic bass recording? I have cort acoustic bass with piezo. When i plug it in audiointerface (rme ucx) i have really quiet signal ( about - 30 at gain in middle ) . Volume on bass preamp is full, but i still need to rise up rme`s preamp to increase bass volume. But then i get preamp`s white noise , and i can`t hear any noise on bass recordings on you tube. Same situation with new dimarzio magnetic pickup. I use it for acoustic guitar and need to rise preamp`s gain and again white noise when i want to get something about - 10 db. Maybe when people recording such things they use di boxes before audiointerfaces? What techniques used in studios? THank you

[@OnlineBassCourses]

That doesn’t sound right. You shouldn’t have to push it that hard to get a good tone. Might be worth taking it to someone to see if everything is working and wired properly.

[@les7118]

@@OnlineBassCourses it already was taken by two luthiers, preamp and pickup was changed for better ones

[@OnlineBassCourses]

@@les7118 very strange.

[@les7118]

@@OnlineBassCourses did you try to plug bass directly to audiointerface? without avalon preamp

[@OnlineBassCourses]

@@les7118 I can’t remember but it would work and sound great plugging straight into my Apollo.

[@rogeriosimoes8778]

Hi Dan, congratulations for your nice videos and your bass guitars passion and lessons. I've also an acoustic bass, your sound is perfect, could you please give me the type/manufacturer of the pickup that you have installed. Thank you.

[@OnlineBassCourses]

Thanks very much Rogerio. On my acoustic bass? This one doesn’t have a pickup, you can just plug in and play with the onboard electronics. I think it’s Fishman but I’m away from my bass at the moment…

[@kevindabramo1944]

Hey Dan, thanks for the video. The finger picking/arpeggio style sounds great on the acoustic. By the way, what model of Breedlove is your bass?

[@OnlineBassCourses]

Thanks Kevin. I honestly can't remember but I haven't seen it around recently. I bought this a few years back and it wasn't that expensive so not one of the top models.

[@Intender-ytb]

I have a question, why in many of songs when bands play acoustic versions, there is acoustic guitars, sometimes even cajon for the drums, but barely even acoustic bass and they stick with the E-bass instead? I’ve seen it so many times and it’s pretty weird to me I just wanted to ask maybe there is a reason or they are just too lazy to get an acoustic one?

[@OnlineBassCourses]

I don’t know! I haven’t seen those versions. I usually see an acoustic in acoustic settings.

[@UUnngghh]

I was just at a local shop and found a Fender Kingman on the wall. I played a bit with it but found it to be quite quiet. To get decent tone do you feel you need to play these with a little more force than an electric?

[@OnlineBassCourses]

Depends on the individual instrument but, in general, probably.

[@janetowens1310]

The body on the Kingman is too small. You can do much better for less money. People will argue but Fender acoustic basses are not very good compared to the competition.

[@germancalistri6624]

Hi dan, those electro acoustic basses have tremendous sound too 👍👍👍

[@OnlineBassCourses]

They do sound pretty cool!

[@lucapappalardo5574]

Hi Dan, just another doubt, it seems to me that slapping on acoustic bass is almost impossible, is my fault or amplification is required to give sound to the thumb beat?

[@OnlineBassCourses]

Luca. I wouldn't say it's impossible, but I would say there's a reason no one slaps on an acoustic bass guitar. It's just not very well suited to it.

[@lucapappalardo5574]

@@OnlineBassCourses I know what you're talking about!! 😂😂 Thanks a lot, for your reply! Have a nice week!

[@covenantchildrenofmary9492]

Please I will like to buy an acoustic bass guitar

[@stevepethel6843]

You are GREAT...

[@OnlineBassCourses]

Thanks!!

[@markbassham1740]

What Model Breedlove bass is this you are playing? Is it 32 or 34 Scale?

[@OnlineBassCourses]

It’s 34 inch scale but I’m not sure the exact model - I’m away on holiday now. Message me via my site or Instagram and I can find out when I get back!

[@markbassham1740]

@@OnlineBassCourses Thank you very much. I will do that.

[@rivetrobot338]

Hi Dan it would be great if you could do a video on how you setup your acoustic bass .. keep up the sterling work

[@OnlineBassCourses]

Thanks. The tweak I made before filming this is honestly the only thing I've ever had done on this bass. Same strings too. I'd probably take it to a luthier if it needed a good setup as that's beyond my skill set.

[@Rivetingrobots]

@@OnlineBassCourses Yep me too, guess I'll have to get it set-up at a shop once we get nearer to normal

[@MyHonkytonkman]

Excellent

[@OnlineBassCourses]

Thanks, Glen.

[@BourdeoixEterno]

Heck yeah, this acoustic almost has a piezo pickup like tone. Sounds fretless

[@OnlineBassCourses]

It does a tiny bit!

[@gianriccardopera708]

Dan what kind of strings do you suggest? For eample which are the ones that you use in this video? Thank you very much!

[@OnlineBassCourses]

To be honest, these are the ones that came with the bass. I don’t know what they are but they feel pretty good.

[@elbuudah2418]

Or if your a takuache you can use this for corridos.

[@liammusik]

I dont like Akustik Basses, because there is so much noice from the Strings and Finger. Better is semi hollow. I tryed for street music.

[@eduardo261881]

acustic complete no need 4 amp

[@Metalfreak327]

Microphone sounds a 100 times better. Same applies to acoustic guitars

[@OnlineBassCourses]

👍

[@swaroov9236]

But that's not an actual acoustic it's an electric acoustic,do acoustic does the purpose in a recording or something

[@OnlineBassCourses]

Yes it's an electro acoustic but fully acoustic if not plugged in.

[@swaroov9236]

@@OnlineBassCourses thanks

[@undeadadept9494]

Thank you, its inspiring. I had one 3-4 years ago, a lot of fun! And tomorrow my Harley Benton B-35NT will arrive. Cant wait. Some my old video with HB hbb40ce - kzbin.info/www/bejne/mnPSh51rlNKNfZo

[@richsackett3423]

When would I use one? If I was freezing to death and was out of fuel for the fireplace.

[@OnlineBassCourses]

Ha, very cruel! I had a bass teacher who once said the same about the double bass.

[@richsackett3423]

@@OnlineBassCourses Everybody loves to see that big bastard. Little kids come up and want to pet it.

[@CMZIEBARTH]

I like my acoustic bass.

[@richsackett3423]

@@CMZIEBARTH I’m very glad somebody likes them. The Martin one I tried was OK.