If you’ve ever seen or heard an MTV Unplugged concert, you’ve probably seen and heard an acoustic bass guitar. This is a hollow body instrument that is the size of an acoustic guitar, but has the sound of a bass. In the 1980s and 1990s, rock bands would perform their electric guitar songs with acoustic guitars, and bassists could be heard or seen playing these instruments that are not too common in the world of music.
But if they made it all the way to the MTV screens for decades, why haven’t these low-end instruments garnered further popularity? Before we attempt to answer that question, let’s take a step back and look at how a bass instrument works.
Is There Such a Thing as an Acoustic Bass Guitar?
The answer to this question is a resounding yes! Acoustic bass guitars are real and they are a fantastic option for those who want to add a little bit of low end to their music:
- While they don’t have the same projection as an electric bass, they more than make up for it in terms of tone and versatility.
- Acoustic bass guitars are typically played unplugged, which gives them a very warm and natural sound.
- They are also very lightweight, making them easy to transport.
What about the bass guitar range? Unlike electric basses, acoustic basses do not require an amplifier or other external equipment. This makes them ideal for players who want to enjoy the natural sound of their instrument. While they are not as loud as electric basses, acoustic basses can still be heard clearly when played with other acoustic instruments. If you’re looking for a unique and soulful sound, a bass acoustic guitar is definitely worth considering.
And if you’re ready to learn how to play a bass guitar acoustic, you may want to sign up for acoustic bass guitar lessons. You’ll learn everything you need to know to be successful on an electric or acoustic bass, including what you see in the video below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jp0JDhT-ERk
How Does a Bass Instrument Work?
As humans, we have a hearing range of 20Hz-20,000Hz and bass frequencies only make a small portion of it. In fact, these frequencies (20-300Hz) are harder to hear for the human ear, because we tend to hear higher frequencies more easily. By comparison, the frequency range of an acoustic guitar can range from 100Hz-20,000Hz, especially on the higher end.
Bass sounds need more space to work in an acoustic setting, which is why hollow body bass instruments tend to be larger in size, such as upright basses. In fact, the closest instrument to an acoustic bass guitar is a guitarron, is a large stringed hollow body bass instrument that originates from Mexico. You probably heard or seen a guitarron if you have seen or heard a mariachi band.
But, the size of an acoustic bass guitar is only a fraction of a guitarron or upright bass. It’s a smaller instrument, so it creates less sound in an acoustic setting. In a social event, you probably wouldn’t see someone pull out one of these low instruments to strum on, because you wouldn’t be able to hear anything. Whereas social events are full of the all-too-common acoustic guitar.
Evolution of Acoustic Bass Guitars
Acoustic bass guitars are thought to be modeled from guitarron, especially when they were first produced in the US in the 1950s. An article by Vintage Guitar Magazine traces the origins of the instrument to luthier Ernie Ball. According to this story, Ernie Ball bought a guitarron and put frets on it to prototype a new instrument, which led to his famous bass guitar, Ernie Ball Earthwood. His new invention was eventually mass produced by 1972, but discontinued by 1985.
Between 1950s-1975, these low guitars were used by various folk bass players. Why did it become an attractive choice for folk or similar acoustic styles? These bands typically don’t have a loud bass section. Bass is solely needed as a mild low-end to create a nice contrast to the acoustic guitar, piano and vocal heavy songs. In this case, it can be argued that acoustic bass guitar can be very useful in specific music styles in terms of recording and performances in smaller, more intimate spaces.
For this reason, the instrument has to be used with an amplifier. You might be thinking, “Then what is the difference between an acoustic bass and an electric bass?”
Firstly, the timbre of acoustic bass will be different than an electric guitar. Moreover, electric guitar is a solid body instrument, whereas an acoustic bass is a hollow body instrument.
Acoustic Guitar vs Bass Guitar
Most of these low-end instruments come with four strings and their tuning is E-A-D-G, just like a guitar, but an octave lower. There are cases of five string acoustic basses, which add a lower B string for playing notes in lower frequencies.
The acoustic bass guitar is an interesting instrument because it sets out to solve a common problem between mobility, space, and sound. It seems that there is a trilemma with creating the ideal acoustic bass, where you can only have two of the three factors: mobility, space and sound.
In order to have a good sound, you have to choose between mobility or space. If you choose a good sound and have a lot of space, you have little mobility. If you want to have a good sound and easy mobility, then you have to give up the space – hence the acoustic sound of the instrument.
But most people would either have a big upright bass that has a full sound, or a solid body electric guitar and use an amp with it. It seems that acoustic bass is ideal for those situations where we expect a less powerful bass sound, such as acoustic concerts like MTV Unplugged.
Can An Acoustic Guitar Be Used as a Bass Guitar?
While an acoustic guitar is typically thought of as a string instrument that is played with the fingers or a pick, it can also be used as a bass guitar.
When used as a bass guitar, the acoustic guitar is typically played with a pick and is plucked or strummed in a similar manner to an electric bass.
The main difference is that the acoustic guitar produces a softer sound than the electric bass. Additionally, the acoustic guitar has a shorter scale length, which can make it more difficult to play some bass lines.
However, with practice, it is possible to produce music with an acoustic guitar that has a similar sound to an electric bass. In summary, while an acoustic guitar is not typically thought of as a bass instrument, it can be used as such with some practice.
Can You Play Acoustic Bass Without an Amp?
Can you play acoustic bass without an amp? The answer is yes, you most certainly can. In fact, many bassists choose to play acoustic bass unplugged in order to get a more natural sound.
The downside to playing acoustic bass without an amplifier is that the instrument can be harder to hear. This is especially true if you are playing with other instruments or in a large space.
However, there are a few things you can do to make sure your acoustic bass is still audible.
First, try using a thinner pick. This will help to produce a brighter sound. Additionally, try holding the bass closer to the body when plucking the strings. This will create a warmer tone that will be easier for listeners to hear.
Finally, remember to practice playing soft and loud dynamics. This will give your performance more texture and interest. With a little bit of effort, you can definitely play acoustic bass without an amp.
What is the Best Acoustic Bass Guitar?
If you’re looking for the best acoustic bass guitar, you’ll want to consider a few factors before making your purchase.
First, think about the style of music you’ll be playing. If you’re looking for a versatile instrument that can be used for a variety of genres, you’ll want to choose an acoustic-electric bass.
These basses are fitted with pickups that allow you to plug into an amplifier, giving you more flexibility in terms of sound. If you’re mostly going to be playing unplugged, however, an acoustic bass might be the better option.
These instruments have a rich, full sound that is well-suited for jazz and blues. Another factor to consider is the size of the guitar. Acoustic basses come in both 4-string and 5-string models, so you’ll need to decide which one is right for you. If you’re a beginner, a 4-string bass might be a good place to start.
Once you’ve decided on the style and size of acoustic bass you want, you can narrow down your choices even further by considering things like body shape and finish. With so many great options on the market, it’s easy to find the perfect acoustic bass guitar for your needs.
So there you have it! Everything you need to know about the acoustic bass guitar. Sign up for lessons and start playing today!