Advice on Using a Pick for an Acoustic Bass

[Pete____]

Hi,
My wife started playing an acoustic guitar a few years ago and to support her and have a bit of fun I decided to start learning bass about one year ago. I bought an Acoustic Bass which has been a lot of fun. However the problem is when we play together the Normal Guitar is so much louder than my Acoustic Bass that I basically can't hear the instrument.

To me it seems if I switch to learning to use a pick the bass is much louder, I don't quite like the sound of it but it seems to be a solution but I am not really sure if this is a smart idea. I have been cruising forums, YouTube, blogs etc for the last hour and am getting really lost and could use some advice. Perhaps I should just list my questions.

1. What is a Plectron? is that just a fancy word for a pick?
2. As I am a beginner is it just that I can't get the volume out of the acoustic bass because my fingers are weak, should I stick with fingers instead of trying to switch to a a Pick/ Plectron
3. To me the pick sounds a bit 'weird', louder sure but a bit weird, like tinny, perhaps this is just because I can't play the instrument properly yet (or that I only bought a cheap instrument to get started).
4. Are picks bass players use the same as normal guitar picks, I have been seeing something for a ukulele that seems to be a felt pick which may be a solution. Do bass players use a thicker or felt pick or something else?

Thanks in advance, from reading the forums on other sites and YouTube comments it seems I have wanted into quite a controversial topic. I would really appreciate any advice, I really don't want to have to get a practice amp at this stage as it would kind of defeat the purpose of having an acoustic bass which is just so easy to grab off the wall and have a quick practice session, but when playing together with an acoustic normal guitar the bass just seems to be far too quiet.

 

[Oddly]

In general, as you have discovered, acoustic basses simply aren't as loud as guitars, I'm afraid.
The few that can compete are expensive dreadnought-sized rarities.
A couple of things should help, though.

A pick will definitely be louder than fingers, and I've used a fairly stiff heavy leather one. ( Leather Tones - Pack of 4 Leather Picks | Timber Tones )
Ignore any advice that says real bass-players don't use a pick (or plectrum), it's simply another tool to have in your skill-set.

Stings are a factor too and there's a few threads here on that...Bronzes will be a little louder, but may not have as nice a tone.

Another option would be telling your wife to keep quiet ... but I'm certainly not recommending that one!!!

Hope the little difficulties can be worked out, and you two continue making beautiful music together!

 

[Stumbo]

Have you performed together?

Bass can carry so overall you may be loud enough you just can't hear it up close.

Have you checked your duo balance with a listener?

Adding a pickup and amp is really not that big a deal.

 

[MD]

WIFE - if she's playing a steel string and strumming so hard her knuckles bleed, that could be part of the problem. She needs to back off, use a lighter/felt pick and/or learn finger picking.

YOU - if your ABG is set up with low action, you'll never produce the needed volume. Thing about ABGs is, you have to get the strings moving in order to get the instrument vibrating to produce sound. You can't do that with the strings sitting three hairs above the board. If this is the case, raise your string height. You also need a somewhat aggressive pizz technique. Without it, you won't get the strings moving.

Repost this in the 'Basses" section where the ABG crowd will see it.
Also, use the search function and enter "ABG" and "acoustic" in the same forum. There's lots of reading on the subject.

 

[Big Shrek]

Finger Picks. Looks like you are just finger picking....but give you more volume.

Fred Kelly Freedom's are nice. Ernie Ball Pluckers are really solid.

But more often than not, use the open style/butterfly picks so I can mute
with my right hand fingers when needed.

With finger picks, you can also use a banjo trick of tapping the string with the pick instead of plucking.
Someone probably knows the proper name of that, but it's always just been an extra tool to use.
Has quite the interesting effect on a bass

 

[Pete____]

Thanks for all the advice and help, there's quite a lot in there, I might pass on the "advice" to tell my wife to keep quite though .

I think I am going to go with trying to learn to use a pick as well, there are just so many different types, rubber, plastic, stone, brass and even leather. I will just slowly over the next few months try some out and see what I think about the sound.

Thanks again for the help and advice.