Here's the one I just picked up. Great bass! I mostly play at unplugged at home but it's nice to read all these experiences upgrading the electronics.
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Taylor AB acoustic bass guitars (ABG) megathread
- Thread starter Sonoma Bass
- Start date
hi Scott, I just bought one as well. An AB-2. I plan to redo the electronics, perhaps at Rick Turner's shop in Santa Cruz. Drop a line if you're ever in San Francisco and want to A/B test our basses.
Well the former Fishman upgrades are no longer available but frankly I think the sound is there without upgrades. Technique plus a class-A limiter and poof! Rotosound PBs dont hurt either.
I don't get out much but might just take you up on that at some point! I actually grabbed a second one and will probably let the AB-2 go soon... a little too nice for me. I got an AB-1 that needs a little work.
I'm shifting musical gears and putting all my time into upright bass. Putting my AB-1 up for sale.
For Sale - Taylor AB-1 acoustic bass guitar
For Sale - Taylor AB-1 acoustic bass guitar
Unplugged? Depends on the room, how loud the dreadnought is played, what strings, how high the bridge, and your touch.
Set up with tapes for uprightish tone probably not.
Plan on loving it for its own beautiful tone and playability. Enjoy it expanding your full bass playing world. The more I play the ABG the more those wild unrestricted techniques that an acoustic can inspire the more I change my touch on the EB in it’s settings.
While it is popular to dismiss bronze wounds here the possibilities abound for making them sound like flats. To play them without buzz and clash can deliver the pure colors that are piano like.
It is a technique adaptation. The work is worth it. IMHO
Also some bronze wounds are brash and harsh. Some like DRs are smooth and full in tone.
Set up with tapes for uprightish tone probably not.
Plan on loving it for its own beautiful tone and playability. Enjoy it expanding your full bass playing world. The more I play the ABG the more those wild unrestricted techniques that an acoustic can inspire the more I change my touch on the EB in it’s settings.
While it is popular to dismiss bronze wounds here the possibilities abound for making them sound like flats. To play them without buzz and clash can deliver the pure colors that are piano like.
It is a technique adaptation. The work is worth it. IMHO
Also some bronze wounds are brash and harsh. Some like DRs are smooth and full in tone.
Just picked up an AB3 here on TB. I’ve always loved the design of the Taylor ABGs but never got to try the AB3. Here it is with my Martin BC-40
Holy moly..I hadn't noticed that. Absolutely one of the greatest bass cabinets ever made!
With the ebony board, headstock, ramp, and bridge, there was just one change I wanted to make…
Black hardware works.
I'm thinking it's a good thing I haven't seen a pic of one of these with a naked board.
I'm thinking it's a good thing I haven't seen a pic of one of these with a naked board.
Howdy gang. Just wanted to give a heads up, I'm thinking of letting my AB-2 go. It's in flawless shape and will come with a custom Glenn Cronkhite gig bag I had made for it (this was ~$400 when I had it made).
Hit me up if you or someone you know might be interested. Thanks!
Hit me up if you or someone you know might be interested. Thanks!
Just curious … how many folks here have played their Taylor bass for more than three years?
I played a Guild B50 as my primary bass for a few years then it sat on a shelf for two years before I sold it.
Tempted to seek out a Taylor and give an ACB another chance.
Any thoughts?
I played a Guild B50 as my primary bass for a few years then it sat on a shelf for two years before I sold it.
Tempted to seek out a Taylor and give an ACB another chance.
Any thoughts?
Taylor is just one of many ABGs. You may be best served by asking in the ABG forum...
Acoustic bass fetish club Part 2
My Takamine B10 has been my main bass for well over ten years, if that counts.
I've played mine for 15 years so far. It's been great live, in the studio and as a practice tool.
I own an AB-2. I never plug it in. The OEM electronics aren't that great. I put a pair of K&K bass piezos within on the plate forward of the bridge. I just substituted the end pin jack and left the original controls in place and jack hanging securely. It sounds amazingly like the body. Too many under saddle installations give a bridge/piezo brittle sound. Poor electronics can have poor buffering which increases the lack of realism.
I owned a Guild for years but replaced it. I prefer the 34" scale. The Taylor makes sound differently than traditional designs that excite the top primarily. The whole bass makes sound with much coming from the sound hole.
As they age they sound better and better.
Some favor tapewound strings. I did that for a few years enjoying the uprightish tone. Recently I installed Martin ABG strings. I love the big piano sound. For me more of a classical thing. Acoustically they are louder than the tapes. The Martins are a very dry sounding string and are quite amazing on the Taylor AB-2. Compared to the AB-1 it has a darker warmer sound. The Martin strings actually don't accentuate any of that so they balance amazingly. Martin strings sound amazing on Martin ABGs. If yours is an AB-1 then the DR or D'Addarios may be better. This is all so subjective based on our different touches. YMMV but the better the strings the better the sound. EB strings can sound tepid.
Good luck.
I owned a Guild for years but replaced it. I prefer the 34" scale. The Taylor makes sound differently than traditional designs that excite the top primarily. The whole bass makes sound with much coming from the sound hole.
As they age they sound better and better.
Some favor tapewound strings. I did that for a few years enjoying the uprightish tone. Recently I installed Martin ABG strings. I love the big piano sound. For me more of a classical thing. Acoustically they are louder than the tapes. The Martins are a very dry sounding string and are quite amazing on the Taylor AB-2. Compared to the AB-1 it has a darker warmer sound. The Martin strings actually don't accentuate any of that so they balance amazingly. Martin strings sound amazing on Martin ABGs. If yours is an AB-1 then the DR or D'Addarios may be better. This is all so subjective based on our different touches. YMMV but the better the strings the better the sound. EB strings can sound tepid.
Good luck.