Acoustic Bass Guitars

I was at the Twelfth Fret on Saturday and they had a Larrivee acoustic bass guitar (ABG). I tried it out and I must say that it had an okay sound. That's the thing with ABGs though, the best of them can generate a decent sound, but nothing spectacular to my ears. I don't really see an opportunity to use in one at most gigs where I'd regularly use an electric bass. The suggestion I've had is that they might be good for acoustic-type gigs, but tonally, I think my fretless works best for that. I suppose they look better for acoustic gigs, but that's a silly reason to get a particular instrument. You might wish to use one in some kind of setting where everyone is unplugged, but an unplugged acoustic guitar will drown out most unplugged acoustic basses.

Additionally, you have to be far more worried about the conditions to which an ABG is subjected. If it's got a solid top, you'd better be mindful of temperature and humidity. It's also bulkier. And being hollow, it's just asking for feedback when you (inevitably) plug it in.

So while this Larrivee I saw is undoubtedly a nice bass, I'm not sure that I could find a reason to have such a beast in my collection.