Acoustic/Electric Bass advice sought

[JohnnyB]

Lately I've been getting a jones for an acoustic-electric bass; I'd like something that sounds woody and organic, reminiscent of an upright. In a previous thread a few people chimed in that the MIK-made solid top Breedloves were very good, and had more volume as a pure acoustic than most.

In my quest I've played a Michael Kelly Dragonfly, a 1993 Guild (small-bodied), a couple of Ibanezes, a Breedlove Studio (solid spruce top; laminated mahogany body), and a 1993 or so MIK Fender, also with solid spruce top and laminated mahogany body. The Breedlove uses a current L.R. Baggs system; the Fender uses an early '90s Fishman.

For tone quality and playability it's coming down to the Breedlove and the Fender. The Breedlove is about twice the price of the Fender. When I first played the Breedlove I was impressed, especially with its amplified sound at the bottom end--very deep and full. But on my second time around, it's the Fender that's haunting me, and the Breedlove that disappointed today. The Breedlove seemed to have a lot of piezo glare if I only slightly mis-fretted. Would a setup or different EQ fix that? It has shiny new strings, but it didn't seem all that loud acoustically. The Fender isn't very loud either, but the strings are old and brown. I suspect its volume would increase by 40% with new strings. But the other thing is there's a certain rightness, a certain comforting musicality to the Fender and I don't have to work hard to get it.

Does anyone know anything about the early '90s Fender AEBGs? If this one is representative, I'd say they're sleepers.

Also, the store with the Fender also has an Eden Nemesis (mf'd offshore) RS210 on closeout.

The store's blowout price is significantly lower than this MF listing. Do you think a Mesa/Boogie DC-10 would be a reasonable (and feasible) trade?

[tomteriffic]

Johnny, a little bit of adjustment to the relief on the Breedlove may make a big difference. I don't know if that particular line of the Breedloves has the JLD bridge truss system, but a friend has a Trinity River with one and if it gets worked loose a little, you can lose a lot of volume.

Get the Nemesis, regardless. That is one of the punchiest, most focused bass amps I've ever heard. I still kick myself for letting one get by not once, but twice.

[JohnnyB]

Johnny, a little bit of adjustment to the relief on the Breedlove may make a big difference. I don't know if that particular line of the Breedloves has the JLD bridge truss system, but a friend has a Trinity River with one and if it gets worked loose a little, you can lose a lot of volume.

Unless the Breedlove has been around the store forever, it should have the JLD bridge truss system. It may also be a relief issue as you mentioned. I've just been working out on my G&L solid body and I was getting that same snappy reedy noise. Turns out I'd lowered my action too much during setup after changing strings.

Get the Nemesis, regardless. That is one of the punchiest, most focused bass amps I've ever heard. I still kick myself for letting one get by not once, but twice.

That's definitely the other half of the equation. I'm beginning to wonder if it's more an amp issue than guitar type. Making the rounds to the local music stores, I've plugged into SWRs, Hartkes, and GKs as well as my 1x12 50w Ampeg at home, but none of them have the snap, focus, and magic of the Eden. Thanks for the confirmation; I was beginning to suspect it was special. Its specs indicate a lower frequency response than even some of their bigger units.

I haven't made the offer yet, but do you think a Mesa/Boogie DC-10 (100w 2x12 combo) is a reasonable trade for the Nemesis 2x10, or should I find some other way to trade for/acquire it? After all, it's trading a legendary US made tube amp for a (very good) Chinese-made solid state unit.

[tomteriffic]

I'd think the DC-10 would be the higher-valued item, but you're dealing in that new/used/retail/wholesale realm. I traded my DC-5 widebody straight up for my T-51 at a time when a cherry T-51 (this was) was going in the $550 +- ragne. For whatever that's worth.

[JohnnyB]

I'd think the DC-10 would be the higher-valued item, but you're dealing in that new/used/retail/wholesale realm. I traded my DC-5 widebody straight up for my T-51 at a time when a cherry T-51 (this was) was going in the $550 +- ragne. For whatever that's worth.

You made out all right. Checking eBay, the DC-5's still fetch between $550 and $680, while the T-51 has gone up from there. I'm having a hard time getting a handle on the retail value of a DC-10, as there are currently no active or closed DC-10 auctions on eBay. I know that trading in a retail store is not as favorable as a private trade, so I'm allowing for that. The store has the RS-10 marked down to $599 while MF's price is still $899. I suspect I'd have a hard time getting $900 from a private sale, and if I consign it, it knocks my net down to around $600, so it looks about even. The only thing that might make me slap my forehead later is if DC-10s suddenly shot up to $2500.