Not too long ago, I started looking into acoustic basses.  Eventually, I decided to go with an upright bass, because that was the only instrument that gave me that acoustic tone I wished for.

I will admit that acoustic basses are easier to play than upright basses.  Not to mention, they are probably a lot cheaper. However, I have found many cons with these convenient instruments.

Size:

I’m a girl, so this may be a little biased.  However, In order for these acoustic instruments to resonate, they need to be larger.  This means they have larger bodies, deeper bodies, and their necks are longer.  For me personally, this makes the instrument harder to reach around and play.  Also, since the neck is so far away, it’s difficult for me to hit some of the lower notes.

Tone:

When I first started playing around with acoustic basses, I thought that when I plugged in, I would have a real acoustic tone.  However, once I plugged in, the bass sounded exactly like my electric.  When it’s not plugged in, the instrument barely resonated enough to be heard over my dad (who was playing acoustic guitar). Definitely a downside.

Strings:

I despise the copper strings needed for an acoustic instrument.  To me, they feel rough and they are harder to play with.  Although this may not be a deal breaker, it is still a downside for me.  These just add to the awkward feeling of playing one of these basses.

Maybe I’m playing the wrong bass.  If you have an acoustic bass that you absolutely love, let me know! I’d love to try it out!