2006 Tacoma Thunderchief CB10 Acoustic Bass Guitar
Our band has been playing more unplugged and acoustic-flavored shows and so it was time for me to consider either getting back into double bass as a sideline instrument or finding something different. I sing while playing bass, so thinking about the "old days" of being on top of intonation while playing double bass and singing again didn't appeal to me. I tried a lot of different options over the last year or so until I just decided to bite the bullet and find this fellow. Every time I've had a Thunderchief in for setup or repairs, I would think, "this is about the only acoustic bass guitar I like."
It'll do the Violent Femmes pick-attack thing (my favorite sound on these) and they sound really nice played with the pads of the fingers and mic'd up on a recording. To get the acoustic punch and sound that carries, though, requires a big, rounded, heavy-duty flatpick, I think -- especially if you're playing in a small band. That's what I do with this one.
As far as sound goes? Check out this other CB10 post -- it sounds just like the one in the video on that post.
The special thing about this one is that it arrived as a "closet classic" bass -- barely-played, with its hard case in tow, setup well, and with the much-cooler sunburst finish (at least for me) option that's so hard to find. I've been the one putting dings and scratches in the finish since it got here a month or two ago, now.
I have to say that I've become a convert. I used to just think of ABGs as easy-peasy practice instruments, plug-in only, or just for sticking a mic in front of to record now and then. Once you get the hang of getting power out of these Tacomas, though, they become very useful and practical toys. The aesthetics may not be the best, though the performance, light weight, and comfy neck more than make up for that.
The proof's in the pudding, though -- if you want to hear what this can do at a "single mic" event, here's our latest Peavine Boys (rough) recording where you can hear it getting through the mix:
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