Does a 1/2 size acoustic bass guitar exist?

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carsoste

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Hi:
I have a 1/2 size acoustic guitar that I like to take with me when I travel. I'm going to be away from home for about a month or so and I was looking to get a bass to take with me along with my 1/2 size acoustic. Specifically, I was looking to get a 1/2 size bass guitar or a traveler bass guitar. (I've only been playing bass for two years, so I like to practice every day without exception.)
I have searched and googled extensively for a 1/2 size bass and thus far have only found one 1/2 size electric bass guitar. I would like to get a 1/2 size acoustic bass guitar but, I haven't seen any listed anywhere. So, my first question is: Does a a 1/2 size acoustic bass guitar even exist? If so, does anyone know of anywhere where I could purchase one? Secondly, if a 1/2 size acoustic bass guitar does exist, does anyone know of anywhere that I can purchase one for between $100-150? Or used, but in good condition?
If a 1/2 size acoustic bass guitar is unavailable does anyone know of anywhere that I might be able to buy a traveler bass guitar for between $100-150? Or used, but in good condition?
If someone out there could answer my questions, I would sincerely appreciate it.
Best Wishes,
carsoste
 
You're going to find it hard to find anything to do the job. A bass requires a longer string length by default not design. Add to that that the enclosure on an acoustic bass needs to be fairly large to begin to project the frequencies at a reasonable volume and even then they get swamped. Your only real option is to go with the Ashbory silicon string bass and some form of little amp.

They sound really cool and are small scale and lightweight. They were developed by a guy I knew a while back here in the UK and are now made under license by Fender.

Ashbory bass
 
Try the Kala Uke Bass:
Kala UBASS Ukulele

I have seen some of these at bluegrass festivals. They sound great! The standup bass players would play them in the evenings when they were tired of wrestling the big standup all day. Run it thru a little Roland Micro Cube RX bass amp (battery powered). Sound is great, but not as smooth or deep or round as a full standup bass. More punchy, like a bass guitar. Much more realistic bass sound than an acoustic bass guitar.

I could not believe they could get that sound out of such a small instrument, but it is all in the special strings. They are big and fat and rubbery looking. The sound is amazing - they have some audio-video on that same webpage to give you a feel for the sound, and you can find more demos on YouTube. The ones I heard in person sound more like a standup than the one in the video - I suspect you can adjust the sound in the amp. For bluegrass and old-timey music, I don't like any sharp edges on the bass sound, and this little UBass delivers that just fine.
 
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Hi:
Thank you both for your great suggestions. Both of those basses look and seemed to sound really cool so I'll have decide which to buy.
Thanks again.
All the best,
carsoste
 
stevieb said:
Interesting sound a name makes when it gets dropped...:rolleyes:
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Not really, he is a very good friend and I'm proud to call him one. He was partly responsible for my pursuing the path I have through life. Do you have similar pride in associations you have made. I doubt it.
 
muttley600 said:
Not really, he is a very good friend and I'm proud to call him one. He was partly responsible for my pursuing the path I have through life. Do you have similar pride in associations you have made. I doubt it.
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I have made the acquaintance and friendship of several people, both famous and obscure; some truly memorable and some I only wish I could forget- like everybody else. You may certainly doubt anything you choose- feel free to create, in your own mind, whatever traits you might want to try and project onto me- the only ones that will stick, were here long before you ever tried to disparage me.

I also have a sense of humor, which I have no difficulty finding whenever I need it. Do you? I doubt it...

Really, dude (so that you can really understand where I am coming from- you truly seem to have a problem realizing when someone is "funnin'...) I am not calling into question who you may or may not know. The smiling " :rolleyes: " was there primarily for your benefit, so you would recognize a good-natured little jab. Please, lighten up just a little, okay?
 
stevieb said:
I have made the acquaintance and friendship of several people, both famous and obscure; some truly memorable and some I only wish I could forget- like everybody else. You may certainly doubt anything you choose- feel free to create, in your own mind, whatever traits you might want to try and project onto me- the only ones that will stick, were here long before you ever tried to disparage me.

I also have a sense of humor, which I have no difficulty finding whenever I need it. Do you? I doubt it...

Really, dude (so that you can really understand where I am coming from- you truly seem to have a problem realizing when someone is "funnin'...) I am not calling into question who you may or may not know. The smiling " :rolleyes: " was there primarily for your benefit, so you would recognize a good-natured little jab. Please, lighten up just a little, okay?
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Forgive me if I mistake your sense of humour and choice of smilies for other intent. Like I've said on many many occasions before. I couldn't hive a fuck what people think so no harm done.;)

stevieb said:
Well, Muttley, I gotta say, I am impresssed. Seriously, I commend you on the humility and restraint you have shown in this thread- I must admit, I had come to think of you as a huge ego who had learned how to repair guitars, rather than a luthier who had an ego- if you understand the difference. Now, I am wondering if I haven't confused you with someone else. If my criticism of you has been harsh, I am now prepared to apologize for taking you to task.

And if that is the Freak Brother's Fat Freddy's Cat in your Icon, I am truly awed...
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I remember the Ashbury coming out and thinking what a POS at the time. Now I'm thinking I'd like one, seeing its virtues. Great little bass for traveling. Try that with a Buzzard, that bastitch weighs more than the rest of my luggage combine.
 
I remember seeing cello-sized basses at NAMM, but then there were also violins on display much smaller than 1/2 scale.
 
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