Guild Jumbo Junior acoustic bass - strings/sounds/vibe opinions?

[maxr]

Looks like I my quest for an acoustic bass guitar may end up with a trade on a used Guild Jumbo Junior in a music store. So, I'd appreciate some opinions from anyone who's played one. I'd probably just be playing this with an unamplified acoustic folk band (I play fiddle and stuff), so I don't need much volume. As it happens, I already have a little Roland Micro Cube bass battery amp I could use with it if I needed a lift just to get heard. I originally had my eye on a new B240E, but this litle guy is available a lot cheaper.

So, what are your impressions? I'm not expecting too much acoustically. Some reviews say the tone lends itself to cello like vibrato (I used to play cello), which sounds interesting. If anyone owns one, did you keep the stock strings or change them, and what's the result like please? Finally, what's the general vibe of the thing like? I had a 34" electric bass years ago, and I have Guild jumbo bodied 12s now, but I don't know what to expect from the Jumbo Junior at all.

Thanks, Max

 

[twocorgis]

I have not tried one Max, but here's my take on acoustic basses. They're great, but once you play with more than one other guitar or other stringed instruments, you'll just get drowned out. And the smaller size and shorter scale (relative to my B54ce) isn't going to help. Good thing it comes with built in electronics! I like my B54ce, but it doesn't get a whole lot of use because once you plug it in, you might as well be playing an electric bass.

 

[The Guilds of Grot]

I like my B54ce, but it doesn't get a whole lot of use because once you plug it in, you might as well be playing an electric bass.

Yeah, it only works if you're playing on mTV's "Un-Plugged"!

 

[fronobulax]

I think @mellowgerman had one.

 

[mellowgerman]

I've never owned one, but did play it in the store. There is absolutely no way it will be heard in an unplugged scenario, unless maybe if the other unplugged instruments are solid-body electric guitars. The body on these is just way too small to create any kind of notable volume/projection. I think these are only useful if you want it for solo practice on the couch or while traveling.