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Disclaimer: Being a guitarist, I like to dabble with a bass but admit that my bass skills are limited. Just the same, I can hold my own when I step up and play bass. So, when I decided to pick up the Olympia OB3CE acoustic bass during a recent jam session, I was more than blown away. With that in mind, what follows is my feeble attempt to do this fine instrument justice.
Product:
Olympia OB3CE Acoustic Bass with Fishman 4-Band Active Pickup
Suggested Retail: $599.00
Hairball Music Retail: $409.99

Olympia OB3CE Acoustic Bass Basic Features-

• Body: Select spruce top with mahogany sides.
• Fingerboard: Rosewood.
• Bridge: “Tone Shaped” rosewood.
• Neck: Set neck, 34” scale.
• Inlays: Dot inlays.
• Finish: Satin finish.
• Electronics: Active Fishman Classic 4-Band piezo.
• Hardware: Chrome sealed tuners.
• Other Features: Elixir strings. Immaculate construction and attention to detail.



The Olympia OB3CE is the import version of the Tacoma CB-10 acoustic bass. There are some notable differences such as a set neck, veneer woods and different active electronics, but the most striking difference is the price that is less that half of the Tacoma acoustic bass. The OB3CE is manufactured in Asia under the watchful eye of Tacoma. The instruments are then shipped to the Tacoma factory in Washington State where the set-up is completed and each instrument is checked to ensure that they meet Tacoma’s rigid standards.

The OB3CE sports Tacoma’s innovative paisley soundhole that makes these instruments visually striking. If you are looking for an attention getter, this is the acoustic bass that will do it. The satin finish is a nice touch and adds warmth to the instrument. The attention to detail is incredible and is what I have come to expect from the Tacoma-Olympia line.

Now let’s discuss playability. Not only does this bass have looks, but it also has incredible sound. The OB3CE has great projection when played as an acoustic. The Olympia acoustic bass projected far better clean sound when compared to an Epiphone, Martin, and Fender. The combination of the Elixir strings and the Tacoma set up made this instrument easy to play. As with any acoustic bass, you need to play clean to really appreciate the sound.

The real fun started when I plugged the OB3CE into a Hughes & Kettner BFL-C Bassforce L combo amplifier. The Prefix-4 active EQ exploded with deep rich sound and some incredible feedback. It took me a few minutes to adjust the EQ, but once set, this bass rocked. The deep lows were amplified by the oversized body and rattled every window within 100 yards. This instrument proved itself to be versatile as an acoustic as well as an electric.

And now for the official Lighter Guy rating of the Olympia OB3CE acoustic bass with a Prefix 4-Band EQ: 9 lighters out of a possible 10 lighters. An exceptional value for an exceptional acoustic bass guitar.