No band is complete without a bassist to provide its foundation, from fingerstyle playing to using a pick. We carry an extensive selection of basses to meet both styles and goals.
Start by finding a bass guitar model that suits your desired tone, then accessorize with accessories like straps to secure it and cables for plugging into an amp and exploring effects pedals.
Beginner Bass Guitar
Bass guitars form the backbone of any band’s sound, providing its rhythm with its deep woody tones and providing space for singers and guitarists to craft melodies and solos. Learning bass can be both challenging and rewarding; finding an instrument that feels right will allow you to focus on technique development while practicing regularly is key.
Beginners should select a fretted four-string bass in order to learn the fundamentals more efficiently. While basses with no frets or 5- and 6-string basses may look cool, these instruments should only be utilized by advanced players with some experience under their belt. Beginners should also keep neck size in mind; larger necks may make pressing down harder while smaller necks will make reaching frets easier for newcomers.
Harder woods produce sharper, percussive tones while softer woods tend to produce warmer, more soothing sounds. No matter which bass model you’re interested in purchasing, be sure to test various models until one sounds and feels right to you.
Positioning the bass properly is crucial for developing an excellent feel with it. Ideally, its body should rest against one leg with its neck angled up at a slight upward angle – this will allow easy access to frets with both hands simultaneously while giving your right hand ample opportunity to strum the strings. Furthermore, we advise using a strap so as to evenly distribute weight of instrument across both shoulders.
Once you’ve selected your bass guitar, it’s time to learn its chords and melodies that comprise your favorite songs. By practicing regularly, you will soon become a fantastic bassist!
Electric Bass Guitar
The electric bass guitar is an instrument used to produce low-pitched basslines and runs used in many styles of music. Usually played alongside a drum kit for rhythmical accompaniment, its sound stands out among other instruments and many guitarists opt to add playing bass as another dimension to their sound and style. Notable bassists include Jaco Pastorius of Primus famed for their innovative playing styles that have inspired legions of music fans worldwide.
Basses come in all sorts of styles and configurations, from 4-string basses that match double bass pitches to 5-string basses tuned an octave lower. Fretless basses allow faster string changes without the use of fingerboards; some bassists opt for picks while others like to slap, pop, or tap their strings by hand.
Finding an electric bass can be an arduous task. There are various manufacturers and models to consider, each offering its own sound and feel. As a beginner, it is advisable to start off simple; choose a basic model with quality build and comfortable neck. Look for something with great feel and easy playability like the Epiphone Thunderbird bass which draws inspiration from Fender P- and J-Bass models but has its own distinctive character which sets you apart from other beginners.
As soon as it comes to purchasing a bass, one of the primary features to look out for are its pickups, volume and tone knobs – these components provide its sound while volume and tone knobs regulate how loud or soft you want your playing to be. Other important parts include bridge and string saddles to hold strings in place while volume/tone knobs control how loud or soft you play – bridge/string saddle assemblies also aid string stability while nuts sit between headstock and fretboard and frets indicate where fingers should go to strike a note when fretted instruments play notes along the fretboard.
Acoustic Bass Guitar
An acoustic bass guitar can be an ideal instrument to accompany you wherever life takes you without the need for external amplification. These basses typically feature built-in pickups with all necessary wiring for operation either unplugged or powered up; their designs often reflect that of traditional acoustic guitars; these versatile instruments offer various body shapes, styles, and finishes – perfect for musical situations in which an amp is not easily available.
Acoustic basses can also be the ideal accompaniment if you are performing unplugged, playing acoustic music like Bluegrass, piano duos, jazz ensembles or mariachi bands that require lower bass sounds such as mariachi bands or gigs at bars or restaurants.
At first glance, an acoustic bass guitar may seem much smaller than its upright bass counterpart; its size being closer to that of the Mexican stringed instrument called guitarron used by mariachi bands and therefore producing less deep and full sounds than their larger counterparts.
Acoustic basses come in many different sizes and styles, often drawing inspiration from dreadnought guitar models. Some even feature cutaway designs to increase access to frets close to the soundhole. Portable models such as those based on the Warwick Alien bass can be used for practice sessions or quiet jam sessions but do not work well for loud performances due to their relatively limited sound output; one exception being Warwick Alien bass which produces a powerful, deep sound for an acoustic bass guitar.
Though acoustic basses require specific strings, an electric bass string set may also work when playing it unplugged as their strings don’t need to generate as strong of a magnetic field as is necessary in electric bass strings.
Bass Guitar Accessories
A bass guitar is an expensive investment and needs several essential accessories in order to remain in good condition. A gig bag should protect it during transport; guitar stands provide convenient storage solutions; straps provide relief from back and shoulder pressure while metronomes help musicians keep time with drummers while creating better sounds; straps also help maintain posture while playing; metronomes make life easier by helping you develop your playing ability more quickly than ever!
Bass strings are thicker than regular guitar strings and give the instrument its deep tone. A spare set is essential for anyone playing bass; there are numerous different varieties to choose from with some even offering strobe mode for quick and accurate tuning. A guitar tuner is another essential accessory; out-of-tune bass notes can ruin an otherwise great song or performance; therefore a versatile tuner such as the TC Electronic Polytune 3 Mini provides essential support.
When shopping for a bassist in your life, give something memorable and special – perhaps an original Fender Jack Rack made of amplifier input cloth or keychain that resembles an input jack from an actual guitar. A bass pedal holder is also great since it saves space while keeping pedals secure; those playing live may require additional items like power supplies to avoid having to plug into unreliable outlets in venues or recording studios.
Bundle deals provide beginner bassists with everything they need to begin learning to play bass guitar. These bundles typically include instruments, gig bags, tuners and extra strings; some even include free lesson vouchers so you can learn in the comfort of your own home! Reverb offers many bass guitar bundles so be sure to browse around until you find the one best suited to you.