The bass guitar is an integral component of many genres of music, yet choosing which brand or model to buy can be overwhelming. There are various brands and models of basses available and it may be hard to decide.
Fender Precision and Jazz Bass models are known for their classic sound and effortless playability, making them popular with both novices and intermediate players.
Fender
Fender bass guitars are an iconic brand renowned for its affordable prices, durable construction and superior sound. Additionally, there is a variety of styles to choose from that allow you to customize its tone according to your personal taste and stand out among fellow musicians – not to mention add personality into your music!
Fender is often credited with inventing the electric bass guitar, yet Paul Tutmarc created his own take on a bass-like instrument in 1935–16 years before Fender would launch their Precision Bass model. Tutmarc’s instrument featured a 30.5″ scale length, single pickup, and was designed so it could be played horizontally – similar to Leo Fender’s own design for playing horizontally!
Contemporary bassists have access to an expansive selection of options when it comes to choosing their instrument of choice, beyond Fender Precision Basses and Jazz Basses. Long scale basses remain a standard; but in addition there are now short scale basses designed specifically to make playing easier for novice players; short-scale basses typically feature shorter distances between frets making them simpler for novice players to reach.
No matter the type of bass instrument you choose, it is essential that you understand its basic parts. These include the bridge and string saddles which support the strings as well as pickups that “pick up” string vibrations to convert them to electric signals that travel to an amp. Furthermore, knowing how to tune your instrument by either ear or harmonic analysis is also key; using an online bass tuning app makes this process more precise and accurate.
Gibson
Bass guitars are an excellent way to play rock music. Boasting an abundant tone and immense versatility, Gibson has long been producing high quality basses at affordable prices; several models exist now which may even suit beginning musicians.
The Gibson EB Standard bass is an exquisite set-neck bass guitar packed with features perfect for rock and blues music. Equipped with two massive-sounding humbucking pickups from Gibson, its individual volume and tone controls offer you a range of tones while its coil tap allows you to switch into single coil mode easily.
Gibson has long been producing bass guitars, though many of their models initially did not sell well. However, the company remained committed to quality and continued developing new instruments; nowadays their basses are well known for both sound and playability in genres such as rock and blues music.
As you begin playing bass guitar, it is essential that you choose one that is straightforward to play. Look for models with wide fretboards, an adjustable strap and tuning pegs as this will help make practice simpler. In addition, invest in a tuner to keep the instrument in tune; additionally a strap will ensure the instrument remains comfortably in place during practice sessions, enabling you to focus on music rather than fretwork! Having additional strings handy should any break during your practice sessions is always wise; having an extra neck at your disposal makes this easier when replacing new strings when needed!
Kiesel
Kiesel bass guitars stand out from other brands with several distinctive features that set them apart, including their signature curved top that enhances sound by decreasing distance between strings and pickups. Furthermore, each Kiesel comes equipped with its own customized hard-gig case specifically tailored to its instrument for secure fitment. Finally, there are various string counts and styles available depending on personal preference.
The Kiesel bass lineup’s most versatile series, the ZEUS BASS series offers 4 to 7-string multiscale basses in various configurations. This bass has become one of the most sought-after models due to its variety of configurations ranging from 4- to 7-string multiscale basses. Popular among both lefties and righties alike, this model features comfortable body designs as well as modern electronics including Kiesel/Carvin split-coil pairs (KCSCPs). These systems use two pairs of humbucking pickups with one pair having one steel blade underneath and one long bar magnet on top for optimal playback.
Lowell Kiesel started his carpentry career in Nebraska where he constructed a Hawaiian lap steel for himself. Later he moved to California where he met Agnes who would play an integral part in starting their company’s operations, helping with business matters as well as model/product photos – but unfortunately she passed away at an age of 88 in 2007.
Carvin guitar and bass models had earned them widespread renown by the mid 1990s. That year saw Carvin launch its Custom Shop to enable players to personalize their instruments through thousands of options in color, wood grain and hardware choices – with their legendary necks among the most stable on the market and double strength truss rods making playing easier than adjusting necks!
Sandberg
Sandberg has created the California VM4 bass in an exquisite matte blueburst finish, making it one of their standout California basses. It comes equipped with Delano MC4 FE Bridge Dual Coil Humbuckers and Delano JS2 Neck Single Coil Humbuckers from their California range, both capable of being used independently or combined when needed. They’re powered by 2-Band Active/Passive EQ; additionally the guitar has a coil-tap switch to easily switch between single coil mode and single Coil mode – we appreciate Sandberg’s thoughtful inclusion of these fantastic features in their California bass guitars!
Sandberg Guitar’s standard 35″ scale neck-through design ensures it is sturdy and comfortable to play, featuring 22 medium nickel frets on a four-a-side headstock design with 22 medium nickel frets on each string and 22 medium nickel frets per fret for ultimate playability. Sandberg also utilizes its proprietary quick release bridge with Gotoh Magnum locking tuners on this model and offers an extensive two-page PDF which explains all guitar controls including its two-way truss rod, changing strings, saddle height/spacing settings as well as intonation adjustments for this guitar model.
The Sandberg Basic series may resemble a Fender Stingray in appearance, but its quality and sound are unsurpassed. Sandberg’s own luthier handcrafts every bass by hand using Glockenklang electronics; players looking for classic P tones without compromising modern features will especially love this bass’s push/pull volume control that bypasses preamp for direct access to tone. In addition, Sandberg provides different finishes including one that allows natural beauty of wood grain to shine through.
Dingwall
Duran Duran bassist John Taylor requested this bass be designed to his exacting specifications; featuring a sleekly contoured Nyatoh body, 5-piece Maple neck, and Pau Ferro fingerboard with fanned frets for optimal playing comfort and string-to-string articulation. Rupert Neve Designs’ 2-Band Bass Preamp offers ample tonal flexibility needed by today’s professional bassists.
Dingwall’s famed fanned fret system is one of the hallmarks of their great fundamental tone and definition. By increasing scale length for low strings versus high strings, this creates a balanced tension across all of them resulting in strong fundamental tones that are easily discernible when mixed.
A fanned fret system may not be for everyone, but it can be an excellent option for musicians looking to explore a full spectrum of dynamics and tones in their playing. At first it may appear daunting but once your fingers get used to the unique arrangement you will find that your fingers move along the strings effortlessly without strain on your wrists.
The Dingwall NG3 bass guitar is their latest offering, designed in China but assembled at their head office in Canada. Available as either 4-string or 5-string models and boasting outstanding neodymium pickups similar to their high-end models, this lightweight yet solid instrument feels solid and well balanced in your hand – plus, there’s also an awesome Darkglass Electronics 10-year anniversary color scheme on it for added visual interest! Perfect for anyone seeking Dingwall basses at an accessible price point!