Bass guitars provide the foundation of any band. These versatile instruments can be played acoustically or plugged into amps for unique sounds.
No matter if it’s an acoustic bass or electric, several factors will dictate which instrument best matches your playing style.
Acoustic
An acoustic bass guitar can be ideal for beginner players because it doesn’t require power sources to operate it. Furthermore, its natural sounding sound attracts many listeners while many appreciate its unique appearance. Though lacking pickups or electric components, unplugged acoustic basses produce loud volumes when played unplugged.
An ideal acoustic bass guitar should be constructed from solid wood and include features like a nut, bridge and string saddles as well as a fretboard where fingers can be placed to play notes. A quality fingerboard should be constructed out of rosewood or ebony material and adhered securely to its neck for best results.
Some acoustic basses are constructed of mahogany, known for its clear tones and expressive midrange. Other models may feature basswood’s slightly warmer low end. Basswood makes an excellent choice if players wish to create something that stands out in any mix, as its distinctive sound sets it apart from other wood varieties.
Basswood models typically include a pickguard to protect the neck from scratching. Many acoustic basses also include a truss rod – an adjustable metal rod designed to stop bowing or twisting in response to tension or environmental factors – often located at the headstock; it may sometimes even be found nearer the base of the neck.
If you plan on performing with an acoustic bass, consider purchasing one with built-in electronics. This allows it to connect directly with an amp for increased volume while adding some tone-shaping effects like compression, reverb and delay.
There are also acoustic-electric bass guitars, which provide the same flexibility of an acoustic model while adding the convenience of electronic controls that can be adjusted live for performances. Most acoustic-electric models feature preamps and EQ controls so users can find their ideal sound depending on venue or music genre.
Once you’ve chosen a style of bass guitar that best meets your needs, take into account any additional accessories you might require – from straps and extra strings to having extra guitar picks on hand so as not to run out during performances.
Electric
No matter your musical genre of choice – from rock to metal or blues – electric bass guitars provide the low end that gives music depth. When choosing one for yourself or as part of a band, bassists play an invaluable role and an excellent bass guitar can help develop new skills while finding their own sound.
An electric bass can be easily connected to an amplifier for live or practice performances, featuring four to six strings tuned an octave lower than standard guitar strings (EADGBE). Beginner bass players often opt for four strings; however, as they gain experience they often prefer five or six string bass instruments more suited to their playing style.
There are various kinds of bass guitars, from solid-body basses to semi-hollow body basses. Solid-body basses typically consist of wooden construction; popular options for solid body basses include mahogany, alder and basswood – each wood type affects sound and feel differently; basswood has a particularly pleasing tone which works particularly well in bass instruments.
Semi-hollow body basses resemble solid-body basses in many ways, yet have an alternate design with an hollow center to reduce weight and bulk. While they still work with amps and can be played acoustically, semi-hollow bodies feature deeper, warmer tones than their solid-body counterparts and may make traveling easier for some bassists.
The neck on a bass guitar is another important consideration. There are various neck styles available to you and your choice will depend on both hand size and playing style; U-shaped necks may make for easier fretboard navigation by players with larger hands; conversely, V-shaped necks may provide greater comfort to players with smaller hands.
A bass guitar features a string tree to keep its strings taut. There are various varieties available and it is important to choose one which matches the gauge of your strings. Finally, to keep its tune accurate and in tune, bass guitarists require a tuner.
Fretless
Traditional bass guitars feature frets, but if you’re seeking something a bit different, fretless basses may be worth exploring. It essentially operates just like any regular bass but without frets to divide each string into different tones and facilitate chord and fingering patterns more easily. Jaco Pastorius made waves by doing just this on his signature instrument but this technique can also be applied to electric and upright basses.
Frets are metal strips that cut vibration of strings at specific points, creating specific notes. On fretted basses, your fingers must touch either above or below a fret in order to produce notes – the longer the length of vibration, the higher its pitch; with fretless basses however, your fingertips touch directly the string for greater control over what notes you play and their pitches.
Fretless basses typically boast more natural tones and warmer sounds compared to fretted basses, due to frets being composed of cold hard metal that affects how strings vibrate compared to your fingers being warm and soft which directly impact how fretless basses vibrate the strings. Furthermore, fretless bass players typically need not require as much accuracy in performing complex techniques like sliding harmonics and mutings when performing them on these fretless basses.
Though fretless basses offer many advantages, learning them may be more challenging than expected. Without frets to help maintain harmony and keep your notes in tune, accidental bends and strikes against frets become much easier; making for potentially uncomfortable buzzes when struck unexpectedly by strings or frets. With an experienced bass instructor and regular practice with other musicians though, fretless bass playing can be lots of fun!
If you’re keen on trying a fretless bass, we recommend calling your local music store and seeing if both fretted and fretless basses are for sale so you can experience both and determine which feels most suitable to you. Perhaps fretted guitar will suit your playing style more.
Bass Guitar Accessories
There are various accessories that can help make playing bass guitar easier, including straps and extra strings. Straps help secure your instrument while you play, with most models adjustable so you can find the best fit. Extra strings should always be kept handy just in case there are breaks in your strings during practice sessions; having spare sets on hand means less downtime due to replacing broken strings!
Instrument Case – Carrying around your instrument safely is vitally important, whether for bass lessons or gigs with your band. A quality case will protect it for many years to come and ensure its condition stays the same; gig bags provide lightweight alternatives that make transport easy for beginners.
An amplifier is an invaluable way to fully experience your bass guitar’s tones and sharpen your technique. There are numerous types of amps available with headphones so that you can play quietly without disturbing family or flatmates.
Guitar Picks – To maximize the versatility and unique sound of bass music, having different types and thicknesses of guitar picks is essential to creating your own signature style. By playing bass using fingers or plectrums, it’s essential that you stock a selection of various pick types that allow you to explore various sounds while creating unique playing experiences for yourself.
Power supply – An external power source is essential to those using pedals, as it will keep your pedals clean and prevent them from producing an unpleasant ‘hum’ noise caused by dirty power sources.
Bass cables – Bass cables connect your bass guitar to an amp, and can either be straight or coiled in length. A longer cable may prove more durable and handle higher frequency ranges more efficiently.
Other essential bass guitar accessories include a tuner to help ensure that your instrument remains in tune, string trees for holding down strings while making them easier to change, and guitar stands that make picking up and playing easier whenever desired.