No matter if it’s your first bass guitar purchase or you are expanding an existing collection, several factors can impact its price, including materials, style and accessories.
Some bass guitars feature additional strings, making them more expensive than standard four string models. Furthermore, these basses may come equipped with different pickups that alter their tone.
Materials
Bass guitars are complex musical instruments with many intricate parts and components that work together to produce sound. Some of the key materials include body and neck wood as well as pickup materials – this material choice can have a significant effect on overall tone.
Maple, bubinga, rosewood and ash are among the many different wood types used in bass guitar construction; each offers its own distinct set of qualities. Maple is particularly well suited to necks and bodies due to its strength, rigidity and ability to transfer vibrations efficiently; other popular choices for this purpose are walnut, birch mahagony and acacia woods.
Basswood was long the go-to material for bass guitar bodies. A native North American hardwood, basswood can be found all across eastern North America from Nova Scotia in the north down to Florida in the south, as far west as Minnesota and East Texas. It’s strong yet light in color with straight grain patterns for easy playing bass guitar bodies.
Recently, numerous companies have begun employing synthetic materials in the production of basses. Graphite has become an increasingly popular material for necks and bodies due to its consistent sound qualities compared to natural wood that may contain dead spots that affect sound production; additionally, using man-made materials helps prevent deforestation.
A bass guitar bridge is another essential component. This large assembly holds all of the ends of each string in place and transforms their vibrations into higher force, lower amplitude vibrations on top of the instrument.
Bass guitars also contain several other components that make them more flexible than other musical instruments, including output jacks that allow them to connect directly with amps, as well as pickup selector switches, volume, and tone knobs that enable users to customize the sound according to personal taste.
Styles
Bass guitars come in all sorts of shapes, sizes and styles. Your choice can have an enormous influence on how it sounds; so it is wise to try different ones before making your purchase decision. Size also makes an impactful statement about comfort – typically full-size basses are longer than electric guitars so may require taller players in order to reach the first fret comfortably; beginners may find short student size bass models or 3/4 size models more appropriate.
Bass guitars are typically tuned with four strings; however, some players opt for five or six string basses for deeper tones. This type of tuning is popular among heavier genres of music such as metal or heavy rock and allows extended chords that add power and impact to musical tracks.
Pickup style on a bass can have a major impact on its final sound and price. Certain basses utilize humbucking pickups that produce rich low end sounds while single coil pickups offer brighter tones; these features may increase cost; therefore it’s essential that you understand which sound you desire before making a decision.
A bass guitar requires several essential accessories in order for it to operate optimally, including an instrument cable, strap, tuner and bag to store your instrument. Additionally, be sure to have extra sets of strings available should any run out during practice sessions.
New bass guitars tend to be more costly than used models, but buying new can have its advantages. If you are just beginning your bass playing journey, buying one new can ensure it meets both quality standards and your playing style perfectly. Furthermore, some manufacturers provide package deals which include the bass itself along with gig bag, strap and small amp – everything needed for getting you underway.
Brands
If you’re just getting started and not sure which bass to buy, it is wise to shop around a variety of models before settling on one. Be sure to consider what genre you wish to play as different basses can produce very distinct sounds; Precision basses tend to produce deeper tones while Jazz bass can offer greater versatility.
There is an expansive selection of brands producing bass guitars, from established major manufacturers like Fender and Gibson to smaller independent companies like Rickenbacker, Lakland and Warwick. Fender, Gibson and Yamaha remain dominant names in this sector but there are numerous alternatives. Notable options are Fender Jazz Precision basses as budget choices with its Jazz Precision series or more expensive Gibson Les Paul models available from both. Rickenbacker Lakland and Warwick models also boast distinctive designs.
An investment in a new bass guitar may cost quite a lot, but it is an effective way to start learning the instrument. Furthermore, most new basses come with warranties to protect you against defects or issues with the instrument.
Used bass instruments can be an affordable option that are often just as good as new. Used basses can be found both online and at musical instrument stores; private sellers also sell them. When purchasing used basses it is important to inspect its condition carefully for any scratches, dents or signs of wear and tear before making your decision.
When purchasing a used bass, it’s wise to inspect both its fretboard and neck carefully for signs of wear, as they tend to show wear first. Furthermore, inspecting pickups is also highly beneficial, as these devices sit beneath each string to “pick up” vibrations that create electric signals which are then passed along directly or routed through a preamp for additional volume and tone control.
Accessories
Add accessories to your bass guitar that can enhance its performance and make playing easier, such as straps, instrument cases and extra strings.
A high-quality strap isn’t simply a fashionable addition – it also helps you hold and position your bass guitar while you play it. In addition, spare strings may break during practice sessions so it is wise to have at least a backup set handy as well as a tuner to keep everything in tune while practicing on it with confidence – these tuners come in plug-in pedal or clip-on devices that easily store away in gig bags.
An amplifier is another essential accessory to enhance and adjust the tone of your bass guitar, from entry-level models to professional studio equipment. A quality cable should also be purchased to connect it directly to the amp in order to minimize interference and provide optimal results.
Bass guitars typically consist of four to five strings, though some bassists choose six string basses as well. When adding more strings to an instrument it requires a larger neck which increases cost as well as possibly needing higher gauge strings which increases cost further.
Are You Just Beginning Bass Guitar Lessons, or Looking to Step It Up? There Are Bass Guitars For Every Budget
If you’re just getting into bass playing, purchasing a starter kit that includes everything needed – bass guitar, amplifier, case, strap and extra strings – could save money and help find gear tailored to your specific needs. Plus you’ll have access to different styles so that you can try them all before selecting what best fits.