Great mom & pop vibes and packed to the brim with only high quality instruments. They also have a good selection of guitar effect pedals.
Slappers should love the EB-0’s passive pickup configuration; rockers will appreciate its humbucker in the neck position. Mahogany-bodied basses typically sound warmer and a little more mellow than alder or basswood basses.
Guitars
When selecting an electric bass, consider whether you’ll want an active or passive pickup. Active basses have an onboard preamp that uses a 9V battery to boost the bass’s signal and give it a range of tones. Passive basses do not use a battery, but instead allow their body to transmit sound through the strings and through your amplifier.
You’ll also need to decide what type of bass you prefer, such as a long or medium scale. Long-scale basses are the industry standard, with a 34″ string length that gives them the deep tone and power required for bass instruments. Medium-scale basses have a 32″ string length and are more manageable for beginners or those with smaller hands.
Once you’ve settled on a bass, consider what type of wood it will be made from. Bass guitars are often made from mahogany, alder, or basswood, which each offer different tones and characteristics. Mahogany is typically warm and smooth, with a full, well-rounded tone; alder basses have a crisper high-end, while basswood has a balanced, midrangey sound with a solid low-end.
If you’re in the market for a budget bass, check out Yamaha’s TRBX series. They’re a great entry-level bass for beginners, with a mahogany body and a passive EQ that lets your fingers do the work of shaping its tones. Another affordable option is Epiphone’s EB-0 bass, which offers a big plank of mahogany and a simple, passive pickup that leaves all the tonal magic up to you. If you’re looking to branch out into more exotic tonewoods, try Yamaha’s GB20 model. Its mango veneer on a solid mahogany body gives it a pseudo-boutique vibe that’s sure to spark some jazz-fusion inspiration in your playing.
Basses
Basses are the lower-frequency counterparts to guitars, providing that deep bass tone that provides rhythm and harmony. Whether you are looking for a thunderous five-string to slap around, or an understated classic, there are basses to suit any style of music. From a simple BB bass to an expensive fretless model, there are lots of options at your local guitar shop.
You may be able to find basses in many different price ranges, but the most expensive models come with a lot of extras. For example, the fingerboard on this Ritter R-Bass is inlaid with flowers made of 24-karat gold. The tuning pegs, bridge, and knobs are also made of gold. To top it off, the nut is made from ivory from a 10,000-year-old Siberian Mammoth.
The most common type of bass is a fretted bass. This has a neck with steel frets dividing each half step of the chromatic scale into notes, making it easier to find the right notes for any chord. Some players prefer a fretless bass, which has no frets and is similar to an upright bass or violin. While it may be harder to play, it can give you a smoother sound and more natural feel.
Another popular type of bass is a short-scale guitar, which has a smaller neck and body and can be more comfortable to hold for younger players. One great option is the Yamaha BB435 Bass, which features a slimmer neck and 34-inch scale that make it easy to play for beginners or improvers. It also has two M3 humbucking pickups, giving you the ability to dial in both low end rumble and warm and mellow bass tones.
There are also a number of affordable basses to choose from. For example, the Ibanez SR420 is an excellent choice for beginners because of its affordability and high-quality construction. It also has a good-quality body and a maple and mahogany bolt-on neck. This bass also has an EQ that gives you a variety of tones.
Ibanez is another bass company that is known for its quality instruments and diverse range of styles. They are a great choice for beginner bassists or improvers who want to get into the more advanced styles of bass. Their RockBass series is a great choice for those who want an affordable bass guitar with excellent quality, and the Ibanez Artist line is for those who need a professional-level bass at an even more reasonable price.
Electronics
Basses produce their sound through their pickups, which convert vibrations from the string to electrical signals. There are two types of basses: passive, which rely on the strings themselves to create their tone, and active, which have onboard preamps that boost the signal with one or more 9V batteries for extra range of tone. Passive basses are cheaper and easier to maintain, but they can lack some of the high-end clarity that professional players require.
Choosing the right pickups is important for your style of music, and there are many options to consider. A bassist can choose between humbucking and single-coil pickups, as well as whether or not the instrument should have a tone control. Most bass guitar shops carry both active and passive basses, so you can experiment to find your perfect instrument.
The most iconic bass is arguably the Music Man StingRay, which has been the bass of choice for bassists since its introduction in 1976. The StingRay is a Leo Fender design, and it is the epitome of precision, quality, and durability. Its hardware is solid, with a Saddle-Lock bridge and open-backed tuners. The pickups are the real standout feature – a pair of custom-designed humbuckers with a 3-band EQ allow you to dial in just about any bass tone you can imagine, from thick and warm low-end to elastic bounce in the upper mids to baritone twang with the treble turned up.
The RBX series of basses is the latest from Music Man, and it takes the company’s experience in building lightweight acoustic instruments to the next level. These basses are designed to be as light as possible without sacrificing the acoustic resonance that makes them a popular choice for working musicians. Each bass is made from a blend of lightweight woods, including maple and birch. The RBX basses also have an active 18V pickup and EQ, which allows you to control the frequency response of the bass.
Accessories
Many guitarists need accessories to help with practice, performance and storage. Some examples include comfortable straps to sling a bass over your shoulder or guitar stands to keep the instrument secure when it’s not being played. Guitar effect pedals are a popular accessory that can dramatically alter the sound of any guitar. Many of these are made by small manufacturers in the USA.
Collings Guitars (Austin, TX): acoustic and electric guitars and basses, made in Austin. (Factory tours Fridays.) Available at local music retailers. Dean Markley Strings (Santa Clara, CA): acoustic and electric strings, made in Kalamazoo, MI. (Use dealer locator.)
Most guitar stores offer a setup service either at time of purchase or within the first year of ownership. This includes adjusting action, neck bow and intonation to make the bass easier to play.
No band is complete without a bassist’s silky-smooth notes. At Sweetwater, you’ll find everything from traditional 4-string basses to 5-string and 6-string models for a variety of genres.
4-String
The 4-string bass guitar is the most common bass in bands and is ideal for beginner musicians. It is tuned one octave lower than the standard guitar with 4 strings: E, A, D, G. Many bassists also choose to add a 5 or even 6-string bass to their arsenal to further extend their tonal range.
Having more strings is a great way to add more low end to your sound and can be beneficial for some styles of music. Bassists who want a little more output from their bass may opt for a 5-string or a bass with humbucking pickups, as these offer more aggression and distortion to their tone.
If you are not sure how many strings you need, try playing a few different basses to see which one feels best for you. Keep in mind, that if you can lay down a good foundation for your music it won’t matter how many strings are on your bass.
A great way to help you stay in tune is with an electronic tuner that clips onto your bass and senses the vibrations of the string. These are inexpensive, easy to use and accurate. You can find them at most music stores, practice amplifiers and some electronics stores.
The Rickenbacker 4003S isn’t everyone’s cup of Lapsang Souchong, but for those who do become smitten it has earned a solid reputation for its durability, sound and value. It’s a bass that has been embraced by a wide variety of styles and players from Lemmy to Geddy Lee to Chris Squire. This is one of the most affordable and versatile bass guitars you can buy today. It’s fitted with a pair of Nordstrand Big Single pickups, which are like supercharged single coils and give you the ability to cover vintage tones or more modern, heavier styles of music.
5-String
No band is complete without a bassist to anchor the low end and provide silky smooth bass lines. Whether you’re looking for traditional 4-string basses, 5-string basses or even 6-string bass guitars, we have the best basses for sale at Sweetwater. Explore basses from trusted brands like Ibanez, Fender and Schecter to find the perfect bass for your music genre and playing style.
For those wanting more low-end presence from their bass guitar, a 5-string bass is the way to go. Adding an extra string to the bass means that you can lower your tunings to create some really deep and heavy sounds. This is a great option for rock, metal and other heavier styles of bass.
With a 5-string, you’ll also want to ensure that your amp and cabinet can handle the additional low frequencies. Ideally, a sealed cabinet with larger speakers will be able to handle the lower frequencies that come with an added low B string (typically around 31 Hz).
When you’re ready to take your bass sound to the next level, consider a fretless bass. Fretless bass guitars do not use any frets to mark pitches on the fingerboard, so they have a different tone than traditional basses. The lack of frets makes for a quicker response when changing strings, as well as a more natural feel when playing.
The best fretless bass guitars for sale at Sweetwater include the Ibanez FSB5FH, a fantastic 5-string bass with a classic P-style split coil pickup in combination with a J-style bass pickup to give you plenty of options sonically. This bass also comes with a 3-band EQ section that allows you to control the bass, middle and high frequencies to fine-tune your bass tone and how it sits in a mix.
6-String
Whether you’re into the atmospheric goth rock of The Cure’s Robert Smith or power pop of Cheap Trick and Nick Lowe, bassists who play 6-string electric basses have a wide variety of musical styles they can play. These guitars offer a deeper sound than their 4-string counterpart, and are an excellent option for beginners looking to advance their rhythmic chops.
While the additional strings can make a 12-string bass more challenging to play, many beginners find that their fingers and muscles adapt quickly. Additionally, the wide neck of a bass guitar will be less uncomfortable than that of a regular acoustic guitar, which can be hard on the shoulders and back.
The extra string can also add a unique quality to the tone of your bass, which can enhance your musical expression and give you a distinct “sparkle” that you may not get with a 4-string. However, the added string can also add a bit of complexity to your playing, as you will need to learn to tune each individual string by hearing its reference pitch and adjusting it accordingly.
To ensure you’re getting the best bass for your money, always be sure to visit your local music store in person and try out your options before making a purchase. This will help you determine which instrument suits your needs and preferences the most, and if you’re a beginner, you can see how comfortable it is to hold and play. Additionally, you’ll be able to assess whether the instrument is balanced well and can be easily played with proper technique. Once you’ve found the perfect bass, you can start exploring its tonal versatility and master your skills!
Acoustic
Acoustic bass guitars are a great option for players looking to add more range to their setup. While they’re not ideal for drop-tuned metal sets, acoustic basses offer a lot of flexibility and versatility for any musical genre or jamming session. From traditional 4-string acoustic basses to 5- and 6-string models, there’s a wide selection of acoustic bass guitars available for musicians.
While acoustic basses have their devoted followers, they’re generally considered more niche instruments than the other bass guitar types. This is because they’re not designed to project much volume when played unplugged. This is why many acoustic basses come equipped with an in-built amplifier that helps them project a fuller sound when played plugged in.
When it comes to choosing a bass, the key is finding one that suits your musical style and fits within your budget. It’s also important to consider the overall quality of construction and the tone produced by the instrument. You’ll also want to look for an acoustic bass that offers good playability and is durable. Some popular acoustic bass brands include Fender, Yamaha, Ibanez and ESP.
The acoustic basses sold in music stores near me are not only a great choice for bassists looking to expand their musical range, but they’re also an excellent option for anyone who wants to play bass without the need for amplified sound. Whether you’re looking for an acoustic bass for the campfire or just casual practice at home, there are several great options available from leading manufacturers like Music Man, Breedlove, Dean and Cort. In addition to acoustic basses, you’ll find acoustic-electric models that combine the best of both worlds. These guitars allow you to plug in and produce a louder sound, or unplug to play in a more intimate setting.
Bass Packages
Bass guitars are often sold in starter packages that include all the accessories you need to get started. This includes an instrument case, a strap and extra strings. The instrument case helps protect the bass from scratches and damage. It also makes it easy to transport the bass between rehearsals and performances. The strap keeps the bass in place while you play, which can help you keep your hands and body relaxed. Extra strings ensure you can replace any that break during practice or performance.
Many basses are made of maple, a hardwood that produces a clear sound with a good amount of sustain. Other popular woods include ebony, mahogany and rosewood. These woods produce a variety of tones, from smooth jazz to distorted heavy metal. Electric bass guitars can be played acoustically or plugged into an amp for a louder, fuller sound. Acoustic bass guitars are more common in styles like folk and world music, and they tend to have a more woody, natural sound than their electric counterparts.
Regardless of the type of bass you choose, it’s important to buy a quality instrument. Beginners should avoid off-brand options and instead go for a name brand that will make them feel confident and inspired to practice. It’s also a good idea to opt for a standard four-string bass, which is easier to learn on and is commonly used in rock and pop songs. More advanced musicians may decide to branch out into five- or six-string basses, which offer an expanded range of notes that are particularly suited to certain genres.
Other features of a bass include a string tree, which holds the strings down, and fret markers, which are small dots that indicate where to put your fingers on the fretboard. You’ll also need an output jack to plug the bass into your amplifier, and a tuning peg, which adjusts the tension of the strings.