What To Look For When Buying A Bass Guitar [PORTABLE]
Electric bass guitars are great because they give you a lot of freedom. You can change your volume, your tone, the mix of your frequencies, and more depending on the amplifier. They also allow for the use of effects pedals that can completely change your sound or add just a little more power and distortion.
what to look for when buying a bass guitar
Acoustic Bass- Many people fail to realize that bass guitars can be acoustic. Acoustic basses produce sound by sending vibrations into the paddle (a pickup like object that the strings run into). The paddle then sends the vibration into the soundboard (located inside the hollow body) which amplifies the vibration to create a sound.
The biggest downside of an acoustic bass is that the hollow body makes them harder to play. It can be more difficult to reach your fingers around the thicker neck, and for those who pluck the strings there are fewer places to place your thumb when playing. Overall though, an acoustic bass is great for beginners looking to just get into bass playing or for those who find themselves outdoors often.
Acoustic-Electric Bass- An acoustic electric bass is a hollow bass that also has pickups (which means it can be plugged into an amp). This type of bass is often used by bassists who want the easiness of a pickup and play acoustic, but also want to perform at gigs and shows (which requires amplified sound to keep up). Obviously, the sound of an acoustic electric differs from a normal electric bass, even when plugged in.
Which bass you choose will be based on what your needs and wants are in terms of playing. Remember that you can always try different basses at the best guitar store to get a better idea of what type is right for you.
The materials that make up the body of the bass guitar can have a significant impact on the sound produced by the guitar. One of the biggest considerations when buying a bass guitar is the tone wood it is made out of.
Tone wood to certain types of wood materials that enhance the sound and tones produced by a bass guitar. Tone woods are often separated into harder and softer woods, with each producing different styles of sound.
The first thing to consider when looking at bass guitar bodies is whether you want a solid or hollow body. Solid bodies are those that are made of solid wood, while hollow bodies are hollowed out (just like acoustic guitars). Both of these body types have different effects on aesthetics and sound.
Another aspect of bass construction is the type of neck that is used. The neck is the part of the bass that connects the body of the bass with the headstock (where the tuners are located). There are three common necks found on most bass guitars. This includes the bolt-on neck, the thru-body neck, and the set neck.
Each type of neck affects the sound and design of the bass and may also change the upkeep and longevity of your bass as well. Before we get into the different types of necks, you should also know that each neck can come in different widths and sizes. This is another great reason to try guitars at the local guitar store to see which neck size works best for your hand size.
In terms of bass guitars pickups are usually magnetic pickups. Magnetic pickups use magnetic fields to pick up the vibrations from strings. The following are a few examples of magnetic pickups, how they work, and how they will add to your sound:
As you can see, buying a bass often involves a lot of choices and considerations. We hope that this article has helped you hone in on what kind of bass you are looking for. Remember to really think about what your ideal sound and tone are, as that will greatly affect the type of bass and strings you are looking for. If nothing else, you can always go to your local guitar shop and ask to try different basses to find the right one for you.
There are so many beginner bass guitars to choose from, but luckily for you, we can point you in the right direction. In this blog post we introduce some things you should look out for when browsing through the countless bass guitars music stores and online marketplaces have to offer. We also give a few examples of what we think are among the best beginner bass guitars out there.
To get you started on your hunt for the best beginner bass guitars, our team at Yousician has collected a few good recommendations to consider. These beginner basses have been tested by the expert bass players in our team. The beginner bass guitars in this list are also great for playing bass in a number of music genres, making them great entry level instruments for all aspiring bass players.
If so, you probably are wondering where to start looking. The good news is that you have come to the right place by reading this article. Detailed below is everything you need to consider when it comes to buying bass guitars.
You are not alone in your interest in the instrument. In fact, guitars and bass guitars generate over a $1.3 billion revenue each year. That means that you shouldn't have any trouble finding a bass guitar.
The question at this point is what exactly that bass guitar should look like. Don't worry if you're a beginner - there is always room for growth. Get started now, and in no time, you will be playing like a champ.
If you are gifting a bass guitar for an expert player, consider investing in a bass guitar that is more of a collectible. For example, look into the many options of vintage bass guitars available. One of these could be a real treasure for a bass enthusiast.
If you're buying one for a newbie (even if that newbie is yourself), then start small. A player should be able to get the feel of a basic bass guitar before handling an overcomplicated or super expensive model.
These guitars usually don't offer a lot of options for modifying sounds. For example, some bass guitars come with open tuning machines. The unfortunate side of these features is that they require a lot more maintenance and care.
Before you learn anything else, you need to understand the structure of a bass guitar. Knowing the purpose of each different peace will help you understand what to look for. If any of these parts are damaged on the guitar you are interested in, it would not be worth your purchase.
The wood used to build the bass guitar might be its most significant quality. For beginners, it's suggested to buy one made from the versatile, yet affordable, agathis. Ask is also a popular wood used since it is easy to maintain.
If you are ready to find the style of bass guitar that you know you want, look no further. We are here to match you with the absolute best bass guitar of your dreams. Check out our varying options of bass guitars available on our website today.
The abundance of epic bass guitars does make it somewhat harder, though. So just how do you choose the right one for you? Well, luckily, we've done the hard work for you. We've searched high and low for the best bass guitars out there; some will be more affordable, and some will be pricey, but we've made sure to include basses for all budgets and playing styles. We've included basses from the likes of Fender, Music Man, Yamaha, and others, each offering excellent playability and great value within their price range.
In this next section, we'll discuss the MAIN types of bass guitars thar are relied upon by bass players all over the world. Of course, this list is not exhaustve but it will give you a comprehensive guide to the main types of bass guitars available.
Arguably, the most popular types of bass guitar are the ones designed by Fender - the Jazz Bass and the Precision Bass. Both models are excellent and used by pros worldwide. Their designs spawned many copies, but, of course, nothing beats an authentic Fender!
If you choose to play a Fender Precision Bass, you'll be playing the most classic, legendary type of bass, that has changed very little in 60-years! No bass guitar buying guide is complete without one!
For beginners, Eastcoast bass guitars are a great choice - they're good quality and very affordable! Other good brands to choose from include Squier and Epiphone Bass guitars
The Fender Jaguar bass is another style of bass guitar relied upon by players all over the world. Although it's not a particularly common bass guitar to see, it's definitely an incredible option for the discerning payers out there.
Another great "rock'n'roll" bass guitar, the Fender Mustang bass has a narrow neck and short scale. Bill Wyman also played a short-scale Mustang bass, like Mikey Way (My Chemical Romance), Dee Dee Ramone (Ramones), Carl Wilson (Beach Boys), Rhys Webb (The Horrors) and Tina Weymouth of Talking Heads.
It's very comfortable to play, and features upgraded pickups: one Jazz Bass pickup and one P-Bass pickup - the new Fender Mustang bass is pretty much like a bass guitar "best of" from Fender!
The Thunderbird bass is perhaps the most "rock'n'roll" of all bass guitars! The Gibson Thunderbird seems a top choice for bassists in loud rock bands: this type of bass was played by Tom Hamilton (Aerosmith), Nikki Sixx (Motley Crue), Kris Novoselic (Nirvana), Adam Clayton (U2), John Entwistle (The Who), Jared Followill (Kings of Leon) and Kim Gordon (Sonic Youth). So you're in good company when you pick one of these up.
The dual humbucking pickups within these bass guitars offer a versatile, yet instantly recognisable tone. You can really hear the Thunderbird bass on recordings as they seem to cut through the mix far more than most bass guitars out there.
Although this is a regular scale bass guitar at 34" long, when playing it does give the illusion that your neck is a lot longer than other bass guitars. This is down to the wider frets, which can feel a little weird at first, but you'll find that you get used to it and start enjoying the freedom wider frets can bring. The Gibson models can fetch a higher price and are some of the best expensive bass guitars in the world, so expect to pay for it. 041b061a72