Buying an Electric Bass Guitar

A Little Background

The most recognized electric bass today is no doubt the Fender Precision. This bass has a single set of pickups located about half-way between the bottom end of the neck and the bridge. It has two controls for the tone and volume. The neck is usually considered somewhat thick and has a solid body. The Fender Jazz Bass is quite comparable to the Precision but has two pickups with 3 controls. It has a thinner neck. Most bass guitar manufacturers build a copy of the Fender basses.

 

The Electric Bass Body

Most solid-body guitars are made of wood like maple, ash, or alder. Less expensive bass guitars are sometimes made from plywood. New synthetic materials have been developed but generally not well-accepted by the purists. Since the solid body has no resonance it does not provide much to the tone quality of the bass itself. This allows the body shape to be radical and not specific to the sound of the instrument. When shopping for a bass make sure the body feels right for you. Try many different basses to see how they feel and where to have them on your body. Some bassists play with the bass almost sitting on their chest while others bend over with the bass nearly hitting the floor. It is nice to look cool, but playing the right notes is most important so make sure the bass feels right. Of course, appearance is always important.

The Bass Neck

Possibly the most important part of buying an electric bass is how the neck feels in your hand when you fret.  When trying out basses, be sure to pay close attention to the neck thickness, string spacing, and the length of the strings. If you have small hands look for a small neck and vice versa. This is not always appropriate but it is a great place to start to see what necks feel right. The standard bass guitar neck is 34″ long. Longer necks are available and different sizes of basses are available. Also, make sure the neck is straight. You can check this by holding the guitar like you are looking down the barrel of a rifle and site down the neck from the bottom to the bridge. If the neck is crooked, this is a problem you may not be able to correct with set up. Check this out, please.

Strings

The standard bass has 4 strings and is tuned like the first four strings of a 6-string guitar E-A-D-G. There are also 5 and 6-string basses available as more bassists have become interested in soloing and have more range. A 5-string bass is usually tuned B-E-A-D-G, and the standard 6-string is tuned B-E-A-D-G-C. Additional strings generally make the neck wider so make sure to try these out before buying. If you are buying a your fist bass get a four string and learn that. If you get to be a pro you need to know how to play it.

Frets and Fretless

The Fender Precision got its name because its frets allow for “precise” fingering unlike a cello for instance. If you are buying your first bass get a fretted bass. You will need the precise tuning from the fret placement to get started. Using a fretless bass demands that you know where the notes are on the bass and what each note should sound like in tune. Some people never get there, so make it easy on yourself. 

Purchasing the Bass

Before you put your hard earned money down, do your homework. If you live in town with guitar stores, then please go and try some out with the intention of learning and not buying anything. It is best to try as many basses as you can before deciding on what to buy. When you do definitely decide on a bass then your choices for places to buy are wide and differing. Buying online can usually save you money but you need to decide for yourself. If everyone buys online then the guitar shop you visited to decide on a bass will not be there. So, think it through.

If you are buying a bass for the first time, I recommend a four string, fretted one from a manufacturer whose name you recognize. This is the safest bet.

Thanks and good luck.

Written by Musicians-pal.com.