Which bass guitar to buy

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! 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. However, should you want more budget-friendly option, the Epiphone models are available at a lower, but still reassuring price. The most legendary non-Fender style bass has got to be the famous Hofner violin bass , with its distinctive violin-shaped body. You know, used by some guy, who played it in some famous band from Liverpool In common with most of those different types of bass guitars, the Hofner has a narrower neck as well, but it's also much lighter than other basses.

It's a dream to play! We recommend a set of Rotosound Tru Bass 88 String Set strings to get that classic upright bass sound that is associated with this bass. Finally, at the most high-priced end of the spectrum, the Rickenbacker bass is certainly one of the most desirable instruments for any bassist. It's a very distinctive bass and one of the best money can buy. It looks and sounds awesome and a bass guitar buying guide would look weird if it didn't include this iconic bass!

There are two key features bass players love about the Rickenbacker bass. The first is the dual inputs, which mean you can split the signal of your bass into two different amps, with one amp running the bridge and another the neck pickup.

The second feature is the slimline neck. This can be a little off-putting to bass players who are used to the likes of a Fender, but you'll soon find that the slimmer design is easier to play and provides a particularly ergonomic, comfortable playing experience.

Here at PMT we have a great range of bass amps and fx pedals for your bass. We recommend you check our Bass Amplifiers section to find an amp that suits your needs - we stock bass amps to suit every situation, from small 10w amps for playing at home, to massive w rigs ideal for touring pros! In the past, bassists didn't have a great choice of effects pedals specially designed for them and usually had to use pedals originally meant for electric guitars.

They are a great addition to any bass player setup if you want to widen your bass' sonic palette. One of the best choices is to get yourself an Electro-Harmonix Big Muff - bassists love it! No bass guitar buying guide would be complete without it! Now that you know the basics We hope you enjoyed our bass guitar buying guide, but feel free to speak to our bass guitar experts at your local PMT store today should you have any other questions!

All new Ashdown bass guitars, amplifiers and pedals have been revealed ahead of NAMM Ashdown has finally joined the bass guitar game, releasing a selection We look at the differences between the Fender Precision Bass and the Fender Jazz Bass, so you can make the right choice for your sound So, These are some of the best bass amps in the world today.

We uncover the Top 9 Best Jazz bass guitars for Jazz musicians of all levels. With offerings from Fender, Ibanez, Sandberg and more. We try and find the best portable bass amp, and choose the 7 we feel are great for practice at home, rehearsals, busking and smaller gigs Bass The store will not work correctly in the case when cookies are disabled.

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How thick is the neck width? As you look at basses, check the width of the guitar neck. Some bass guitars have wider necks than others, and a younger player could benefit from having a narrower neck that is slightly less difficult to navigate. Different types of bass guitars There are several different t ypes of bass guitars.

Advantages of an electric bass guitar Availability in short scales, making them accessible for younger players. Frequent use in most popular styles of music and almost exclusively in rock and pop. Smaller size, making them easier to play than larger, acoustic models. Ability to produce a wide variety of tones, from smooth jazz to distorted heavy metal.

Amplification, allowing the sound to be more easily heard and shaped by effects pedals. Disadvantages of an electric bass guitar Additional accessories, which are often required and drive up the cost. Unsuitability to some styles like folk and world music. How to choose an acoustic bass guitar Acoustic bass guitars not to be confused with upright basses have the same shape and look as acoustic guitars. No need for amps. Disadvantages of an acoustic bass guitar Additional equipment, which is often required to be installed so the bass can plug into an amp or sound system in order to be heard while playing with a band.

Limited range of sounds and tones as compared to a solid-body electric bass. Should you play a 4-, 5-, or 6-string bass guitar? How to choose the correct bass size Choosing the best bass guitar size is an important consideration for any beginner.

Buying a new vs. Advantages of buying a new bass guitar State-of-the-art technology. Latest looks and trends. Advantages of buying a used bass guitar Vintage look and sound especially if the look is no longer available. Lower price depending on the brand. What are some affordable bass guitar brands? What are some more expensive bass guitar brands?

Should you buy an off-brand bass guitar? An amplifier is necessary for an electric bass guitar. Try to find one with a headphone jack for practice. Instrument cable. The instrument cable is used to connect your bass guitar to your amp. Make sure the cable is long enough to reach a chair or stool.

Headphones are great to plug in whenever you practice and can usually be plugged into an amp. This will keep it quiet for family or neighbors. Most electric bass guitars require a tuner that can be plugged into.

As a result, the neck is thicker and wider than a standard electric guitar to prevent the strings from touching or reverberating too closely to one another.

A five-string bass or six-string bass needs to have an even wider neck to accommodate the thickness of those strings. As a result, they may not be the best style of bass for a beginner or younger player with smaller hands to start with. When buying your first bass guitar, consider opting for a standard four-string bass.

Then, once you master four strings, you can challenge yourself by branching out into five- and six-string bass territory. When it comes to playing bass, tone is everything.

Part of the allure of playing bass is hearing a thick, booming sound produced, giving songs that awesome low-end rumble that lays down the rhythm of a song, giving it some soul. While pickups and string thickness play a role in producing the right tone, the type of wood that your bass guitar is made from is a critical factor in giving you a specific sound. Ash offers more of a bright tone with some snap to it along with long sustain.

Alder, on the other hand, offers a full, rich tone with plenty of low-end, warmth, and sustain. Its light weight makes alder one of the most coveted types of wood -- heavy on tone and comfortable to hold.

As a basswood, walnut offers medium tones across the board. It has a bite, but not quite as bright a tone as a wood like maple or ash. Mahogany is a striking basswood with an open grain that lends itself to a variety of appearances.

Its tone makes it a popular choice of bass tonewood for jazz and blues players. Maple has a bright tone with a bit of bite on the high end and great sustain. Due to its outstanding tonal properties. Learn more about the different types of tonewoods and how they impact the sound of your instrument:. For this reason, the size of a bass guitar is often one of the most important factors when it comes to determining how to choose a bass guitar.

To find out which size bass is the best fit for you, try standing or sitting while holding each bass guitar in playing position. Your hand should comfortably be able to reach the first fret with your elbow still feeling relaxed and comfortable.

A short-scale bass produces a rich, beefy sound thanks to the use of heavier gauge strings. There is no one singular feature that will make or break your decision to choose your first bass guitar. A lot of different factors will go into your decision. Here are a few pointers to keep in mind when buying a bass guitar for beginners to make things easier and more fun:.

Try out a few bass guitars and purchase the best one that fits within your budget. While flashy, fretless or 5- and 6-string basses may look cool, starting with the basics is the best way to learn. Choose a fretted bass guitar for easier learning.

Choose a bass guitar with a shape and color that appeals to you or feels like more of an extension of your personality. When buying a bass guitar for beginners, there are a few ways to take the guesswork out of finding the right instrument.

Here are some bass accessories that beginner players will need to get started:. Plugging in and practicing is a great way to hear all of the tonal capabilities of your bass guitar and help you hone your technique.