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You'll find bass guitars for every skill level and playing style in this section. If you're a beginner, you'll love an option like the Yamaha RBX170 Bass or the Epiphone Thunderbird IV Bass. These bass guitars offer great tone and style all at a price you can easily afford.
Bass guitars have become a necessity in almost every music genre, whether adding silky-smooth bass lines or following the root note to each chord change. Here at Sweetwater, we carry traditional 4-string bass guitars, extended-range basses, acoustic basses, left-handed models, and much more.
Apr 7, 2024 · Lessons. Bass Player. How to play bass guitar for beginners: start playing today. By Nick Wells. ( Bass Player ) published 7 April 2024. From basic finger techniques to slap bass, here’s what you need to get started on your bass guitar journey. (Image credit: Getty Images)
- Nick Wells
- Tonewoods Compared
- 4, 5, Or 6 strings?
- Short-Scale vs. Long-Scale
- Fretted vs. Fretless
- Acoustic Bass Guitars
- Passive vs. Active Pickups
- Bolt-On vs. Neck-Through
- Precision vs. Jazz Basses: Which Is Right For Me?
- What to Look For in A Bass Guitar
- Get Started with A Bass Guitar from Sweetwater Today!
Several factors determine the tonal properties of wood. Most luthiers believe that the wood chosen for the top is the most critical factor in determining the quality of the tone of the instrument. It is also interesting to note that the wood takes on different characteristics depending on where it is on the bass guitar. But wood species can be resp...
It’s tempting to say that if you need to ask, then you’re better off sticking to a traditional 4-string bass. Regular 4-string basses have, by design, narrower necks than 5- or 6-string basses and are tuned in standard E-A-D-G format; this makes them easier to learn to play on. However, there are some styles of music that favor 5-string basses. Mod...
Basses come in numerous scale lengths (the distance between the nut and the bridge). The most common scale length, long-scale, is 34 inches, as popularized by classic bass models like P and J Basses. Short-scale basses are basses with a scale length of fewer than 31 inches. Short-scale basses are ideal for young players, players with small hands, a...
There are two fretboard layouts to choose from when looking for a bass guitar: fretted and fretless. A fretted neck is the standard guitar neck, with steel frets dividing each half step of the chromatic scale. This makes finding the right notes much easier, especially if you are starting out on the instrument. A fretless bass, however, features a n...
If you’re looking for a bass guitar but don’t want to use an amp, then an acoustic bass guitarmight be for you. Like an acoustic 6-string guitar, an acoustic bass produces sound through a resonant hollowbody. This allows you to play unplugged with a full-bodied, robust sound, which is sometimes more appropriate for acoustic music. However, many dif...
There are two kinds of bass guitar pickupsto choose from. Passive pickups, which have been around since the beginning of the electric bass, provide you with a dynamic sound and a warm, full tone. The downside to passive pickups is that they give you less overall control over the tone of your instrument. That isn’t necessarily bad; if you like your ...
Some controversy exists about which construction style is best for bass guitars. The bolt-on neck design is the more common and traditional construction method in which the neck is a separate piece of wood bolted onto the body. An essential advantage of this design is the ability to replace the neck if damaged. In a neck-through design, the bass gu...
Fender’s Precision Basses and Jazz Bassesdominate the world of bass guitars — and that’s no accident! Leo Fender and his small crew invented the first electric bass guitar more than 50 years ago. And though there have been many changes to both models over the past 50 years, the new P Bass or J Bass you buy today still carries on the tradition of th...
Body Style
Electric bass guitars are most commonly solidbody electrics. Although, a few semi-hollowbodies are available for a rounder and more acoustic sound.
Neck
Choosing the type of neck your bass should have depends on your hand size and feel preference. Necks come in several shapes: round, oval, flat back, “vee,” and asymmetrical (thinner on the bass or treble side).
Scale Length
Longer necks provide a more defined sound on the low strings, while a shorter scale is acceptable for 4-string basses and is suitable for smaller hands.
Whether you’re a beginner shopping for your first instrument or a seasoned player scoping out your next 4-string or extended-range electric bass, Sweetwater has the bass of your dreams! Shop our vast selection of basses from all the top brands, and if you’d like personalized shopping advice, then please reach out to one of our knowledgeable Sweetwa...
Mar 5, 2024 · Features. Best bass guitars 2024: long and short-scale bass options for beginners to pros. By Jonathan Horsley. Contributions from. Simon Fellows. last updated 5 March 2024. Our pick of the world’s finest low-end monsters, with the best bass guitars from Fender, EBMM, Yamaha and more… Jump To: Quick list. Best on a budget. Affordable 5 string.
In This Guide. Why Learn to Play Bass Guitar? Is Bass Guitar Easy to Learn? Choosing a Bass Guitar That’s Right for You. Bass Checklist for Beginners. How to Tune a Bass Guitar. Bass Finger Techniques for Beginners. How to Play Bass Chords. How to Play Bass Scales. How to Practice Bass for Beginners. Learn a Song on Bass Guitar.
