Bass guitar

Bass guitar features and specifications

Before you buy a bass guitar you need to know the features that would suit your playing style. Now there are variations in a bass guitar from the typical standard four string bass. They are being manufactured as 5-string bass or 6–string bass and have become very popular.

Difference between a bass and regular guitar

For a novice a bass guitar and a regular guitar may appear to be the same. Bass guitar can be played with a pick like a normal guitar and also with fingers. A bass guitar has more string thickness, longer necks and bigger bodies than regular guitars. The slapping style is a unique feature linked to bass guitar popularity.

What is your skill level?

Recommendations are that before buying a bass guitar you determine your skill level on playing a guitar. A bass guitar can cost you a lot if it is customized but it’s also available at affordable prices for beginner skill levels.

A double bass guitar or a fretless bass is ideal to play for jazzy music. But a bass guitar is not necessarily limited to a one type music playing. Versatile bass can provide varying styles for guitar players who know their stand. Short middle or long scale necks are some of the choices available when buying a bass guitar and must be selected according to the preference of your playing style.

Types of bass guitars

The different types you’ll find in a bass guitar list are acoustic, fretted or fretless, electric, medium, short or long scale bass guitar or a 4-, 5- or 6 string guitar.

Electric bass

The very popular type of bass guitar is the electric bass. It has a solid body and has to be plugged into an amplifier. So buying an electric bass would mean you must get a bass amplifier. If you want to sound like the concert guitarist you were recently inspired by then an electric bass guitar will be the best choice. This guitar is well suited to live performances and for recordings.

Acoustic bass

An acoustic bass guitar has a hollow body with a hole for the vibrating sound to pass through. Brands such as Dean, Fender and Washburn are renowned in the acoustic bass guitar list.

The other type is the acoustic electrical which is an acoustic bass guitar with an option to be plugged into an amplifier for larger volumes. A semi acoustic bass guitar is violin shaped and has is hollow only partially. To get an acoustic bass guitar, go for a bigger version for the best quality sound.

According to your convenience and playing styles, a left and right handed bass guitar type is available. However left handed basses have fewer varieties.

Precision and jazz bass

A bass guitar may be a P-bass or a J-bass. Precision bass and jazz bass guitars mostly have c-shaped neck. But the neck shape varies according to preferences of different players. The p-bass has a neck with consistent thickness and as it moves down towards the nut its neck tapers. The jazz bass guitar has a prominently narrow neck near the nut for easy finger management.