So you want to be a bassist. The bassist is a vital role in any band: You set the groove, and you bring the thump. From rock stars like Flea and Paul McCartney to legendary jazz bass players like Charles Mingus and Jaco Pastorius, many musicians have found enormous success as masters of the bass guitar.
If you’ve decided playing bass guitar is your path, it’s important to invest in an instrument that will give you everything you need now but also provide room to grow as your skill develops. Here are a few key things to keep in mind as you shop for a new bass guitar.
Number of strings
Bass guitars can have four, five or six strings, but four-string basses are the most common and the easiest for beginners to learn on. As the number of strings increases, the instrument adds greater range, but the width of the neck also increases to accommodate the extra strings. Beginners, kids, and bass players with smaller hands will have an easier time with a four-string bass guitar.
Type of wood
Beginner bass players may not be as particular about the type of wood used for their instrument, but it’s important to know wood plays a critical role in the tone of an instrument. A wood’s inherent density and resonance will impact the sound of your music, adding brightness or richness. For example, mahogany has a warmer sound, while maple exudes crispness. Some woods such as ash may be a bit more expensive, but the sound quality they offer will be worth it in the long run.
Fretted or fretless neck?
As you shop you’ll need to choose between a fretted or a fretless neck. Fretted basses are standard because frets (aka fingerboards) make it easier to find the notes you want to play. For beginners, frets are important, but as you become more experienced, you may enjoy the smoother transitions you can get from using a fretless bass.
Acoustic or electric bass guitar?
Electric bass guitars are what you may initially think of when you picture a bass. That said, acoustic basses certainly exist and are a great option if you want a resonant sound without plugging in to an amp.
The acoustic bass doesn’t quite have that rock and roll visual style, but they have a great sound and can be used in a variety of settings. If you want more flexibility, you can get the best of both worlds by choosing an acoustic bass with an electric pickup and still plug into an amp whenever you want. One such example is the Ortega Guitars KTSM-5 Signature Series 5-String acoustic bass.
Single coil or humbucker?
Most bass pickups use a magnet to capture the vibrations of the strings and turn them into an electronic signal to be played through an amplifier. While there are several kinds of electromagnetic pickups, the two you’ll find most frequently are the single coil and the humbucker (double coil).
Single coil pickups have one magnet and deliver a brighter sound, but they also can have a bit more hum. Humbuckers introduce a second coil that helps cancel the hum by capturing the sound from two locations.
Passive or active electronics?
The pickup in an electric bass guitar is the electronic circuitry in the instrument itself. Passive pickups are the original style, allowing you to play softly for a softer sound, or more aggressively for a more intense sound. Active pickups provide more customization of sound with an additional power source (a battery in the bass guitar) and switches and knobs for controlling low, mid, and high frequencies.
Consider your budget
Once you’ve determined which features are the most important, the last step is finding a bass guitar that matches your budget. Are you willing to compromise the type of wood for better electronics? Are you hoping for a high-end quilted top, or neck inlays, or are you willing to compromise and go for something less flashy to save money? There are hundreds of options to choose from, so think about what matters most and you’ll quickly zero in on the best bass guitar for you.
At Adorama, we can help you find the right bass guitar to meet your needs, whether you’re a seasoned vet or just starting out. Check out these classic models and find the best fit for you:
Ibanez SR Gio GSR200B 4-String electric bass guitar ()
This high-quality and affordable Ibanez bass is the perfect pick for newcomers, and it sounds and plays better than other options in its price range.
Squier Affinity Series Bronco bass guitar ()
Whether you’re new to the bass, play it as a side instrument, or prefer the short-scale design, there’s a lot to love about this budget-friendly Squier model.
Fender American Original ’60s jazz electric bass guitar ()
Longtime players love the look and feel of this eye-catching Fender jazz bass, which ships with a vintage-style hardshell case to protect your investment.
