How to Select an Electric Bass

There are many types of bass guitars on the market, and your choice ultimately depends on your own tastes and preferences. Here is a checklist to follow at the music store.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Electric Bass
• Guitar Cables
• Guitar Cases
• Guitar Picks
• Guitar Stands
• Guitar Straps
• Strings For Bass
• Bass Amplifiers

1. Determine your budget. Decide how much you are willing to spend for your instrument.

2. Go to a reputable music store and find the salesperson who is most knowledgeable about bass guitars.

3. Let the sales clerk explain the differences between different types and models. Don't talk prices until you know what you want.

4. Try the instrument you are interested in on a bass amp.

5. Set the volume to a level that will give you a realistic sound.

6. Listen for buzzing or hissing while you are plucking the strings. If buzzing occurs, check the amp first. If there is nothing wrong with the amp, there might be a problem with the bass pickup.

7. Check to see if the instrument has both tone and volume controls.

8. Turn the volume control. Listen for a smooth transition from soft to loud sound when you turn the knob.

9. Make sure the control knobs are placed in a way that makes them easy to manipulate.

10. Sit down and let the bass rest on your lap. Make sure it feels comfortable.

11. Feel the weight of the neck. Is it balanced well with the body of the instrument? If it feels too heavy, you'll probably experience arm and shoulder pain after extended periods of playing.

12. Make sure the fingerboard is comfortable for you - neither too narrow nor too broad for your fingers.

13. Determine if you prefer a through-body to a bolt-on neck. Neither one is inherently better than the other, but a bolt-on neck can be removed from the body for repairs (which you should always leave to the experts).

14. Ask what kind of wood the body is made of. Dark woods like mahogany may give you a slightly fuller tone than light woods like pine. The differences aren't really that great, though, and heavier wood will put more strain on your shoulders.

15. Select the body finish that appeals to you most, but bear in mind that lacquer chips off easily.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not let price be your first and only consideration, especially if you are planning to play professionally. If you want to be happy with the instrument you've bought for years to come, stay away from guitars that fall short of your expectations as far as looks, craftsmanship, sound quality and ease of playing are concerned.

[jacohead]

on 12/18/2006 When selecting a bass guitar, always play them through the same amplifer; practice 1/2 hour daily; ask bass players that you admire alot of questions; spend money on bass guitar lessons from a giging bass teacher - not a guitar teacher who teaches bass on the side ( there's a difference); learn to SING; decide if you want to play bass or a girlfriend (they'll put up with it for awhile); never sell your bass unless you're upgrading (you'll regret it); get a reputation that you'll be there on time for practice or a gig - that they can count on you; know the songs in different keys, don't cop an attitude; bring a back up bass in case your bass goes out on you in the middle of a song; dance around on stage and smile; learn different types of music, have a dependable ride like a van or station wagon that doesn't announce you have a bass in there; subscribe to Bass Player magazine; go to YouTube.com and listen to different players for free = Good Luck!

on 2/10/2006 Wood selection can actually make a huge difference in sound quality. Be sure to ask about the woods used in the manufacturing of a bass; what is the body made of? What is the neck made of? Heavy woods (such as ovangkol, bubinga, and even maple) will produce fuller, fatter tone (particularly on the low ranges). While this will incur the penalty of being heavier, a player can offset this by using a more comfortable strap and making sure that the body of the bass is balanced with the neck.

on 11/22/2005 Make sure you don't buy a bass just because a friend told you to. Spend your time trying out different basses and choose the one that you are most comfortable with.

on 11/22/2005 If you are just starting out or looking for another axe for your arsenal, Fender never fails. P-basses are common and good for beginners. The high action makes your fingers stronger, and the low end is killer. I'm biased towards J-basses because I play a Fretless jazz bass, and they are just a lot faster. There's also P&J, which I consider the best of both worlds if you can't pick between the two. Remember, whatever sounds best to you is what matters.

on 11/22/2005 Play the bass standing up with a strap to see if it balances well. A neck-heavy bass often slides down, and is harder to play than one that stays in a natural position.