Bass Guitars
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Bass guitars are similar to traditional acoustic and electric guitars, but
they have larger bodies as well as longer neck and scale lengths.
The acoustic bass is similar to an acoustic guitar while the
electric bass is like an electric guitar.
The bass guitar usually has four strings, compared to the six strings of a regular guitar, although bass guitars can have five or six strings as well. On a standard, four-string bass, the strings are tuned at E, A, D, and G. The strings are tuned an octave lower in pitch, in the bass range. Hence the name "bass" guitar! Strings can be made of metal, metal covered in another material such as resin or plastic, or a non-metal such as nylon.
The bass guitar evolved from the violin family's upright double bass, but
is used in a much wider array of music styles than its predecessor.
By the late 1940s, as louder music was becoming popular, some bass players
fitted pickups to their floor-standing acoustic double basses and played
them through adapted amplifiers. Others, like Les Paul, simply
played the bottom strings of electric guitars. In the early 1950s,
Leo Fender designed a solid-body bass guitar that was supported by a
shoulder strap. Gibson followed with a solid mahogany "violin bass,"
and Rickenbacker introduced their 4000 bass during the late 1950s.
More than a decade later, during the 1970s, American Alembic established
their reputation as a top-tier bass guitar maker.
Today, rock and roll, country music, funk, fusion, and jazz artists are among those who incorporate the sound of the bass guitar into their compositions. Pickups and amplifiers increase the audibility of the electric bass guitar for use in bands or in orchestras with many instruments. Most bass guitars are fretted, but some follow the pattern of the fretless double bass.
Musicians have many different choices when it comes to the design of their
bass guitar's body, neck, pickups, and other options.
The body is generally made of wood such as alder, mahogany, or ash,
although graphite is another option. The neck can be made of wood,
although graphite is becoming an increasingly popular choice. The
choice of body material, as well as the shape, has an impact on the
bass guitar's aesthetics and also impacts its sound.
BassGuitars.us features a directory of bass guitar shops, designers, and manufacturers. Spend some time on this website and find solutions to all your bass guitar requirements.
Shop for Bass Guitars and Accessories
- Music123
This musical instrument shop features bass guitars, accessories, and sheet music as well as bass effects and guitar synthesizers.
www.Music123.com - D'Addario Strings
D'Addario offers strings for bass guitars and other stringed instruments.
www.DAddarioStrings.com
Bass Guitar Manufacturers
- Fender Basses
This well-known guitar maker offers a popular line of electric bass guitars.
www.Fender.com - Hanewinckel Guitars
You can create your own custom bass guitar, the way you want it.
www.HanewinckelGuitars.com - Alembic
This California firm offers fine handcrafted basses and guitars.
www.Alembic.com - Citron Basses
This New York firm offers fine handcrafted guitars and basses.
www.Citron-Guitars.com - Cort Guitars
Guitar manufacturer Cort Guitars offers electrics, basses, and acoustics.
www.CortGuitars.com - Pedulla Guitars
Pedulla is a premier Massachusetts maker of fretted and fretless basses.
www.Pedulla.com - Ritter Instruments
This German manufacturer features fine handmade bass guitars.
www.Ritter-Instruments.com
Bass Guitar Resources
- TalkBass
Bass guitar and double bass community forums, features, tabs, and more.
www.TalkBass.com
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- Guitar Amps
Learn about guitar amps, and find sources for guitar amplifiers and accessories.