Half a century ago, the bass guitar was unfairly considered a “secondary instrument”, suitable only for simple accompaniment. Today it is an original and self-sufficient instrument, and the requirements for bassists in a musical group are no less high than for guitarists or vocalists. There are classes for teaching it to play in music schools and higher educational institutions with a focus on pop or jazz. The instrument these days is as popular and in demand as a regular six-string electric guitar. Therefore, manufacturers of musical instruments are constantly looking for new technological solutions and release series for both professionals and beginners. You can buy a bass guitar in our store!
From Leo Fender to the present day
The invention of this instrument was a consequence of the fact that instrumental ensembles became more mobile, amplifying equipment appeared, and there was a need for an instrument that would fully replace the bulky and quiet double bass. Despite the fact that before 1951 there were the first attempts to create such an instrument, Leo Fender is considered the inventor of the electric bass guitar, who at that time managed to make a breakthrough in the production of electric guitars. On the basis of the Telecaster electric guitar he had already created, the first copy was designed and became the standard - the Fender Precision. One-piece body, fretboard neck, electromagnetic pickup. In addition to the smaller number of strings, Fender's invention differed from the electric guitar in the size and weight of the body, an elongated neck, and more powerful tuners.
The Fender bass guitar remained out of competition for a long time - while other manufacturers were developing their models, Fender products were rapidly gaining popularity. Having mastered and diversified production technologies, competing companies began to produce their own tools. A highlight on the market is the Hoffner semi-acoustic bass in the shape of a violin, renowned worldwide by The Beatles bassist Paul McCartney. Today, the market is so diverse that everyone, whether a beginner or a professional, can choose a bass for their level, taste and budget.
Stereotypes and reality
The electric bass guitar was originally created as an alternative to the double bass. However, not every newly-minted bassist switched to this instrument from a double bass. In the newly formed groups (remember the history of the same The Beatles!), “Rejected” guitarists most often became bassists. In those years, it was believed that playing the bass is a simple accompaniment that does not require special skill, unlike the performance of solo parts. But the further, the more confidently the electric bass developed as a self-sufficient instrument. A significant contribution to this development was made by guitarists who, for one reason or another, became bassists - for example, Noel Redding (The Jimi Hendrix Experience), Geezer Butler (Black Sabbath), Greg Lake (King Crimson, ELP). The jazz school of playing the contrabass, transferred to bass-guitar techniques - and from an accompanying "secondary instrument" the instrument turned into an independent unit. Bassists such as Victor Wooten and Markus Miller have become examples for many aspiring musicians.
Materials for making
Ash, alder or linden are used for the manufacture of the case, sometimes poplar. For neck and fingerboard - maple, walnut, rosewood, mahogany. The neck is equipped with a metal truss rod, with the help of which the deflection and the height of the strings above the frets are adjusted - there are no clear standards for tuning the neck, each musician tunes it to his own preferences. The nut is made of plastic or ivory, the tuning pegs and the bridge are made of metal, more often chrome-plated, less often painted to match the body or black.
Initially, the strings were attached exclusively to the bridge, but today bass guitars with through fastening to the body are often found - due to this method, the sustain is increased. Regulators and toggle switches are made of plastic or metal.
Buy electro bass guitar in Colorsound store
The search engine “buy electric bass guitar” is not so common because the default bass is a solid-body electric instrument. In the assortment of our store there is a wide range from budget instruments for beginners to professional premium bass. Cort, Yamaha, Fernandes, Warwick, Musicman - this is not a complete list of brands whose models we have on sale. You can choose the method of ordering and payment convenient for you, but in any case - get a warranty card from the manufacturer.