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The Electric Bass debuted in 1951 with Leo Fenders Precision Bass. Since then there have been variations on Leo’s design and there are now a variety of basses available.
In the past, most bass players were made by default. He was either the guy who wanted to be in the band who didn’t have any equipment yet, or the 2nd or 3rd guitar player in the band who’s ability on the guitar was somewhat… questionable.
Through the years the role of the bass guitar has grown and developed as creative musicians such as James Jamerson, Paul McCartney & Jaco Pastorius, have stretched the boundaries of the instrument and brought it to the forefront.
Back in the early 60’s the quality of starter basses was often less than desirable. The high tension of the heavy strings often warped necks rendering them unplayable. Today’s instruments are of a different caliber. Technological developments and the use of modern manufacturing techniques have greatly improved the quality and consistency of entry-level instruments. The bottom line:
Today, there are a variety of affordable, high quality basses for students to choose from.
If you would like a standard, solid-body electric bass and you’re itchin’ to go, your best bet would be an All-inclusive Electric Bass Pack . It provides you with everything you need to get started and saves you money! Recommended Electric Bass Packs
If you think you’d like to get more specific in your choice of bass, the first thing you need to decide is what type you would like to play. The style of music will often dictate what type of bass you’ll need. Check out some artists who play the type of music you’d like to emulate. It would probably be a good choice to get a similar instrument. While the professional model your bass hero plays will probably be a little more than you’re ready to spend, there are many companies who produce affordable replicas of popular high-end instruments that contain many the same features. It’s also a good idea to talk with one the knowledgeable Product Specialists at Woodwind & Brasswind and take advantage of their expertise.
There are a few basic types of electric bass guitars:
| Solid Body |
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This type of guitar is made of solid wood. Examples of this are the Fender Precision and Jazz bass. Solid-body basses are the most common and excellent for pretty much any kind of music, from Country, to Funk, to Metal. |
| Recommended Solid Body electric bass guitars |
| Hollow Body |
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This type of guitar has a deeper, hollow body, allowing the bass to resonate acoustically giving it a “boomy”, “thuddy” kind of sound. An example of this would be the Epiphone Jack Cassidy Signature bass or the Hofner 500/1 made famous by Paul McCartney. The Hollow-body bass is commonly used for Country, Rock, Blues and Jazz. |
| Recommended Hollow-body bass guitars |
| Short Scale |
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This is a smaller, 30” scale alternative to the 34” regular scale bass and they come in both solid and hollow body styles. A short-scale bass is a good choice for younger players with smaller hands, female players, or guitarists who occasionally play a little bass. |
| Recommended short-scale bass guitars |
Other Stuff You’re Definitely Going to Need
There are a number of accessories that will help you enjoy and maintain your electric bass. A case, polish, strings and strap are just a few of the items that you’ll need to protect your investment and keep it in top performing condition.
Recommended Bass Guitar Accessories
Our site has a complete and varied selection of Electric Bass guitars for every playing level, all backed by our 45/45/100 Guarantee. Call and speak with one of our Product Specialists to help you find the instrument that’s right for you.
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