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Bass Guitar Buying Guide

Make an educated decision about purchasing a bass guitar. In this bass guitar buying guide, we will first make sure you want a bass. If so, then we'll look at what type of bass you might want. Lastly, we'll cover the features of a bass part-by-part, what makes them important (or not) and other bass guitar options.

With all of this new knowledge, you will know what they are talking about when you read a bass guitar’s description online or when you talk to Chuck, the guitar dude, at your local music store.

Bass Guitar Buying Guide Intro

Learn what to look for when buying a bass guitar. Thorough descriptions of all bass guitar parts and what to consider.

The Difference Between Guitar and Bass

Understand the difference between bass and guitar. Which one do you want to choose?

Is Bass Easier to Play Than Guitar?

People are always arguing about whether bass is easy to play or not. Here are my thoughts...

Types of Basses

Understand all the different types of basses there are to choose from in the bass guitar buying guide.

Choosing between 4-, 5-, or 6-String Bass

Deciding how many strings you want on a bass. Should you get 4 5 or 6 strings? Why?

What Scale Bass Do I Want?

What is the difference between different bass scale lengths?

Left-Handed Bass Guitars

Should you get a left-handed bass guitar? Learn why or why not...

Fretless Bass

What is the difference between fretted bass and fretless bass? Do I want a fretless bass?

Modeling Bass

Understand what a modeling bass guitar is.

Precision Bass and Jazz Bass

Learn what these terms mean in the bass guitar buying guide.

Blems

What are blem bass guitars? Should I buy a blem?

Bass Guitar Tone Woods

Tone woods used in bass guitar construction.

Decorative Bass Guitar Woods

Understanding woods used in the construction of bass guitars.

Synthetic Bass Guitar Materials

Read about synthetic materials made in bass guitar construction...

Bass Guitar Necks Part 1

Descriptions of bass guitar neck parts.

Bass Guitar Necks Part 2

Explanations of bass guitar neck parts - truss rod, nut, etc.

The Bass Guitar Fretboard/Fingerboard

Descriptions of the various parts of the bass guitar fretboard.

The Bass Guitar Body

Learn about the parts of the bass guitar body in the bass buyer's guide.

Bass Guitar Hardware Part 1

In this first article on bass hardware we will discuss the bass bridge and what makes it one of the most critical parts of the bass.

Bass Guitar Hardware Part 2

Learn about the hardware on a bass guitar in the bass buying guide.

Bass Guitar Electronics

The bass guitar's electronics are what convert the sound of the strings into an audio signal.

Active and Passive Bass Pickups

Understand the difference between active and passive bass guitar pickups.

Types of Bass Guitar Pickups

Learn about the various types of bass pickups and their differences.

Bass Pickup Placement

Learn how pickup location affects the tone of a bass guitar.

Bass Guitar Knobs and Switches

Learn what the various knobs on a bass guitar control.

Bass Guitar Strings

Don't worry about the strings that come with your bass...

Bass Guitar Cases

Do you need a hardshell case? Is a gig bag better?