My StudyBass
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.
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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.
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The Difference Between Guitar and Bass
Understand the difference between bass and guitar. Which one do you want to choose?
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Is Bass Easier to Play Than Guitar?
People are always arguing about whether bass is easy to play or not. Here are my thoughts...
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Types of Basses
Understand all the different types of basses there are to choose from in the bass guitar buying guide.
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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?
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What Scale Bass Do I Want?
What is the difference between different bass scale lengths?
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Left-Handed Bass Guitars
Should you get a left-handed bass guitar? Learn why or why not...
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Fretless Bass
What is the difference between fretted bass and fretless bass? Do I want a fretless bass?
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Modeling Bass
Understand what a modeling bass guitar is.
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Precision Bass and Jazz Bass
Learn what these terms mean in the bass guitar buying guide.
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Bass Guitar Tone Woods
Tone woods used in bass guitar construction.
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Decorative Bass Guitar Woods
Understanding woods used in the construction of bass guitars.
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Synthetic Bass Guitar Materials
Read about synthetic materials made in bass guitar construction...
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Bass Guitar Necks Part 1
Descriptions of bass guitar neck parts.
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Bass Guitar Necks Part 2
Explanations of bass guitar neck parts - truss rod, nut, etc.
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The Bass Guitar Fretboard/Fingerboard
Descriptions of the various parts of the bass guitar fretboard.
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The Bass Guitar Body
Learn about the parts of the bass guitar body in the bass buyer's guide.
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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.
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Bass Guitar Hardware Part 2
Learn about the hardware on a bass guitar in the bass buying guide.
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Bass Guitar Electronics
The bass guitar's electronics are what convert the sound of the strings into an audio signal.
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Active and Passive Bass Pickups
Understand the difference between active and passive bass guitar pickups.
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Types of Bass Guitar Pickups
Learn about the various types of bass pickups and their differences.
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Bass Pickup Placement
Learn how pickup location affects the tone of a bass guitar.
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Bass Guitar Knobs and Switches
Learn what the various knobs on a bass guitar control.
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Bass Guitar Strings
Don't worry about the strings that come with your bass...
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Bass Guitar Cases
Do you need a hardshell case? Is a gig bag better?