With some of the most respected musicians in the world being bass players, of course, it has crossed your mind to pick up a bass guitar and learn to play.
Picking a bass as your instrument of choice will be a fun experience, but you can’t just pick any guitar that catches your eye. Buying the best bass guitar for you is a process and will take some research as well as testing models out, if possible.
At Boothe Music, we’re passionate about music, instruments, and helping you find the perfect one for you. Playing music will bring satisfaction and joy to your life in a way that other hobbies just cannot.
Aside from supplying you with instruments, we also offer music lessons and instrument repairs because we’re your one-stop-shop for all your music needs.
Read on for our tips about how to choose a bass guitar that is perfect for you so you can start playing your new instrument as soon as possible!
1. Know Your Way Around a Bass
First, if you’re wondering “what is a bass guitar?” it’s good to be familiar with the different parts of a bass. The more you understand the instrument, the more likely you are to make informed choices when it comes time to pick your instrument.
The headstock is at the top of a guitar and is where you will find the tuning pegs, which are the knobs you adjust to change the sound or pitch of a specific string. Some guitars have tuning pegs aligned in a row while others have them on both sides of the headstock.
The neck is the thin part that connects the headstock and the body of the bass. The neck features frets or the raised metal lines that run across the neck that ensures each string plays in tune.
The body is the largest part and is what holds the bass together. The body is the part of the bass that is the most customizable and comes in many colors.
The pickups are in the center of the body and help your bass create the right sounds. The bridge is at the bottom of your guitar and helps keep your strings in place.
2. Size It Up
The first thing you will want to consider is what size bass you want. The string length also called the scale, determines the size of the bass.
For beginners or smaller players, a short scale bass may be easier to play. These basses are usually 30 inches long or less. Sometimes these kinds of guitars are more expensive than long scale basses.
A long scale bass guitar is at least 34 inches long or more. These often produce a deeper sound than a short scale bass would.
3. Test the Electricity
Have you considered buying an electric bass instead of an acoustic one? Electric basses are a popular choice, so you’re not alone in that thinking!
These are a great first bass guitar choice too, which is why every beginner should remember not to get so excited about their purchase that they don’t test it out first!
Make sure to plus in the model you’re testing into an amplifier. Play all the strings, experiment with them, and move and adjust the volume and tone to make sure everything sounds correct.
When you’re testing out different volumes listen for any crackling sounds. If you hear any of these or any other noise that should not be present, it may indicate that something is wrong with the instrument.
4. Pick Accessories
As exciting as it is to buy a new instrument, you won’t want to walk out of a store with the instrument alone. Buying some accessories is always recommended, especially if you’re a beginner.
Keeping your bass guitar in tune is a must. Keeping your guitar tuned will keep it sounding its best when you play. Learning how to train your ears to know when each string is in tune is hard, especially for beginners. Invest in a tuner and the work will nearly be done for you.
A guitar strap is also a good purchase. This will make holding your bass while you play much easier!
5. Check Your Frets
Make sure to check and see if the frets on the instrument are even. You can do this by testing each string up and down the entire bass.
If any fret is uneven, a string may play an “off” note, so it’s important to test out each string. You can also run your hands over the neck of the bass to feel for any uneven frets.
6. The Right Neck Size
Different basses have different neck widths and you will want to test out the different sizes. If you’re a beginner, or you have smaller hands, you may want to lean towards choosing a thinner neck size.
A thin neck will be easier for your hand to maneuver up, down, and across, especially if you’re new to playing bass.
A thick neck may be more comfortable for experienced musicians or those with large hands.
7. The Best Body for You
This is the most fun aspect of choosing your bass; choosing the look of it!
While it’s great to choose a guitar that functions best for you, it’s also going to make you happier if you pick a guitar you feel good about holding.
Go ahead and test out basses in different colors and shapes. You may even be able to find rare ones if you look hard enough. At the end of the day, you’re investing in a long-term instrument, so why not pick one that you love looking at.
Buy Your Best Bass Guitar Today
Now you know all the top things you should look for when it comes time to choose the best bass guitar for yourself. The most important thing is to remember that the whole process of buying and learning a guitar is to have fun!
Now that you’re ready to buy your bass, you’re probably wondering where to buy a bass guitar. No need to look any further than Boothe Music, we have everything you will need!
Check out our selection of bass guitars today.