Bass Guitars

Affordable Bass Guitars

Bass guitars generally have four strings and frets - it makes them less complicated for beginners to learn the bass. However, Fender bass guitars can sell for upwards of 3,599 and there are much cheaper basses on the market that offer a similar style, such as the Electric Gear4music Bass Guitar.

Like a typical Fender bass, this model has frets and four strings, as well as the familiar split coil humbucking pickup. This enables the bass guitar to produce a crisp clear tone with good low end depth, punch and sustain. It is also available as part of the Electric G-4 Bass Guitar & Amp Pack, which includes a practice 15-watt bass amplifier, a guitar lead, spare strings, a pick and a strap - everything needed to start playing right away.

Playing bass guitars

There are three main ways of playing bass guitars - using a pick, plucking with fingers or 'slapping'. Picks are generally used in order to play more quickly, although some musicians simply prefer them to plucking. Slapping is a more advanced technique popularised by the likes of Flea from the Red Hot Chili Peppers and found commonly in funk music.

Beyond these three, it is possible to use two-handed tapping techniques similar to those used in electric guitar playing. This style is generally used by virtuoso bass guitar players - such as Billy Sheehan - who forego the traditional role of the bass guitar as simply a rhythm section instrument.

As well as trying out different playing techniques, beginners can advance their sound by upgrading to a better bass guitar, amp or using effects pedals, such as a Boss GT-1B Bass Effects Processor.