Bass guitars are essential to any band, driving the backbeat of the music and giving the band’s output its depth. In fact, although they may not be at the forefront of a band, the bass guitarist is key to the sound of a band.

Bass guitars usually have long necks incorporating between 20 and 24 frets. The bass player is therefore provided with a generous range of high and low notes with which to add a distinct background counterpoint to the music. Some bass guitars have additional strings, usually five or six as opposed to the standard four strings. These extra strings are used to add even lower or higher note ranges to the bass player’s repertoire.

Different brands of bass guitar are often considered to have a different feel and sound. Fender bass guitars for example are said to give equal intensity of tone to the full range of bass and treble notes whilst some other bass guitars such as those made by Gibson are said to focus on the lower notes with a general thudding sound that is most suitable for heavy rock music. Which brand you choose is up to you, although a reputable supplier of bass guitars will be able to advise you dependent on the sort of sound and music you will be playing.

Some bass guitars have gone as far as to include ‘active electronics’, an in-built facility for improving the intensity of the bass sound even before the signal reaches the amplifier.

The look of a bass guitar is equally important, with many models featuring stylish cut-away bodies and intricate inlay designs. There are also popular classic designs such as the violin shape body used by brands such as Hofner and made famous by Paul McCartney.

At Fret Music we welcome enthusiasts for bass guitars old and new, to introduce them to our range of beautiful bass guitars.