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Whether you have a grand in your pocket and are looking to upgrade to something more premium, or are simply just looking for a cost-effective first bass guitar on which to practice your slapping, we've you covered!

Whether you have a grand in your pocket and are seeking to upgrade to something more premium, or are simply just trying to find a cost-effective first bass guitar on which to practice your slapping, we've you covered!

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Choosing a bass guitar isn?t easy, especially as manufacturers grasp producing great instruments at lower prices ? the choice out there is astounding.


However, at?Guitar Fella,?we have we searching high and low for some of the best basses available today. We've sorted them into convenient categories, so you can quickly find the right one you, depending on your budget, skills, and tastes.


Stick around following the chart for a few useful buying tips. Let?s get started!


Are There Other Good Bass Guitar Brands?

Of course there are! We wanted to compile a short chart focusing on the best of the best, so we naturally had to exclude some other fantastic basses.


When browsing, make sure you check out some of the other brands that specialise in bass guitars, including G&amp;L, Ernie Ball, Rickenbacker, Washburn, ESP, Warwick, Spector, and Lakland ? the majority of these have been building instruments for decades and have some great models which are well worth your time.


Some manufacturers are bigger than others, and some don?t benefit from the prestige that the likes of Fender and Ibanez do, but they can all offer a lot of quality in a number of different price ranges and genres, from jazz to metal.


What Makes a Good Bass?

Just like a ?good guitar?, we could write a whole book on what makes a good bass! However, as everything on this list, the word ?good? to you may mean something completely different to the next bassist.


Firstly, it?s always worth considering the woods used to help make the body and neck. With cheaper models, you might find basswood or alder bodies, and then woods such as maple, swamp ash, and mahogany as you progress the price ranges.


These materials shouldn?t be a defining factor, nonetheless it?s worth researching the kind of tones each wood can provide, should you be offered the choice. For example, mahogany can help produce warmer and punchier tones, while swamp ash is said to give you a brighter sound.


It?s also worth considering your plans for the bass. In the event that you intend to practice, gig or record for lengthy sessions, you may want a lighter wood (such as basswood) rather than something heavy like maple.


Looking at pickups and you also?ll find a range of single-coils and humbuckers, and active and passive designs (more on these later). Single-coils are seen as ?the classic pickups? and are nice and simple, with one coil and something magnet, creating a bright sound.


Humbuckers, however, have a fatter sound ? sometimes a little muddy at higher volumes. Their main benefit is they help cancel background noise and interference.


There?s no right answer here ? choose what sounds the best to you and you also won?t go far wrong.


Which Brand of Bass is the greatest?

First things first ? our ?best? might not necessarily be your ?best? in terms of describing a bass guitar. Still, most bassists can concur that some brands deserve to sit near the top of the table of all-time best bass brands.


Fender is one of these. The iconic American guitar manufacturer, established in 1946, created the important Jazz Bass (J Bass) and Precision Bass (P Bass), which changed the face of bass guitars forever.


Ibanez is another brand that may arguably claim the title of ?the best?. The Japanese company produces some bass guitars that appear to be works of art, and a premium Ibanez bass can feel just like a true masterpiece.


Other brands which are excellent for rock and metal basses include Rickenbacker, ESP and Schecter, as the American brand Musicman produces the legendary Stingray bass.


Finally, the German company Warwick are very popular in all genres of music and have created signature basses for everybody from Robert Trujillo (Metallica) to John Entwistle (The Who).


However, there are many others that would argue they are, in fact, ?the best? ? Yamaha, Gibson, Washburn? it?s not an easy argument to settle!


How Many Strings is Enough?

Good question ? but, again, there?s no definitive answer! You can choose between a four, five or six-stringed instrument, and your decision will ultimately depend on your style, level and budget.


If you are just starting out, a bass with four strings is traditionally the way to go. Keep it simple. Four strings will give you more than enough notes, especially when you consider just how much popular music is played on a four-string bass. There?s generally less to keep track of when playing, and it?s easier to learn and develop on.


If you are more complex, you may consider adding a 5-string bass or 6-string bass to your collection, that may allow you to raise the range of notes you can play.


There will be far more stretching around the neck, nonetheless it can be worth the practice. However, as a beginner, it can be worth considering this as a second or third acquisition, rather than your first instrument.


What is The Difference Between Passive and Active Pickups?

Players looking for a classic warm, punchy bass tone, and a dynamic selection of sounds will prefer passive pickups, which have been a traditional fixture since the birth of the electric bass.


However, the relatively newer active pickups, which come with built-in preamps powered by separate batteries, are worth considering for bigger, brighter and clearer tones.


Because of the preamp, active pickups have significantly higher output in comparison with that of a passive pickup, as the background noise and interference is kept to a minimum.


Again, passive or active will be a choice for you to make based on your individual tastes. Make sure to try a few different basses with different pickups to find a sound that appeals to you.


How Much Does an excellent Bass Cost?

Beginners and the ones on a budget will be relieved to discover that you could find good bass guitars in the affordable prices. Aim for something from a trusted budget-friendly brand (like Squier, Ibanez or Yamaha) then one with good marketplace reviews, and you could?t really go wrong.


So long as you don?t just go for the least expensive one you see, it is possible to end up with a very good bass for under $200.


Of course, you might like to spend more than two hundred bucks ? and if so, healthy! You instantly widen your alternatives and can end up with something very good indeed. We?re not talking a premium model here, but a quality bass having an upgraded build and components that could survive practice, jamming and small gigs comfortably.


Bass Guitars This type of bass may include a unique design, an easy neck, improved tuners, and upgraded pickups and controls to deliver a powerful thump. Because of this kind of bass, expect to pay between $300 and $500.


Should You Buy Used or New?

The choice of shopping for new or used is another dilemma. With a new bass from a reputable online marketplace or guitar store you have the security of a warranty and returns policy, in addition to a likely cooling off period in the event that you change your mind.


Investing in a used bass, in whatever price range, is always just a little riskier ? but this risk pays off with regards to value for money.


In case you are buying used, ensure you choose a reputable physical or online guitar store, instead of a flea market or thrift store ? these offer so much more risk, particularly when you aren?t able to test the bass out via an amp, or make easy returns.


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