What to Consider When Buying a Bass Guitar

Taking up the bass guitar is a terrific idea for a few reasons. So many people are attracted to the glamour of being a lead singer, or the attention focused on the guitar player, but all bands need a bass player. This means you’ll be an in demand musician; the world is awash in singers and guitar players. But being out of the spotlight doesn’t mean you’re invisible. The band depends on you to keep the rhythm together. It’s a cool, underrated instrument, but before you buy one there are some things you need to keep in mind.

Like any instrument, do your research first and decide what kind of budget you have. You’ll need to buy the bass itself, as well as an amplifier and a patch chord. Look at a few models of bass and amps and start getting a picture together of the costs. It’s quite common to buy a beginner model of each, but if you’re super keen, and the budget allows, then buying a more substantial instrument that will sound and perform better is a wise move you won’t regret.

When you buy an entry level bass, you’ll be able to learn the basics and jam with your friends. You can practice techniques, from scales, to picking, to slapping. You don’t need a super huge amplifier as if you’re playing in a big venue with hundreds of people, but any amp that makes your bass loud enough to hear over a drum kit and other electric instruments will do the trick.

If you decide to invest a little more money into your instrument, it can go a really long way. For one thing, it’ll stay in tune more consistently. You don’t want to be tuning it between songs. It gets frustrating, especially if you’re in the middle of a song and it sounds out. Also, if you’re just starting to learn the Ibanez bass and it sounds out you might think it’s because you’re doing something wrong, when really it could be the instrument. This can be needlessly discouraging. Also, better made instruments have sturdier necks that don’t warp easily. When a neck moves, if it gets dry or there’s too much tension from the strings, it increases the distance between the strings and the fret board, making it harder to play. It might seem like beginner instruments would be easier to play since that’s what you start learning on, but just the opposite can be true. Of course, the more you spend, the better it will sound, but it’s hard to appreciate this difference at first.

You want to buy your instrument from a reliable source, both from a knowledgeable salesman and a reputable store. If they sell expert instruments, that’s usually a good sign that they’re a serious merchant of musical instruments and not just a variety store looking to make a quick buck. Look at a few models in your price range and buy the one that feels right. Good luck!

Looking online for Gibson bass and drum accessories? Then visit Long & McQuade, one of Canada’s biggest online music stores offering a wide selection of drums, drum heads, drum sticks, percussion and accessories.

Long & McQuade is one of Canada’s biggest online music stores and offers a wide selection of guitars, electric guitars, acoustic guitars, guitar amps and accessories.
http://www.long-mcquade.com/

Author Bio: Looking online for Gibson bass and drum accessories? Then visit Long & McQuade, one of Canada’s biggest online music stores offering a wide selection of drums, drum heads, drum sticks, percussion and accessories.

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