There is much debate on what a proper smooth ’70s bass tone is supposed to sound like. Some believe it’s nothing but P-Bass with the tone rolled off. Others believe it’s J-Bass with a 60/40 blend of rear and front pickup with the tone 3/4 of the way off. And then there’s the active/passive debate … Read more
There are a few bass lines that earn the distinction of being legendary, and the line Chris Squire plays in Roundabout by Yes is one of them. Most people are shocked when they learn Roundabout was released in 1972. Many believe the song to be from the late ’70s or the early ’80s, but no, … Read more
At Best Bass Gear, we don’t do music lessons. That’s why gear is in our name and not lessons. There are however other places on the internet that teach bass lessons, and BassBuzz is one of them. BassBuzz’s lessons are beginner-friendly. They are friendly enough to the point where you don’t have to know how … Read more
Below is a video of a modded Squier Bronco Bass. The stock pickup was swapped out for a dual-rail humbucker and a thumb rest was added. In the latter half of the video, the owner of the bass explains that he bought the bass that way and didn’t do the mod himself… …but does explain … Read more
Below is a video of the Sterling by Music Man StingRay Bass Ray35QM. And it sounds pretty darned good on its own. This is a sub-$1000 bass that has all the goods… …and it just might be the bass you’re looking for to upgrade with some Music Man size pickup mods. There are a lot … Read more
See the business listing for this bass builder here The feature bass this week started with a mistake by a wood supplier that actually ended up being the best thing to happen. Builder Steve Arnett writes: I met Lelsie (the customer) at a Victor Wooten Jam Camp last year. He expressed interest in a custom … Read more
The feature bass this week is a 24-fret beauty. Owner August Balagtas writes: Built using swamp ash and walnut crotch top. Pickups are custom Howard Ulyate double coils and the Preamp is a NOLL 2 band purchased at Best Bass Gear Well done! Want YOUR bass to be featured for Bass of the Week?Submit yours … Read more
When looking for a bargain Japan-made Fender copy bass that’s actually pretty darned good, one of the better ones is a Tokai Hard Puncher, which is a Precision Bass copy. Tokai’s Jazz Bass copy model was called the “Jazz Sound”. The Tokai models are known to play and sound great and are easy to upgrade … Read more
The feature bass this week shows off a very nice ash body. Builder Ademir Souza from ACS Guitars writes: Inspired by Fender Precision Bass, ACS exPression bass body was made of ash, slightly sandblasted. The neck is one piece maple vintage with ring position markers. Gotoh hardware, Aguilar 4P60 pickup, volume and tone controls. Well … Read more
Something you will see on vintage Fender basses (and also on reproduction vintage-spec instruments from the Fender Custom Shop if requested) is a strap button on the back of the headstock. Was this a factory Fender option? Yes, and it is called the hootenanny button. This actually was a factory Fender option introduced in 1960 … Read more
