A popular option for many bass guitar owners is to install a preamp, such as one made by John East, Glockenklang, Delano, Bartolini, Nordstrand or another manufacturer. In order for the preamp to work, you have to power it. And while there are many ways to power a bass guitar’s preamp system, here are 4 … Read more
Last year, we donated some parts to Nauset Regional High School in North Eastham, Massachusetts, and the end result was some pretty cool bass guitars. Instructor Karl Hoyt writes: Here is a picture of Brian. His bass was ash with a wenge face. Your pickups and hardware, passively wired. What was even cooler about Brian’s … Read more
This week’s bass guitar of the week is a modified Epiphone Ripper where the goal was to make it appear to be a special factory run model. Owner/modder Benjamin writes: My second Epiphone Ripper. First was a black 1st generation single pickup model from late 1990s, named Black Betty. Betty evolved using Bartolini pickups supplied … Read more
Looking for a different way to play? Try some chords. Contrary to what some think, no you do not need a bass with more than 4 strings for chord playing as the video below will demonstrate. However, if you want to hit the really high notes on a 4-string, you can get a second bass … Read more
Stuck for new things to learn on the bass? Well, here are 100 bass riffs spanning from 1955 to 2013. Learn these 100 riffs and oh yes, you will be a better player for knowing them. Would knowing these songs make for a better cover band? Yes. The more songs a cover band knows, the … Read more
Our BotW this week is a Japan-made 1980’s Tokai Hard Puncher. This particular bass is now a collectible, and you’ll find them on eBay ranging from $800 to $1,200 USD. Worth it? Well, if you can’t afford a real-deal vintage Fender Bass, the Tokai Hard Puncher is the next best thing. “Very Fendery” all around … Read more
Yes, that is Victor Wooten you see there, playing a bass guitar with a bow. Of course, he makes it sound good, but is this something you would own? Let us know in the comments if you think a guitar like this is a good idea after seeing the video below of the bass being … Read more
Best Bass Gear receives a lot of communication from first-time builders asking for advice on how they should go about building a bass guitar properly. One of the first things asked is one simple question: Do you have a plan? 1. It’s all about having a goal A plan does not necessarily mean a blueprint … Read more
This one is being written by user request. When it comes to electric bass guitars, the “safe” thing to do is to start out with a 4-string that is inexpensive, but not so cheap that it will fall apart in a year, and something you can bang around without worry. Can you upgrade a beginner … Read more
Duran Duran is not the first band you think of when it comes to bass lines. In fact, some of you might even think, “Duran Duran counts as a band?” Oh yes, they do. Duran Duran’s bass player is John Taylor, and he did play the bass line for the song Rio. Unfortunately, that song, … Read more
