Shopping for Bass Guitars and Amplifiers

Shop for Guitars

Shopping for Bass Guitars and Amplifiers

Written by admin on August 15, 2009 – 4:36 am -

Introduction:
So you're tired of having to borrow your buddies' bass and amp (and they're probably sick of having you snag it every chance you get), or maybe you have your own, but they just aren't up to scratch. Then again, you might have a decent bass and amp, yet you want to upgrade or simply add to your arsenal. This article will give you pointers on how to go about shopping around for a new axe and amplifier.

Before you rush to the music store, do some research first. Websites like Musicians Friend and American Musical Supply not only show what's available to buy, but many have product reviews from people who have purchased them. Use discretion when looking at reviews. Even though each review represents one person's opinion, they are formed by their experience (good or bad) with either the product, shipping, or the company itself. For example, if there's a bass who has had constant bad reviews on its tone, then chances are you probably won't like it either.

However, if nothing really catches your eye, do some window-shopping at a local music store. If it's new you want, try online stores like the Best Guitar Shop. Then there are places like Bob’s Vintage Guitars that have some new but mostly used (or vintage, however you want to put it) gear just waiting to be sold. Don't be afraid to ask the salesperson for assistance, tell them you want to try out a particular bass or amp. They should be happy to oblige you. You can even bring your own axe or amp to try out, although you may be asked to check it with the staff or else you might get accused of stealing your own gear. Actually, this is the optimal decision, since basses sound different through different amps, and vice versa. You need to know how YOUR stuff sounds through THEIR stuff.

A Little More About Bass Browsing:
There is also the option of having a custom bass designed for you from a skilled luthier (a guitar maker). The cool thing is that you'll have a unique bass that's set up just for you and exactly the way you want it. The downside is that it usually costs you thousands of dollars to get it done. Custom guitars are usually for pro musicians who know exactly what they want. Besides, if you're just starting out, this might not be the best option, especially if you're not sure what you want or what is practical for you.
So when looking for your new bass, you must be discriminating. It's like shopping for a car, you want to test drive it first and see what you like and don't like about it. A good tip is to play it unplugged, placing your ear directly on the side of the body as you play it. If it sounds full and resonant, chances are it will sound great plugged in. If there is hissing or buzzing, be cautious. It could be a simple problem with the action (or how high/low the strings are in relation to the neck and body) and can be fixed with adjustments to the bridge and tension rod (a bar of metal inside the neck that adjusts the bow of the neck). Most instruments from a music shop will be setup correctly and ready to go as soon as it leaves the store, but then there are some that aren't or are unable to setup properly. Most low-end basses will have at least one thing wrong about them, so tread cautiously when shopping around. You must take into consideration your budget as well as your style, comfort, and practicality. For example, if you plan on playing your bass for long periods of time, then a heavy bass will give you much discomfort whether you play it standing or sitting down. And if your dream bass costs as much as a dream vacation to the Bahamas, reconsider the many cheaper options out there. Who knows, there might be a hidden gem of a bass waiting just for you.

A Little about Amps:
Most electric basses can't produce much sound unplugged unless you put your ear to the body and pluck a string. A bass amplifier does exactly what it says, amplifies the sound of a vibrating string over a pickup. Although there are many brands and types of amps, they all should have four parts to them:

Preamplifier - where you plug your cable into the unit. The preamp readies the signal coming from your guitar's pickups and vibrating stings by boosting its voltage (amplitude).

Signal processor - dials, knobs or silders most preamps should have to further modify the signal. It can be as simple as a volume, bass (low), and treble (high) controls, or as complicated as a 12-band EQ (equalizer) with all the bells and whistles thrown in.

Power amp - further increases the voltage level of your signal to where it can power speakers. Because low notes need more voltage to drive them, a bass amp must have tons of output power to cut through. For example, if you jam with a guitar player and you both have 50 watt amps, the guitar amp is always going to overpower you because high notes don't need as much power to let them ring.

Speakers - also called drivers, the speakers turn the powered electrical signal into physical energy. The signal passes through a voice coil that is connected to a resilient cone of either paper or aluminum. As the cone moves in and out, sound waves are produced. There are many combinations of speaker arrangements, the common ones being a single 12-inch speaker (1x12), single 15-inch (1x15), two 10-inch (2x10), and four 10-inch speakers (4x10).

Mostly all guitarists started out playing on a combo amp, with all four sections combined into one convenient unit. For the beginner, in terms of price and portability, it's a good place to start. Picking out wattage is up to you. If you plan on playing only in your room or to show off to a few buddies, never intending on playing with a band, then a combo amp from 10 to 50 watts should be perfect. If you do want to play in a band, then consider a combo amp from 60 to 300 watts. 60 watts is a good practice amp in a small room, however won't be able to cut it on a stage. 300 watts or higher should be able to compete with even the loudest of drums and guitar stacks.

Then there are bass stacks. Most still have the preamp, power amp, and signal processing in one unit (usually called a "head" or "brain"), yet the speakers are contained in their own enclosures (called "cabinets") and can be switched around or added to. Stack systems start from around $500 to $1000 to put together. Please be sensible - don't get a system that won't even fit in your vehicle or onstage or even in your own house.

Of course there are rack systems, where all four components can be switched around and customized, but they usually start at $1000 without even considering the price of the speakers. Rack systems are best left for seasoned pros and semi-pros who know exactly what kind of sound they want to dial in, not for the beginner trying to make up their minds on what they want. Not to say a beginner shouldn't buy a stack or rack system, but when you're starting out, it's best to keep things simple.

What to consider when buying a new amp? Almost some of the same things to consider when buying a new bass. Things like cost, comfort, and practicality. Cost an issue? Most music stores do have layaway plans if you can't afford your gear all at once. Just make sure to keep up with the payment - the moment you miss even one, you risk losing all the money you've already put into it. Since most bass amps are heavy, you must consider all possibilities. For instance, if you just bought a brand new 8x10 cabinet to marry to your brutal 450-watt head but it weighs more than you do and is hard to move around, you can either try to trade it for a smaller one or just go to your local hardware store and buy some casters for it.

There is also the debate between tube amps and solid state amps. Tube amps have a tube(s) to drive them - like dim light bulbs that give off a warmer sound than solid state amps, which rely solely on circuit boards that try to emulate the tube sound. Then there are so-called "hybrid" amps that use tubes and circuits harmoniously. Again, it's all in the preferrence of the musician.

Summing up:
When you've picked out your dream rig, you'll be satisfied knowing you made an informed decision and not bought something on impulse. If you're still debating on what gear you should buy, consult with your local music shops and ask them their opinions on certain models. A good place to ask is also a music repair shop. Ask what brands usually come in to get repaired so you know which brands are reliable and which brands are likely to meltdown. Finding your own unique sound is a musician's Holy Grail, some of them are still looking for the right combination. But when you've found it, or come a step closer to it, it will be utopian bliss. So save up some extra cash, do a little research, test drive some gear, and soon you'll be living the dream.