Just like bass players aren't often showcased, bass guitars often pale in comparison
to the attention given to electric guitars. On this page, we celebrate all types of
bass guitars. We will highlight the many different types of basses and the styles
they are best used for.
The upright acoustic bass is akin to the symphonic double bass. Instead of being
played with a bow while sitting, the player stands up straight and plucks the strings
with the fingers. The playing surface of this bass is fretless, meaning that the player
can produce any pitch and playing in tune relies on the player's skill and knowledge.
This style of bass is most popular in the musical styles of jazz, acoustic country, and rockabilly.
The acoustic bass is essentially an acoustic adaptation of the electric bass. Smaller
than the upright bass, the player is typically seated and the bass rests in the player's lap.
The bass is also fretted, meaning that metal bars (or frets) are embedded in the playing surface
so that exact notes can be played. This bass usually also has an electric pickup that preserves
the acoustic sound but allows it to be amplified. This style of bass is most often used for acoustic
sessions for bands that normally play with electric instruments (such as rock or country bands).
The 4-string electric bass is the most common type. There are several models and styles,
but the tuning of the 4-string bass of E, A, D, G matches the bottom 4 strings of the 6-string
electric guitar. One of the most popular models is the FenderĀ® Precision Bass (or P-Bass).
The electric fretless bass takes the playability of the upright bass and puts it into the smaller
frame and versatility of the electric bass. Most often used in jazz music, the fretless bass is
often used by players looking for a softer tone and more versatility in their ability to produce
any note as well as semitones inbetween.
The 5-string electric bass is the same as the 4-string, except that an extra low string is added.
The bass is tuned to B, E, A, D, G and allows bass players to reach lower notes that are typically
only available for keyboard players.
The 6-string electric bass is the same as the 5-string but adds a higher B string. The bass is
tuned B, E, A, D, G, B and the higher string allows bass players to reach into the higher range
of electric guitars. The 6-string bass is used in all types of music, but is often reserved for
bass players who are featured in the forefront rather than solely as a part of the rhythm section.
The 8-string electric bass is essentially a 4-string bass but with strings played in octave pairs.
Each string, tuned E, A, D, G, has another string tuned a full octave above. These strings are played
together as a pair, allowing the bass player to often fill the tonal range of a bass and an electric
guitar. 8-string basses are typically used in rock music, especially for bands with only one guitar
player where the bass needs to fill more sonic space.
The 12-string electric bass is very much like the 8-string bass, but the octave string is doubled.
The tuning is again E, A, D, G and is played like a 4-string with each set of 3 strings played together.
The 3 string grouping includes a normal bass string, plus two strings tuned an octave higher.
The two octave strings are tuned to the exact same note, but slight variations in the tension as
the strings are played give a more full sound like plucking a piano. The 12-string bass adds a lot of
tension to the neck of the guitar which, in addition to playing 3 strings at once, makes the 12-string
bass much more difficult to play. However, the full sound lends itself well to rock trios.
Acoustic Bass Guitars
Upright Acoustic Bass
Acoustic/Electric Bass
Electric Bass Guitars
Let there be bass.
Leo Fender4 String Electric Bass
Electric Fretless Bass
5-String Electric Bass
6-String Electric Bass
8-String Electric Bass
12-String Electric Bass