The History Of The Bass Guitar

!±8± The History Of The Bass Guitar

In this material we take a look at the history of the electric bass guitar. When talking about bass history the first person that people normally think of is Leo Fender. He is credited with introducing the world to the Precision bass in 1951. The bass was called a Precision bass because of the accuracy of the notes. Players were able to play notes that were perfectly in tune because of the presence of frets on the electric bass guitar. To many people, this was the first real electric bass. This bass was mass-produced and very recognizable when it was created by Fender and up to this day it still is.

But while we give Leo Fender his dues for creating the modern electric bass, it must be said that way before 1951 there were at least five other prototypes that resembled the design of today's electric bass guitar. In talking about the history of the bass guitar we must talk about the double bass. In fact, today's bass is a direct descendant of the double bass, dating way back to the 17th century. Although it was really in the 20th century that one with a more practical design was created.

When talking about bass guitar history mention must be made of Lloyd Loar, known for designing the first electric double bass in the 1920s while working for Gibson. The bass used an electro-static pickup but there was no practical way of hearing it play. Unfortunately, bass amplification still had a long way to go.

The evolution of the bass guitar now takes us to the early 1930s when Paul Tutmarc built a more practical bass in terms of size. The first one came with a pickup and was the size of a cello but was too heavy, so the designed was changed to that of a guitar. This 42 inches long solid body bass was made of black walnut and came with piano strings and a pickup.
A few years later, in the mid 1930s, established firms like Lyon & Healy, Rickenbacker and Gibson began selling basses that, although less bulkier than the standard double bass, were still tall, unfretted and upright.

Around 1940 was the first time a large distributor handled the electric bass. The distributor was L.D.Heater Music Co. in Portland Oregon, and the basses were manufactured by Paul Tutmarc. This was a fretted instrument that was no longer to be played upright, but horizontal. It came with a pickup and was much smaller than earlier versions.

It was only then that Leo Fender came up with the modern electric bass. As said at the beginning of our discussion on bass guitar history, it was the year 1951. In the year 1957 the pickguard and headstock were redesigned and the pickup was changed to a split pickup. This took us to the year 1960 when the Jazz bass was designed. Unlike the Precision bass, it came with two separate pickups. The modern bass guitar became very popular.

The first 6 string bass was created in 1959 by Danelecto and the first 5 string in 1964 by Fender. The first fretless was created in 1965 by Ampeg, and in 1968 an 8 string bass by Hagstroem. Carl Thompson is credited with building the first fretless 6 string bass in 1978.

Many developments have taken place since then. For instance, Ned Steinberger introduced a headless bass in 1979. In 1987, the Guild Guitar Corporation launched the fretless Ashbory bass. This bass used silicone rubber strings and a piezoelectric pickup to achieve a "double bass" sound. The bass was very short, only 18 inches long.

Throughout the years, pickups have also evolved. In addition to single coil pickups, you now have several others such as humbuckers, hybrid pickups, passive and active pickups. These seem to be capable of producing every tone imaginable, from pure signals to the grittiest dirt sounds.

The electric bass seems to have become more popular today than ever before. For instance, when someone refers to a bass it's more common to think of the electric bass than the upright acoustic.

The History Of The Bass Guitar

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Martin OM Negative Guitar Limited Edition SOLD!

!±8± Martin OM Negative Guitar Limited Edition SOLD!

Reverse image guitar with black body and white fretboard. This is the companion to the 2002 HD Negative Limited Edition. It is a 000-size body of solid rosewood and Engelmann spruce, black gloss finish, abalone rosette, ivory colored micarta pickguard and bridge with black saddle, black binding, herringbone top trim, black white purfling on sides and back, scalloped bracing pattern, low profile neck with black satin finish, black bound white micarta fretboard with 45-style snowflake inlays, 1 3/4" nut, standard 25.4" scale, white micarta peghead overlay with abalone modified torch inlay and Martin decal, chrome enclosed gears with black ebony buttons. Black inside label signed Dick Boak. This is number 18 of 60 that were made. Only 95. Buy guitar here: bernunzio.com

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Ibanez Sage Series SGT520 Acoustic Guitar - Vintage Sunburst

!±8±Ibanez Sage Series SGT520 Acoustic Guitar - Vintage Sunburst

Brand : Ibanez
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Post Date : Dec 30, 2011 12:51:05
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There is no rule that your first guitar can't sound and look great. The SageTM Series features a selection of body shapes: dreadnought, grand concert, and jumbo. Several beautiful sunburst finishes combined with large, classic pickguards contribute to the Sage's understated vintage styling. In appearance, sound, and playability, the SageTM Series, including the SGE acoustic/electric models, sets a new benchmark in entry-level guitars.

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Jasmine By Takamine S34C NEX Acoustic Guitar

!±8± Jasmine By Takamine S34C NEX Acoustic Guitar

Rate : | Price : $92.39 | Post Date : Dec 12, 2011 13:27:13
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Jasmine guitars are designed by the same craftsmen who make the world's hottest-selling all wood acoustic guitar…takamine. this full-line consists of mini jumbos, dreadnoughts, 12-strings, cutaways and acoustic/electrics all with popular body styles and features for today's player. each model features all-wood construction, popular finishes, ping machines, durability, and quality, "takamine level" construction and d'addario exp strings for rich tone and long life and the woods notice the japanese laminated spruce tops (solid spruce tops on some models), the fully bound rosewood fingerboards. select jasmine models include a kmc music designed cp-100 in-bridge pickup and pre-amp system. an exlusive series of guitars at remarkably affordable prices.

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Things to Consider When Buying a Guitar

!±8± Things to Consider When Buying a Guitar

Have you already set your mind on the type of guitar that you want to buy? Do you know the things to be considered when buying a guitar? Here are helpful things to look for when you are planning to purchase a guitar.

It is very important to get a guitar that suits you. Getting a guitar that will make you feel comfortable and will sound even better will give you an inspiration to play more often. It advisable to try to play the guitar before you will buy it from a guitar store. But if you’re a newbie and just starting out, it is better to ask an employee to play the guitar so that you will know what it will sound like when you learn how to play.

The most important factor that affects the playability of the guitar is the distance between the fret board and the strings. The guitar is easier to play when the strings are closer to the fret board. Most expensive guitars are usually easier to play than cheaper guitars because the strings and fret board are precisely tuned. But there are also lots of affordable guitars that are easy to play.

Always remember to assure that your guitar is in good shape and tune before getting it and you will have to change the strings once in a while. Also study on adjusting the turning heads of your guitar and make sure they work very well. They may have little tension but they should not be painful and difficult to adjust them.

Some guitars have output jacks and preamps that are used to connect in an amplifier. These types of guitars can be used in public venues where you need an amplification or speakers so that everyone could hear the music you are playing. Before you buy a guitar, you must try to play a little bit in order to test the quality of the sound of the guitar when it is amplified.

Consider even the little things like the pickguards. There are also various types or brands of guitar strings which all produces different tones. You can always change the strings if you don’t like the ones already installed in the guitar that you purchased. So there is no need to worry much on the strings of the guitar. You should feel each guitar that you have selected since each on has its own feel when you try to play them.

Things to Consider When Buying a Guitar

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