Just the mention of a multi effects unit evokes mixed reactions from guitarists and bass players alike. Purists will shun them, because “analog is always better”, while others, who value functionality, portability, versatility, and a much lower cost than a fully stocked analog pedalboard, will swear by them. This discussion won’t go away anytime soon, …
The bass guitar is a fundamental instrument in most musical genres and bands. They can take on multiple different roles, but the key to a great bassist is consistency and timing. A bass’s main function is to hold up the low-end in the mix and keep the band playing in a tight rhythmic pattern. They …
As an integral part of any style of music, your role as a bass player will be to glue the band together and create a bridge between rhythm and harmony, laying down the foundations for both. Choosing a bass guitar isn’t an easy task if you don’t know what brands and features to look for. …
Upgrading your pickups may be the simplest and most cost effective way to significantly improve the tone of your precision style bass, and if you’ve held a solder gun before, you can do the upgrade yourself, in most cases. If you like the handling and feel of your p-bass but find the tone lacking, then …
Music without bass is grilling a fabulous-looking dish without any herb or spices enhance the flavor. When we hear a great bass line we recognize its impact on the rhythm of the song, but bass frequencies are also critical to harmony (several musical notes being played simultaneously). Fun fact: Our brains hear all of these …
Commonly disregarded for their long scale relatives in the bass family, I consider short scale basses to be some of the coolest instruments out there. People would usually go for a longer and bigger bass but let me tell you, these little basses pack quite a punch so don’t be fooled by their size and …
As a bass player, your go-to tone will probably be a clean sound, and this is where a preamp will show its worth. In contrast to the other types of pedals, a preamp is hardly noticeable, since its main role is to shape your fundamental bass tone. If you own a passive bass, a preamp …
There’s something exciting about shopping for a new instrument. It may be the guilty pleasure of adding to a pre-existing collection, or the riveting feeling of embarking on a new facet of your life. Wherever that excitement comes from, it is quickly accompanied by a desire to learn more about the instrument you’re aching to …
A distortion pedal is one of the first stompboxes a bass player should purchase. It’s an easy way to increase your sonic versatility and to add oomph and aggression to your tone, often with dramatic results. So, you’ve been thinking about adding a little more dirt to your bass tone or wondering about what distortion …
Compressors are among the most undervalued effects pedals and somewhat of a mystery to many bass players out there. Whether on stage or in the studio, compressors are instrumental in making your bass tone cut through the mix. If you’ve never tried one, you could think your tone is just fine without one, but once …