Whether you started yesterday, have been at it for a while, or even play professionally, Bax Music is the place to be if you're a bassist in need of a new acoustic bass.
What Kind of Instrument is the Acoustic Bass?
The average acoustic bass shares a lot of similarities with the average acoustic guitar. The difference is that it only has four strings, sounds a lot lower and it's also slightly bigger. Acoustic basses are tuned and played the same way as the ever-popular electric bass guitar, so swapping one for the other - even if only for a little while - shouldn't be a problem. One reason to go for an acoustic bass is its warm acoustic sound, but it could also be that an acoustic bass simply lines up better with the other acoustic instruments in your band. Either way, it's worth knowing that practically every acoustic bass has a built-in piezo pickup that can be hooked up to an acoustic amplifier as needed.
Electro-Acoustic & Electric Bass Guitars
While the resonance chamber and various types of wood can generate enough volume to cover smaller settings, it's a good idea to amplify your acoustic bass via an acoustic amplifier, or a PA system if the venue is on the larger side - especially in situations where your fellow musicians are louder than you, and even more so if you're playing part nylon rather than all-steel bass guitar strings. Also, note that electro-acoustic basses aren't the same as electric bass guitars. Electro-acoustic models have a hollow body and are amplified via a piezo pickup fitted underneath the saddle, while electric basses have solid bodies loaded with magnetic pickups, which shape a completely different sound.
Left-Handed and 5-String Acoustic Bass Guitars
There are also various special acoustic basses. If you're a left-handed bassist, you've definitely come to the right place. Going for a left-handed model from the start is usually the best option, seeing as converting a right-handed bass into a lefty isn't exactly easy. If you're already used to the feel of a 4-string bass, you may also be thinking about adding a 5-string bass to your collection. The additional low B string offers a great way to add more depth to your sound and playing style. Got a specific model in mind but you weren’t able to find it? Fill out our Product Request form and we'll be more than happy to see if we can track it down for you!
Short-Scale, Fretless & Semi-Acoustic Bass Guitars
If the neck of a standard 34-inch long-scale bass guitar is a little too long for you, you're better off with a medium-scale model with a 31-inch to 33-inch scale length, or a short-scale bass with a scale length of around 30 inches. Short-scale models have become remarkably popular and make for the best first acoustic bass guitar for kids and adults with shorter limbs. Been dreaming of a fretless acoustic bass? No worries, while fretless basses aren’t really recommended for beginners, unless you have a really well trained ear, we have plenty of fretless models up for sale. If you came here looking for a semi-acoustic bass, then head over to our broad selection of electric basses. Semi-acoustic basses are equipped with the same kind of pickups as electric bassses, so they fall into the same category.
