

Some adult bassists also find a short scale more comfortable too it’s down to personal preference. A shorter scale length means that the neck isn’t quite as long, so reaching down to the bottom frets is less of a stretch, and this can be ideal for younger beginners with a smaller arm span. The scale length is the distance between the nut at the top of the neck and the string saddles that sit on the bridge. The scale length can also play a big part in how comfortable you find the bass. (Image credit: Future) Does the scale length make a difference? The different body shapes and sizes will suit different people, as will the neck profile – certain players prefer thinner, ‘faster’ neck shapes, whereas others get on better with a chunkier neck. There are a number of different factors that can make a bass guitar comfortable for you. This brings us on to your next consideration – comfort. Of course, so much of the sound is in your fingers, so if you feel more comfortable with a particular style of bass, then you’ll almost certainly be able to make whatever you’ve got for work for you. An active EQ can go a long way in helping you shape your tone, and higher output pickups will allow you to get bigger, chunkier and dirtier tones that are much more suited to today’s heavier styles of music.īasses with more than one pickup will also allow you to change or blend between them too, which can be great if you need a variety of tones to hand. If you’re after something a little more contemporary, then you might want to look at a bass with a few more features.


Squier’s versions of the Fender P and Jazz basses haven’t altered too much over time so will get you in the right ball park. Do you want a classic bass sound, as heard on some of your favorite old-school records? If so, then check out a bass with a vintage style spec. You can trust Guitar World Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing guitar products so you can choose the best for you. It’s more of a modern looking instrument, so it might not be right for someone wanting a classic looking bass, but don’t let that put you off – there really isn’t much it can’t do in terms of tones. The hardware is of a decent quality too, so tuning stability, intonation and resonance won’t prove to be an issue. The cutouts also make access to any fret on the fingerboard really easy. The body is nice and sleek and lightweight too, making playing comfortable, whether you’re stood up or sat down. Add to this an active EQ and you’ve got a pickup system with which you can really nail any tone. There’s even a low-end enhanced single coil mode for beefing up those bass frequencies. However, at the push of a button you can switch these pickups into single coil mode for more traditional, old-school tones. If you want a modern rock or metal sound, then the high output PowerSpan Dual Coil humbuckers can dish out powerful, thunderous tones whilst retaining note clarity nicely. This bass can cover so much ground in terms of musical styles.
