Maybe you've been wondering why some musicians say that you can best find your groove on a vintage bass guitar. Why not an easier to find, less expensive, modern-style bass guitar, you wonder?

Well, there's a reason why so much buzz surrounds instruments like the old Stradivarius violins, vintage Martin acoustic and vintage Fender or Gibson electric guitars, and vintage bass guitars. And, usually, it doesn't really have to do with anything nostalgic. No, it has to do with factors of artistic aesthetics and, yes, the factors most important to musicians, sound and feel.

Why not a modern electric bass? The truth is that while these are decent instruments, and some of them are very well-made, there is too much mass production of instruments today. There are some good points to this: it keeps costs lower so that more beginning musicians can afford decent equipment and, along with that, some people who perhaps would have been told by their parents that they can't afford to get them into music now become inspired to pick up the bass and learn to play.

Yet, all experienced, serious musicians know that unless you get a custom-build instrument (which is never cheap), vintage instruments are the way to go. "Vintage" here means instruments made anytime between ca. 1925 and ca. 1975 (if we are talking about modern music instruments like guitars and electric basses). Instruments made before this time are well-crafted but terribly primitive and not suited for the sonic attack needed by modern musicians. On the other hand, the mass production of modern musical instruments really got into full swing after about 1975, with things happening around that time like Fender selling out to CBS and stuff like that.

As big band jazz, then rock'n'roll, then fusion jazz, then louder and wilder rock music emerged and evolved and had offshoots, musical instrument makers competed heavily to find the most aesthetically pleasing designs, the best materials, and of course the best feel and sonic power for bass guitars and other modern instruments. While this sort of commitment to excellence still survives today, it's not nearly as urgent or widespread because music has, sadly, become so standardized, and cheaper materials are everywhere to be found.

And even when you can find a well-made, beautiful modern jazz or rock bass guitar, there is still one advantage that a vintage will have that is impossible to match: when good woods are used to make musical instruments, over the decades they age and "open up" and take on impossible-to-craft, subtle sonic powers. Want some incredible thumb-popping snap or a sharp-as-a-knife sound to play dual melodic leads with the guitar player in a progressive metal band? Nothing for you like a vintage Rickenbacker bass guitar. Or, if you get yourself a vintage Bubbinga fretless, you can lay down the rhythmic groove law like the Average White Band or Return to Forever.

So, if you have never before checked out a vintage bass guitar and have been wondering what all the fuss is about, find out for yourself.

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Have you been considering buying a bass guitar? If so you have made a great choice as far as musical instruments go. Bass guitars have a great deep sound and are very easy to learn how to play. Before you rush right out and buy one, here are some buying tips to give you some peace of mind. Online bass guitar purchases are just fine, but before buying I suggest you visit your local music shop to get a feel for what is out on the market. You want to see how the bass guitar fits you and feels in your hands. Most music shops will let you plug it in and play around with any guitar right in the store. If you know any experienced bassist, see if they do not mind tagging along with you, as most sales associates merely want to sell you any bass. Listen for the tone and quality of the sound that matches your taste.

Make sure you have a budget in mind before making a purchase, as a brand new bass guitar can cost you anywhere from $200 to $5000 depending on the brand, quality, and wood finish. Used basses tend to range from $100 to $1500 and are often just as good, although pricing and selection will vary from one locale to another. Consider buying a used bass. Most used bass guitars drop in price over the years and can offer much better quality and sound as a new bass would.

When you think you might have found a bass you like, do a search for that model on the internet to see if any reviews have been written from people who have already purchased that same model. Bass players are usually pretty straight forward on the bass guitars they have played and purchased.

Some great starter brands include Rogue, Squier and Epiphone. These brands of basses both look good and play great for the price. Fretless , acoustic and five-string basses each have their own type of sounds and pluses, but it is easiest to learn on a four string electric bass. Most beginner tutorials are written with the four-string bass in mind. Other brands of popular basses include: Fender, Gibson, Washburn, Ibanez, Rickenbacker and Yamaha to name a few.

There are great places to buy bass guitars online. ebay and Musicians Friend are great starting points to begin your search for that special first bass and you can usually purchase cheap bass guitars there as well.

By: David Bryan

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

David Bryan is an avid bass guitar player. For more bass guitar buying options and bass guitars for sale visit Bass Guitar Depot.

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