The Electric Bass: A Misunderstood Giant

The world is full of injustices, but few are as great as those committed against the electric bass. 

The truth is that only a handful of people truly grasp everything the electric bass brings to the harmony of a contemporary composition. 

That's why we're going to take a first look at what it is, and when we first began to see and feel it. Then, in upcoming posts, we'll cover studies and books that will help you grow on one of the most complex instruments in music. 

When was the electric bass born?

The arrival of this instrument dates back to the early 1930s, and it was a guitarist—yes, a guitarist—named Paul Tutmarc who built the first electric bass in history. 

That's why some people claim that bassists are frustrated guitarists, but nothing could be further from the truth. 

For Tutmarc, the first electric bass had to resemble the violin, yet it had to deliver a deep sound that would add weight to modern songs. 

That said, this first bass wasn't all that popular and spent nearly 20 years buried in obscurity. It wasn't until Leo Fender came along in the 1950s that the first Precision Jazz Bass appeared, which remains the standard to this day. 

The best basses for beginners

To help you start your journey of learning the bass, here are a few recommendations that are the best on the market. 

Squier by Fender Precision Bass Affinity

This bass is the modern—but affordable—version of the first bass created by Leo Fender, and it features a solid poplar or alder body. 

In addition, the neck is usually made of laurel or another low-cost wood to keep it accessible to all beginner players. 

That said, what people love most about this bass is the outstanding sound quality, which many tend to underestimate until they hear it in the hands of a master bassist. 

In our experience, we've bought this bass for hundreds of students who—even 15 years later and now masters of the instrument—still hold on to their Squier Bass as a special treasure, because it still delivers top-quality sound. 

Ibanez GSR-200 Bass

This bass is a take on the Fender bass and is designed for players looking for a more processed and stable sound. 

We like this electric bass because it boasts high-quality construction despite being inexpensive. It also features a more modern paint finish so that young people and adults who are just starting out can take their first steps in pop, rock, ballads, and alternative music. 

Its sound is clear, clean, and stable, making it ideal for performing alternative music pieces, but it also works great for vallenato. 

Cort Action DLX Plus Bass

This is the bass we like most because it can be considered mid-range, yet it carries an entry-level price tag. 

We love it because the sound is modern, but it also has a switch that lets you turn off the active pickups, giving you a traditional sound. 

Without a doubt, we recommend it over any other beginner bass because it's worth it. 

Fender Rumble Bass Amplifier

You can't have a bass without also having an amplifier that measures up and meets your expectations.

The Rumble is a series of several models that differ in their power output and some interesting features that let you improve the sound. 

Best of all, it works with any type and model of bass—low-end or high-end is irrelevant, because this amplifier transcends those barriers.