List of Electric Bass Guitars
- The Fender Precision, designed by Leo Fender himself, was the first mass-produced electric bass guitar. Fender was committed to the idea of creating a fretted bass with tones more "precise" (hence the name) than fretless, upright basses. This model has been embraced by some of the biggest names in the industry. James Jamerson, the session bassist credited with helping to create "The Motown Sound," favored one, as did Stax Records' bassist Donald "Duck" Dunn. Even punk rockers like The Pixies' Kim Deal rely on this industry standard. The Precision features one single-coil pickup with a two-saddle bridge and a maple neck.
- The Fender Jazz Bass, affectionately known as the J Bass, was introduced in 1960 as a deluxe version of Fender's Precision Bass. It was an attempt to sell electric basses to jazz musicians. Although many stuck to their upright basses, the Jazz Bass was a hit. There are now several models, each with its own specifications, but the standard Jazz Bass features a narrower neck than the Precision, two single-coil pickups and a rosewood fretboard. Notable players include Les Claypool, Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Weather Report bass legend Jaco Pastorius and Rush's Geddy Lee, the last two of whom have their own modified models.
- Gibson is mostly known for their guitar lines, but in 1961 the company introduced its first successful bass model. The company made an unsuccessful attempt to challenge the Fender Precision in 1953 with the EB-1, but it wasn't until a later model that musicians started to take Gibson's basses seriously. Based on the popular "SG" guitar, the SG Standard Bass, also known as the EB-3, was a hit with several popular musicians in the '60s and '70s including Cream's Jack Bruce, Andy Fraser of John Mayall's Bluesbreakers and The Rolling Stone's Bill Wyman. The EB-3 features a solid mahogany neck and two humbucking pickups with a four-tone selector switch.
- When Ed Sullivan introduced The Beatles to America, he also did a huge favor for the German instrument manufacturer Hofner. That's because the little-known company's 500/1 model was in the hands of Paul McCartney. The popularity of The Beatles and the instrument McCartney played throughout his career, helped keep Hofner in business. Today it offers the 500/1, 500/2 and 500/3 along with a popular model known as the Club Bass (which Wilco bassist John Stirratt can be seen playing in the documentary "I Am Trying to Break Your Heart"). Hofners are known for their unique violin-style body. They're available with either two single-coil or twin humbucking pickups.
- Rickenbacker is another company that owes its success to The Beatles. Both their 6- and 12-string guitars are the jangly tone heard on many mid-period Beatles as well as on records by The Byrds, Tom Petty and Creedence Clearwater Revival. In addition to guitars the company manufactures basses, including the 4001 model. This bass was played Paul McCartney, John Entwistle of The Who, Paul Simonon of The Clash and even Metallica's original bassist, Cliff Burton. The 4001 features the Rick-O-Sound feature which allows you to split the output of the instrument's two pickups and is known for its sustain.
- Ibanez's sleek design makes this 5-string bass one of the most sought-after among aficionados. Two humbucking Bartolini pickups and a relatively narrow neck make this a favorite of jazz cats and metal heads.
