Talking to You about the History of the Bass

Hello, it’s Kaoru the composer here!

This time, I would like to talk about the history of the bass guitar, which supports the music as a behind-the-scenes player.
The bass is a very important instrument, mainly responsible for the bass part in music, and has the important role of maintaining rhythm as well as chord progression.

The current music scene is only getting more diverse, and while there is a lot of music that can exist without guitars and pianos, there is not much music that does not have a bass.
You can see that it is such an important instrument.

History of the bass

What is considered to be the beginning of the bass is the “violone” instrument.
An ancestor of the contrabass, it had six, five, four, and sometimes only three strings. It is said to have been played in Europe from the 16th to 18th century. It is similar in appearance and size to the cello.

Around the beginning of the 19th century, an instrument quite similar to the modern double bass was born in the evolution of the violone.
This fretless string instrument sound is produced by rubbing the bow made of horse hair against the strings of the instrument.
It’s easy for everyone to picture this because you often see it in jazz and orchestras!

At the time it first came around, the number of strings was not constant, ranging from three to six, and various specifications were adopted by different craftsmen.
However, through repeated trial and error, the number of strings gradually refined, and today's four-stringed instruments have become the mainstream.

At the end of the 19th century, more and more people began to use the double bass, especially those who played popular music such as jazz and blues.
At that time, the style of playing changed from bowing to plucking.

In 1951, the world's first electric bass was finally made.
The original electric bass was the Precision Bass, and it was Leo Fender who produced it.
That's right!
The founder of FENDER, the top manufacturer of guitars and basses, was the one who made it!

This was the dawn of the rock and roll era, and there was a demand for an instrument that could produce more volume than the double bass.
Therefore, this electric bass attracted a lot of attention and more and more people started using it.

In fact, most sound sources from around 1950 use the double bass, but gradually more and more sound sources are being recorded with the electric bass sound.
The popularity of the electric bass was rapid, and by the 1960s, most people were using electric basses.

Around this time, legendary bands such as The Beatles and The Rolling Stones first formed.
Accordingly, the electric bass became known worldwide.

In the 1970s, more and more songs that featured the bass as the main instrument with the chopper technique along with other techniques spread.

From this time on, it became standard for basses to play melodic lines in pop music.

Five-string basses and Chapman sticks also began to become popular around this time.
The first bass guitar made was the “Fender Bass V”.

In the mid-1980s, synth basses began to be used.
A lot of music with bass lines played on keyboards were also invented around this time.

The 1990s brought major changes in many genres.
Electric basses began to use more and more effects pedals, and other sounds that overturned conventional wisdom were invented.

In this way, the bass guitar has taken its current form after more than 500 years of development!

Here are the recommended products that are carried at Sound House!

PLAYTECH / JB480 Purple [Carbonized maple neck]

Sound House is proud of this entry model jazz bass that offers high quality and high value.
Even for an entry-level model, Playtech's recent models are quite carefully crafted!
The sound has a solid core and a heavy bass.
The hand controls also work well, allowing for a wide variety of sound making.

Ideal as a beginner's first one or an advanced player's sub-bass!
Colors are also attractive, which are hard to find from other makers!
If you want to add your own personality, you can change the parts to make it unique!

PLAYTECH / Wood Knob Inch/Glow Red (1)

I especially recommend this one!
This control knob has the warmth of wood grain. The surface has been treated well, so it was smooth to the touch!
Also, the control knobs can be easily replaced without any specialized knowledge or equipment needed!

All colors are available in both inch/millimeter standard, so please make sure to check them carefully when purchasing!
You can also enjoy the individual differences unique to wood!

ALLPARTS / PG-0755-052 Dark Black Pearloid Pickguard for Jazz Bass

The pickguard can also be replaced!
This is also an easy replacement with no soldering required.
Black pearl and white pearl go well with any color of instrument, so you can change your mind!

*Please note that there may be cases where the screw holes need to be modified due to individual differences!

The above is an in-depth look at the history of the bass.
I think it was a very emotional experience. Have a pleasant bass life!

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