Names of the parts of the bass

Head

The tip of the neck is called the head. There are various shapes depending on the arrangement of pegs for winding strings.

Peg

It is the metallic part used to wrap the end of the string at the head. Perform tuning by adjusting the string tension by turning these.

String guide

A string guide is provided to hold the 1st and 2nd strings in place and to prevent the strings from coming off the nut. It also has the effect of increasing the tension of the strings.

Nut

A part between the fingerboard and the head, which acts to support the strings by fixing the distance between the strings.
The sound of the open string is the fulcrum here. Although various materials are used, the difference in the material affects the difference in the character of the sound and sustain (the length a note sounds).

Neck

The stringed portion of the bass is called the neck. The head is attached to the tip. The difference in thickness, shape, material, and finish changes the sound and feel.

Scale

The length of the neck is called scale, and a long scale with a nut-to-bridge length of about 864 mm (34 inches) is usually used, but other than that, a medium scale of about 814 mm (32 inches) or short types with a scale of about 762 mm (30 inches) are also common. Sustain is worse for shorter scales because the length of the string is shorter, but because the overall size is smaller and the weight is lighter, they are suitable for small people and those with smaller hands start the bass.

Fingerboard

The surface of the neck, mainly maple (white) and rosewood (brown) are used. There are differences in shape (fringe of the fingerboard), material, finish, appearance, feel, and sound quality, so choose the one that suits your tastes.

Position marker

It is an embedded mark to make it easy to understand the position on the fingerboard. The position marker on the edge of the fingerboard is called the "side position marker".

Fret

It is the metal that is installed on a fingerboard to determine the pitch, and changes by one semitone for each fret. The sound and playability changes depending on the material, thickness, height and shape.
In addition, a bass without frets is called a fretless bass, and has a warmer sound.
In addition, a bass without frets is called a fretless bass, and has a warmer sound.

Neck joint

It is the section where the neck and the body connect.
There are three main methods for connecting necks and bodies: detachable necks, set necks, and through necks. Generally, the sustain (extension of sound) becomes longer in the order of detachable neck <set neck <through neck.

Detachable neck: A type that attaches the neck with screws on the back of the body.
Set neck: A type with a neck glued to the body.
Through neck: A type in which the body is bonded on both sides of the neck, which penetrates through to the body end.

Body

In the part where the vibration of the string resonates, and the body, as well as the pickup, have the greatest effect on the sound character of the bass. The sound quality and ease of playing vary greatly depending on the material as well as the shape and weight.

General characteristics of the material of the body
Alder: a well-balanced sound in the mid range.
Ash: Clear and tight sound with good rising and falling sound.
Mahogany: A warm sound.
Maple: A sound that is hard and has good sustain (stretching of sound).

Pick up

It is a part that converts the vibration of the string you played into an electrical signal by means of a coil and a magnet (one that plays the role of a microphone). The converted signal is output from the output jack via the volume controller and tone controller. A sound is emitted from the bass amplifier by connecting the output jack and the bass amplifier with a shield cable.

Jazz bass type: Clear and fine-grained sound. Clear and fine-grained sound.
Precision Bass Type: A thick, stiff sound.
Humbucker Type: A powerful, low-end emphasis sound.

Volume controller

This knob adjusts the output level from the bass to the amplifier. There are also basses, such as jazz bass, in which volume is provided for the front pickup on the neck side and the rear pickup on the bridge side.

Tone controller

This is a knob to change the tone of the bass. There are various types of active basses that can be adjusted separately for each band, such as high, middle, and low, and others that have only one tone control.

Passive and Active Types
Bass control have "passive type" controls that do not require batteries and "active type" controls that require batteries. Passive bass tone is controlled by active tone control and equalizer.

Output jack

This jack is for outputting the signal picked up by the pickup. Insert a shielded cable here and connect it to the bass amplifier.

Bridge

It is a part for fixing the strings to the body. You can adjust the height of the strings, adjust the octave and so on.

End pin / strap pin

It is a part to fix the strap when hanging the bass from the shoulder. The pin at the rear end (body end) of the body is called the end pin.

Pick guard

It is a part to prevent the body from being damaged by picking when playing. It is also an important part that becomes a design point with the body. Some models have a pickup or controller attached.

Thumb rest

It is a part to rest the thumb when playing.

Pickup fence

It is a cover to protect the pickup section attached to straddle the strings.

Bridge cover

It is a cover to protect the bridge.