A bass guitar or simply bass is a plucked string instrument in the guitar family of stringed instruments. They can be electric bass or acoustic bass. In many genres, it has largely replaced the double bass. As with its electric guitar and acoustic guitar counterparts, music from the mid-20th century has led to various instrument manufacturers producing signature models that are endorsed by an artist.
Artist | Model | Company | Production lifetime | Notes | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Adam Clayton | Adam Clayton Jazz | Fender | [1] | ||
Adam Clayton Signature | Warwick | 2019–present | Artist Line of RockBass | [2] [3] | |
Adam "Nolly" Getgood | NG Adam "Nolly" Getgood Signature | Dingwall | Available in gloss metallic black, matte ducati pearl white, gloss black forest green, matte gold metallic, celestial blue | [4] | |
Alex Webster | Euro5 LX Alex Webster | Spector | Available in solid black and blood red drip | [5] | |
Legend 5 Alex Webster | [6] | ||||
Allen Woody | Rumbelkat | Epiphone | [7] | ||
Andrew Gouche | Kingston Andrew Gouche | MTD | [8] |
Artist | Model | Company | Production lifetime | Notes | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Blu DeTiger | Limited Player Plus x Blu DeTiger Jazz Bass | Fender | 2024-present | [9] | |
Bootsy Collins | Space Bass | Warwick | 2019–present | [10] | |
Bryan Beller | BBM5 | Mike Lull | [11] | ||
BBMF5 |
Artist | Model | Company | Production lifetime | Notes | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Chris Kael | Signature Warlock | B.C. Rich | [12] | ||
Cliff Burton | Aria Pro II Cliff Burton | Aria | Based on his custom Aria Pro II | [13] | |
Cliff Williams | Cliff Williams Icon Series StingRay | Music Man | [14] |
Artist | Model | Company | Production lifetime | Notes | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dan Briggs | NS-2000/5 | Spector | [15] | ||
Daniel Firth | Hellraiser Extreme-5 Signature | Schecter | [16] | ||
Dale Stewart | Avenger | 2012-present | [17] [18] | ||
Dave Ellefson | X Series Signature David Ellefson Concert Bass CBX IV | Jackson | [19] | ||
Davie Biale aka Davie504 | Retrovibe EVO Davie504 Signature | Chowny | 2017 | Available in black burst, blue burst, green burst, red burst, purple burst. Also available in left-handed. | [20] [21] |
Doug Wimbish | Euro4 LX Doug Wimbish | Spector | [22] | ||
Dug Pinnick | Baron-H | Schecter | Available in a left-handed model | [23] [24] | |
DP-12 | Available in a left-handed model | [25] [26] | |||
Duff McKagan | Duff McKagan Precision | Fender | [27] | ||
Duff McKagan Deluxe Precision | Available in black or white pearl with a rosewood fretboard | [28] |
Artist | Model | Company | Production lifetime | Notes | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Eva Gardner | Squier Eva Gardner Precision Bass | Fender Squier | 2014 | [29] |
Artist | Model | Company | Production lifetime | Notes | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Flea | Flea Jazz | Fender | [30] | ||
Frank Bello | Pro-Mod So-Cal PJ IV | Charvel | 2022 | EMG® Frank Bello Signature P/J pickups. HiMass™ bridge, Graph Tech® TUSQ® XL. | [31] |
Artist | Model | Company | Production lifetime | Notes | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Gary Willis | GWB1005-NTF | Ibanez | Fretless in black flat | [32] | |
GWB35-BKF | Fretless in natural flat | [33] | |||
Geddy Lee | Geddy Lee Jazz | Fender | Available in 3-colour sunburst and black with a maple fretboard. | [34] | |
Limited Edition USA Geddy Lee Jazz | 2015 | Crimson red with pickguard. 100 were produced. | [35] | ||
USA Geddy Lee Jazz | [36] [37] | ||||
Gene Simmons | G2 Thunderbird | Gibson | Pronounced G-squared | [38] | |
Gerald Veasley | GVB1006 | Ibanez | Available in six string, amber coloured models | [39] | |
GVB36 | [40] |
Artist | Model | Company | Production lifetime | Notes | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hans-Jürgen Reznicek | Jäcki Reznicek Signature | Warwick | [41] |
Artist | Model | Company | Production lifetime | Notes | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ian Hill | Euro4 Ian Hill Limited Edition | Spector | Available in solid white and solid black | [42] | |
Ida Nielsen | California Ida Nielsen | Sandberg Guitars | [43] |
Artist | Model | Company | Production lifetime | Notes | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Jaco Pastorius | Jaco Pastorius Jazz Bass | Fender | [44] | ||
Jack Bruce | Jack Bruce #13-2324 | Warwick | [45] | ||
Jack Bruce Artist Series | [46] | ||||
Jack Bruce Signature | [47] | ||||
Jack Bruce Survivor #13-2586 | [48] | ||||
Jack Bruce Survivor #20-4177 | [49] | ||||
Jack Casady | Jack Casady Bass | Epiphone | [50] | ||
John Campbell | JC-4 | ESP | Dark grey metallic satin | [51] | |
John DeServio | JD DeServio J-4 | Schecter | Gloss black with "BLS" distressed flag | [52] | |
John Entwistle | John Entwistle Hybrid | Dean | [53] | ||
John Entwistle Hybrid 5-String | 2013 | ||||
John Entwistle Spider | |||||
USA John Entwistle Hybrid | |||||
USA John Entwistle Spider | |||||
John Myung | Bongo 6 HH | Music Man | [54] | ||
John Paul Jones | Signature E-Bass | Manson | 2021-present | Comes in flame top gloss vintage sunburst, quilt top gloss vintage sunburst, and quilt top trans satin black burst | [55] [56] [57] [58] |
Johnny Christ | Johnny Christ | Schecter | Available in 5-string and left-handed models | [59] [60] [61] | |
Jonas Hellborg | Jonas Hellborg Signature | Warwick | [62] | ||
Jonas Hellborg Signature #15-2938 | Fretless | [63] | |||
Jonas Hellborg Signature #16-3306 | [64] | ||||
Jonas Hellborg Signature #20-4172 | [65] | ||||
Justin Meldal-Johnsen | JMJ Road Worn Mustang | Fender | Available in faded Daphne and black with a rosewood fretboard | [66] |
Artist | Model | Company | Production lifetime | Notes | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
King Ov Hell | Mephisto King Ov Hell Signature | Schecter | [67] |
Artist | Model | Company | Production lifetime | Notes | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Leland Sklar | Lee Sklar II Signature | Dingwall | Available in any candy, metallic, or pearl Dingwall colours | [68] | |
SklarBass I Signature | Warwick | Artist Line of RockBass available in burgundy blackburst transparent and vintage sunburst | [69] [70] |
Artist | Model | Company | Production lifetime | Notes | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mark Hoppus | Artist Series Signature Jazz Bass | Fender | 2003-2015 | ||
Signature Jaguar Bass | 2022-current | ||||
Michael Anthony | Koa Top USA Signature | Schecter | [71] | ||
MA-4 | [72] | ||||
MA-5 | [73] | ||||
Michael Anthony | [74] | ||||
Meshell Ndegeocello | Meshell Ndegeocello Fellowship bass | Reverend Musical Instruments | [75] | ||
Mike D'Antonio | MD85 | Ibanez | [76] | ||
Mike Dirnt | Mike Dirnt Road Worn Precision | Fender | Available in white blonde with either a rosewood or maple fretboard | [77] | |
Mike Kroeger | MK-5 Pro | Spector | [78] | ||
Mikey Way | Signature Jazz Bass | Fender | 2023 | Limited edition with an alder body and silver sparkle finish. | [79] [80] |
Signature Mustang Bass | Squier | 2012-2015 | Finished in large flake silver sparkle with a black competition stripe, pick guard, and rosewood fretboard |
Artist | Model | Company | Production lifetime | Notes | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Nadja Peulen | Nadja Peulen NP-4 | Schecter | [81] | ||
Nate Mendel | Nate Mendel P Bass | Fender | [82] | ||
Nathan East | BBNE2 | Yamaha | Available in black and white | [83] [84] | |
Nikki Sixx | J-4 Sixx | Schecter | [85] | ||
Schecter Sixx Bass | Available in a left-handed model | [86] [87] |
Artist | Model | Company | Production lifetime | Notes | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Paz Lenchantin | LUNA Paz 5 Paz Lenchantin Signature 5-string Bass | Luna Guitars | 2008 | [88] | |
Peter Hook | Peter Hook Signature BB | Yamaha | [89] |
Artist | Model | Company | Production lifetime | Notes | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Rachel Bolan | Euro4 Rachel Bolan | Spector | [90] | ||
Reginald Arvizu aka Fieldy | K5 | Ibanez | [91] | ||
Rex Brown | Rex Brown Reverso | Warwick | Artist Line of RockBass available in solid black and burgundy blackburst | [92] [93] | |
Rex Brown Signature Thunderbird | Gibson | [94] | |||
Rhonda Smith | Miezo 18 Rhonda Smith Signature | Maurizio Über | A 16" scale travel bass. Available in 5, 6, and 7-string models. | [95] | |
Robert Trujillo | Robert Trujillo RockBass | Warwick | Artist Line with 4 and 5-string versions available in solid black satin | [96] [97] [98] | |
Rudy Sarzo | Euro4 LT Rudy Sarzo | Spector | [99] | ||
Euro4 LX Rudy Sazro | [100] |
Artist | Model | Company | Production lifetime | Notes | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Scott Whitley | SWB-1 Scott Whitley Signature | Chowny | Available in natural ash, trans tobacco burst, trans white, trans black, trans blue. Also available in a fretless model in the same colours as well as mahogany. | [101] [102] | |
Sean Yseult | Sean Yseult Signature Casket | Schecter | 2012 | [103] | |
Sharlee D'Angelo | SDB3 | Ibanez | [104] | ||
Simon Gallup | Ultra Spitfire | Schecter | [105] | ||
Steve Bailey | Steve Bailey Signature | Warwick | Fretless option | [106] | |
Steve Harris | Steve Harris Precision | Fender | [107] | ||
Stu Cook | SC5 | Mike Lull | [108] | ||
Stu Hamm | Stu Hamm Signature | Warwick | [109] | ||
Stu Hamm Signature #15-2822 | [110] | ||||
Stu Hamm Signature #15-2989 | Fretless | [111] | |||
Stu Hamm Signature #16-3318 | [112] | ||||
Stu Hamm Signature #18-3748 | [113] | ||||
Stuart Zender | Stuart Zender Signature | [114] | |||
Stuart Zender Signature #14-2694 | [115] | ||||
Stuart Zender Signature #16-3278 | [116] | ||||
Stuart Zender Signature #16-3331 | [117] | ||||
Stuart Zender Signature #17-3512 | [118] |
Artist | Model | Company | Production lifetime | Notes | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Thundercat | TCB1006 | Ibanez | Six string in autumn leaf burst matte | [119] | |
Tim Lefebvre | J5 Tim Lefebvre Signature | Maurizio Über | [120] | ||
Tom Araya | TA-204 FRX | ESP | [121] | ||
TA-604 FRX | [122] | ||||
Tom Araya FRX | [123] | ||||
Todd Kerns | Anti-Star Signature | Prestige | Comes in black and white | [124] | |
Tomasz Wróblewski aka Orion | Orion-4 | ESP | [125] | ||
Tony Butler | Retrovibe Vantage Tony Butler Signature | Chowny | Available in a left-handed model | [126] | |
V4 Black | Vintage | [127] | |||
Tony Franklin | Tony Franklin Fretless Precision Bass | Fender | Available in Lake Placid blue, 3-colour sunburst, and black with an ebony fingerboard | [128] | |
Troy Sanders | Troy Sanders Jaguar Bass | [129] |
Artist | Model | Company | Production lifetime | Notes | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Verdine White | NYC Custom Verdine White Signature | Sadowsky | [130] |
Artist | Model | Company | Production lifetime | Notes | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Will Lee | NYC Custom Will Lee Signature | Sadowsky | [131] |
The bass guitar, electric bass or simply bass is the lowest-pitched member of the guitar family. It is a plucked string instrument similar in appearance and construction to an electric or acoustic guitar, but with a longer neck and scale length. The bass guitar most commonly has four strings, though five- and six-stringed models are also relatively popular, and bass guitars with even more strings or courses have been built. Since the mid-1950s, the bass guitar has largely come to replace the double bass in popular music due to its lighter weight, the inclusion of frets in most models, and, most importantly, its design for electric amplification. This is also because the double bass is acoustically compromised for its range in that it is scaled down from the optimal size that would be appropriate for those low notes.
Adam Charles Clayton is an English-Irish musician who is the bass guitarist of the rock band U2. Born in Oxfordshire, England, he lived in County Dublin, Ireland after his family moved to Malahide in 1965, when he was five years old. Clayton attended Mount Temple Comprehensive School, where he met schoolmates with whom he co-founded U2 in 1976. A member of the band since its inception, he has recorded 15 studio albums with U2.
Stuart Hamm is an American bass guitar player, known for his session and live work with numerous artists as well as for his unconventional playing style and solo recordings.
Warwick is a German bass guitar manufacturing company. Warwick basses were originally a premium brand offering a small range of models built from high quality and exotic tonewoods. The company also produces valve and FET amplifiers, speaker cabinets, bass guitar strings, and is the owner of the Framus trademark. Their headquarters and custom shops are located in Markneukirchen, Shanghai, and Nashville.
The seven-string guitar adds one additional string to the more common six-string guitar, commonly used to extend the bass range or also to extend the treble range.
Stuart Patrick Jude Zender is an English bassist. He is best known as a former member of the band Jamiroquai.
The Fender Jazz Bass is the second model of electric bass created by Leo Fender. It is distinct from the Precision Bass in that its tone is brighter and richer in the midrange and treble with less emphasis on the fundamental frequency. The body shape is also different from the Precision Bass, in that the Precision Bass has a symmetrical lower bout on the body, designed after the Telecaster and Stratocaster lines of guitars, while the Jazz Bass has an offset lower bout, mimicking the design aesthetic of the Jaguar and Jazzmaster guitars.
The baritone guitar is a guitar with a longer scale length, typically a larger body, and heavier internal bracing, so it can be tuned to a lower pitch. Gretsch, Fender, Gibson, Ibanez, ESP Guitars, PRS Guitars, Music Man, Danelectro, Schecter, Burns London and many other companies have produced electric baritone guitars since the 1960s, although always in small numbers due to low popularity. Tacoma, Santa Cruz, Taylor, Martin, Alvarez Guitars and others have made acoustic baritone guitars.
Douglas Theodore Pinnick, sometimes stylized as dUg Pinnick or simply dUg, is an American musician best known as the bass guitarist, co-lead vocalist, and songwriter for the hard rock and progressive metal band King's X. He has performed on 15 albums with King's X and recorded four solo albums. Pinnick has also participated in numerous side projects and has multiple guest appearances to his credit. He is recognized for his unique vocals, and heavily distorted bass tone. Pinnick often plays bass with a guitar pick, though he has also been seen using his fingers.
The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to guitars:
Schecter Guitar Research, commonly known simply as Schecter, is an American manufacturing company founded in 1976 by David Schecter, which originally produced only replacement parts for existing guitars from manufacturers such as Fender and Gibson.
Steve Bailey is an American bassist. He is the chair of the bass department at Berklee College of Music.
The Fender Jaguar Bass is an electric bass guitar currently manufactured in Mexico by the Fender Musical Instruments Corporation.
The 12-string bass is an electric bass with four courses of three strings each, though they occasionally have six courses of two strings.
The Streamer bass is a bass guitar manufactured by the Warwick company and launched in 1982.