Bass Guitar Anatomy: The Parts of a Bass Explained
A bass looks like a stretched guitar. But a few of the parts do a slightly different job. Here is what each part is for.
The main parts
- Head and tuners. The end of the neck, with the tuning machines. Turn a tuner, and the string goes higher or lower.
- Nut. Where the head meets the neck. It keeps the strings evenly spaced, and at the right height over the first fret.
- Neck and fretboard. It has frets, just like a guitar. The dots on the fretboard help you find your place, without looking at the head.
- Pickguard. A plate that protects the body from scratches, from a pick or from slap playing.
- Pickups. Magnets (one or two) that turn the vibration of the strings into a signal. The type and placement of the pickups shape a big part of the tone.
- Controls. Knobs for volume and tone. With two pickups, you can often blend between them too.
- Body. Vibrates with the strings. Together with the pickups, it shapes the sound of the bass.
- Bridge. Holds the strings at the body end. It sets the height of the strings, and on most basses also the exact length of each string.
Frequently asked questions
Why does a bass have one or two pickups?
Each pickup hears the string at a different spot, and each spot gives a different tone. With two pickups you can blend them. That gives you more sounds than one fixed pickup.
What does the bridge adjust?
Mainly how high the strings sit over the fretboard (the action). On most basses it also sets the exact length of each string (the intonation). Both affect how easy the bass is to play, and how well it stays in tune up the neck.
Do all basses have four strings?
Four strings (E, A, D, G) is the normal setup. But there are also basses with five and six strings. They add a lower B string and sometimes a higher C string.