Electric Guitar and Bass Guitar

Synopsis

This owner's guide for electric guitarists and bassists features numerous tips on auditioning and buying a (bass) guitar choosing new strings maintenance and tuning and other aspects that are unique to an electric guitar. This book also includes chapters on the history and the production of these instruments as well as an index a glossary and the unique Interactive Tipcodes that allow you to hear online audio examples.

Summary

Chapter 1: Introduction to the Electric Guitar

This chapter provides an overview of the electric guitar, including its history, construction, and components. It discusses different guitar shapes, pickups, and tone controls.

Real example: Fender Stratocaster - one of the most iconic electric guitars, known for its versatility and classic sound.

Chapter 2: Electric Guitar Basics

This chapter covers basic guitar playing techniques, such as holding the guitar, picking, strumming, and fingerpicking. It also introduces basic chords and scales.

Real example: C major chord - a fundamental chord often used in popular music.

Chapter 3: Electric Guitar Amplification

This chapter explains the different types of guitar amplifiers and their effects. It discusses how to adjust amplifier settings to achieve various tones.

Real example: Marshall amp - known for its high-gain, distorted sound, commonly used in rock and heavy metal music.

Chapter 4: Electric Guitar Effects

This chapter introduces a wide range of guitar effects, including distortion, reverb, delay, and modulation. It explores how these effects can be used to enhance and modify the guitar sound.

Real example: Chorus effect - creates a lush, layered sound by splitting the signal into two complementary signals and adding a delay.

Chapter 5: Electric Bass Guitar

This chapter focuses on the electric bass guitar, its construction, tuning, and playing techniques. It explains the different roles of the bass in various musical genres.

Real example: Fender Precision Bass - a classic bass guitar known for its warm, punchy sound.

Chapter 6: Bass Guitar Amplification and Effects

Similar to Chapter 3, this chapter explores different types of bass guitar amplifiers and effects, as well as how to use them to achieve specific tones.

Real example: Ampeg SVT amp - a legendary bass amplifier known for its solid-state construction and powerful, clear sound.

Chapter 7: Electric Guitar and Bass Guitar Maintenance

This chapter provides essential tips on how to maintain electric guitars and bass guitars, including cleaning, string replacement, and general troubleshooting.

Real example: Cleaning a guitar body - using a soft cloth with a mild cleaning solution to remove dirt and grime from the finish.

Chapter 8: Electric Guitar and Bass Guitar Accessories

This chapter covers a variety of accessories that enhance the guitar playing experience, such as guitar straps, picks, tuners, and guitar stands.

Real example: Dunlop Tortex picks - popular among guitarists for their durability and versatility.

Chapter 9: Electric Guitar and Bass Guitar Playing Styles

This chapter explores different playing styles for electric guitar and bass guitar, including blues, rock, jazz, and funk. It discusses the techniques and approaches used by famous guitarists and bassists.

Real example: Jimi Hendrix's signature guitar playing - known for its innovative use of feedback and unconventional techniques.

Chapter 10: Electric Guitar and Bass Guitar Recording

This chapter provides an overview of the recording process for electric guitars and bass guitars. It discusses microphones, recording techniques, and mixing tips.

Real example: Using a Shure SM57 microphone close to the guitar cabinet to capture the classic, bright distorted sound.