It can also cause the bass guitar to rattle. This results in the string not being secured properly, which can reduce the sustain and resonance of the string. If the distance between the neck and post is too long, the string`s break angle will not be steep enough. String trees, sometimes called string guides or string retainers, are used to secure certain strings in place between the end of the neck and the string posts. In some cases, such as with the Fender Precision, certain strings need to be wrapped as many as 4-5 times. It is common to wrap strings 2-3 times around them. Generally, how many times strings should wrap around tuning pegs dictates how bassists cut their strings. In the tuning post, the tip of the string is fastened into a small hole and then wrapped around it. There is an individual post for each string of the bass, and they ensure that the strings are fastened securely to the headstock. These are also sometimes called string posts, or string pegs. On the headstocks, the strings are fastened to and wrapped around the tuning posts. Since the bass` guitars rise to popularity in the 50s, headstocks have also become an integral part of the look of the bass guitar. However, headstocks make tuning and staying in tune convenient. There are headless bass guitars, and headstocks are thus not a strict necessity for a bass. The headstock also provides a counterweight to the body of the bass, which keeps it balanced and thus easier to play. The headstock makes up the entire upper part of the bass guitar and houses many other components.īy being fastened to the headstock, strings are able to hold tension, which is needed for them to produce discernable pitches and be playable. Thus, I also made an infographic that will make it easier to remember all of the parts after reading. I`ve highlighted what they look like, what they do, and how they can impact the sound, look, and feel of the bass as a whole. Therefore, I`ve written this list of every part of the bass guitar. This is helpful when discussing the bass with bass players, musicians, and luthiers, or when giving or taking lessons. Second, it makes it easier to talk to others about your instrument. In the same vein, it also makes it easier to understand why some basses feel cumbersome and slow. As we saw above, the initial shape of the string when it is plucked or struck determines which harmonics are more present.Knowing the different parts of a bass guitar is crucial for bassists of all skill levels.įirst of all, it helps you identify what makes a bass suit your style and physiology. The clavichord, harpsichord and piano sound different in large part because the strings are set into vibration by different mechanisms. As long as the key is held down another set of levers keeps the damper off the string. The back check keeps the hammer from bouncing back and striking the string twice. When the key is pressed a series of levers acts to throw the hammer upward so that it hits the string. Below is a very simplified diagram of the mechanism of the strike action of the piano (more details can be found in this animation of a piano mechanism). Because it was significantly louder it was originally called the 'piano forte' (forte is Latin for loud). The piano was developed in the early 1700s This instrument overcame several limitations of the earlier harpsichords and clavichords. A spring mechanism moves the plectrum out of the way while the mechanism returns to its starting point (see Wikipeda for details). The harpsichord was developed in about a century later and uses a quill (originally from the feather of a bird) called the plectrumto pluck one or two strings when the key is pressed. In the clavichord, developed in the 15th century, a small metal piece called the tangenthits the string (sometimes two strings) when a lever is pressed by the performer. Strictly speaking keyboard instruments such as the piano, harpsichord and clavichord are classified as percussion instruments because there is a mechanism that strikes or plucks the string. The process of how they were made was a secret that was lost hundreds of years ago and has not been replicated. It has been claimed that the famous Stradivarius violins have a special sound in part because the wood was treated with special chemicals. The more uniform the wood grain the less likely there will be an unwanted resonance. More expensive guitars and violins are made from wood that is picked to be very dense and have very uniform and fine grain. \( \newcommand\) for a violin.Īnother factor that affects the sound of a string instrument is the material of which it is constructed and the finish.
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