Finding the best beginner bass is the first hurdle any aspiring bassist will face when starting out.
What are the differences between basses? How do pickups work? Why do people slap their basses? There’s so much information out there, and it can seem overwhelming to a complete newbie.
Luckily, you’ve come to the right place.
The Gear4music Chicago bass is a good beginner bass guitar. In fact, it’s a great place to start.
This article will examine some of Gear4music’s best entry-level basses in 2022, namely the Chicago bass guitars. But it’ll also contain useful information for any beginner bassist, so make sure you read to the end if this is you. Learning more about different bass types certainly can’t hurt, can it?
ABOUT CHICAGO BASSES
Can you feel the wind blowing through your fingers? That’s exactly the feeling that Gear4music want to conjure with their incredibly effective, insanely affordable Chicago bass range. Aimed solely at those just starting to play bass, these beauties look spectacular and perform very well despite their price.
Each one of these models is ideal for budding bass players who want a bass that not only sounds good, but is also supremely easy to learn.
You’ll be hard-pressed to find a bass for beginners which outperforms these.
Some common features of Gear4music’s Chicago basses include:
- A split and regular humbucker combination: This helps to create a crisp, thick, punchy tone which sounds great for any genre you’re exploring.
- Maple neck: Light in colour and smooth in feel, these necks are used on all sorts of basses, even higher-end ones.
- Gloss finishes: As well as a sleek body shape, gloss finishes help the instrument to look really nice and shiny.
- Included accessories: These include gigbags, picks, cables, and straps to get you going.
Chicago basses are some of the best beginner basses from Gear4music, and this is partly down to the dynamism of the range. Here’s a breakdown of the different types.
STANDARD (OR ANYTHING BUT)
A bass for everyone. The standard Chicago is the flagship for this series, offering a solid playing experience with quality components.
Its pickup combination – a JB Linear humbucker and PB Split humbucker – provides a thumping, powerful bass voicing, along with plenty of sonic versatility.
This Gear4music bass guitar serves as an entry-level bass like no other – and it’s affordable, making it accessible to every single bassist out there.
Shop now | Chicago Bass Guitar by Gear4music, Trans Red Burst
3/4 BASS, FULL SOUND
One for the little people! Or those with small hands, anyway.
The Chicago range contains some stunning 3/4 size basses which are really comfortable to play and hold.
These instruments are so-called 3/4 size because they are 75% the size of a full bass. Their scale length (the length of the fretboard from bridge to headstock) is also shorter.
Chicago’s 3/4 bass is perfect for any aspiring bassist who wants an easy-to-handle, smaller bass.
SHORT SCALE
Similar to Chicago’s 3/4 bass, their short-scale basses are perfect for those who want a comfortable, easy-to-play instrument.
The main difference is that the body is still full size, whilst the scale length has been reduced to 30″.
This gives them the feel and weight of a full-size bass, but with enhanced playability.
Shop now | Chicago Short Scale Bass Guitar by Gear4music, Sunburst
BRING OUT THE BIG GUNS – CHICAGO EXTENDED RANGE
Yet another reason this series is one of Gear4music’s best – five-string basses.
These models have one more low string than their four-string counterparts. This is usually tuned to a B and gives you more scope to play around with lower notes.
Five-string basses are often used in rock and metal, but realistically they can be used in any genre. It just gives you that little bit extra.
And if you want to go even further, there’s also a six-string Chicago bass to explore.
Shop now | Chicago 5 String Bass Guitar by Gear4music, Trans Red
Shop now | Chicago 6 String Bass Guitar by Gear4music, Black
GO UPMARKET WITH THE SELECT
If you’ve got a bit more cash to splash (but not loads more) then the Chicago Select offers some classy additions to the standard model.
Its finish looks sublime for a reason – it boasts a quilted maple top. This gives it an ethereal, stunning aesthetic that’s a cut above the rest.
The roasted maple neck and fretboard then add an even more refined look – roasted maple is often seen on much more expensive models.
Shop now | Chicago Select Bass Guitar by Gear4music, Reverse Red Burst
THE FULL SHEBANG – CHICAGO STARTER PACKS
Just when you thought this range couldn’t get any better… you see the magnificent selection of bass starter packs.
Most of the Chicago basses include some basic accessories, like a strap, picks, a cable, and more. However, these starter packs include a quality amp too, as well as replacement strings. Literally everything the budding bassist needs to start playing straight away.
Shop now | Chicago Bass Guitar + 35W Amp Pack, Sunburst
FINAL THOUGHTS
So, there you have it. It should be relatively obvious why a Chicago is an incredible first bass.
Whilst being inexpensive, it also offers a range of quality features, such as dynamic pickups. These will help you adapt the bass to any genre, making it the ideal bass guitar for beginners.
And it’s a workhorse too, offering more than enough durability to see you through to an advanced level of bass playing. You really can’t go wrong!
But wait, there’s more!
Chicagos are great, but there are loads more Gear4music basses out there which are perfect for beginners. Try LA Bass guitars, Harlem bass guitars, and Seattle bass guitars!
0 Comments