Bass vs Guitar: The Difference Between Bass & Electric Guitar

Bass vs guitar–which instrument is best for you? Which is easiest to play? Which takes longest to learn? What is the difference between bass and guitar?

On this page we answer all of these questions and more, giving you a complete guide to the differences between bass and guitar...


Page Index

Introduction

Bass Vs Guitar Main Differences

Physical Differences

Tuning

Sound

Playing Styles

What Can You Play On Each Instrument?

Gear

Which Is Easiest To Play–Bass Or Guitar?

Conclusion & Related Pages


Introduction

Despite there being some similarities in the bass guitar and electric guitar, they are very different instruments. Whereas a bassist will understand the principles of guitar playing, and vice versa, both musicians typically play different roles within a band.

This page has been written to give you a better idea about the difference between bass and guitar, and the playing styles required for each instrument. We also discuss the gear you'll need to get started, and which of the two instruments is easiest to learn.

Our aim is to provide a useful guide for anyone considering learning either the bass or the guitar. If you have any questions, then feel free to ask them in the comments section at the bottom of the page.

Below is an at-a-glance list of the main difference between bass and guitar. We elaborate on each of these points further down the page.

Bass vs Electric Guitar

Bass Vs Guitar

  • A bass has four strings; a guitar has six strings
  • A bass guitar is tuned to the same notes as the four lowest strings on an electric guitar, but an octave lower
  • The neck of a bass guitar is longer than that of an electric guitar
  • The frets of a bass guitar are wider than those of an electric guitar
  • Bass guitar strings are thicker than electric guitar strings
  • Bass guitar strings rarely break; electric guitar strings break (fairly) frequently
  • Bass guitarists often play with their fingers rather than with a pick
  • Electric guitarists play with a pick most of the time
  • Bass guitar is most often used to play single-note, rhythmic bass lines and riffs
  • Guitars typically play chords, riffs and lead solos
  • Bass guitarists typically use a small range of tones
  • Guitarists often make use of effects to produce a wider range of tones
  • Bass amps tend to have higher power ratings and larger speakers than guitar amps
  • Bass is slightly more physically demanding to play than guitar (at the start)
  • Bass is slightly easier to get started with than electric guitar

Difference Between Bass & Guitar

A bass is designed to produce lower notes than a guitar, therefore the main physical differences between bass and guitar are due to the physical requirements of producing those lower tones, namely: wider frets, a longer neck, and thicker strings.

The basic construction of a bass guitar and an electric guitar is much the same. In their standard forms, both instruments have solid bodies, fretted fingerboards, pickups to convert string vibrations into electrical signals, knobs to adjust volume and tone, and machine heads for tuning the strings.

Playing Bass Guitar In A Band
Bass guitars have longer necks than electric guitars.

Physics demands that the lower the note, the wider the space between each fret. As the notes get lower on a standard guitar, the frets get wider, and because the bass is essentially an extension of the guitar, the frets on a bass fretboard continue to get correspondingly wider.

Wide frets mean a long neck, and the neck of an electric bass is significantly longer than that of a typical guitar.

An electric bass can feel “less balanced” than a guitar while in use, although this is something you’ll quickly get used to.

In order to deal with wider, lower frequency vibrations, bass strings are significantly thicker than guitar strings. This, in addition to their extra length, means that bass guitar strings are around two or three times the price of electric guitar strings.

  • Bass strings, given their extra width, are far less likely to break than guitar strings. On the whole, bassists tend not to change their strings as frequently as guitarists. (Although the sound of both instruments can benefit from fresh strings.)
  • Wide frets and thick strings mean that big, strong hands can be a bonus for a bass player, especially at the start.

Bass Vs Guitar Tuning

The strings of a standard bass guitar are tuned to the following pitches: E1, A1, D2, G2. The strings of a standard guitar are tuned E2, A2, D3, G3, B3, E4. The strings of the bass are tuned to the same notes–but an octave lower–as the four lowest guitar strings.

Therefore, any note played anywhere on the fretboard of a bass guitar is the same note, but an octave lower, as that played at the same fret on the corresponding string on a guitar.

For example, the note at the 3rd fret of the E string of a bass guitar is a G1, whereas the note played at the 3rd fret of the low E string on a guitar is a G2–they’re both G notes, but that on the guitar is an octave higher.

This means that, if you know the note names on a bass guitar, you’ll also know the note names of all but the top two strings of a guitar. (In actual fact, you’ll also know the notes of the high E guitar string, as they’ll be the same as the E string on the bass, but 3 octaves higher.)

You can find out more about guitar notes on this page: Guitar String Notes


Bass Vs Electric Guitar Sound

Electric bass guitar being played with a pick
Electric bass guitar being played with a pick

When plugged directly into an amplifier and played clean (i.e., without any effects or EQ applied) both bass and guitar produce a clear, ringing tone, with that produced by a bass guitar being naturally lower and “boomier”.

In a typical rock band setting, a guitar is called on to produce a greater variation of tones than a bass.

Whereas the bass is usually played with a clean (undistorted) tone with subtle or no effects, an electric guitar’s sound is often modified with distortion and any number of additional effects, from chorus to delay.

Played without an amplifier, both bass and electric guitar produce an extremely quiet, tinny sound, which is unusable for any purpose other than practicing in a quiet environment.


Bass Vs Guitar Playing Styles

Five String Bass Guitar
A five string bass guitar being played with the fingers rather than with a pick.

Bass guitarists often play with their fingers rather than with a pick, although playing bass with a pick is also very common. By contrast, electric guitarists are far more likely to play with a pick, only resorting to playing “fingerstyle” when a particular sound is required.

Playing bass with the fingers gives more control over the individual notes, whereas playing with a pick produces a relatively brighter, more cutting sound. Some bassists alternate between the two techniques.

Slap bass – a playing technique that involves the thumb striking, rather than plucking, the strings–is a technique unique to the bass. It can be used to create highly-rhythmic bass lines, and is common in funk and funk-influenced music.

Playing techniques such as string slides, vibrato, hammer-ons and pull-offs are used on both bass and guitar. However, (most) bass guitarists tend not to use lead techniques such as string bends, tapping, and sweep-picking.

You can find out more about playing bass guitar on this page: Playing Bass Guitar


What Can You Play On Each Instrument?

Lead guitarist
Guitarists tend to play more solos than bass guitarists!

Both bass and electric guitar are predominantly ensemble instruments; it’s rare to see either instrument being played solo.

The extra strings of a guitar, together with the relative ease with which chords can be played, and the higher overall pitch of the instrument, make it a more suitable instrument for playing riffs, melodies and solos.

The bass guitar, by comparison, is usually restricted to playing low notes and a supporting role within a band.

The typical role of a bassist in a band is to both reinforce the rhythm of the drums and to provide the harmonic underpinnings of a song.

A bass part typically does not contain chords, and is often a relatively simple line that closely follows the song’s chord sequence and repeats numerous times, perhaps with fills or other embellishments for variation. A bass may also play the song’s main riff between chorus and verse, etc.

A guitar part typically includes chords, riffs and lead lines. Guitars provide rhythmic backing, but in addition are often called on to provide the “focal point” of the music when there is no singing.

Great bassists create memorable, interesting bass lines and riffs without losing sight of the fact that they’ve also got a job to do providing the lower frequencies of the band’s sound.

Playing bass in a band involves locking in with the drums, providing the groove, making the room rumble, and occasionally taking the spotlight with a riff; it's a highly-satisfying role!

You can find out more about bass scales on this page: Bass Scales

You can find out more about bass chords on this page: Bass Guitar Chords


Gear Requirements

fender guitar amp
You'll need an amp whether you take up bass or guitar.

Bass and guitar have the same basic gear requirements: both instruments require both an amplifier, and a lead to connect the instrument to said amp.

A strap is required if either instrument is to be played while standing. An electronic tuner is highly recommended (and almost essential in a recording or live setting).

Bass amplifiers typically have both a higher power rating, and larger speakers, than guitar amps. This is a result of the higher power required to produce the lower-frequency sound of a bass.

Bass guitarists tend to use fewer effects that guitarists, and can often get away with nothing more than an amp.

By comparison, guitarists are often required to switch between different sounds, both between and during songs, and as a result, use footswitches and effects pedals for making rapid tone changes.


Which Is Easiest To Play?

Man playing bass guitar

In terms of playing simple melodies and scales, the electric guitar is easier to play than a bass. This is because the frets of an electric guitar are narrower, and the strings thinner, than those of a bass. As a result, less effort is required to press the strings down, and less stretching is required to move between notes.

However, in terms of being able to play in a band, then it could be argued that a bass is easier to play than a guitar. This is because bass lines tend to be simpler than guitar lines.

Bass lines are often repetitive, single-note lines, whereas guitarists play a mixture of chords, single-note lines, riffs and lead solos; there’s simply more for a beginner guitarist to learn in order to get gig-ready.

Of course, this is a very basic overview, and in actual fact it will take years of dedicated practice to master either instrument!


Bass Vs Guitar: Conclusion

On this page we’ve outlined the basic differences between bass and guitar and the respective sound, playing styles and gear requirements of each instrument. Comparing instruments is controversial; there are pros and cons in playing either bass or guitar, and “bass vs guitar” is a bit of a “how long is a bit of string” question

Extroverts are more likely to opt for the guitar, as they’ll be in the spotlight more! That said, a good bassist will always find a chance to shine.

Playing either instrument is highly rewarding, and, because there is so much in common between the bass and guitar, you can always swap later on in your career!

You can find out more about playing the bass guitar on this page: Playing Bass Guitar

Find out more about the similarities and differences between bass and guitar on this page: Is A Bass A Guitar?

You'll find a complete reference to bass guitar scales on this page: Bass Scales

Download or get a printed copy of our awesome bass guitar reference book: Bass Scales, Chords and Arpeggios

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