Bass guitars were invented, in their modern form, by musician and inventor Paul Tutmarc in the 1930s. They are considered transposing instruments and are played in a bass clef, and like most bass instruments, they are mostly used to lay down the beat of a musical piece and anchor the harmonic framework. Bass guitars are widely used in popular musical styles.
In appearance, bass guitars are similar to electric guitars. Also, like electric guitars, bass guitars are plugged into an amplifier and speaker during live performances. Unlike an electric guitar, though, bass guitars have a long neck and scale length.
Bass guitars can be made with four, five, or six strings, but the most common is the four string. They are most often played with the fingers or thumb by plucking, popping, thumping, slapping, or tapping the strings. A pick, although less common, can also be used.
Most bass guitars are made primarily of wood. Alder is the most commonly used wood for the body, maple is most commonly used for the neck, and rosewood is most commonly used for the fretboard. However, many other materials can and have been used. Some of the most common wood types for bass guitars include mahogany, ash and maple for the bodies, mahogany for the necks, and ebony or maple for the fret boards.