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Gift List for Bassists

by Justin Reamer

Musical Instruments

Parker P-Series PB41 Bass - $839.00 This top-shelf bass from Parker features a urethane body, unique deep-pocket set neck construction, EMG Active Bass Humbuckers and a maple neck with Carbonite fretboard. Perfect for all styles, from Jazz to Rock to Heavy Metal. Comes with custom gig bag.

Hohner B2B Headless Bass - $549.00 No, your eyes are not deceiving you, that bass has no head! Hohner's headless bass has been pleasing crowds for two decades now. They continue to turn heads everywhere they go: first for their unusual, distinctive looks and then for their astonishingly rich and powerful sound.

Arbor 5-String Bass - $198.99 The AB500 Five-String Bass offers a range of tonal variations. It comes in a solid agathis double cutaway body, nato neck, and rosewood fingerboard. Comes with a Limited Lifetime Warranty.

JB Player 5-string Acoustic-Electric Bass - $299.99 This highly affordable Acoustic-Electric Bass is as versatile as the ones listed above. However, this comes with the added bonus of a 5th string, giving you harmonic possibilities that other Acoustic-Electrics lack.

Fender Squier "Stop Dreaming, Start Playing" Affinity P Bass or Affinity J Bass Guitar Starter Packs - $299.99 From the most trusted name in starter fretted instruments comes this pack designed to get you playing immediately. Comes with Bass, gig gag, Fender Rumble 15 Watt Bass Amplifier, tuner, strap, cable, stereo headphones and an Instructional DVD. Choose between Fender's standards models, the Jazz Bass or the Precision Bass. Item Options Black - P Bass - $299.99 Metallic Blue - P Bass - $299.99 Metallic Red - P Bass - $299.99 Black - J Bass - $299.99 Metallic Blue - J Bass - $299.99

Behringer Ultrabass Bass Guitar Starter Kit - $179.99 Grab this bass guitar and sound like a pro! You get a rock solid electric bass guitar, Behringer's great-sounding ULTRABASS BT108 15-Watt bass amp with separate headphone output and CD input, high-quality instrument cable, adjustable bass guitar strap, 3 picks, padded gig bag, and a bass instruction book and amp manual

Bass Amplifiers

Behringer Ultrabass Power Pack 2 - $539.98 This deluxe combo pack includes both head and cabinet at an affordable price (given the power that you get). This pack throws out a whopping 450 Watts of power and utilizes Behringer's revolutionary shape filter for extreme sound range - all available with a click of the included footswitch.

SWR Working Pro 400 Bass Amplifier Head - $699.99 The Working Pro 400 gives you classic SWR tone and clarity, the exclusive tone-expanding Aural Enhancer circuitry, 400 watts of dependable solid-state power and the tonal sweet spots of a simple 3-band active EQ with variable midrange. Comes with a two-button footswitch (Bass Intensifier and Tuning Mute). Combine this head with the right cabinet and find mind-blowing low end sound that will resonate through any packed crowd.

Hartke "Very Extreme" VX410 4 x 10" Bass Cabinet - $299.00 This powerful cabinet from Hartke features heavy-duty plywood construction, four 10" proprietary drivers, 400 Watts of power, ergonomic handles, and parallel 1/4" inputs.

Hartke VX3500 350-Watt Bass Combo Amp - $699.00 Don't want to have to worry about lugging around a cabinet and a head to shows, but still want the power you can get from such a setup? Try out a combo amp, like this 350 Watt Bass Amp from Hartke. The VX3500 combo combines the best selling classic Hartke 3500 amp with a killer new Hartke speaker cabinet loaded with four 10" Hartke VX speakers and a high frequency driver.

Laney RB6 165-Watt Richter Bass Amp - $499.00 Now we're getting into serious power and performance territory. The RB6 can deliver 165 watt of floor shaking bass from its precision tweaked power amp stage. Connect a RB115 or RB410 to really get the neighbors complaining. Check out its versatile EQ section (Bass, Twin parametric EQ, Treble and Enhance) controls to dial in any tone you like.

Fender Rumble 100/210 100-watt Bass Combo Amp - $399.00 The Rumble 100/210 combo joins the Rumble 100 as the "Big Daddies" of Fender's Rumble Series, and for good reason. Featuring 100 watts of power being delivered via 2 Fender Special Design 10 in. speakers and horn, the Rumble provides incredible boom for your buck!

Hartke A35 35-Watt Bass Combo Amp - $249.00 This affordable amp from Hartke is small and compact enough to travel from your home to your practice space and, at 35 Watts, it provides the perfect amount of power to perfect your tunes before hitting the clubs to perform live.

Pignose Hog 30-Watt Portable Bass Amp - $206.99 This unique looking amp will turn heads for its look as much as its sound. This 30 Watt amp is the perfect practice and backstage amp. It's got a clean, punchy sound and is louder than it looks.

Behringer Ultrabass BT108 15-watt Bass Combo Amp - $69.99 This durable and affordable amp features a powerful 20-Watt, 8' speaker, VTC Virtual Tube Circuitry for tube-like sound, dedicated 4-band EQ for ultimate sound shaping, separate headphone output (perfect for quiet practicing), and a CD input that allows you to play along to your favorite music.

Rockman Bass Ace Headphone Amp - $79.99 The Rockman Ace line lets you hear your instrument's dynamic range and clarity without driving your family crazy. This high-quality, low-priced headphone amps offer built in compression, volume control and auxiliary stereo input/output.

Bass Effects

Zoom B2.1U Bass Guitar Multi-Effects Pedal w/USB Interface and Recording Software - $189.00 This multi effects pedal features 40 preset effects patches, 40 programmable memory patches, 7 effect modules with 45 effect types, built-in drum machine with 40 rhythm patterns, integrated chromatic tuner, and a USB Interface. Comes with a copy of Steinberg Cubase LE software.

Digitech JamMan Looper Phrase Sampler Pedal - $249.95 The Digitech JamMan Looper pedal is a phrase sampler/looper designed for the performing musician. The JamMan is capable of creating loops with virtually infinite overdub capability. Input audio can be from instruments, microphone or line level audio sources. Up to 99 loops can be saved onto a Compact Flash card (.wav format). An optional 3-button footswitch can be connected for remote loop access and reverse functions. Record your own loops and overdub them on the fly, in the studio or on stage.

Dunlop Crybaby 105Q Ultimate Bass Wah Pedal - $119.99 This is the original wah-wah pedal used to create the sound of classic rock and roll. The Dunlop Crybaby provides that vintage wah sound that is simply incomparable.

Digitech X-Series Bass Driver Overdrive Pedal - $79.95 Check out this affordable and versatile Overdrive pedal from Digitech. The Bass Driver features three different bass overdrive distortion pedal models to select from, as well as a morph function, to create new multi-model bass-overdrive sounds.

Bass Accessories

Tascam CD-BT2 Portable Bass Trainer - $159.00 Exactly the same as the Trainer lifted above, except with a CD player instead of an MP3.

Boss TU-2 Stage Tuner - $99.00 This pedal tuner is ideal for gigging musicians. Tune quickly and easily in between songs without having to plug into a separate device.

Qwik Time QT-5 Credit Card Metronome - $12.95 This affordable metronome is small enough to fit in your pocket. Keep perfect time no matter where you are!

Korg MA30 Digital Metronome - $29.99 Unless you're a born percussionist, it is only natural to struggle with timing and rhythm. Perfect your groove using this digital metronome. Features include: 13 built-in rhythms so you can practice to more than a click track, reference pitches to tune to, adjustable volume and an earphone jack.

Korg TM-40 Digital Tuner/Metronome - $35.00 Save money with this combination Tuner/Metronome. Korg tuners and metronomes are acclaimed around the world for their extremely high accuracy and superb features, and only one use will show you why.

Fender Guitar Care Kit by Meguiar's - $29.99 Developed in conjunction with Meguiar's, the world's premiere car care manufacturer, this is the ultimate finish care system exclusively for Fender guitars! This three step cleaning and polishing kit will give you the same luster that you see on a Ferrari!

Ultra Fold Away Guitar Stand - $18.99 Need to change instruments between songs? This foldable, portable guitar stand is great for around the house or on stage.

MBT Vintage Tweed Hardshell Base Guitar Case - $112.99 Keep your guitar safe from the cold weather this winter with this tweed case. MBT wood-shell hardshell cases offer high-quality protection and classical styling at prices that can't be beat!

MBT Hardshell Bass Guitar Case - $104.99 This hardshell case protects just as well as the MBT's Tweed model, just without the cool vintage look.

Wings Deluxe Extra Padded Bass Gig Bag - $36.99 Why spend a bundle on a hardshell case when you can get similar protection at half the price. This sturdy gig bag is padded with heavy duty foam to ensure that your instrument remains safe.

Planet Waves Bass Prowinder Stringwinder - $14.99 Take the pain out of changing your strings! Un-string and re-string your bass quickly and effectively with this stringwinder from Planet Waves.

Fender Neoprene Bass Guitar Strap - $26.99 Designed specifically for bass players, this is simply one of the most comfortable straps you'll find! The elasticity of the material actually supports some of the instrument's weight, lightening the load on your back.

Comfort Strapp Bass Guitar Strap - $37.99 The pro series Bass Guitar Strapps is made of neoprene, ensuring that your bass will feel comfortable and secure on your shoulder. Comes in three lengths for musicians of all shapes and sizes. Item Options Short - $37.99 Long - $37.99 Extra Long - $37.99

D'Addario XL 4-String Bass Strings - $23.99 From guitar to mandolin to bass and beyond, D'Addario creates excellent strings for fretted instruments. These nickel-plated steel strings provide a smooth, comfortable surface that reduces fret wear. Item Options Soft - $23.99 Supersoft - $23.99

D'Addario 4-String Acoustic Bass Strings - $26.99 These acoustic bass strings will give you that clear, bright sound that D'Addario is known for.

Dean Markley Blue Steel Stainless Steel 5-String Bass Strings - $38.99 For you 5-stringers out there, check out these Steel Strings from Dean Markley. Comes in several gauges to suit your style.

Bass Instructional Books and Videos

Building Walking Bass Lines - $19.99 Although walking bass lines are most commonly associated with jazz, they can be used in rock, blues, rockabilly, R&B, gospel, Latin, country and more. The goal of this book is to familiarize players with the techniques used to build walking bass lines. Through the use of 90-minutes' worth of recorded rhythm tracks, players will have the opportunity to put the new learning directly into action.

Play Bass Today! Beginner's Pack - $19.95 The book, CD and DVD pack is the ultimate self-teaching method designed to offer quality instruction. CD comes with 99 full-demo tracks, and the DVD offers more great advice to help beginners master the basics. This pack teaches: songs, riffs, scales, all musical styles, playing tips, techniques and more. Includes standard notation and tablature.

101 Bass Tips - $16.95 Ready to take your playing to the next level? Renowned bassist Gary Willis presents valuable how-to insight that bassists of all styles and levels can benefit from. The book, photos, music, diagrams and accompanying 64-track CD provide a terrific, easy-to-use resource for a variety of topics, including: techniques, improvising and soloing, equipment, practicing, ear training, performance, theory, and much more.

Beginning Funk Bass - $14.95 On this DVD, Abe Laboriel (renowned for playing with Herb Albert, George Benson, Quincy Jones and others) presents 40 minutes of solid funk bass. He demonstrates thumping, slapping, snapping and popping. This DVD is not just for the beginner. Abe performs right-hand technique, funk rhythm, playing with a drummer, pentatonic scales, triads and more. This insightful DVD presents an essential foundation needed by every funk bass player. Includes a lesson book.

Accelerate Your Bass Playing - $24.95 The DVD will help take your playing to the next level. Professor Anthony Vitti shares his proven method for improving the fundamental skills required to freely express yourself on the bass in many musical styles. Topics covered include: fingering exercises, interval and ear training, funk/R&B techniques, and rhythm studies. A clear and detailed instruction is given both onscreen and in the accompanying 80-page booklet.

Metallica - Riff by Riff - $19.95 Having trouble figuring out the bass line from 'Enter Sandman?' Well, look no further! This book is a complete, thorough analysis of the music of Metallica including notes on the band, a time line history, performance notes, photos, and equipment setup. This Bass Riff by Riff edition examines essentially every bass part in the music - using the actual music as played on the recording.

Flea - $19.95 Red Hot Chili Peppers' bassist Flea might be the most well known and respected rock bassist of our time. This innovative funk master of the Red Hot Chili Peppers presents an introspective and live performance improvisation with Peppers' drummer Chad Smith in this DVD hosted by River Phoenix. Flea discusses the theories, philosophies, styles, sounds and techniques he uses when performing in the style he's famous for: slapping, plucking, thumping and popping, and bringing together rock, funk, punk, jazz and Latin like no one else.

Jaco Pastorius - $39.95 The late master demonstrates the techniques that made him the most influential electric bassist of all time. Jaco explains his right- and left-hand technique, harmonics, finger exercises and more. Includes several solos as well as performances.