Guitars and Basses

Shopping for a guitar or bass inevitably means being spoilt for choice, since virtually no other instrument category offers such an immense selection. The range of options is practically limitless, from affordable classical guitars for beginners through to exclusive signature models aimed at collectors and professional musicians, and from bass starter sets through to handcrafted "masterbuilt" basses. And of course there is also a wide variety of accessories for these instruments, from strings to amplifiers. The aim of this buyer's guide is to take you step by step through the process of finding the right guitar or bass, as well as the corresponding accessories, without getting lost in the immense variety available at Thomann.

Should I buy an acoustic or electric guitar?

Classical guitars are often the right choice for beginners, because their nylon strings and lower string tension make them more comfortable to play. These guitars can be purchased in a range of different sizes and designs, from affordable starter sets for children through to masterbuilt instruments for discerning classical guitarists. Steel acoustic guitars are the ideal accompanying instrument, and they are eminently suited to all manner of musical genres, from Folk and Country to Pop and Rock. Steel acoustic guitars are also available in different sizes and designs, with and without pickup systems, and at a wide range of price points. Or maybe you are looking for the perfect electric guitar for Rock, Metal, Blues, or Jazz? Then you are sure to find just what you are looking for in the Thomann store, which includes thousands of instruments ranging from affordable electric guitar starter sets through to high-end signature guitars and covers ST, T, and single cut (SC) guitars based on the Fender Stratocaster, Fender Telecaster, and Gibson Les Paul that will capably handle every musical style, as well as hollowbody guitars that are perfect for Jazz.

How to find the best electric and acoustic bass for every musical style

Are you looking for a bass guitar for Rock, Funk, Blues, or Metal? Then an electric bass is the way to go. If, on the other hand, you are on the lookout for a bass to play in an unplugged band, for Folk, or singer-songwriter performances, an acoustic or semi-acoustic bass is the right instrument for you.

Electric and acoustic basses are available with four, five, or six strings, and many of these can also be found in fretless versions. Even today, the majority of electric basses take their cues from Fender's legendary Precision Bass and Jazz Bass designs, which are at home in virtually every style of music. Acoustic basses, on the other hand, more closely resemble their smaller siblings (steel acoustic guitars) and can also be played without an amplifier - as long as the required volume remains within reason, of course! Semi-acoustic basses (also called "hollowbody basses") bring back the flair of the 1960s, with the legendary Höfner "Beatle Bass" doubtless at the head of the pack. Like their electric cousins, these basses require an amplifier, and they are most prominently found in genres like Pop, Country, and Jazz.

Light up every stage with the right guitar or bass amp

If you are looking for an electric guitar amplifier, it is a pretty safe bet that the sound you are looking for is based to some extent on that of a traditional tube amplifier. For that reason, tube amps are still the go-to for the majority of electric guitarists, so it should come as no surprise that the selection on offer is correspondingly large. However, a wide range of alternatives that closely replicate the sound of tube amplifiers are available in the form of transistor amps and digital modelling amps (the latter of which have enjoyed immense popularity in recent years). This category includes some genuine all-rounders that already have the most popular effects on board and offer players a lot of enjoyment at a very affordable price. There are of course acoustic guitar amplifiers, which are designed to provide the most authentic reproduction possible of an acoustic guitar's natural sound and are thus also suitable for use with a range of other stringed instruments. Many acoustic guitar amps additionally provide an input for a vocal microphone, making them perfect for performances by singer/songwriters. Bassists on the hunt for the perfect bass amplifier will also quickly see that these amps have undergone the same developmental arc, from tubes to transistors and ultimately to digital modelling technology. Modern bass amplifiers are compact and highly portable, but still pack plenty of power.