| The standard electric bass guitar has four strings, | | | | basic way in which the standard pickup works is |
| although five and six string ones are fairly easy to | | | | by detecting the small electric charge generated |
| locate, and acquiring one with greater than six | | | | by the vibrating metal string near the magnet. |
| strings is simply a case of paying extra for a | | | | This electrical signal is fed through to an external |
| custom boutique guitar. However, there is an | | | | amplifier and the sound created. |
| alternative scale to move towards, and you may | | | | Instead of using these pickups some models have |
| be surprised to learn that three string and even | | | | piezoelectric pickups, and these work on a more |
| two string instruments are available - and for the | | | | mechanical method. These pickups detect the |
| ultimate challenge - a single string electric bass | | | | physical movement of the strings rather than the |
| model! | | | | electrical current the movement generates. |
| A wide variety of techniques have been | | | | Because this is a non-magnetic pickup, based on a |
| employed by those who design, manufacture and | | | | physical movement, the tone and sound is quite |
| play electric bass guitars, and many of these | | | | different, and is said to compare more closely to |
| techniques have focused on trying to extend the | | | | the sound produced by an acoustic bass guitar. |
| range of notes available, such as being able to | | | | Again, as no magnetic detection is used, the |
| provide more than one octave of notes at any | | | | strings don't have to be steel, or even metal, and |
| single position, or increasing the range of tones | | | | both nylon and silicone have been used fairly |
| available. In addition to reducing the number of | | | | commonly. |
| strings, different ways of tuning have been | | | | A third alternative, though rare, is the optical |
| explored, including for example a tenor bass or | | | | pickup. In these cases, LEDs, or Light Emitting |
| piccolo bass. | | | | Diodes track the movement of the strings |
| Another way that extended range of octaves | | | | optically, and then these tones are reproduced |
| that has been included has been to increase the | | | | electrically. Because no magnets are used, and the |
| number of strings to 12 or even 15. In this way, | | | | pickup is purely optical, the buzz or hum |
| multiple octaves can be included, with strings being | | | | associated with these kind of instruments is able |
| paired against those an octave above or below. | | | | to be left out, producing a much clearer, brighter |
| This is the same way in which standard 12 | | | | note. |
| stringed items are used. | | | | Today more and more electrical bass instruments |
| As well as developing alternative ways of | | | | are including in-built electric circuitry which boosts |
| enhancing or affecting the voice, tone and range | | | | the signal at the point of pickup, and also allows |
| through the number of strings and the way they | | | | for some alteration of the tone and voice before |
| are arranged, the pickups play an important role | | | | the signal is sent to the external amplifier - |
| too. Electric bass guitars use two basic types of | | | | previously only included in the high end, boutique |
| pickup - although these are always electrical. The | | | | models. |