Strings Direct Blog

There are so many different elements that go into guitar design. Each of these has an impact on the way that a guitar looks, as well as how it sounds and feels to play. Some of these elements - like the pickups, fretboard and body shape - are fairly obvious. And typically, guitar players will focus on these particular design and build elements when choosing a new instrument.Scale length doesn't normally fall into this category.... read more.

Designed by Walter Hofner, The Hofner Violin Bass (more specifically the 500/1 Model) was first introduced to the world back in 1956 at the famous Musikmesse Trade Show in Frankfurt.  The bass was designed as an accessible alternative to an upright double bass.  Hofner’s semi-hollow design emulated the tones of a double bass without the inconvenience of playing and transporting such a large cumbersome instrument. Being semi-hollow means that the bass is extremely lightweight and... read more.

As one of the biggest guitar and bass makers in the world today, Fender has an illustrious history when it comes to their influence on modern music.  Their Precision (P-Bass) and Jazz Bass models often find their way into the hands of most bassists somewhere along their playing career.   However, Fender also have another gem in their bass lineup in the form of the Mustang. This diminutive low-end dynamo was first introduced by Fender back... read more.

Short scale basses are cool.... There’s no doubt about it. These instruments are a great introduction to the bass for new players or for players with smaller hands.  They’re also a great solution for 6-string guitar players looking to dabble in a bit of bass here and there.  The familiarity of a shorter scale neck can certainly make the transition between 6-string and bass feel a lot less drastic. But short scale basses aren’t just... read more.