The Bastard Instrument: A Cultural History of the Electric Bass

by Brian F. Wright

The Bastard Instrument chronicles the history of the electric bass and the musicians who played it, from the instrument’s invention through its widespread acceptance at the end of the 1960s. Although their contributions have often gone unsung, electric bassists helped shape the sound of a wide range of genres, including jazz, rhythm & blues, rock, country, soul, funk, and more. Their innovations are preserved in performances from artists as diverse as Lionel Hampton, Liberace, Elvis Presley, Patsy Cline, the Supremes, the Beatles, James Brown, Bob Dylan, Aretha Franklin, Jefferson Airplane, and Sly and the Family Stone, all of whom are discussed in this volume. At long last, The Bastard Instrument gives these early electric bassists credit for the significance of their accomplishments and demonstrates how they fundamentally altered the trajectory of popular music.

Genres: Music, History, Nonfiction

392 pages, Paperback

Published July 3, 2024

Reviews

[Sean · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not a book I would recommend to everyone. I wouldn't even recommend it to every bass player I know. However, if you have an interest in music history, and the bass guitar is a special interest of yours, I would highly recommend this book. It's an educational, yet interesting breakdown of the circumstances and choices that took the electric bass from being something of an oddity to the ubiquitous instrument we know it as today. It is rather academic, so it can be dry and repetitive at times, and while I wish it went further through music history, I understand why Wright chose to end where he did. I can always hope that he will write a follow-up, and I will definitely be pulling further reading from the bibliography.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly researched and brimming with information. This is a book about basses for bass lovers. I think unless you play the instrument this book probably would not interest you much.
I DO play and love the instrument, so I found it quite interesting.