Cheap Trick's bass monster Tom Petersson wields a 12-string behemoth, while at the other extreme D*A*D's Stig Pederson feels that just two strings are sufficient. That's the background dealt with; now ...

The bass guitar is an integral part of any band, irrespective of musical style, and if you lean towards rhythm and holding down the low end rather than shredding and pinched harmonics, the humble four ...