Learning to play the bass guitar will also teach you more or less to play even normal guitars and other stringed instruments. The bass guitar is among the easiest musical instruments to learn, at least initially, and thus choosing the best beginner bass guitar is very important.
If you choose a bass guitar without taking into consideration certain aspects, you might end up giving up on lessons, be musically demotivated, struggle to tune it, and possibly even hurt your fingers by playing with the wrong strings. A good beginner bass guitar should have only 4 strings, be relatively light and inexpensive, and it should correspond to the size of the player, stays in tune, have even frets, a narrower neck, and other factors that we will explore down below.
To find the best beginner bass guitars, we will take you on a little journey that will emphasize all the important aspects that you should consider, including the choice between an electric bass guitar and an acoustic bass guitar. So let's begin!
What Is a Bass Guitar?
A bass guitar is part of the guitar family of musical instruments, being the lowest-pitched member. Similar in appearance to a regular guitar, it has a longer scale length and neck and has between four to six strings. It is tuned just like the double bass classical instrument, being with one octave lower than the 4 lowest-pitched strings of a guitar - E, A, D, G.
Proficient bassists play this instrument with their fingers. However, bass guitar picks are often used as well.
Why Should Beginners Consider a Bass Guitar?
The bass plays a crucial role in music, especially in accordance with the drums. Those who love bass and rhythm should definitely learn to play the bass guitar; however, there are even more benefits. The bass guitar is probably the easiest instrument to learn, at least in the first lessons.
As a bassist, even though it seems more like a background instrument, you will actually glue the entire sound of the project/band you will be playing into and work closely with the drummer. Few people choose to play bass, and this is a plus since, if you wish to pursue it as a professional, make a career out of it. The demand is quite high, and bassists are highly sought after in all musical genres.
By learning to play bass, you will inevitably develop your musical skills in such a way that picking up a guitar, or even drums, later on, if you wish, will be much easier. The lessons and exercises involved in learning the bass guitar will also benefit you in your education. It improves comprehension and mathematical skills and develops and enhances brain functions.
How To Choose the Right Beginner Bass Guitar
If all the benefits mentioned above and others sound appealing, then it is time to understand how to choose the right beginner bass guitar. First of all, let's start by talking about the differences between electric and acoustic, the two primal types of bass guitar.
Electric vs Acoustic
The electric bass guitar is used in all sorts of genres due to its wide range of tones. If you pick up this type of bass guitar, you will be able to sing in almost any genre of music, from jazz, pop, rock, all the way up to metal.
They are generally the best for beginners, all the way up to professionals, especially since they are more accessible for younger people due to their short scales. An electric bass guitar is also smaller and easier to carry than its acoustic counterpart, however, you will need amplification, but this is where the fun part begins.
With amplification, you will also need effect pedals, and this is where the diversity of sound makes the instrument even more entertaining, as the possibilities are limitless. Some disadvantages of the electric bass guitar are that you will need other accessories, and you won't be able to play certain genres such as folk.
When it comes to an acoustic bass guitar, you won't need to plug it into anything to be heard. They offer a warm sound that integrates perfectly with other acoustic instruments. The disadvantages, however, are more. First off, the portability.
They are heavier, and you will also need further accessories to be heard by bigger crowds. The range of sounds and tones is limited, and beginners will struggle more with an acoustic bass guitar since more effort is required to press down on its strings.
With that being settled, it's clear that electric bass guitars have the upper hand; however, there are also two types of electric bass guitars: active and passive.
Active vs Passive Bass Guitars For Beginners
Devices known as pickups situated beneath the strings of a bass guitar are responsible for sending the vibration signals of your strings into the amplifier. When it comes to active and passive bass guitars, the main difference is in their power.
The passive are the simplest since they send signals to your amplifier as they are, without being boosted, and you have controllers on them, namely the volume knob and the tone knob. The tone knob is responsible for changing the tone of your sound, and that's about it.
The active bass guitar sends the signals into a pre-amplifier, which boosts it within the bass guitar's body. To achieve this boost, you will need 9-volt batteries that fit into your bass guitar. Active bass guitars thus have more knobs and switches on their bodies. They are used in various ways, from influencing the treble or mid-tones to shaping the sound and other factors.
When it comes to choosing between these two, for beginners, the passive bass guitar is the best choice since it is simpler to use, and it will provide them with a true tone, sound, and the ability to use pedals, amplifiers, or software to modify it as they wish. There are also bass guitars that have a switch on them, and you can play with passive to active, so this is also a great option.
Size - Bass Scale & Age
Size is very important for the player, and if you are looking to buy a bass for a child, you should go for a short-scale, a 3/4 size bass. This means that the bass is 3/4 the size of a standard size bass, having a scale length of about 28.5".
A short-scale bass is around 30 to 32", and it refers to the length of the instrument's neck and thus its strings. The scale length is measured from the bridge to the nut.
Regular bass guitars have a scale length of 34". Short-scale basses aren't just good for children. They are actually good for beginners as well since they have less distance between the frets, lower string tension, and thus players will find it easier to sing with them.
Children younger than eight years old should not play bass as it is too heavy for them. However, children between the ages of 8 and 12 are able to play a short-scale bass or a 3/4 scale bass. Here are the four types of scale lengths for a bass guitar:
Body Type
For beginners, the body type of bass doesn't matter too much. However, it is worth mentioning that it plays a role in the string's resonance. Typically, it is made out of wood, and depending on the wood type, it can influence the sound. When it comes to shape, this is purely a visual preference and does not affect the tone.
Tonewoods
If you are interested in what tonewoods influence what in a bass guitar, then it is worth considering that there are 6 major types of tonewoods that bass instruments are usually made out of. They are;
Maple
This type of tonewood increases the sustain, having a clear tone, due to its heaviness and denseness, and it is used by recording engineers or professional players.
Basswood
You will find this type of tonewood to work well in various music genres due to its short sustain, cheapness, and the fact that it allows players to sing fast while also doing high-end techniques. The wood is soft, and it perfectly absorbs vibrations.
Mahogany
Being a heavy material, it allows for long sustain while also conferring low and low midrange tones. A mahogany body bass guitar has a soft warmth and full-bodied sound.
Agathis
A very cheap tonewood that provides good midrange frequencies and has an overall balanced sound.
Ash and Alder
These tonewoods confer a pleasant clarity, sustain, and they have been noted for their full and balanced sound.
Neck Type
Bass guitars can have different neck types, and three variants are worth considering when purchasing one since they can influence your playing style, stability, sustain, response, and more! The three bass neck types are:
Bolt-on
These types of bass necks are the most common and probably the most suitable for beginners. It is connected by using 4 or 6 bolts, and they are the easiest to adjust and assemble. However, on the downside, it is the least stable of the three.
Neck-through
High-end bass guitars will often have this neck type due to their great sustain and response. They are made out of several top-quality wood pieces pieced together, which form a continuous piece through the bass guitar's body.
Set neck
This variant is similar to the bolt-on; however, it is pieced to the bass guitar by the use of a mortise or dovetail joint. It is more difficult to adjust and assemble. However, it does provide greater stability.
Bridges
When it comes to the bridge of the bass, it is responsible for the transmission of the strings vibration throughout the instrument.
Each string has an adjustable saddle, ensuring the right height and spacing, and it can also help in tuning each individual string through intonation. There are three types of bridges when it comes to bass:
Bridge and tailpiece combination - The strings pass through an individual tailpiece.
String through the body - In this type of bridge, the strings go through the body of the bass over the saddles. This variant gives a boost in sustain.
Through bridge - This type of bridge is the best for beginners since it is the easiest to use. The strings go above the saddles and are threaded through the back of the bridge.
Strings
Bass guitar strings are typically thicker than regular guitar strings. They are tuned similarly but with one octave lower. Each bass string is made up of two strings, namely the core string and the winding string. The core string is thick, and a smaller string encircles it. The little grooves that follow up these strings are the winding strings. They add brilliance to the tone.
Two major types of bass strings exist, and they are winding strings, namely the round wound and the flat wound.
The round wound winding strings are similar to spaghetti in their texture, and they are the brightest type of strings for bass, the most commonly used, and the best for beginners, as well as they get used to the sound of the bass.
They are rougher since they have more grooves, and because of this, finger noise is more present. These strings are used in all music genres and styles, great to practice techniques such as slapping, popping, or tapping.
When it comes to flat wound bass strings, they possess a ribbon-shaped winding wound through the core string and have a mellow sound, being smooth and silky at the touch. These strings have little finger noise due to their fewer grooves, and they are more durable than round wound strings. The flat wound strings are mostly used in softer genres such as jazz or reggae.
Bass String Gauges
The thickness or diameter of the strings is referred to as gauge. An E bass string is 0.105 inches in diameter, while a G-string is 0.045 inches. Lighter gauge strings are the best for beginner bass players since they are easier to sing with; however, the tone is weaker. Even so, a beginner must first go through the process of forming their fingers before focusing on sound.
On the other hand, heavier strings offer an awesome tone, but you need to put in more finger power to fret and pluck. The lower you want to go when it comes to pitching, the thicker the string you will need. Now let's talk about how many strings you need.
4 String Bass vs 5 String Bass vs 6 String Bass
There are three types of bass guitars, those that have 4 strings, 5 strings, and 6 strings. The 4 string bass is the best for beginners since it is the easiest to play, and it is the slimmest type of bass, perfect even for people with smaller hands or children.
They are tuned in the standard E-A-D-G manor. You shouldn't just label the 4 string bass guitar as a beginner instrument, though, as it can be used at any level with just as much fun.
The 5 string bass guitar is heavier, has a wider girth, and is tuned in the standard B-E-A-D-G format. It allows for more versatility since more notes are available, and you can enrich your tone through its additional string.
When it comes to the 6 string bass guitar, it will be even heavier and have a wider fretboard than the 5, and you will have an extra range of notes, especially the high C, and also a wider variety of tunings. The standard tuning format is B-E-A-D-G-C.
Fretboard
The bass guitar comes with two different types of fretboards, namely the fretted and fretless variants.
The fretted bass guitar is the best choice for beginners since it will help them develop the proper fingering positions as they put into evidence the right notes.
The fretless bass guitar does indeed have a warmer sound and offers a more smooth playing; however, a novice bass player will struggle to hit the right notes.
Pickups
Pickups turn string vibrations into electrical signals, and on a bass guitar, you have two, a bridge pickup and one at the fretboard. The fretboard pickup creates low-end smooth tones, while the bridge pickup a high-end, brighter sound.
Bass guitar pickups come in single-coil and humbucker variants. Single-coils are sharp and have a focused sound, while humbuckers produce a thicker tone and are made as a resolution to the humming noise made by single coils to fight against feedback.
Some pickups have both the single-coil and humbucker aspects, combining the best of both. They are called split-coil pickups, and a great example of such as bass guitar is the Fender Precision Bass. The best variant for beginners is up to debate, as one should experiment with both variants.
Price Point
Sometimes, an instrument's price point can point out if it's high-end or low end, for beginners, advanced, or professional players.
A decent beginner bass guitar is priced at more or less $150, and this may sometimes exclude the rest of the accessories needed. An advanced bass guitar instrument is priced at around $600 or more, while a professional bass guitar can be at four digits and even higher.
Best Bass Guitar Brands
Another factor to take into consideration when purchasing a bass guitar is the brand.
Some of the to bass beginner guitar brands include Ibanez, Fender, Harley Benton, Yamaha, Jackson, Squier, Epiphone, Sterling, or Spector. These brands aren't just the best for beginners, but for all levels as well.
Bass Guitar Essential Accessories
Speaking of accessories, in order to gain a good deal while purchasing a good entry-level bass guitar, at least half of the items we will mention below should be included in the bass kit. This is not always a rule of thumb. However, the more accessories you have, the more you will get out of your new instrument and learn.
Amps
You can practice bass without an amp. However, it would be like eating a hamburger without anything in it. Thus, an amp is essential if you want to hear yourself play. A beginner will be relieved to know that entry-level amps are quite inexpensive. When you practice at home and develop your skills, you will need a bass amp with a power of around 100 watts.
For concerts, a bass amp with around 200 watts will do the trick! Some of the best-budget bass beginner amps that will keep you up and practice for months are the Fender Rumble LT25, Ashdown Studio 8, Orange Crush Bass 25, or the Ampeg BA-110, among others.
Preamps
Preamps are used when one wishes to shape their tone and boost their signal from their bass guitar before reaching the power amp. A bass without a preamp may sound too thin or flat. Some active basses have built-in preamps. This accessory allows you to bring your own sound anywhere.
Beginners may not need this at first; however, it should be a critical consideration in their near future.
Cable & Headphones
Now let's say you've got your amp. However, since now you are a music man/woman, you will learn quickly that the world of cables is intertwined with that of music unless you use wireless instruments. Cables come in different types and lengths.
When it comes to your needs, you will need both ends to be 1/4 inch jacks. Depending on whether you are practising in your house or if you are preparing for a gig, make sure the cable is long enough, so it doesn't hinder you in any way.
Some cables have right-angle jacks on one end to plug into your bass, and you should use these to prevent damage or having your cable yank out of your bass randomly.
Tuners and Bass Guitar Picks
Some of the best beginner bass guitar kits might include a tuner. These small devices will help you tune your bass guitar in no time and with great precision as well. You will eventually learn to do it by ear if you want to.
Playing your 4 string bass guitar with your fingers will take some time to master. However, you can always use a bass guitar pick, especially if you plan to sing rock, metal, or punk. Bass guitar picks are bigger and thicker than normal guitar picks.
Straps
You will definitely need a strap. Without it, you will have to play your bass seated. Most bass kits include straps; however if you don't receive one, head to the music store right away. When purchasing a bass strap, make sure you adjust the length properly to fit your shoulders.
Case and Additional Strings
Your first bass, or music instrument for that fact, will be a reflection of yourself. If you want it to last for years, avoid damage, scratches, dust, then you will need a bass guitar case.
A case will also help you to store all the bass accessories, and hey, it looks badass when you walk on the street with it, even if your road is up to bass lessons or a gig.
There are two types of cases, the gig case and the hardshell case. The gig case is light, inexpensive, has little storage room, and won't protect your instrument very much. The hard case is heavy, offers plenty of storage room, and might be a bit pricey, but it offers good protection for your instrument.
Another important aspect of a bass kit is the additional strings. You never know when you will break one. A good set of beginner strings is around 20$, and some offers include extra strings.
Top 7 Best Beginner Bass Guitars
Now that you know what a bass is, how it works, and what you need to take into consideration, let us present to you our take on the top 7 best beginner bass guitars.
1. Goplus Electric Full Size 4 String
One of the best beginner bass guitars is the Goplus Electric Bass Guitar. It's a full size 4 string bass made out of Paulownia wood, known for its vibration properties, and has a maple neck and rosewood fretboard, which is quite durable.
Its split single-coil pickup will benefit any beginner since they can switch between single-coil and humbuckers. This offers a variety of tones that will sound good regardless of the genre you wish to play.
Its fixed four-saddle bridge increases its tuning stability while also offering accurate intonation and increased sustain.
The Goplus also comes with tone control. This tone control has three knobs, A, B, and C. The A knob controls the output volume, B the pickup tone, while C the output cord. This can easily be considered a jazz bass and even rock bass due to its sound versatility, and it's also lightweight.
This product comes with a light gig case that has some small pockets where accessories can be stored. It also includes a strap, guitar pick, and an amp cord. All you will need now is a decent amp and probably a tuner, and you are set to go! Considering all Goplus has to offer, it is the best bass guitar for beginners.
Pros
Cons
Fender is one of the best brands of bass, and this instrument series from Fender comes in three different styles; bronco bass, jazz bass, or precision bass. Any bass player will love it regardless of what they want to sing. The bronco bass has a short scale length of 30", and it is made out of ash wood which confers a full and balanced sound.
Its C-shaped neck adds a boost in comfortability and has a vintage style appearance. The single-coil pickup offers a focused sound, while its maple neck and solid Agathis body add to its durability and sound quality.
The Fender Jazz bass variant is also vintage style, with its C-shaped neck, while the back material is of basswood, which provides great vibration absorption. Its short sustain allows beginners to practice all sorts of techniques. It has a scale length of 34".
Its dual single-coil provides punchy yet clear tones, typically familiar when it comes to Fender instruments. It is a perfect beginner jazz bass for any bass player.
The last Fender from the Affinity Series is the precision bass. Also coming in with a vintage style appearance, this Fender has a PJ pickup configuration, offering that great jazz tone that any music man loves. The scale length is the standard 34", and this Fender also has a maple neck and rosewood fretboard.
This Squire by Fender Affinity Series has some of the best bass guitars for beginners out there!
Pros
Cons
This Donner Precision Bass 510B is among the best bass guitars for beginners since, apart from being a very good bass, it also comes with a wide variety of accessories. These include a good quality gig case, strap, cables, and it has a modern look with superior finishes.
The 21 frets on this bass will ensure that any beginner will learn the proper finger position, while its AAA Perilla fingerboard makes it very comfortable. The fixed 4 saddle bridge is adjustable and provides tuning stability and a punchy attack.
The back material is of Poplar, and it has a maple neck, basswood body, which makes it suitable for all playing styles. It has two volume knobs that will teach any entry-level players to handle their tone and volume. The scale length is 34", and the tonewoods confer a pleasantly warm and bright sound.
Pros
Cons
The Ibanez GSR200JB model combines split-coil and single-coil pickups, offering a wide variety of tone that will fit into any genre. The rosewood fretboard on this Ibanez offers a rich, warm tone, while its Agathis body provides incredible durability that will last you for years to come, along with its one-piece maple neck.
It has medium frets and an adjustable bridge that will help you get the sound that you desire. This Ibanez also comes with an active EQ with Phat II bass boost chrome hardware that gives you a wider range of tones. You can use this to play different music genres.
The body of the Ibanez GSR200JB is made out of high-quality basswood, which provides a balanced tone, and short sustain, very effective when trying out different playing techniques. It is also lightweight; however, it doesn't come with accessories.
Pros
Cons
Another great Ibanez beginner bass guitar on our list is the Ibanez GSRM. This Ibanez bass comes with a mahogany body, which offers a longer sustain and a good tone resonance. It is a short scale bass with a 28.6" neck, which might be suitable even for younglings.
The fretboard on this Ibanez is made out of rosewood, and it has a maple neck, offering durability.
This Ibanez model has medium frets and a combination of single-coil and split-coil pickups, which offer warm low sounds and a good midrange that translates to a nice tone. You can use it to play just about any genre of music, and it is also lightweight and easy to handle, weighing only 6.8 pounds.
The bridge system is fixed, offering great stability. This Ibanez doesn't seem to come with any other accessories, so you will have to invest in a strap, case, cables and make sure you get a decent amp.
Ibanez instruments are often very reliable, so you can be sure they will last you for years to come.
Pros
Cons
The Glarry GJazz is the best bass guitar for a beginner due to its high-quality tonewoods and all the accessories included. Though this brand might not be as famous as Fender or Ibanez, it does more than makeup for it with this entry-level bass.
The Glarry Gjazz is another one of those 4 string basses where jazz enthusiasts will remember fondly as being their first bass guitar. It is made out of basswood, while the fretboard is made out of rosewood, and the neck out of maple. This combination offers durability, balanced sound, and a rich and warm tone.
It comes with a gig case, strap, bass pick, and an amp cord. It is a full-sized base, 34", and it also has frets, offering beginners a little guidance on their notes. The bridge is fixed, and the two pickups are single-coils. You also have volume and tone control knobs, and the instrument is also easy to handle due to its lightweight.
Pros
Cons
One of the best beginner bass guitars comes again from a brand not as known as Ibanez or Fender, namely Costzon. This full-size bass from Costzon comes with a wood body made out of Paulownia, while the fretboard is made from rosewood, offering durability and smoothness. The maple neck also ensures a greater lifespan.
These tonewoods also bring out the warm, bright sound needed to play jazz, blues, or rock genres. The pickup is piezoelectric, which brings more attack power to your sound, while the bridge system is tremolo, giving you direct control over the pitch.
The product also comes with a light gig case, shoulder strap, a bass pick, and an amp cord. Though some of the accessories are low end, for beginners, it is great to have them included. The instrument is also lightweight and very comfortable to the touch.
Pros
Cons
FAQ
What bass guitar should I buy for a beginner?
The best bass to buy for a beginner should be a 4-string passive electric bass that is fretted, fits their size, and, depending on their favourite genre of music, is either a jazz bass or a precision bass, which is meant for punchy and heavier music.
Make sure that the tonewoods are either mahogany, basswood, alder, maple, or rosewood, and accessories are included, such as a strap, bass pick, amp cable, and case.
What is a good inexpensive bass guitar?
The Sterling by Music Man SUB Ray5 is a great example of a good inexpensive bass guitar since it is made out of high-quality tonewoods, has a five saddle fixed bridge, active EQ, and simple to use tone controls.
The Goplus bass on our list is also a great beginner budged bass guitar, and you can also find cheap instruments even from famous brands such as Fender or Ibanez.
Is it harder to learn bass or guitar?
The bass guitar is easier to master than the guitar since it has fewer strings, and in the beginning, you have very easier songs to play. However, it all comes down to whether you are in your heart a bass player or a guitar player. Bass guitar might be hard for some and easier for others, and the same stands for regular guitars.
How much do bass guitars cost?
An entry-level bass guitar will cost around $100, more or less. An advanced bass guitar would usually start from about $600 and go higher in price from here. Professional ones can go up to four digits or even more.
The price varies based on the tonewoods used, the number of strings, and the hardware. However, price is not always a good indicator of quality.
How to play the bass guitar for beginners?
First, you have to tune your bass in the standard E-A-D-G format, one octave lower than a guitar. You can use a tuner for this, and there are also mobile apps that can help you.
Practice bass for at least 30 minutes a day, as often as you can. You can either play the bass by plucking the strings or using a bass pick. Start by getting accustomed to the notes, frets, and practice chords, arpeggios, scales, and later, some of your favourite, yet easy, songs.
What does a bass guitar look like?
A bass guitar looks exactly like a regular guitar; however, it is bigger, longer, and has thicker strings. It is also much heavier than a guitar, and most of the time, it has a pretty standard body shape unless customized, while regular guitars tend to differ in all sorts of shapes.
Conclusion
Bassists might not be in the spotlight all the time, but there wouldn't be a spotlight in the first place without them. Learning any type of musical instrument will bring you plenty of benefits. However, when it comes to bass, you will also have greater career opportunities due to the high demand.
As a beginner bass player, don't choose a bass just because it comes from big brands such as Ibanez or Fender. Try to find the bass that suits you the most and the one that will encourage you to learn, especially in the beginning. The best beginner bass guitar is the one that feels the most comfortable and the one that you will always cherish and remember.
