Bass guitars are one of the most essential instruments in any musician’s toolkit. In this video, we count down the top 7 must-have bass guitars for anyone looking to get into music. From beginners to experts, these basses will have you covered.
Overview
Bass guitars are one of the most critical instruments in any band or musical group. They provide the low frequencies essential for creating the desired sound and atmosphere. We are here to recommend 7 of the top list bass guitars for any musician based on our experiences and opinions.
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We take measures carefully about our ratings gathered from the customers’ reviews, and all opinions are our own. We do not accept sponsors for positive reviews from distributors or sellers.. Learn more
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Yamaha
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We take measures carefully about our ratings gathered from the customers’ reviews, and all opinions are our own. We do not accept sponsors for positive reviews from distributors or sellers.. Learn more
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GLARRY
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We take measures carefully about our ratings gathered from the customers’ reviews, and all opinions are our own. We do not accept sponsors for positive reviews from distributors or sellers.. Learn more
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Brand
Ibanez
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We take measures carefully about our ratings gathered from the customers’ reviews, and all opinions are our own. We do not accept sponsors for positive reviews from distributors or sellers.. Learn more
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Brand
Ibanez
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We take measures carefully about our ratings gathered from the customers’ reviews, and all opinions are our own. We do not accept sponsors for positive reviews from distributors or sellers.. Learn more
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Brand
Donner
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We take measures carefully about our ratings gathered from the customers’ reviews, and all opinions are our own. We do not accept sponsors for positive reviews from distributors or sellers.. Learn more
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Brand
Fender
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We take measures carefully about our ratings gathered from the customers’ reviews, and all opinions are our own. We do not accept sponsors for positive reviews from distributors or sellers.. Learn more
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Fender
Last update on 2023-02-21 / Prices / Affiliate links / Images, and Product Highlights from Amazon Product Advertising API
1. Yamaha 4 String Bass Guitar, Right-Handed
- Brand: Yamaha
- Item Dimensions: 47.83 x 17.91 x 3.74 inches
- Color: Translucent Black
- Back Material Type: Basswood
- String Material Type: Alloy Steel
- Finish Type: Powder Coated
- Size: 4-String
The Yamaha 4 String Bass Guitar is a great instrument for beginner to intermediate bass players. It has a nicetranslucent black finish and is very well constructed. The playability is excellent and it has a very nice, full sound.
The only downside is that it only comes with four strings, so if you’re looking for a five or six string bass, you’ll need to look elsewhere. Overall, this is an excellent bass guitar for the price and would make a great addition to any bass player’s arsenal.
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2. Glarry Electric Bass Guitar Full Size 4-String
- Brand: Glarry
- Item Dimensions: 49.5 x 19 x 0.5 inches
- Color: Natural Yellow
- Back Material Type: Basswood
- String Material Type: Polished
- Size: 4-String
The Glarry Electric Bass Guitar is a fantastic guitar for beginners and aspiring musicians alike. The sturdy construction and quality materials used make for a great feeling and sounding instrument, perfect for those who want to learn how to play bass.
The split single-coil pickup and 2 volume knobs allow for a wide range of tones to be played, from warm and mellow to rock and roll. Adjustable string tension and an included bass bag make this guitar easy to transport, perfect for taking to class or gigs.
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3. Ibanez 4-String Bass Guitar
- Brand: Ibanez
- Item Dimensions: 39 x 11.5 x 2.3 inches
- Color: Walnut Flat
- Back Material Type: Mahogany
- String Material Type: Nickel
- Size: 4-String
If you’re looking for an affordable, versatile bass guitar, the Ibanez GSRM20BWNF is a great choice. It has a fast, slim maple neck and a compact, light-weight body, making it easy to play. The P pickup gives it a dynamic, powerful sound, and the short scale 28.6″ makes it perfect for beginners and experienced players alike.
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4. Ibanez GSR 4-String Bass Guitar
- Brand: Ibanez
- Item Dimensions: 40 x 3 x 12 inches
- Color: Transparent Red
- Back Material Type: Oak
- String Material Type: Nickel
- Size: 4-String
The Ibanez GSR 4 String Bass Guitar is a great instrument for any musician. It has a one-piece maple neck that makes it sturdy and durable. The rosewood fret board gives the instrument a great look and the pearl dot inlay adds a touch of class. The sound of the guitar is great and it is very easy to play. I would highly recommend this guitar to anyone looking for a great sounding and easy to play bass guitar.
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5. Donner Electric Bass Guitar 4 Strings Full-Size PJ-Style
- Brand: Donner
- Item Dimensions: 47.61 x 18 x 5.2 inches
- Color: Black-1
- Back Material Type: Maple, Poplar, Basswood
- Size: PJ-Style
If you’re looking for an electric bass guitar that looks great and provides a wide range of sounds, the Donner Electric Bass Guitar is a perfect choice. It features a pair of custom PJ-style pickups, a powerful 4-band EQ preamp, and a premium bridge for enhanced definition and sustain. The maple neck with slim profile feels great and provides you with fast playing action. The compact, contoured poplar body makes extended playing sessions extra comfortable.
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6. Squier by Fender Classic Vibe 70’s Jazz Bass Guitar
- Brand: Fender
- Item Dimensions: 52 x 15.5 x 4 inches
- Color: Black
- Back Material Type: Soft Maple
- String Material Type: Nickel Steel
- Finish Type: Painted
- Size: 4-String
The Squier by Fender Classic Vibe 70’s Jazz Bass Guitar is a beautiful instrument that is 100% designed by Fender. It is inspired by the Jazz Bass models from the 1970s and features Fender-Designed alnico pickups, a vintage-tinted gloss neck finish, and nickel-plated hardware. This guitar is also available in left-handed.
The sound is great and it is very comfortable to play. The neck is extremely smooth and the action is perfect. We would highly recommend this guitar to anyone looking for a great Jazz Bass.
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7. Squier by Fender Mini Precision Bass – Laurel
- Brand: Fender
- Item Dimensions: 39.8 x 14.9 x 4 inches
- Color: Black
- Back Material Type: Basswood
- String Material Type: Nickel Steel
- Finish Type: Powder Coated
- Size: 4-String
The Fender Squier Mini Precision Bass is a great bass for beginners. It is 100% designed by Fender, and it has a thin and lightweight body. It also has a short-scale neck, which makes it easy to play. The bass has a split single-coil Precision Bass pickup, which gives it a great sound. The bass also has sealed die-cast tuning machines, which keep the bass in tune.
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How to Select the Ideal Bass Guitar
You might feel overwhelmed at the start of your search for the top bass guitar. There are many factors to consider, especially if you are looking for a beginner bass guitar to start your bass-playing journey with. Here are some of the most crucial things to remember when shopping for a new bass guitar.
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Long vs. short scales bass guitar
The length of a long-scale bass is 34 inches, with the long-scale bass being the industry standard. As a consequence, you’ll have additional possibilities when acquiring a bass. Those used to playing smaller or smaller instruments may choose a short-scale alternative.
A small-scale bass has a scale length of 30 inches, meaning the neck is shorter and the frets are closer together, making the instrument simpler to play. This also means that the string tension is lower, which improves playability but results in a warmer, more ‘bassy’ tone. This will also reduce the adaptability of your short-scale bass.
It is essential to start with a bass that feels comfortable and enjoyable to play. Be sure it is the bass you will never want to put down. If you prefer playing it in a different place, there is no point in worrying about your bass-playing prospects!
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Passive vs. active bass guitars
Put and passive basses lack an integrated preamp. Therefore their output is entirely created by their pickups – think of a vintage-style Fender P-Bass/ Jazz Bass.
An inbuilt preamp powers the active bass, commonly supplied by a 9V or 18V battery. This preamp amplifies the pickup signal, and the bass’s EQ may be used to reduce or boost frequencies. The settings of a passive bass can only reduce the instrument’s master tone and volume, but an active bass can give you greater control over your tones with a 2- or 3-band EQ.
There are additional distinctions as well. The integrated preamp of an active bass may somewhat compress your tone, which can be perfect for more aggressive forms of music like metal or hard rock, but those dynamics are not available on a passive bass.
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Four, five, and six-stringed guitars
The critical distinction between four, five, and six-stringed bass guitars will depend on the following:
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The number of strings: it is evident that this is one of the primary differences. The six-string bass has two extra strings compared to the four-string bass, but that is not all.
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Harmonic possibilities: The significant difference is that a five-string bass broadens your musical range by having a lower fifth string that lends a lot of power to the interpretation. Whereas with six strings, you can use weight on the thicker string and create high-pitched sounds on the sixth string.
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Price: A beginner’s bass might range between 100 and 300 euros. However, intermediate basses vary from 300 to 700 euros, and professional basses go from 700 to thousands of dollars.
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Material: The material quality also increases with the level of the bass. The quality of the basses for beginners is inferior, but this improves as we approach the professional levels.
Is a 4-string or 5-string bass better?
A 4-string will be adequate for most genres. If you enjoy today’s heavier music, a 5-string bass will enable you to reach lower notes without detuning your bass.
Should a novice start with a four- or five-string bass?
A four-string bass guitar is an excellent place to begin if you are starting. They are much easier to learn, so you will have much less difficulty understanding how to play one. Choose a fretted bass guitar since playing a fretless bass guitar is challenging and not advised for beginners.
How much is a bass guitar?
In conclusion, a bass guitar can range from $200 for low-end models made in China to $10,000 for custom-made luxury bass guitars. Entry-level models typically cost $250, mid-level models cost $750, and professional models cost more than $1,000.
How much money should I spend on my first bass guitar?
Define your budget.
The price of a new bass guitar can differ based on the model, quality, and finish, but they can range from $200 to $5000. Used basses are often cheaper, costing around $100 to $1500, and are just as good. However, the price and availability of used basses vary depending on the location.
Is it easier to play the bass than the guitar?
Playing the bass requires different skills and knowledge than playing the electric guitar. So no, playing the bass is not inherently more accessible than playing the electric guitar. If you’re struggling to play the guitar, try the bass instead. This is related to the myth mentioned above.
To conclude, any musician would benefit from owning at least one of the bass guitars on this list. They are all versatile, well-made, and reasonably priced. With the right bass guitar, you can play any style of music. So, what are you waiting for? Go out and get yourself a bass guitar today.
I am Rosario Beltran Jr. After more than five years of playing classical piano, I now aggregate musical instruments for Axreview.com. Most people have dreams of owning a musical instrument, but it is not easy to achieve this dream. That is why I am here to help you, and I believe my reviews will be helpful for you.