Buying a Bass Guitar: Everything You Need to Know

Regardless of whether you’re a beginner or an expert, there’s a lot of thought that goes into buying a bass guitar.

From deciding how much you want to pay to what accessories you need, it can get pretty overwhelming!

Which is why I wrote this guide—to help you whenever you’re ready to add a bass to the lineup.

Today, I’m going to go over everything you need to know about buying a bass, including:

Let’s get into it.

One of the first steps to buying a bass guitar is deciding what you want and don’t want.

But before you decide what you want in a bass, it’s a good idea to understand what you’re looking at.

Knowing the anatomy of the bass will help you understand how each part works together and how they individually affect the overall tone of a bass.

This makes you better equipped to find a beginner bass guitar that suits your needs.

A bass guitar is made up of:

Consider how each of the components that constitute a bass will affect the sound and type of music you’re after.

As you try out different types of basses, pay attention to differences in body shape, wood quality, neck, and pickups. Notice how they impact the sound and playing experience.

Playing a song or even just running some scales will give you an idea of whether or not it’s what you’re looking for.

Now let’s take a look at other important aspects that will influence your decision:

Bass guitars come in various sizes, and choosing one that feels comfortable is essential.

When thinking about the size of a bass, you should consider its body size and scale length.

You can determine the scale length by measuring the distance between the nut and the bridge of your bass.

The most common size is the standard 4-string bass, which has a scale length of around 34 inches. This size offers a good foundation for a wide range of playing styles.

If you have smaller hands or find that the standard size is too large, you might prefer a short-scale bass, which has a scale length of around 30 inches.

Short-scale basses are easier to navigate, especially for beginners. The shorter string length allows for quicker, more effortless fretting and string bending.

Long-scale basses have a scale length of 34 inches or more. These offer increased string tension, resulting in a snappier tone that works well with tapping and slapping the bass.

Bass guitars can cost anywhere from $200 to $2,000, and more if custom-made. That’s a pretty extensive range!

As a beginner, I recommend looking at basses between $200 and $600. You’ll get a great instrument to learn on, and it won’t break the bank.

As you progress through your bass-playing journey, you might want to invest in a mid-range bass ($600 to $1,000) for improved tone and playability.

Advanced players and professionals often go for high-end basses ($1,000+) that offer top-tier materials, build, and electronics.

The three basic styles of a bass guitar are:

Each style has a distinct sound and feel to it.

I will talk about style more in-depth later in this article, but start thinking about the kind of music you want to play, as this will have a considerable influence on the style you want to adopt.

There isn’t a strict yes-or-no answer here—it all depends on what you’re looking for and your budget.

There are quite a few advantages that come with getting a new bass guitar:

The biggest downside to buying a new bass guitar is the price. It goes without saying that new bass guitars are generally more expensive than used ones.

On the other hand, buying a used bass guitar also has several distinct advantages:

The downside to buying a used bass guitar is that more risks are involved—used bass guitars might have more signs of wear. That, plus the unknown history and lack of a warranty, can cost you more in the long run if something goes wrong.

As a beginner, there are three types of bass guitars that you should know about—P-Basses, J-Basses, and acoustic bass guitars.

There are some distinct differences between them, and knowing these differences will help you narrow down the kind of bass you want.

The Precision Bass—the P-Bass—is known for its versatility, warm tone, and strong midrange, making it ideal for genres like blues and rock.

It generally has a chunkier neck that maintains its thickness from the bridge to the nut.

This bass has simple controls (volume and tone) that make it easy for beginners to dial in a good sound.

The Jazz Bass—AKA the J-Bass—has a brighter, more articulate sound than the P-Bass. The sound is perfect for genres like funk, R&B, and, you guessed it, jazz.

Compared to the P-Bass, the J-Bass has a thinner neck that tapers as you get closer to the nut. This tapered feel makes it comfortable for fast playing and intricate basslines.

J-Basses have dual pickups, giving them a wide tonal range and serious versatility.

Check out the article I wrote on the subject if you’d like to get into the nitty-gritty details of the differences between a P-Bass and a J-Bass before you settle on a style.

An acoustic bass guitar is a cool alternative to P-Basses and J-Basses, and it's the go-to for an unplugged jam session.

You just pick them up and start playing—no amp needed!

Acoustic bass guitars are ideal for acoustic ensembles and folk or bluegrass music.

These basses have wider necks and higher string tension, making them challenging for beginners. They are also less common and may have a more limited selection than electric basses.

For beginner students, I always recommend starting with a four-string bass.

But take this with a grain of salt because, as with everything bass, this advice depends on what you want to do!

Four-string basses are the most common kind of bass used in pop and rock music. This means that a lot of tablature is geared toward four-string basses, making it easier for you to learn new songs.

However, bass guitars with five or six strings get you access to more notes! Five- or six-string basses make some songs more accessible because you can go across the fretboard instead of up or down.

The kicker with five- or six-string basses is that the strings get closer together when you have more strings on the neck. The neck does get wider, but the space is a little more packed because of the extra strings—this can make playing certain songs or styles tricky.

But what if you want to start learning heavy metal songs? Then, a five-string bass would be the way to go as it gives you access to those lower notes.

Going with a long-scale or short-scale bass depends on your preference.

Long-scale basses—basses with a scale length of 34 inches or more—give you a classic bass experience.

Their longer string length results in higher string tension. This produces a brighter tone with increased sustain and clarity.

Long-scale basses have a traditional bass feel and work well for genres like rock, metal, and jazz.

On the other hand, short-scale basses—basses with a scale length of 33 inches or less—have a warmer, rounder tone due to their lower string tension.

They’re ideal for blues and nailing that vintage-style sound with their mellow, thumpy tone.

Short-scale basses are great for people who want a smaller bass or are guitarists looking to experiment with the bass. The shorter scale length and lower string tension give them the feel of an electric guitar.

This question is a hard one! Try searching “how much is a bass guitar for beginners” on Google.

There are a ton of answers.

The truth is that there is a huge range of beginner bass guitars, all with different price points. But as a beginner, you don’t need to invest in a high-end, expensive bass right off the bat.

Basses that are under $300 are designed with beginners in mind. They offer excellent playability, decent build quality, and a solid tone. You likely won’t get any fancy bells or whistles with a bass in this range, but it will get the job done.

Moving up to basses under $500, you’ll find basses with improved hardware, electronics, and tonal options. They’re mid-range instruments that are often a noticeable improvement in quality and performance.

Check out this article to get a closer look at some of my bass recommendations for different budgets!

The best bass guitar brands are the best for a reason—the companies making them have a long history of making quality instruments.

Let’s look at some of the top brands.

Fender is an iconic brand that’s been a staple in the music industry for decades.

They have a wide range of bass guitars, giving players options for finding the right bass.

From p-basses to j-basses, Fender basses are known for their durability and versatile sound. Their sturdiness and reliability have made them an easy choice for countless bass players.

Yamaha is another brand that’s a staple when it comes to musical instruments.

Their TRBX series is popular among beginner players with its affordability, build quality and tone.

One factor to keep an eye on is that the neck profile is slightly thicker than other brands.

The third brand is Ibanez, which has a reputation for building basses with a more modern feel.

Some bass players might find the thin neck and flat fretboard a bit challenging to adjust to at first. Many players, however, often end up appreciating these features.

That being said, many beginner bass players dig their SR series.

Bass shopping doesn’t always end when you finally find your perfect bass. Sometimes, you may want to pick up some additional accessories, such as:

1. A Tuner. Every bassist needs a reliable tuner when learning how to tune their bass guitar. Whether you opt for a clip-on or an online tuner, keeping your bass in tune is crucial for sounding your best.

2. Picks. When playing bass guitar with a pick, different picks will offer different feels and tones. Experiment with various pick thicknesses and materials to determine what works best for you and your playing style.

3. Headphones. Practicing with headphones allows you to play without disturbing others and helps you focus on the details of your playing. Look for comfortable, over-ear headphones with good bass response.

4. A Strap. A comfortable, adjustable strap is essential for playing while standing up. Choose a strap that distributes the weight of your bass evenly and has secure attachments to prevent accidents. Check out my video so you know exactly how high your strap should be.

5. An Amplifier. While it’s not needed for practice, an amp is essential for playing with others or performing. A small practice amp with a headphone jack is a good starting point for beginners.

6. A Case. Protect your bass by storing and transporting it in a padded gig or hardshell case. This will save it from bumps, scratches, and environmental factors.

7. A Cable. This is what connects your bass to your amp. Look for cables with durable connectors and reliable shielding to minimize noise and signal loss.

Buying a bass guitar is an exciting experience! You get to experiment with different styles and builds to learn exactly what you’re into.

But there’s a lot that comes after your first purchase, and knowing where to start when it comes to actually learning the bass can be overwhelming.

Good news, though—the SBL Academy can help with that!

It offers countless courses from some of the best bass players in the industry and will give you your own personalized road map based on your skill level so you can make fast, meaningful progress.

To start elevating your bass playing, try the SBL Academy free for 14 days!