Today we’ve embarked on a journey of finding the best bass guitar for beginners in 2021. Given the fact that the market is overflowing with low-cost instruments, finding a quality piece of wood that can withstand a bit of pounding while still sounding right might be a bit more difficult than most people would expect.
Only a handful of people are in such a position where they can afford an expensive instrument right off the bat; more importantly, are there any reasons for buying a boutique instrument outright?
We’ve made sure to include models from popular brands such as Ibanez, Yamaha, Gretsch, and Jackson, so you can rest assured that even the cheapest instruments we’ve covered still have plenty of things to bring to the table. Without any further ado, let’s dive into the reviews.
Here come our 10 best bass guitar for beginners. Every product has specific features to serve multiple purposes. Find out which one pleases you most!
If you are looking for an entry-level bass for kids to get started on, this is a definite contender. First off, it’s exceptional value, so in the worst-case scenario of them losing interest in the instrument it is not the biggest loss. Second, well, courtesy of its short scale – which is generously short of 30” – and slim neck profile, the chances of that worst-case scenario are minimal.
That said, we’re pretty sure bassists at all levels and all ages would have big fun on the Mikro. Its pokey scale lends itself to a nice rounded thump, but play around with the pickups and work the EQ on your amp and you can accommodate most styles.
There are heaps of cool finishes available. The setup is excellent, and the B-10 bridge a simple, solid design that allows easy adjustments to intonation.
The Edge 09 is actually a beginner bass for guitar players; the way this instrument is built and configured resembles the architecture and playability of an actual guitar, which means that the transition process should go over smoothly.
The neck and body of the Edge 09 bass are designed in a very unique way; although the ‘Edge’ body design is present in a couple of Dean-made guitars and basses, the flat-top neck is what makes this instrument so beautiful and exquisite.
This is a decent starter bass with a body made of basswood, a C-shaped neck made of maple, and a fretboard made of walnut. It rocks 22 medium frets and 34-inch scale length, so its playability is pretty great, especially if you’re completely new to the instrument.
Sterling By Music Man cannily offer both four- and five-string variants of this classic bass at wallet-friendly prices. We reviewed the five in 2017, discovering that the thunderous bottom end of the Music Man remains. And, though some may bemoan the lack of a midrange EQ, the SUB Ray5 remains as versatile as its more expensive siblings.
The robust build quality impresses and it’s a highly playable bass too: string spacing is narrow enough that diehard four-stringers should be happy with the inevitable wider fretboard; and that comfy satin finish neck makes for easy position shifting too.
Versatility, build quality and really very few compromises. This is a great bass that you can buy with confidence.
The most unique feature to set the Mustang apart from its Precision and Jazz counterparts is the 30″ scale length (the distance between the bridge and nut). Its shorter scale results in a lower string tension, making it easier to fret and bend notes. Another benefit is the shorter jump between frets, which means it’s a great tool for guitarists in need of a bass or beginner players getting to grips with the instrument.
More experienced bassists should also consider a short scale bass, not just for the difference in feel, but the difference in tone. With shorter and looser strings you end up with a more pronounced low end and less highs. A short scale bass actually gives you more thunderous tone!
Featuring the classic offset Mustang body, the Squier Classic Vibe Mustang Bass ’60s four-string bass guitar delivers great looks and tone at a great value. The maple neck with “C”-shaped profile sets a standard for playability, and the addition of a real bone nut enhances tone and tuning stability. The Fender-designed split single-coil pickup with alnico magnets delivers punchy tone for a variety of musical styles. And with its shorter 30″ scale length, the Squier Classic Vibe Mustang Bass ’60s combines impressive low-end punch with fluid playability.
The Washburn T25 5-string bass offers a number of features typically found on much higher-priced instruments. The stained mahogany body and multi-laminate neck with rosewood fretboard deliver striking looks. Rich, warm tone comes courtesy of two ABT jazz pickups. Neck-through-body construction means superb resonance, and Grover bass tuners provide exceptional tuning stability.
Bassist Justin Meldal-Johnsen is a true renaissance artist who has played with the likes of Beck, Nine Inch Nails, and Drake, among others. A dedicated bass player since the age of 14, “JMJ,” as he is affectionately called by fans and music insiders alike, switched to the Fender Mustang Bass exclusively over a decade ago and has never looked back. Now Fender has partnered with JMJ to design the Fender Justin Meldal-Johnsen Road Worn Bass and bring it to the public. The Fender JMJRW is designed specifically to match the vintage ’67 Mustang Bass JMJ plays both on the road and in the studio. An alder body, maple “C” neck, and rosewood fretboard comprise the quality tonewoods for this killer bass. A single Custom Seymour Duncan Split Single-Coil pickup is featured and puts out thick, meaty low-end tone. Bass players here at Sweetwater have really fallen for this signature instrument from Fender and know you will too.
For the bassist who wants a darkly alluring and notably modern take on a Fender classic, the Aerodyne Jazz Bass is a specialized all-black model unlike any other instrument in the family. It rocks a specially shaped slim body and carved bound top with no pickguard, stained rosewood fingerboard with no inlays, smoked-chrome control knobs and hardware, and a Stratocaster output jack. It also features the tonally versatile combination of a pummeling split single-coil Precision Bass® middle pickup and a growling Jazz Bass® single-coil bridge pickup.
First introduced in 1960, the Jazz Bass has withstood the test of time to become one of the most played and recorded instruments in modern music history. Inspired by the changes underway at Fender in the iconic instrument’s second decade of production, the Fender Vintera ’70s Jazz Bass rocks the sleek J Bass offset-waist body, fast-action neck, two Vintage-Style ’70s single-coil pickups, a 3-ply black pickguard, and classic ’70s block inlays. Fender’s Vintera ’70s J Bass is remarkably comfortable to play and lets you pull off extremely tight runs and grooves with ease. Of course, it also delivers the legendary punchy growl you can only get from a pair of Fender Jazz Bass pickups. And with its classic ’70s styling, the Fender Vintera ’70s Jazz Bass looks every bit as good as it sounds!
Strap on Gibson’s Les Paul Classic, and you’ll experience iconic tone and uncompromising playability. A time-tested combination of maple and mahogany serves up the tone that’s fueled a million rock anthems, while Burstbucker pickups inject your playing with loads of midrange muscle and sizzling overtones. You also get coil tapping, phase reversal, and pure bypass options for an endless variety of tonal textures. As for playing comfort, the Les Paul Classic feels as amazing as it sounds, thanks to a SlimTaper neck and easy-playing rosewood fingerboard. The Les Paul Classic includes a self-lubricating Graph Tech nut, Tune-o-matic bridge, vintage-style Grover Rotomatic tuners, and gold top hat knobs.
When looking for your first bass, there are many things to consider. You want a solid, well-built bass guitar that will inspire you to play. Here are a few things to look for:
I’m hoping this guide was helpful. Choosing the best bass guitar doesn’t have to be hard, but you need to know what you want in terms of features and what you have to take into account given your room and listening limitations.
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