Top 10 Best Bass Guitar For Beginners – Helping Beginners Choose Wisely!

Hey, there fellow musicians! Are you looking to purchase a bass guitar but don’t know where to begin? Look no further than Fly Away Media and Recording Studio, where our in-house expert has done the research and testing for you. 

As a seasoned musician with years of experience playing and teaching bass guitar, we have put together a list of the top 10 bass guitar for beginners. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to upgrade your current instrument, we’ve got you covered with our expert insights and recommendations. 

So grab a cup of coffee, sit back, and dive into our top picks for the best bass guitars for beginners!

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Summary: Top 10 bass guitars for beginners

1. Squier Affinity Series Precision Bass PJ
2. Yamaha TRBX174EW
3. Ibanez GSR200
4. Sterling by Music Man S.U.B. Ray4
5. Epiphone Toby Deluxe IV
6. Fender Player Jazz Bass
7. Dean E09M Edge Mahogany
8. ESP LTD B-50
9. Schecter Omen Extreme-4
10. Rogue LX200B Series III

1. Squier Affinity Series Precision Bass PJ

• Affordable: The Squier Affinity Series Precision Bass PJ is available in a bundle including a Fender Gig Bag, Tuner, Strap, and Austin Bazaar Instructional DVD

• Versatile sound: With a split-coil Precision Bass pickup in the middle and a Jazz Bass pickup in the bridge, this bass guitar can produce a variety of tones for different music genres.
• Comfortable to play: The thin body and “C” shaped neck profile with medium jumbo frets make it lightweight and comfortable for beginners.
• Solid construction: The bass guitar is made with quality materials, including a solid alder body, making it a durable choice.

Cons:

• Setup may be needed: Some users have reported that the bass guitar may require some adjustments and setup out of the box to achieve optimal playability and sound.

2. Yamaha TRBX174EW

• Quality construction: The Yamaha TRBX174EW features a solid mahogany body and a 24-fret maple neck, giving it a sturdy and durable feel.
• Great sound: The bass guitar has a versatile sound thanks to its split-coil and single-coil pickups, making it suitable for a wide range of music styles.

• Comfortable to play: The bass guitar has a slim neck profile and low action, making it comfortable for beginners to play.
• Eye-catching design: The bass guitar has a unique and attractive appearance thanks to its exotic wood top and natural finish.

Cons:

• Price: The Yamaha TRBX174EW is a bit more expensive than some other beginner bass guitars on the market, which may not fit everyone’s budget.

3. Ibanez GSR200:

• Slim and comfortable design: The Ibanez GSR200 has a slim and comfortable design, making it easy for beginners to play for extended periods of time.
• Great sound: The bass guitar has versatile tone options thanks to its Dynamix P and J pickups, making it suitable for different music genres.
• Quality construction: The bass guitar features a solid mahogany body and a maple neck, giving it a sturdy and durable feel.
• Affordable: The Ibanez GSR200 is priced affordably, making it a great option for beginners who are on a limited budget.

Cons:

• Limited color options: The bass guitar is only available in a few color options, which may not suit everyone’s preferences.

4. Sterling by Music Man SUB Ray4

Pros:

1. High-quality construction: The Sterling by Music Man SUB Ray4 features a solid basswood body and a maple neck, giving it a sturdy and durable feel.
2. Great sound: The bass guitar has a powerful and punchy sound thanks to its high-output humbucking pickup, making it suitable for rock and metal music styles.
3. Eye-catching design: The bass guitar has a unique and attractive appearance thanks to its retro-style pickguard and headstock.

Comfortable to play: The bass guitar has a slim and comfortable neck profile, making it easy for beginners to play for extended periods of time.

Cons:

1. Limited tonal options: The bass guitar has a single humbucking pickup, which may not provide as much tonal versatility as other bass guitars on the market.

5. Squier Affinity Series Jazz Bass:

Pros:

1. Quality construction: The Squier Affinity Series Jazz Bass features a solid alder body and a maple neck, giving it a sturdy and durable feel.
2. Versatile sound: The bass guitar has dual single-coil Jazz Bass pickups, which provide a versatile range of tones suitable for a variety of music styles.
3. Comfortable to play: The bass guitar has a slim neck profile and low action, making it comfortable for beginners to play for extended periods of time.
4. Classic design: The bass guitar has a classic and timeless design, making it suitable for players of all ages and music genres.

Cons:

1. The jazz base is heavier than the precision base.

6. Rogue LX200B Series III bass guitar:

Pros:

• Affordable: The Rogue LX200B Series III bass guitar is priced affordably, making it accessible to beginners who are on a tight budget.
• Lightweight: The bass guitar is relatively lightweight, making it comfortable to play for extended periods of time.
• Versatile sound: The bass guitar features split-coil pickups that provide a wide range of tonal options suitable for various music genres.

Cons:

• Lower quality construction: The Rogue LX200B Series III bass guitar is made with lower quality materials, which may not be as durable as some other beginner bass guitars on the market.
• Limited tonal options: While the bass guitar provides a decent range of tonal options, it may not be as versatile as some other beginner bass guitars with more advanced electronics.

7. Fender Player Jazz Bass guitar:

Pros:

1. High-quality construction: The Fender Player Jazz Bass guitar features a solid alder body and a maple neck, giving it a sturdy and durable feel.
2. Versatile sound: The bass guitar features two Player Series single-coil Jazz Bass pickups that provide a wide range of tones suitable for various music genres.
3. Comfortable to play: The bass guitar has a slim and comfortable neck profile that is easy for beginners to play for extended periods of time.
4. Classic design: The Fender Player Jazz Bass guitar has a timeless and iconic design that is instantly recognizable and suitable for players of all ages and music genres.

Cons:

1. Price: The Fender Player Jazz Bass guitar is more expensive than some other beginner bass guitars on the market, which may not fit everyone’s budget.
2. Heavier weight: Some users have reported that the bass guitar can be on the heavier side, which may not be ideal for some players who prefer a lighter instrument.

8. Dean E10PJ Edge bass guitar:

Pros:

1. Affordable: The Dean E09M Edge Mahogany bass guitar is priced affordably, making it accessible to beginners who are on a tight budget.
2. Solid construction: The bass guitar features a solid mahogany body and a maple neck, providing a sturdy and durable feel.
3. Comfortable to play: The bass guitar has a slim neck profile and low action, making it easy and comfortable for beginners to play for extended periods of time.
4. Unique design: The Dean E09M Edge Mahogany bass guitar has a unique and edgy design, making it stand out from other beginner bass guitars.

Cons:

1. Limited tonal options: The bass guitar features only one split pickup, which may limit the tonal options for some users.

9. ESP LTD B-50 bass guitar:

Pros:

1. Affordable: The ESP LTD B-50 bass guitar is priced affordably, making it accessible to beginners who are on a tight budget.
2. Solid construction: The bass guitar features a solid basswood body and a maple neck, providing a sturdy and durable feel.
3. Versatile sound: The bass guitar features a split-coil ESP Designed LDP pickup, providing a wide range of tonal options suitable for various music genres.
4. Comfortable to play: The bass guitar has a thin U-shaped neck profile and a contoured body, making it easy and comfortable for beginners to play for extended periods of time.

Cons:

• Mixed reviews on sound quality: Some users have reported that the sound quality is not as good as some other beginner bass guitars on the market.

10. Schecter Omen Extreme-4 bass guitar:

Pros:

1. Great sound quality: The Schecter Omen Extreme-4 bass guitar features Schecter Diamond Bass pickups that provide clear and punchy tones, suitable for various music genres.
2. Versatile tonal options: The bass guitar features a three-band EQ and active electronics, providing a wide range of tonal options that can be easily adjusted to suit the player’s preference.
3. Beautiful design: The bass guitar has a stunning quilted maple top with a black cherry finish, giving it an eye-catching and elegant look.
4. Comfortable to play: The bass guitar has a thin C-shaped neck profile and a contoured body, making it comfortable to play for extended periods of time.

Cons:

• Higher price point: The Schecter Omen Extreme-4 bass guitar is priced higher than some other beginner bass guitars on the market, making it less accessible to players on a tight budget.
• Heavier weight: The bass guitar is relatively heavy compared to some other beginner bass guitars, which may be uncomfortable for some players during long practice sessions or gigs.

Related Article: Is the bass guitar easy to learn?

Summary

Can you actually buy a bass guitar for under $100?

Practicing Your New Instrument

Once the guitar is set up, you will need to practice. Finding a great teacher or beginning with an online bass lesson may be a great way to start. Even if you practice for ten minutes a day, it is vital to play consistently. Pick a time when there are fewer distractions.

When practicing, find a device that keeps time. Metronomes are suited for this, but if you don’t have a metronome, there are phone apps that can help you.

Begin slowly and with easy-to-learn exercises on technique. Rehearse chords repeatedly and do your scales. Scales are the easiest bass lessons to learn. After you’re ready to take the next step, move on to playing songs. There are several songs across genres to select from. Simply practicing notes can make a profound difference in your skills as a bass player.

Consider YouTube videos to learn bass guitar and theory. There are many free resources online to learn the basics.

There are several things to consider when buying a bass guitar for beginners, and this information will make your selection easier. It will point you in the right direction regarding the overall costs and quality of your bass guitar.

The instrument you choose should be one that you can play for years to come.

Happy Playing!