1. The quick list
2. Best for vintage style
3. Best short-scale bass
4. Best active bass
5. Best beginner P
6. Best step-up bass
7. Best body shape
8. Best offset bass
9. Best value bass
10. Best bass for kids
11. Best for rock
12. Best for versatility
13. Buying advice
14. How we choose products
Most of us will agree that learning an instrument is one of the most rewarding things you can do. We might be biased, but we believe the guitar is one of the most rewarding of them all… If you can get over the initial stinging fingers, it is a passion that is likely to stay with you for life. However, selecting a suitable introductory instrument can be a little bewildering, particularly in the world of the best beginner bass guitars. The options for budding bassists have never been greater! Since there is such a cornucopia of beginner basses guitars out there you’d be forgiven for feeling a little overwhelmed.
However, that’s where we step in. We’ve put together this guide to get you off on your bass-playing journey on the front foot. A great beginner bass will inspire you to pick it up again and again with a combination of smooth playability, a comfortable design, and a wicked finish. We understand that you may not want to spend loads of money on your first instrument, so we’ve been very careful with our criteria for what makes the perfect beginner bass guitar on a budget.
Whether you’re looking for something affordable that plays well, or you’re after a smaller body for extra comfort? Perhaps you’ve got a bit more money to invest in something that’ll take you to the intermediate stage? There will be a bass on this list for you. If you’re new to the bass guitar, make sure to check out our buying advice section for more information. If you want to see the best beginner bass guitars available today, then keep on scrolling!
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Best beginner bass guitars: Quick list
Tired of scrolling through endless walls of text? Well here you'll find some of our favorite beginner bass guitars, with links to read more if you wish.
A most inviting bass with a vintage-modern body shape and design, the BB234 has an exceptional build, with a warm and rich low-end that’s got a surprising amount of tones given the fuss-free control setup. This will cover most styles; ideal for when you’re still trying to work out what sort of player you are.
If you are looking for an entry-level bass for kids to get started on, this is a definite contender. 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 bass amp and you can accommodate most styles.
You will find a wide range of tones here, with thick and warm low-end and that elastic bounce in the upper mids and baritone twang with the treble dialed in. The string-through-body HiMass bridge makes for a super-stable bass, and we love that there is push/pull for active or passive performance.
From the comfortable ‘C’-shape neck profile to the sturdy hardware, there is plenty of bang for your buck here. The PJ pickup configuration offers a little more versatility than a traditional P-Bass by introducing a bridge Jazz Bass pickup, allowing for more sonic exploration.
You can tease all kinds of inspiring tones out of this, from the electric bounce of funk to more bruising low-end thunder for rock’n’roll, or simply roll back on that treble for woody jazz. The StingRay neck profile offers a taste of its top-dollar sibling’s feel, and, likewise, the fully adjustable bridge gives you a similar amount of control over string height and intonation.
The TRB series is ideal for honing your craft, making full use of the two-octave fingerboard, and zipping up and down that svelte neck. Roll back the tone to dig into that rich mahogany warmth for some truly viscous low end or jack it up for punchy, articulate tones.
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The Ibanez DXP and DXJ pickups are versatile and dynamic, giving you that ‘best of both worlds’ configuration. The comfortable and smooth short-scale 30” neck, while slightly wider than some beginner bass guitars, is a dream to play. Additionally, if you’re looking for a comfortable bass, the Talman’s offset body is ergonomic and lightweight.
The tone shoots for a classic active P-Bass voice, with the single-coil/split-coil configuration well exploited by the active 2-Band EQ and balance control. Whether you are a slap-happy funkster, a burgeoning jazz-fusion futurist, or simply a rocker holding it down in the pocket, the Mezzo has you covered.
There’s just a single ceramic pickup to keep things simple, but it’s placed right at the center of the body to give it a great sound. Similar in tone to the early Fender Precision Bass guitars, it delivers a nice vintage-tinged growl that’s sweet in the high end with plenty of oomph in the lows.
Tone-wise, this bass is big, fat and punchy – crank it up, stick on an overdrive, and take cover, because you'll be causing some pretty substantial structural damage. Although there's not a lot of range here, and it can sound dark to some ears, there’s enough attack when playing with a pick and if you dial up the high-end on your amp you can get some deadly mid-range clank.
Spector’s entry-level Performer series might not have the active electronics, the grained maple top or the pickups of its high-end models but it has the body shape, that sense of balance and proportion, and a playability that makes it a serious option at this price. There are a lot of musical tones to be had, and a lot of styles you can cover with this bass.
The best beginner bass guitars available today
You can trust Guitar World Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing guitar products so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.
Here you'll find full write ups and reviews of all of our favorite beginner bass guitars. Our writers have tested the vast majority of these amps personally, so you can rely on our recommendations.
Best vintage style
The BB234 does for basses what the Pacifica 112 does for the beginner electric guitar: it is living proof that Yamaha knows exactly how to make a formidable instrument of real substance for younger players and those on a budget.
A most inviting bass with a vintage-modern body shape and design, the BB234 has an exceptional build, with a warm and rich low-end that’s got a surprising amount of tones given the fuss-free control setup. This will cover most styles; ideal for when you’re still trying to work out what sort of player you are.
There’s no blend control or pickup selector, but playing around with the individual pickup volumes allows you to set the mix how you like it, with the tone knob on hand for fine-tuning.
Best short-scale bass
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 bass 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.
Best active bass
The Spectra Bass series shows the other side to Jackson, decommissioning the sharp edges with a sumptuously contoured, offset double-cutaway body and elongated upper horn.
Now, you might say this is not the most original design – it calls to mind basses such as Ibanez’s SR300E – but the contouring is quite different and it makes for a perfectly balanced and eminently playable bass. There’s a full two-octave fretboard and a neck that makes easy lifting of busy basslines.
You will find a wide range of tones here, with thick and warm low-end and that elastic bounce in the upper mids and baritone twang with the treble dialed in. The string-through-body HiMass bridge makes for a super-stable bass, and we love that there is push/pull for active or passive performance, meaning a drained battery come showtime is not the disaster it could be.
Best beginner p-bass
As instruments go, Fender’s Precision bass guitar is perhaps one of the most revolutionary of them all. Being the first electric bass guitar ever created, the P-Bass helped shape modern music as we know it. So, how does Squier’s affordable Affinity P-Bass stand up to that reputation? Pretty darn well we’re happy to report!
The Affinity series is the second tier of instruments in Squier’s range, sitting just above the newly introduced Sonic range. This Precision Bass is a fantastic representation of the Affinity series and a feasible affordable option for beginners looking to earn their stripes on an iconic bass.
From the comfortable ‘C’-shape neck profile to the sturdy hardware, there is plenty of bang for your buck here. The PJ pickup configuration offers a little more versatility than a traditional P-Bass by introducing a bridge Jazz Bass pickup, allowing for more sonic exploration.
With plenty of finishes to choose from, the Affinity P-Bass will cater to most budding bassists out there, no matter what their taste of credo. However, this bass is pretty long, meaning it may not be the best option for younger players out there.
Best step-up bass
The SUB, or ‘Sports Utility Bass’, Ray4 is the sort of instrument that makes you do a double take when you see the price tag. It looks like a StingRay, it feels like a Music Man StingRay, and yet it comes in at the 300-buck mark.
You can still tease all kinds of inspiring tones out of this, from the electric bounce of funk to more bruising low-end thunder for rock’n’roll, or simply roll back on that treble for woody jazz. The StingRay neck profile offers a taste of its top-dollar sibling’s feel, and, likewise, the fully adjustable bridge gives you a similar amount of control over string height and intonation. Altogether it feels like a pretty grown-up bass.
Perhaps most notably in the electrics, there has been some downsizing. Where the flagship Music Man StingRay 4 models have an active 18V pickup and preamp with 3-band EQ, the Ray4 has got the 9V active pickup and preamp combo with simplified 2-band hi and low cut/boost controls. But really, that's a minuscule price to pay if it means this bass comes to you for a tenth of the price of a full-fat USA model. There's no denying that the Ray4 is one of the best budget bass guitars on the market today.
Best body shape
Yamaha’s TRBX series has a similar body shape to the Jackson Spectra and Ibanez Soundgear basses, but here there’s a clever twist on the recipe by using an exotic wooden veneer on top of a solid mahogany body.
Exotic wood? Yes, why not, bass guitar design has always been one for using the so-called exotic tonewoods in pursuit of fresh adventures in low-end tone. Here, it is difficult to say how much the veneer contributes to the tone, but it gives this entry-level bass a pseudo-boutique vibe that’s surely a permission slip for working on your jazz-fusion chops.
And that’s what the TRB series is ideal for; honing your craft, making full use of the two-octave fingerboard, and zipping up and down that svelte neck. Roll back the tone to dig into that rich mahogany warmth for some truly viscous low end or jack it up for punchy, articulate tones.
Best offset bass
You may be more acquainted with Ibanez producing mean-looking, fast-playing, shred-tastic electric guitars, but let us tell you, the Japanese giants have knocked it out of the park with the offset Talman TMB30 bass.
Hitting the market in ’94, the Talman body shape was Ibanez’s nod to vintage guitar design. Taking inspiration from brands like Danelectro and Fender, the Talman was versatile, well-made, had a fast neck and was a little less pointy in design. All features of which are proudly represented on the TMB30 bass.
The Ibanez DXP and DXJ pickups are versatile and dynamic, giving you that ‘best of both worlds’ configuration. The comfortable and smooth short-scale 30” neck, while slightly wider than some beginner bass guitars, is a dream to play. Additionally, if you’re looking for a comfortable bass, the Talman’s offset body is ergonomic and lightweight meaning younger players and gigging musicians alike can find use of it. All of this for under $250? It’s no wonder the TMB30 has ended up on our list of best beginner bass guitars!
Best for value
The Mezzo positions itself somewhere between the long-scale 34” basses and the short-scale basses of 30” and under. Is it a happy medium? It’s hard to argue it isn’t. The body shape is nicely contoured and fits snug against the body, and the 32” scale makes it feel a little more grown-up than the Mikro.
As a down-sized addition to Ibanez’s superlative Soundgear lineup, you can consider playability a given. The Mezzo’s neck is shorter than its Soundgear siblings but has the same width and profile, and it will flatter those of us working our way toward busy, show-stopping basslines.
The tone shoots for a classic active P-Bass voice, with the single-coil/split-coil configuration well exploited by the active 2-Band EQ and balance control. Whether you are a slap-happy funkster, a burgeoning jazz-fusion futurist, or simply a rocker holding it down in the pocket, the Mezzo has you covered.
Best bass for kids
Part of a brand new range of beginner-friendly guitars from Fender, the Squier Sonic Bronco Bass is a short-scale guitar that will fit nicely into the hands of younger players. Featuring the trademark build quality as well as a range of cool colors, it’s the perfect entryway into the world of bass guitar.
There’s just a single ceramic pickup to keep things simple, but it’s placed right at the center of the body to give it a great sound. Similar in tone to the early Fender Precision Bass guitars, it delivers a nice vintage-tinged growl that’s sweet in the high end with plenty of oomph in the lows.
It’s nice and lightweight unlike some of the other bass guitars here, so won’t strain necks and backs too much when playing standing up. Considering the price point you’re getting a lot of bang for your buck with the Bronco Bass, and the fact it’s available in some less usual color schemes will make it seriously appealing for new players.
Best for rock
A big ol’ plank of mahogany with a big ol’ humbucker in the neck position. What else do you need? The genius of the EB-0 lies in its simplicity. One passive pickup, volume, tone; your fingers do the rest.
This, of course, is a good thing, and is by design. Tone-wise, it’s big, fat and punchy - crank it up, stick on an overdrive, and take cover, because you'll be causing some pretty substantial structural damage. Although there's not a lot of range here, and it can sound dark to some ears, but there’s enough attack when playing with a pick and if you dial up the high-end on your amp you can get some deadly mid-range clank.
The short 30.5” scale is brilliant for beginners. The slim D profile neck has a gentle taper to it and fills the palm without feeling too clubby.
Best for versatility
Spector’s entry-level Performer series might not have the active electronics, the grained maple top or the pickups of its high-end models but it has the body shape, that sense of balance and proportion, and a playability that makes it a serious option at this price.
There is a passive P+J pickup configuration, with each pickup’s independent volume and tone controls allowing you to dial in your own blend of both. There are a lot of musical tones to be had, and a lot of styles you can cover with this.
Slap players should surely find the funk. Rockers will find the thunder. And everyone should find that the nato body is nicely contoured. But the big selling point is its three-piece neck, which is stable, zippy and comfortable enough to support you through some epic jams.
Best beginner bass guitars: Buying advice
How to choose the best beginner bass guitar for you
The biggest challenge when taking up the bass is getting acclimatized to the fingerboard geography. There’s a whole lot of neck on a bass guitar. It's longer, wider and the frets are further apart – guitarists who are crossing over will notice this especially.
Annoyingly, you’ll naturally get a little pain in the fingertips as you first start playing. This will pass in time, and your fingertips will harden. In the meantime, just take a break when things start to get a bit sore. Finding a beginner bass that plays well will make this bedding-in period easier – so if you’re particularly worried about your digits feeling done for, try a few different basses out and see which one feels the most playable.
Should I go short or long scale?
The scale length of a stringed instrument is the distance between the nut and the bridge. For bass guitars, the industry-standard long-scale bass is 34”. This is considerably longer than a guitar, but it helps the bass maintain string tension and keep the tone and feel while playing in lower frequencies. It can be a bit of a stretch for some, but if you get used to a long-scale bass then you'll have a much wider range of products to choose from when you come to upgrade.
Short-scale basses typically have a scale length of around 30”, or even shorter in the case of the Ibanez Mikro or Squier Mini Precision Bass. Sometimes these are preferred for their more rounded low-end, which can really work well when playing with other instruments. But they are definitely a great option to consider for younger players and cheaper short-scale basses are often aimed at this market.
If you'd prefer something in the middle, then a medium-scale bass is probably the one for you. Medium-scale basses are less common and usually come in around the 32” scale. The Ibanez Mezzo in this guide has a 32” scale and you will notice its frets are that little bit closer together, the neck a little more manageable.
Do I want an active or passive bass guitar?
Passive basses generate 100 percent of their sound through their pickups. Active basses will have an onboard preamp, typically powered by either one or two 9V batteries. These boost the bass’s signal, and will likely have a 2 or 3-band EQ to cut or boost certain frequencies.
Neither is better, per se. Some will argue that the passive bass is more dynamic, bringing out the nuances in your playing, and that you need never worry about a battery draining mid-performance.
Advocates for the active basses might counter this by citing the hum-canceling and tone-shaping properties of the onboard preamp. Many like that the active signal is a little more compressed, evening out your playing.
While it can be difficult to find an active bass for under 400 dollars we have a few active options here, such as Jackson’s most-excellent Spectra, which has a push-pull feature on the volume control to engage or bypass the onboard preamp.
Is 'tonewood' important for beginner bass guitars?
When choosing the best beginner bass guitar for you, it's good to know which wood your bass is made from, and how it affects your tone – hence the term 'tonewood'. Mahogany-bodied basses such as Epiphone’s EB-0 will typically have a warmer tone, maybe a little softer round the edges than, say, alder or ash.
Just as mahogany evokes Gibson, Alder-bodied instruments always call to mind Fender guitars, with full-bodied clarity and solid low end, while basswood offers a typically well-balanced tone with a decent bit of weight to the low end.
Other tonewoods you might encounter here include poplar, which is largely balanced but doesn’t have a particular tonal bias. This ‘blank canvas’ approach might excite some, but it’s not the be-all and end-all.
Which is best? Whichever feels and sounds the best to you. That’s all that matters.
How we choose the best beginner bass guitars for this guide
Here at Guitar World, we are experts in our field, with many years of playing and product testing between us. We live and breathe everything guitar related, and we draw on this knowledge and experience of using products in live, recording and rehearsal scenarios when selecting the products for our guides.
When choosing what we believe to be the best beginner bass guitars available right now, we combine our hands-on experience, user reviews and testimonies and engage in lengthy discussions with our editorial colleagues to reach a consensus about the top products in any given category.
First and foremost, we are guitarists, and we want other players to find the right product for them. So we take into careful consideration everything from budget to feature set, ease of use and durability to come up with a list of what we can safely say are the best beginner bass guitars on the market right now.
Read more about our rating system, how we choose the gear we feature, and exactly how we test each product.
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