Best Bass Guitars for Every Player to Level Up Their Bass Game
Best Bass Guitars for Every Player to Level Up Their Bass Game
By TSG Desk | Jun 15, 2024, 10:00 AM IST
From funky riffs to thumping rhythms, the bass is the heart of a song. While it might not always be the center of attention, a good bass line is what makes the music come alive. Start with a 4-string bass, set a budget, and find an instrument that feels good and inspires you to play!
From the deft melodic runs to the showboating funky grooves, a good bassline is the heartbeat of a song. The bass guitars are the foundation upon which these melodies and rhythms are made on! A bass guitar is a plucked string instrument built in the style of an electric guitar. All those low-end rumbles, the pulsating rhythm that gets your head nodding and feet tapping, is the magic of the bass. While the flashy riffs and soaring vocals tend to grab the spotlight, a good bass line is what makes a song truly feel alive.
Whether you're a seasoned musician or a curious learner, here are the things you should keep in mind while selecting a bass guitar to strum:
1. Most Beginner-friendly: Ibanez Bass Guitar SR Gio series 4 string
Whether you're a seasoned musician or a curious learner, here are the things you should keep in mind while selecting a bass guitar to strum:
- Pickups and Electronics: Don't get too hung up on fancy electronics. A simple passive bass with one or two pickups is perfect for learning. You can always add effects later
- Number of Strings: For beginners, a four-string bass is the way to go. It's easier to start your journey as a beginner and most music uses this standard setup. You can always explore five or six strings afterwards
- Comfort: Play a few basses and see which feels comfortable. Look at how does the neck fit your hand size and is the bass’s weight manageable. You'll be spending a lot of time with this instrument, so it should feel good
- Looks: A great-looking bass that's uncomfortable or sounds dull won't keep you motivated. You should prioritize playability and sound. Try to find a good balance between these
- Budget: Basses come in all price ranges so you should start by setting a realistic budget and sticking to it. There are fantastic beginner-friendly options that won't break the bank
Best Bass Guitars
| Bass Guitar | Material Type |
| Ibanez Bass Guitar SR Gio series 4 string | Maple, Mahogany |
| Fender Player Jazz Electric Bass Guitar | Alder |
| Yamaha TRBX174 4-String Electric Bass Guitar | Maple, Mahogany |
| Ibanez Electric Guitar series Gio GRGR131EXBKF | Maple, Poplar |
| Fender Player Precision Electric Bass Guitar | Alder |
1. Most Beginner-friendly: Ibanez Bass Guitar SR Gio series 4 string
Color: Black | Top Material Type: Maple, Mahogany | Size: Medium
Are you someone who has just started their journey as a bass guitarist or someone who wants to learn their way around it? Then this Ibanez guitar would be the best fit for you! Ibanez GIO series Basses are exceptional, each instrument is built to the same high-quality specifications as that of its premium counterpart.
What are others saying about this?
This is a beautiful guitar which has perfect contours and delivers great audio quality as well. It is a great instrument for beginners who have just started learning the bass guitar.
Why should you add this to your cart?
- The sound that this Ibanez bass guitar produces is rich and full
- It has a 3-pot control which is easy to use, making it a great guitar for beginners
- This is loaded with twin Ibanez Standard J pickups, featuring neck pickup volume, bridge pickup volume and even single tone controls
Pros:
- Beginner- friendly
- Affordable
- High-quality
Cons:
- Some users think that the quality of the knobs can be improved
2. Value for Money: Fender Player Jazz Electric Bass Guitar
Color: 3-Color Sunburst | Top Material Type: Alder | Size: Medium
Looking for a bass guitar that has a classic style and doesn’t compromise on the bass tone? Then say hello to the Fender Player Jazz electric bass guitar! With its dual single-coil pickups and smooth playing feel, this Fender bass guitar is an amazing instrument with both style and authentic Fender bass tone. It has a powerful sound that is punchy and tight. You will be ready for a show on stage or a recording session in the studio with your own Fender Player Jazz electric bass guitar!
What are others saying about this?
This is a great bass guitar with a very punchy sound. It has a good midrange growl too.
Why should you add this to your cart?
- This Fender guitar comes with two volume controls that you can set according to the song requirements
- It has a 4-saddle bridge that combines form and functionality together perfectly
- The neck of the guitar is designed for comfort and performance with a Modern C shaped profile and smooth back finishing
Pros:
- Designed for authentic Fender tone
- Has an open-gear tuning machine
- Featured a “F”- stamped neck plate for verification
Cons:
- Some users have observed dents on their guitar
3. Most Economical: Yamaha TRBX174 4-String Electric Bass Guitar
Color: Dark Blue Metallic | Top Material Type: Maple, Mahogany | Size: 3/4
Yamaha brings you a guitar that will fall under your budget without breaking the bank! The TRBX174 represents a price breakthrough yet the quality is everything you'd expect from a Yamaha bass guitar. It has a clean and minimalistic design with a double cutaway mahogany body that looks modern. With the regular TRBX174 4-string guitar, you get a maple neck with a satin finish. Yamaha makes the TRBX174 in a variety of colors, so you can choose from the sleek all-black option, metallic red and blue colors, or even some cool burst finishes.
What are others saying about this?
This Yamah guitar delivers a great bass sound quality. The style of this guitar’s body has a clean modern look to it.
Why should you add this to your cart?
- Neck pickup is in the perfect spot for anchoring your thumb while fingerpicking
- The PJ-style pickup configuration on the Yamaha TRBX174 is versatile
- Its maple neck has a smooth satin polyurethane finish on it, so you’ll have no trouble moving around the neck or playing rapid basslines very easily
Pros:
- Mahogany body with gloss finish
- Vintage style bridge
- Great for beginners
Cons:
- User have reported that there is less room between the pickups and the neck
4. Most Comfortable: Ibanez Electric Guitar series Gio GRGR131EXBKF
Color: Black | Top Material Type: Maple, Poplar | Back Material Type: Poplar Wood
We have another bass guitar by Ibanez on our list. The GRGR131 features a Poplar Tone wood contoured body and a GRG maple neck. This gives a fantastic feel and allows for comfortable playing. With the Ibanez bass guitar, practice sessions or performances can go on all night, with ease.
What are others saying about this?
Straight out the box this guitar looked and played like a pro. It is lightweight and a fantastic metal bass guitar.
Why should you add this to your cart?
- Ibanez has designed all their guitars with great sound quality, comfort, style and keeping ease of use in mind
- This Ibanez guitar is ideal for beginners and intermediatory players
- It yields a range of impressive tones as it is loaded with a duo of Infinity R humbuckers
Pros:
- Smooth playing
- Hardtail bridge/tailpiece for maximum tuning stability
- Fast-action neck enhances your speed
Cons:
- Some users have said that they had to adjust some elements of the guitar
5. Most Premium: Fender Player Precision Electric Bass Guitar
Color: Black | Top Material Type: Alder | Size: Medium
Fender brings you an amazing bass guitar from their player precision line of electric guitars. There's nothing more classic than a Fender electric bass. Wrapped in gloss polyester, a blemish-free paint job is done on the guitar’s body. With its smooth playing feel and spotlight-ready style, this thunderous bass is ready to enter the studio or prowl the stage and help show the world your creative vision. The "Modern C"-shaped maple neck's hosts a 9.5"-radius fingerboard with 20 medium-jumbo frets that are ideal for almost any playing style
What are others saying about this?
This Fender bass guitar has an incredible sound and is super lightweight. It is very comfortable to play as well.
Why should you add this to your cart?
- This guitar has rolled-edge pau ferro fingerboard keeps playing smooth and efficient
- Noiseless Jazz Bass Bridge and PJ single coil pickups for reduced signal buzz
- It has active/passive toggle for fast and efficient signal intensity switching
Pros:
- Durable 3-ply pick guard
- 9.5"-Radius Fingerboard
- Solid HiMass bridge for improved sustain and intonation
Cons:
- User have reported that this bass guitar was not set up properly
FAQs
What is a bass guitar?
A bass guitar is a plucked string instrument built in the style of an electric guitar but produces lower frequencies than that. It produces sound when its metal bass strings vibrate over one or more magnetic pickups. The pickups then transmit a signal, via instrument cable, into an amplifier, which allows the bass to be heard at a wide range of volumes.
How many strings does a bass guitar have?
The standard bass has four strings tuned to notes E-A-D-G, which corresponds to the four lowest strings of a guitar. Bass strings are much thicker, because they are tuned at an octave lower. Tuning a bass works exactly like tuning a guitar. Some advanced players use basses with five or even six strings.
Is bass guitar easy to learn?
Bass can be easier to start than guitar! Fewer strings and simpler chords mean you can play along to songs faster. Like any instrument, mastering it takes time and practice. The good news is its super fun and rewarding to learn the bass guitar
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