Budget basses for the beginners
Today I want to provide a selection of bass guitars that are suitable for the beginner bass player. You could say – this is my ‘Top Five Bass Guitars for the Beginner’ list. So if you don’t know which bass guitar you should buy so you don’t get painfully sick, this list is for you.
These are instruments that aren’t embarrassing or scary to pick up, not something extremely cheap like this one. 🙂 They will not ruin your first impression and will not discourage you from practicing and developing your talents.
I used the following factors as evaluation criteria:
- A relatively well-known brand. No unnamed Chinese.
- Popularity and number of sales in shops. As the customer always votes with the dollar.
- Reviews of those who bought it in shops and on forums.
- Its budget. I keep telling you that there is no need to buy the expensive first instrument. Start with a small one.
- Plus, my personal experience and sympathies/antipathies.))
Disclosure: Some of the links at this website could be affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.
Yamaha TRBX-174 and TRBX-304. Probably one of the most popular bass guitars for a beginner bassist
If suddenly this article is read by a musician with experience, it is very likely that he is now exclaiming: “Oh, I used to have a guitar like that!”. Indeed, the TRBX series is one of the staples of Yamaha’s budget-friendly bass segment.
Excellent price/quality ratio. Deck in alder, fingerboard in maple – classic of the genre. Not very cranky and clear electronics plus a modern look. 24 fret, which pleases me as I am obsessed with symmetry. What more could you want? The price is in between of 250-350 bucks.
Yamaha TRBX304 Electric Bass
- Mahogany body
- Maple/mahogany neck
- Tuners: Die-cast
- Bridge: Die-cast 19mm
Fender Squire Affinity Jazz Bass
Here everything is clear. The Fender Jazz Bass is the best-selling and most replicated bass guitar in the world. Leo Fender found a certain formula of a universal instrument for all times. The most comfortable fingerboard I’ve ever seen. Primitive electronics in a good way.
The Squire is nothing short of a Fender for the aspiring bassist. Your first Jazz Bass. Classic look, flexible sound settings. Good quality at a price of less than 400 dollars.
Squier Affinity Precision PJ Jazz Electric Bass
- Body Material: Poplar
- Neck: Maple, “C” Shape
- Pickups: Ceramic Single-Coil Jazz Bass (Bridge), Ceramic Split Single-Coil
- Tuning Machines: Vintage-Style
Cort Action a whole series of bass guitars for the novice musician
Cort instruments are a great example of good Chineese cheap basses for the beginners. I’ve already written in detail about Cort bass guitars, I won’t repeat myself here.
These are not bad budget bass guitars. For a modest price you get a charismatic instrument with active Markbass electronics on board. There are some good five-string versions available. The looks are also an order of magnitude above the price range.
Cort Artisan Series A4 Plus Open Pore Natural
- Figured Maple Top on Mahogany Body
- Bartolini MK-1 Pickups provides superb sound quality and value
- Bartolini MK-1 EQ provides powerful yet transparent boost along with its trademark crisp high-end
- Hipshot TransTone Bridge facilitates greater tonal range while adding punch and enhancing sustain
- 5-Piece Maple & Panga Panga Neck-Through Construction
Sire M2 bass guitar
I’m already boring everyone with this bass guitar, but I can’t help myself… I think this is probably the most underrated bass guitar for the aspiring musician in the under 500 euros segment. Sire have done a great job to be able to sell such high quality bass guitars for this price.
I’ve got a five-string bass from this brand in my basket myself, hopefully I’ll order one soon and do a full review.
A beginner bass guitar from Harley Benton
Many kind words have also been said about Harley Benton. I myself once tried to buy a six-string used Deluxe series bass, but I was to late that time.
It’s a subsidiary of the German Thomann shop. Good instruments, well made, can be taken out of the box and played. I won’t say anything about the budget ones, which cost 70 euros, but in the Progressive and Deluxe series, you can buy any cheap bass guitar without fear of consequences.
Especially take a closer look at these models:
- Harley Benton BZ NT. You can buy a 4, 5, 6, or even a seven-string bass.
- Harley Benton Progressive. A series of bass guitars for “heavier” fans.
And different incarnations of Jazz Bass and Precision Bass from this company. Nowhere without the timeless classics!
Welcome to the club!
Choosing your first bass guitar is an important thing. It’s scary to imagine how many people have abandoned an instrument precisely because it wasn’t “what was expected”.
On the one hand it’s a lot easier nowadays – shop windows are just full of guitars for every taste. On the other hand, how not to buy a pig in a poke, especially if there’s no one to ask and a local Jimi Hendrix is standing over you in the shop, but only confuses you more.
Take your time and don’t make a fuss! Don’t be fooled by looks alone, but (exclusively my opinion) – looks are important. After all, you are many times more likely to pick up your bass if it looks like a dream instrument. The best bass guitar for a beginner is one that he really likes.
Hey, fellow bassists and musicians overall!
I’m nothing more than just bass player and enthusiastic blogger. Feel free to ask any questions in the comments.
Huge thanks for all crazy people who supports this resource. Keep groovin’!
