If you’re considering buying your first bass guitar, there are several important factors to keep in mind to ensure you make the right choice. We’ll walk you through the key considerations and cover various aspects to simplify the process for you:​

The price of a bass guitar can vary significantly, so it’s crucial to set a budget and consider how much you’re willing to spend. There are many great starter bass guitars available at lower price points that still offer good quality.

Bass guitars come in two main body styles: solid body and semi-hollow. Solid-body basses are like electric guitars, producing a loud and meaty sound. Semi-hollow basses offer a more acoustic-like resonance along with the option to amplify.

Bass guitar necks come in various styles, such as U-shaped, V-shaped, and C-shaped. The neck shape can affect playability and comfort, so choose one that suits your preferences and hand size.

Basses come in long-scale and short-scale versions. Long-scale basses are the standard at 34 inches, while short-scale basses are 30 inches, better suited for players with smaller hands, smaller arms…and anyone who wants an easier bass-playing experience. Comfort is essential when playing the bass, so test different sizes to find one that fits well with your physique.

Consider the genre or style of music you want to play. Different styles often require specific types of bass guitars, such as solid body for rock, metal, and jazz, and semi-hollow for blues and some experimental genres.

Bass guitars typically come with four strings, but there are also five-string and six-string options. If you intend on playing progressive music, consider a 5 or 6-string bass. For all other genres, 4 strings will do just fine.

For beginners, fretted bass guitars are recommended as they make learning and playing much more manageable compared to fretless ones.

When you buy your bass, ask the store/website for a setup and for the “action” to be adjusted to make the bass “as playable as possible without any buzzing”. This will get you an instrument that is going to be less of a fight to play.

Along with your bass guitar, consider investing in essential accessories like a small amplifier, cables (get more than one, they break), tuner (a free app is fine), strap, extra strings, and a bass guitar case for protection.