Finding The Right Cheap Bass Guitar: A Beginner’s Dilemma

You’ve decided to try your hand at the bass guitar, but you’ve got a dilemma: you don’t want to break the bank. Where do you start? You want a bass that will stand up to many hours of practice and the possibility of some performances, but you don’t want to invest tons of cash in a hobby that you’re just starting. Enter the cheap bass guitar, or the entry level bass. There are many different brands out there that cater to the specific niche of bass guitar that you are looking for, and with a bit of education you can determine which one is right for you. When you are done with this article, you will have a better understanding of what kind of entry-level bass guitars are out there, and which one may be best for you.

Before you dive into the make and model of bass, you have to ask yourself what kind of music styles you will be playing, and what you’re personal preferences are. If you prefer a slimmer neck or have smaller hands, then the J bass (jazz bass) is the way to go. If you like a wider neck, then the P bass (precision bass) is the way to go. The J bass has two pickups, while the P bass has one pickup. The P bass is much simpler and minimalistic, while the J bass is a bit more complex and refined. In the end, you need to go out and decide which particular bass fits your style and preference.

When in the market for a cheap bass guitar, there are many options, so here are a few to get your started:

The Squier P Bass

(http://squierguitars.com/products/search.php?partno=0310400595)

As mentioned before, the P-Bass is a bit more simplistic and minimal. In this case, the Squier P Bass comes in a package that also features an amplifier, cord, tuner, and fast start DVD.

The Squier J Bass

(http://squierguitars.com/products/search.php?partno=0310760506)

The J Bass is a bit more modern and refined. It is better for players with smaller hands and can lend itself to being played in more of a slap fashion than a picked fashion. The J-Bass has a few more bells and whistles, but still makes for a great beginner bass.

Ibanez GSR100EX GSR Series Electric Bass

(http://www.ibanez.com/BassGuitars/model-GSR100EX)

Another simple yet functional bass, Ibanez is a bit more costly, but has a different look and feel to their basses than Fender does. If you are looking for a great beginner bass that is also aesthetically pleasing, this may very well be the route to go for you. It comes with a single staggered pickup, as well as coming in mahogany or black.

When it comes to learning and playing the bass, starting your search with a cheap bass guitar may be your best bet. The last piece of advice would be that you take your time, do your research, try out a few different models, and really find something that you enjoy playing, as you will be putting many hours of practice into honing the art of playing the bass guitar. In the end, you will enjoy playing the bass that you carefully looked over and took the time to pick out. Best of luck on your journey of learning the art that is playing the bass guitar.