Buying a bass UNDER $1000? (3 budgets to consider)

Going into a guitar shop to buy a new bass guitar can be seriously overwhelming if you're a beginner. In this video we walk you through our pick of entry-level bass guitars that we feel are worthy of your attention, from a sub-£400 MusicMan Sterling to a £600 Epiphone Thunderbird bass.

===

Video Breakdown:

00:00 - Intro - Scott lost in a bush
00:41 - PMT (Play Music Today) Leeds, UK
01:18 - Under £300
04:46 - Under £500
09:18 - "Smelled a bit weird"
09:55 - Under £1,000
13:56 - What did we learn?
14:19 - Did you know..?

===

GET MORE BASS TIPS 👇
_________________________________________________________________

ABOUT SCOTT'S BASS LESSONS (SBL)
_________________________________________________________________
As the largest online bass education platform in the world, with an ever-expanding course library and 40,000+ active members, Scott's Bass Lessons (SBL) has everything you need to master the bass, all in one place.

Featuring beginner level bass lessons, engaging courses from expert instructors, step-by-step development curricula, direct feedback on your playing, real-time mentorship from A-list bassists and a thriving and incredibly supportive community, SBL is the perfect platform to uplevel your bass playing, whether you're a total beginner, or an advanced pro-level bassist.

RECOMMENDED BASS PLAYLIST
_________________________________________________________________
Catch up with SBL Content you've missed:
More videos like this one:
#bassguitarlessons #beginnerbass

LINKS & OTHER RESOURCES
_________________________________________________________________
Tune in to our Weekly Podcast:
Explore our free courses:
Try our FREE GrooveTrainer App:

[MMiler]

This channel is becoming 'Skits Bass Lessons', and I'm OK with that 😄

[squidito]

As a long time bass player, someone who teaches bass and who works in a music shop...this is really sweet, accurate and well done

[jsgovind]

The low budget Sire basses are also just amazing. I tried them and I was blown away. The M2 and V3 are both so amazing for what they cost.

[danielzuber]

What I definitely would recommend for a beginner buying a bass: don't buy online, buy it in a store where you can test different models. Definitely ask the guys in the store to set up the bass you have chosen - especially in the lower price bracket you cannot expect the instrument to be set up perfectly. But as a beginner you will need a good setup (string height, neck bow and intonation).

[giantpurplebrain]

A big thank you Scott ! I've been seriously considering buying a bass recently but am a bit daunted about knowing what to look for. As I knew you were based around Leeds I've actually daydreamed about running into you and asking your thoughts. You've just done exactly that for me - and in my local music shop too. Have a good Xmas Scott - if I do pick one up it'll be my first stop and I'll let them know it was because of you.

[vigrinnard]

I am barely getting into bass and I’m getting my first one next Monday, which is a Rickenbacker 4003. Seems impractical but I am using it as a personal investment to my future, plus, it also looks cool. As these fellas have stated, I’m gonna want something that’ll make me excited to just pick it up. I am extremely excited to just come back home to this massive package outside my place, and to just have it in my hands. Super super happy Imma have it

[robertp]

Sire Marcus Miller basses are something to check out, too, They are so much bass for not a lot of money.

[tomanderton]

Started out on one of those squier sets, now have a Sterling HH stingray. absolute killer machine. sounds epic and is so versatile

[willdobson]

Squire really makes some amazing "budget" instruments. They have so many options.

I play a Squire Pro-Tone 5 String P bass from the 90s, and it sounds as good as any 5 string Fender Ive played.

[ollililjestrom]

Oh, Scott and Ian ❤️
That intro made me laugh, and I just find it really beautiful that grown-ups feel free to play and just have fun! You've got a very special synergy going. 🥰

[rome]

I suggest buying used if you're on a budget. You can get an $800 bass for $500, a $500 bass for $300 and so on. If you buy from a reputable store, the return policy will be just as flexible.

All that said, the Squier Classic Vibe is a fantastic option under $500. I have a Classic Vibe '60s P bass. I like it more than many of my more expensive basses.

If you're spending under $1000, the Sterling Ray34 is an amazing option. It's a step up in quality from the Ray4 you showed in this video. It's worth the extra money. I like it just as much the Ernie Ball Music Man StingRays I've played, and it's roughly 1/3rd of the price.

[alexanderlyon]

I recently bought that Fender PJ (with the same smokey grey paint) Player Plus. It plays smoothly and sounds amazing. Quality build, high-mass bridge, active electronics, etc. I love it. I'll never sell it!!!

[Simon-C]

I’d been playing the bass for a few years prior to buying a Sire Fretless. I doubted I was going to learn much from this vid. Then Scott said “take the plastic off when you get home.” Mine, including the Sire label, stayed on the Sire until it started to peal off. I didn’t know I was allowed to take it off 😊.

[LH-zvzq]

So cool to see you guys meet up! Great vid about affordable basses. I always feel apprehensive cause I am unsure of how all those basses compare with each. Hearing from you "experts" has put me at ease with your knowledge. :-)

[davebirch]

I've found that the squire basses are great bang for the buck in the lower price range, and if you're not happy with the tone you at least have a nicely built chassis to start with when shopping for new pickups. I made the mistake of starting on a 5 string simply because they look badass. I think it set me back quite a bit in the beginning while trying to learn basic theory and understand the fretboard, etc. I've since come back to the 5 though and appreciate the extra range I'm given in the specific band I've landed in.

[gravifer]

Geez, turns out Ian and Scott are two different bearded beanie man

[WoWwYnAtoR]

Haha! I love you guys! Quality content that's FUN! Isn't that, what it's all about? Having fun, playing, and quality coming out of that heart? Oh yeah. Well done guys.

[darrylbiggsuk]

Who would ever have thought we'd see Ian in PMT Leeds!! Brilliant video, we need more where Scott & Ian are in the same room. LetsGoBass.

[galacticgamr]

I have that single pickup Stingray Ray 4 you guys tried as my first bass, and it has been such a phenomenal one! It is such an amazing feeling instrument and it has that classic stingray tone

[marta]

My bass arrives tomorrow, I had love to see this video before buying it but at the same time I'm so happy to know that I chose well, I bought myself an Epiphone Thunderbird just like the one you showed but in a slightly different color and I'm so excited about it