Best Beginner Bass (Group Review)

What's the best beginner bass to buy? Here are the results of our blindfolded reviews - no holds barred.

It's the final showdown - we reviewed all these basses individually, and here are everybody's top picks, plus the overall winners.

Plus, Gio and I play some epic improvised power pop. It's epic.

The basses that made it into the showdown are:
Yamaha TRBX304
Squier Vintage Modified Jazz Bass
Squier Vintage Modified Jaguar Bass
Cort Action PJ

#bestbeginnerbass #beginnerbassreviews

[cromwellg]

I had a $150 bass for years and didn’t enjoy playing much just played in bands cos no other bass players around. Then I bought a Stingray and the way it played made me want to practice. There is something to be said for not starting off on terrible gear

[ajshdhenskaka]

I wasn't getting into the $500 range until I had been playing for a few years. I think reviewing sub $250 basses is much more realistic for someone's first instrument.

[andyspark]

If everyone has Yamaha in the Top 2, that says something.

[TonyMacaroni_]

I'm a sucker for that yamaha design. I just love it.

Edit: update: I bought it and I'm super happy with it :)

[rcmakingtracks]

I brought the Yamaha 304 and a new love affair began. Six months in I'm still in love. Awesome bass for the money. Thanks guys for the great advice. Bass rocks. John

[ryoaev]

Your content is great, you definitely need more attention

[hiramstumpjumper]

Have been a bass player for 55 years, mostly used Gibson basses. I purchased a silver Squier Modified Jaguar passive bass a couple of years ago that was intended to be just a kick around bass. Hadn't ever played one before my purchase, bought it on-line, and it ended up becoming my go-to bass. I love the feel & play-ability of the neck, and the controls are simple. The variety of tones available with one P-bass and one J-bass pickup suits my needs well. I was totally blown away at the tonal quality, being that this bass felt so light-weight compared to what I had played in the past. And, at the value of what I feel I got for my money (if anything like theft or fire were to happen) it would be reasonably affordable to replace.

[DANTHETUBEMAN]

Ibanez Talman TMB100 is a great bass, i just happened to play one at the store, , i could not believe how good it is for the price.

[davidbarlow]

The question is beginner bass. Simple is good and in over 40 years of playing bass I've never found much that you can't make a decent job of with a precision or a jazz. Most beginners make the mistake of thinking more knobs and switches will make them sound better when in fact the opposite is true.

[jakemistakeroberts]

I would suggest the Sterling by Musicman SUB. Nice punchy MM sound and really comfortable to play. Just my two cents

[savanaviolenta]

TRBX304 hands down, tone, look, construction, mahogany body, five piece maple/mahogany neck, hot humbuckers, five way switch selector Yamaha are always Big Bang for the buck, that's why i love this brand.

[tinongtravels]

I am in my 30s and wanted to start learning bass as a hobby, a friend of mine suggested that we go to a nearby shop that sells used guitars and basses from japan, got myself a Fender MIJ jazz bass for cheap, it definitely needs TLC but it’s definitely a gem to play with. Parts are pretty hard to come by here in the Philippines but everything can be ordered online nowadays.

[thomaspick]

My vote is…. Ibanez Mikro bass. PJ pickups. Short scale. Restring with LaBella flat wounds for smooth feel on your fingers. About $180. I enjoy playing it, sounds good, comfortable.

[acr]

Amazing. I didn't know that anyone did honest gear reviews on youtube. I just bought my bass and amp, and this convinced me to buy your course when they arrive.

[bwabbel]

I went and listened to some sound samples of the TRBX304. After hearing the metal sample, I'm in love with this thing!

[immanuelkantholz]

I used to play guitar only. A friend sadly had to quit bass playing due to an injury right at the time when I wanted to switch to bass several years ago. He gave me his cheapo Yamaha bass as a present. I never felt the need for another bass ever since, no matter what style I'm playing.

[taija]

Im super excited to get my first bass! Thanks so much for all the work you did to whittle down some reasonable choices for your viewers! <3

[yrsoclvr]

My first bass was a TRBX174. Tried everything in the store from Squires, Ibanezs, Jaguars, Deans and Schecters, and still preferred the simple look and feel of the passive TRBX174. Sounds great. Paid $169 on sale. The only issue I had was the bridge pick-up was not set-up right from the factory. A few simple turns of the screw to adjust the pick-up height and everything sounds fine now.


I still enjoy playing it but have recently upgraded to the BB234. I really like both my Yamaha and would recommend to any beginner on up! And as in any purchase of any stringed musical instrument, it has to be properly set-up regardless of the price you pay for it.

[karenstjohn]

I’m getting the Cort this weekend, and am stoked. I played one at the shop and it seems right for my needs now. I hope to play lots of bass guitars over time.

[triffski]

Lockdown boredom got the better of me and I ended up buying my first bass (after 30ish years of owning guitars) entirely based on online reviews, this one included.

Quite strange buying a new instrument with no real point of reference, but I went for the Yamaha in the end and I'm utterly happy with it. Very solidly built, excellent finishing, the neck, pickups and electronics are all awesome and the sound is incredibly versatile before even adding effects into the mix. I do agree that using the 5 way EQ selector can be quite complex alongside the other controls and having a 3 band EQ would be simpler, but I'll get used to it.