Undertuned

Bass guide

The best bass guitars for beginners

Six basses that are easy to play and built to last, plus what to know about scale length, pickups and bass amps.

Undertuned · Updated 11 October 2026

Bass is one of the most rewarding instruments to pick up: you'll be holding down songs and jamming with others sooner than you think. A good beginner bass doesn't cost much, but it does need to be comfortable and stay in tune.

What to know first

Scale length: long or short?

Most basses are long scale (34 inches from nut to bridge). Short-scale basses (around 30 inches) have frets closer together and are lighter, which helps smaller hands and younger players. They sound a little warmer and rounder.

4 strings or 5?

Start with 4 strings. It covers almost all music. A 5-string adds a low B string for heavier styles, but has a wider neck that's harder to learn on.

Precision (P) or Jazz (J) pickups?

A Precision pickup gives a thick, punchy sound that sits perfectly in a band: think classic rock, soul and punk. A Jazz bass has two pickups for a brighter, more detailed sound with more variety. Some basses combine both ("PJ").

You need a bass amp, not a guitar amp

Bass notes can damage small guitar amp speakers. Get a bass amp (small combos like the Fender Rumble or Ampeg Rocket Bass ranges are popular for home use), a headphone amp, or plug into an audio interface and use amp-simulator software.

How we chose

Every bass here is from an established brand, widely sold by UK retailers, and a sensible price for a first serious bass. We picked one for each style and budget. Retailers don't pay to be included.

Best all-rounder

Squier Classic Vibe '60s Precision Bass

Good for: rock, pop, soul, punk: almost anything.

The Precision Bass is the sound of countless records. The Classic Vibe version is widely regarded as one of the best-value basses around.

What's good

  • The classic, punchy P-bass sound
  • Vintage-style looks and finish
  • Simple: one pickup, one volume, one tone

Worth knowing

  • Less sound variety than a Jazz bass
  • Chunkier neck than some

Best for a brighter, more detailed sound

Squier Classic Vibe '70s Jazz Bass

Good for: funk, jazz, indie and players who want more tonal options.

The Jazz Bass's slimmer neck is often easier for beginners, and blending its two pickups gives you a lot of different sounds.

What's good

  • Two pickups for a range of sounds
  • Slimmer neck than a P-bass
  • Bright, clear tone that cuts through

Worth knowing

  • Can hum a little with only one pickup on
  • Less raw punch than a P-bass

Best on a tight budget

Yamaha TRBX174

Good for: beginners who want a reliable bass for very little money.

Yamaha's entry-level bass is a safe recommendation: comfortable, well made and versatile thanks to its PJ pickups.

What's good

  • Low price
  • PJ pickups cover lots of styles
  • Yamaha's consistent build quality

Worth knowing

  • Basic hardware
  • You may want to upgrade within a few years

Best for fast playing and modern styles

Ibanez SR300E

Good for: metal, rock, fusion and players who like a thin, fast neck.

Ibanez's SR basses are known for slim necks and light bodies, which makes them very comfortable to play for long sessions.

What's good

  • Very slim, fast neck
  • Lightweight body
  • Active electronics with a wide range of tone

Worth knowing

  • Active electronics need a battery
  • Modern look and sound won't suit everyone

Best for punchy funk and rock

Sterling by Music Man StingRay Ray4

Good for: funk, rock and anyone who wants a bold, punchy sound.

Sterling is Music Man's more affordable brand, and the Ray4 brings the famous StingRay design to a beginner's budget.

What's good

  • The iconic StingRay look and sound for less
  • Strong, punchy humbucker
  • Comfortable neck

Worth knowing

  • Heavier than some
  • One distinctive sound rather than lots of variety

Best short-scale bass

Squier Bronco Bass

Good for: smaller hands, younger players and guitarists who want an easy bass to pick up.

A no-fuss short-scale bass that's easy to play and cheap to buy. Ideal if a full-size bass feels like a stretch.

What's good

  • Short scale: easier reach and lighter
  • Very affordable
  • Warm, vintage-style tone

Worth knowing

  • Basic hardware
  • Single pickup limits the sounds you can get

Before you buy

As with any instrument, try a few in person if you can, and budget for a setup. Our guide to buying a guitar applies just as much to basses: what to check, where to buy, and how to pay safely.