How to Choose a Bass Guitar

What is a Bass?

For those just starting out with an instrument, the bass is likely an unknown instrument that naturally raises such questions. Whether you’re inspired by your favorite artist or asked by a friend—whatever the reason—once you’ve decided, “I’m going to do this,” you’ll need a bass first.
When it comes to the spotlight within a band, the vocalist is usually the centerpiece, with the guitar, saxophone, and drums also commanding a strong presence. Even so, every band has a bassist. They might not stand out, but they’re always there.
If we use soccer as an analogy, the vocalist is the forward, the guitarist is the attacking midfielder, the drummer is the goalkeeper, and the Bass is the playmaker. The Bass is the playmaker who watches everyone’s movements closely, gives instructions, and orchestrates the game. To use a more familiar example, you could say the Bass plays the role of a mother in the family. The Bass is actually a crucial part of the band—a mood-maker who sets the flow and gets everyone fired up—and has a surprisingly significant presence.

So, what does a low-frequency sound actually sound like?

Imagine objects that produce low pitches, like bells or oil drums. To produce a solid low-end sound, the instrument must first be large—and it’s often heavy as well. This is true of electric basses too; you’ve probably seen footage of musicians slinging them over their shoulders.They weigh about 4 to 5 kg, which can strain your shoulders. Carrying them around is also tiring. So why do people who start playing the Bass often continue for a lifetime? It’s simply because the irreplaceable low end and the rich, beautiful Bass chords make you forget everything else.

Nowadays, with the rise of bass heroes, the bass has come into the spotlight, and its once-understated image has faded. Even so, when people first start out, their interest naturally gravitates toward the more popular guitar. It’s not uncommon to hear stories of friends who got together to start a Beatles cover band, only to find that everyone wanted to be John Lennon.When you ask veteran bassists what got them started, you’ll often hear, “I lost at rock-paper-scissors!” Even if you started playing bass out of necessity, the fact that you’ve stepped into the world of bass is wonderful. I truly hope you’ll become passionate about it and devote your life to it.

Now that you’ve finally developed an interest in low-end sounds, when you listen to CDs by your favorite artists, your ears inevitably gravitate toward the Bass and drums.

You might find yourself tapping your head to the beat while eating, or moving your body to the rhythm of railroad crossings or car turn signals—and your partner might start to wonder if you’re okay. The sense of rhythm you’ve absorbed through your body by listening to countless CDs is an absolute treasure, far more valuable than anything you could learn from the theoretical rhythm lessons in a how-to book.
You’ll naturally pick up essential terms like “rhythm,” “groove,” “swing,” and “drive” as you read music magazines, so learning them later is perfectly fine. The way each person expresses these elements varies widely from person to person. Please keep exploring your own style.

From now on, you’ll be the one performing for others, so you’ll have a responsibility for the sounds you produce. The Bass is a precious instrument with a beauty that strikes directly at the listener’s heart. As evidenced by the growing number of women excelling in the field in recent years, physical limitations—such as body size—are rarely an issue, making it one of the most accessible instruments for anyone to start playing. However, since the instrument itself can be heavy or large, finding one that fits you well is important.

Now that you’re finally feeling that pull toward the low end, you can’t get started until you get your hands on the instrument itself.
I’d like to introduce you to the instrument’s construction and shape, so please stick with me.

Over 300 instruments crammed into every available space in the store

So, you’ve decided, “I’m going to start playing Bass!” The first thing you need to consider is what to choose. Some of you might have been surprised by the sheer variety when you visited a music store—right? First, let’s familiarize ourselves with the classic shapes of electric Basses and broaden your vision of what kind of model you want. This will make visiting a music store even more fun.

 

The “Precision”—which means “accuracy”—is generally considered the original electric Bass and remains a representative model produced by many different manufacturers to this day. It features a single pickup (or a pair) in the center of the body and is known for its rich, full-bodied sound. You adjust the sound using the volume and tone control knobs. It’s commonly referred to as the “P-Bass” for short.

The Jazz Bass, released with the aim of expanding the Precision Bass’s tonal range, features two pickups spaced apart. It’s a global standard model beloved by many for its versatility, suitable for everything from jazz to rock. It features single-coil pickups on the front and rear, and the balance between the two pickups can be adjusted, allowing for subtle nuances in tone. It is affectionately known by the nickname “Jazz-Be.”

Active basses have a battery installed inside the body and incorporate a unit that amplifies the sound using that power. The active circuit allows you to control the sound captured by the pickups in specific frequency ranges, such as low, mid, and high. The Music Man Stingray is a representative model equipped with an active circuit. In contrast to active basses, basses with circuits that do not use batteries are called passive basses. While passive models have the advantage of producing a purer, more authentic sound from the strings compared to active models, they are slightly limited in sound variation, so preferences tend to vary.

It is the original and iconic model among unconventional Bass guitars. Its innovative look has stood the test of time, making it one of the timeless standard Basses. Its through-neck construction, featuring mahogany and walnut, produces excellent long sustain. The mahogany body, with its rich depth in the mid-to-low frequencies, and the powerful humbucking pickups have made this a favorite among many musicians as the epitome of rock sound. It’s definitely long overall, but if you can master it, you’ll look so cool!

	A semi-acoustic bass that utilizes a hollow chamber to produce a richer resonance. You can enjoy an acoustic-like sound while easily using it with an amp, all while savoring the natural resonance of the wood.

	With design details that strongly reflect its philosophy, its sound is truly one-of-a-kind. The pickups produce a fat tone, characterized by the bright, crisp sound of maple wood that retains a clear, defined core. This is a Rickenbacker bass—a coveted brand that continues to captivate many. It is commonly known as the “Ricken.”

	With its hollow body, light weight, and short scale, this model is extremely easy to handle while playing. Its sound is completely different from other electric Basses, offering a more acoustic tone. The violin bass is famous for its use by The Beatles.

The neck comes in three types: bolt-on, set-neck, and through-neck.

Bolt-on	The body and neck are secured with bolts. This makes replacement and repairs easier and keeps production costs lower. While this provides better attack, sustain is somewhat shorter due to the joint.
Set-neck	A construction method in which the neck is secured using wooden joinery and adhesive. In terms of sound, the set-neck lies between the bolt-on and through-neck designs. While some models may be difficult to play in the high positions due to the joint, this can often be compensated for by adjusting your playing technique over time.
Through-Neck	The neck extends all the way to the edge of the body, and the body is joined to the sides of the neck like wings. Compared to the other two construction methods, because the neck extends all the way to the edge of the body, vibrations are transmitted clearly, resulting in rich string vibration and making it easier to convey subtle nuances such as vibrato. On the other hand, since this construction requires advanced technical skill, these guitars are generally more expensive.

As for how to choose, neither method is inherently superior, so I think it’s fine to simply pick the model you like. Some people even say, “I didn’t even realize it was a through-neck guitar until someone pointed it out after I bought it!”

This refers to the length from the bridge to the nut.
The standard is the regular-sized long scale, with a total length of 34 inches; in contrast, the short scale is 30 inches, the medium scale is 32 inches, and the super-long scale is 36 inches.

At our store, we compare the length from the nut to the 12th fret. For a long-scale guitar, about 430 mm is a good guideline. (1 inch = 2.54 cm) As the scale length increases, the spacing between frets widens and the overall body size becomes larger, but rest assured—differences in body type, hand size, and finger length aren’t usually a major concern.

 

This model features a shorter neck and a smaller body than a standard long-scale bass, making it very easy to handle.

　

This bass has a shorter scale length than the medium-scale models, such as the Mustang bass.
Since it’s considerably smaller than a standard long-scale bass, it’s recommended as a beginner’s bass. Although its sound has a subtle nuance, it still packs a decent amount of power, and thanks to its playability, it’s a popular model even among experienced players.

Comparison of Regular Scale and Short Scale

(Left) Short-scale Mustang Bass / (Right) Regular-scale Jazz Bass

This style lacks frets that mark pitch intervals, allowing for a playing style similar to that of a double bass. While this enables seamless pitch variation, it also makes it more difficult to tune precisely compared to the “accuracy” of a Precision Bass.

As shown in the photo above, some models feature guide lines where the frets would normally be.
Fretless basses are characterized by a tone with soft contours. While I don’t think it’s possible to cover every musical style with this instrument, you’ll often hear this sound in genres like funk, soul, and fusion—as exemplified by the great bass legend Jaco Pastorius—so please use that as a reference.

In contrast to fretless basses, standard basses with frets are sometimes referred to as “fretted basses.”

While basses typically have four strings, models with additional strings—such as five, six, or seven—have been developed to achieve a wider range.

As music has become more diverse, the range and scope of performance have expanded as well, which is why multi-string basses exist to broaden the possibilities of the electric bass. Today, the 5-string bass has become the standard; having more strings reduces the need to shift positions, making playing a bit easier. On the other hand, the neck is thicker, and you’ll need to mute unwanted notes.

Back in the ’80s when the 5-string first appeared, just owning one caused quite a stir, but now it’s become commonplace and everyone uses them. While the neck is somewhat thicker, if the artist you’re trying to emulate uses a 5-string frequently, it might be a good idea to start with a 5-string right away. It might be a bit challenging at first, but since switching from a 4-string to a 5-string also presents its own difficulties, some people believe that if you’re going to face that struggle anyway, it’s better to get it over with first so things are easier later on.

Basses come in various sizes, including regular-scale models with smaller body shapes, as well as medium-scale and short-scale options. When performing on stage, a size that fits your body well allows for easier movement. Hand length is a more important factor in your choice than finger length. Be sure to choose a Bass with long playing sessions in mind.
It can be cute to see a girl playing a Bass that’s bigger than she is, and there are even Bass brands specifically designed for girls.
Since style is also very important, one strategy is to prioritize the aspects you value most when making your selection.

	Daisy Rock, founded as a “guitar manufacturer for girls,” Of course, they also carry Basses.
	So cute! Basses we recommend for girls, too! Our staff will be happy to assist you!

A neck that is thinner and narrower is easier to grip and allows you to apply pressure with your thumb more easily. Compared to Basses with thicker necks, less force is required, and with short or medium-scale necks, the spacing between strings and the width of the frets are also narrower. Although the frets are marked in half-step intervals, the basic fingering position is one finger per fret.On models with a scale length longer than the standard regular scale, it’s not uncommon to use your index and pinky fingers to play intervals of a semitone plus a semitone when playing in the low register. While it takes some getting used to applying the right amount of pressure with your pinky, short and medium-scale necks make fingering and position shifts much easier. Please rest assured that hand size isn’t really an issue. While many people worry about having small hands, on the flip side, even some foreigners with very large hands reportedly struggle because their fingers are too thick to fit between the strings! Since many Japanese people have smaller hands, we’re actually often the ones being envied. When it comes to fingers, the key factor isn’t their length, but how wide the spaces between them are.If you feel like your fingers don’t spread very wide, it’s effective to practice stretching the space between them in the bath or whenever your joints are soft. If you make a point of doing this every time you bathe, you’ll be surprised at how much wider your fingers become in just one or two months. For women looking for a regular-scale Bass, keep in mind that even among regular-scale models, neck thickness varies by manufacturer. If you choose a Bass with a slimmer neck shape, you’ll find it much easier to play—which will make your daily practice more enjoyable and really boost your motivation. THE Used Instrument Shop has a wide selection of Basses, so we encourage you to come in, play them, hold them, and feel them for yourself. Please feel free to stop by, and don’t hesitate to ask us for advice.

The Fernandez FRB features a compact body and excellent balance: It looks great even in the hands of someone of smaller stature.

On average, Basses are built to weigh around 4 kg. Generally, the standard for a lightweight Bass is around 4 kg or less.
The weight is listed in the product details for items featured on our website. While a certain amount of weight is desirable for a Bass to produce deep bass tones, if the body is too light, the overall balance of the instrument can be compromised. Additionally, with some models, the headstock feels too heavy when you put the strap on, so please keep this in mind when making your selection.

The oldest and most popular color is “sunburst,” which features a woodgrain pattern that gradually changes through two or three distinct shades. It has a subtle, understated charm and is widely favored by Bass players. There are also many primary and vivid colors available; even within the “white” category, the atmosphere varies from pure white to pearlescent white. It’s possible that you’ll find the perfect instrument type but be underwhelmed by the color. Since it can be difficult to accurately capture the color in photos, it’s best to see the instrument with your own eyes if possible.

A 3-tone sunburst with a subtle, traditional color scheme The “frog green” (if I may say so?) is cute!

There are now many body shape options to choose from, including pointed, star-shaped, and jagged designs. A bass with a flashy shape will stand out on stage and be the center of attention!! Also, even models that are no longer in production can sometimes be found at used music stores, so be sure to check them out. There are unique and stylish musicians who play Les Paul-type or Thunderbird basses, so take a look at them for inspiration. While weight and size vary, above all, there’s an irreplaceable charm in their shape and distinctive sound.

G&L’s L-2000 Bass is a flagship model equipped with two humbucking pickups, offering a wide range of control options.The rich array of combinations offered by the 3-switch, 3-control setup includes a pickup selector that switches between the front, front-and-back, and rear pickups; a series/parallel switch that changes the pickup wiring configuration; an active/passive switch; and controls for volume, treble, and bass. It’s like having the intricate network of train tracks in a major city right at your fingertips. In addition, there are basses offering a wide variety of sound variations, such as active-type basses—which, as mentioned earlier, allow you to control a diverse range of sounds via their active circuits—as well as models like those from Warwick and ATELIER Z that feature active/passive switching. Basses with a Wide Range of Sounds Basses that offer a wide range of sound variations have the major advantage of allowing you to play various musical styles with just one instrument. However, it does take a little time to get used to them.

The go-to for sound variety! G&L L-2000 While U.S.-made models are expensive, there are also Japanese-made options that offer excellent value for the price.

Body

Alder   A relatively soft wood that is easy to work with and lightweight, it has been widely used in guitars and Basses. It specializes in midrange tones, effectively conveying the pickup’s natural sound, and is characterized by a mellow, mellow tone.

Ash   It is characterized by excellent attack response and a tight, well-defined tone. Best exemplified by the 1970s Fender Jazz Bass, the brightness of this body wood is highly popular, making it a favored choice for fingerstyle, pick playing, and percussive techniques such as slapping. The wood has a light brown grain and is well-suited for finishing, resulting in a beautiful surface.

Mahogany   Mahogany, characterized by its lustrous, radiant reddish-brown color, is regarded as a premium wood and is highly popular for its mellow　　 tone that conveys the wood’s natural warmth. The Gibson EB Bass is a representative model.

Maple

Maple   is a strong wood commonly used for necks and bodies. It is characterized by a clear, well-defined sound. Depending on the type of grain, varieties include quilted maple and tiger maple; due to their beautiful grain patterns, these are premium woods often used for body tops on high-end models.

Others (Koa, Bubinga, Walnut, and other woods unique to Bass guitars)

	Walnut	Bubinga
	Although the grain is somewhat coarse, it has a beautiful luster and attractive grain pattern; it is characterized by a texture that deepens with use.

Fingerboard

Maple   Like the body wood, it is characterized by a bright and clear sound.

Rosewood   As expected of neck wood, it is hard, but compared to other woods, rosewood is characterized by a slightly softer and mellower sound.

Ebony   With its lustrous finish and strength, ebony offers quick tonal response, resulting in a tight sound with excellent sustain.

 

Straps can sometimes come loose while you’re playing. In such cases, we recommend using a strap pin—a metal fastener that secures the strap to the Bass, which is incredibly convenient. Also, a hex wrench set comes in handy when you need to make unexpected adjustments. And if you have a few bandanas to wrap around the neck after playing to prevent string deterioration, your strings will last much longer.

Bassists tend to be particular about their strings. Many prefer fresh, newly installed strings, so strings with a long lifespan offer great value. There are many types from various manufacturers. Choose according to your needs—from handmade strings to those with a protective coating to prevent deterioration. Choosing Strings >>

Strap prices vary depending on the material, such as nylon or leather. You’ll want to choose one that looks stylish. Straps >>

Tuning is like a musical greeting. Use a tuner to get your instrument in perfect pitch. We’ll introduce everything from compact models to rack-mounted units. Tuners >>

This is an essential item for connecting your bass to an amp. Your instrument is important, but you can’t get started without a cable. There’s a wide variety available, including different lengths, materials, and cables specifically designed to convey the bass’s signature low-end sound. Cables >>

Strings are chosen to match the neck length. (Medium, Short, Long, Extra-Long strings) Made from metals like nickel and stainless steel, and available in round-wound and flat-wound styles—each with a distinct tone.

Choosing an Amp 

An electric bass doesn’t produce sound on its own, so you’ll need an amp to adjust the volume for external listening. When purchasing an amp for home practice, I think around 10–30W (watts) is appropriate, depending on the size of your space. Be careful with low frequencies, as the vibrations can disturb your neighbors. Since you’ll be practicing at home, you’ll want to look for a model that includes a headphone jack.

You can practice without an amp. However, if you plan to play in a studio or perform live in front of an audience, getting familiar with sound settings on an amp from the start will help you adapt when using a larger amp later on. After all, since this is an instrument that produces no sound without an amp, the amp—including its subtle nuances—is an integral part of the Bass. Please keep the future in mind and consider choosing an amp as part of your plan.

Since the playability and condition of used instruments vary widely, the thrill of searching for a Bass with the feeling that you might stumble upon a hidden gem is a unique joy found only at used music stores.You might find high-end basses that are too expensive to buy new, or used instruments in like-new condition sold for half the list price. There’s also a wide selection of vintage basses in excellent condition at fair prices, as well as a rich inventory of legendary, high-quality, all-Japanese-made basses from the ’70s and ’80s—models renowned for their exceptional quality that rival even foreign-made instruments. Depending on the condition, you can often find some real bargains.At our store, we sell every instrument fully set up and repaired. If your first Bass is used, understanding its condition and how to care for it after purchase is crucial. At THE Used Instrument Store, we explain how to store your instrument after playing and maintain it properly, and we’re committed to providing excellent after-sales support. Rest assured—even if you’re a first-time buyer, you’ll be just fine! Please come visit us.

If you want to learn more about the appeal of these legendary, high-quality, all-Japanese-made Basses—renowned for their exceptional craftsmanship—head over to
and check out Samurai Bass!

Finally, in the spirit of “This classic album features this bassist,” I asked some of our senior staff members to recommend a soul-stirring album—please be sure to check it out.
Thank you very much for sticking with me through this long post.
I hope you find this information helpful.