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The best basses for beginners

Which bass guitar should you learn on?

There are many basses that are very well suited for beginners. One important factor is the neck shape, so your hand doesn’t cramp up from applying too much pressure on the fingerboard. The neck should therefore be slim and have a C-shape, also known as “C-shape”, “Modern C” or “Slim C”. Classic bass guitars often come with a wider, thicker neck in a U-shape, which can make fretting a bit more difficult at the beginning. Another common option is the D-shape, with more pronounced edges and a flatter center.

Since you’ll also need an amplifier, strap and cable for an electric bass—and possibly a bass gig bag and stand—we’ve also listed a few recommendations for complete sets here.

Our top electric basses and bass guitar sets for beginners

Short Scale & Long Scale Basses

If you have small hands, you may want to try a 'short-scale' bass. It has a shorter scale length, meaning smaller distances between the frets, and is therefore well suited for beginners, children, and teenagers. The opposite is the 'long-scale' bass with a longer neck.

Overview of the different electric bass neck shapes

› C-Shape (Modern C / Slim C)

  • Feel: rounded & neutral, very comfortable
  • Features: even curvature, often slim
  • Pros: great for beginners, true all-rounder
  • Cons: may feel too “standard” to some players

› D-Shape (Modern D / Thin D)

  • Feel: flatter back, noticeable shoulders
  • Features: defined grip, often fast to play
  • Pros: stable & precise hand guidance
  • Cons: can feel a bit more angular

› U-Shape

  • Feel: thicker, chunkier neck (“more wood”)
  • Features: often vintage-oriented
  • Pros: very stable, can be comfortable
  • Cons: can be tiring for small hands

› V-Shape (Soft V / Hard V)

  • Feel: a “ridge” in the middle of the neck back
  • Features: rather rare on basses
  • Pros: solid reference point for the hand
  • Cons: unusual feel, not for everyone

Acoustic Basses – natural bass sound for unplugged sessions & bands

An acoustic bass (also called an Acoustic Bass Guitar) combines the playing feel of an electric bass with the warmer, woodier sound of a resonant body. It is ideal for unplugged sessions, singer-songwriter setups or as an easy alternative to the double bass. Compared to a classic electric bass, an acoustic bass sounds less aggressive but rounder and more “acoustic” – often with a pickup/preamp so it can cut through better in a band mix.

Our top acoustic basses for beginners

Fender
Fender CB-60SCE Black Product Image
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Item-Nr.: BAS0009870-000

Fender CB-60SCE Black
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zł 1,159.00
Ibanez
Ibanez AEB8E Black Product Image
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Item-Nr.: BAS0001922-000

Ibanez AEB8E Black
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zł 1,322.00

Who is an acoustic bass for?

Acoustic basses are especially popular if you want to …

  • rehearse unplugged or practise without an amp
  • play in an acoustic band (cajón, acoustic guitars, etc.)
  • look for a portable bass with a natural character

Acoustic bass with pickup

Acoustic basses with pickup (for stage & rehearsal room) are ideal if you want to use the unplugged sound + amplified, meaning you also want the option to play louder.

Bass with cutaway

If you sometimes play in higher positions (fills, solos), a cutaway – the cut-out in the body near the neck joint – is much more comfortable.

Financing - the advantages at a glance