Best Beginner Electric Bass Guitar: Picks by Budget

If you're looking for the best beginner electric bass guitar, the right choice depends on your size, your budget and whether you want a full-size or short-scale neck. This guide sorts picks into budget, mid-range and premium so you can find your range quickly, and it lists what to check before you buy.

How we researched

We compared eight search results: one forum thread from r/Bass, six pages from music sites, a music school, a retailer and Fender's own buying guide. We also used the Amazon listings for the picks, including the star ratings, rating counts and price tiers shown on each listing, plus manufacturer product pages for the Yamaha basses. Nothing was tested hands-on. This guide compares products using manufacturer specifications, current Amazon listings and owner reviews; we did not test them hands-on.

Short answer

For most adults starting out, a four-string, full-size bass in the $100–$300 tier is the safest buy. The Fender Squier Debut Series Beginner Precision Bass suits adults who want a classic P-bass feel. If you're buying for a child or someone with small hands, the Ibanez GSRM20BWNF MiKro short-scale bass is the better fit. Budget buyers who want to try bass before committing can start with the Ktaxon 4 String Electric Bass Guitar, which sits in the under $100 tier.

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Buying criteria, in order of weight

1. Size fit. Scale length and hand size matter most. Guitar Player notes that smaller players and children may want a short-scale bass, while most adults and older kids are fine on a full-size instrument.
2. Playability. Neck feel, string spacing and comfort decide whether you keep practicing. Bassbuzz judged its shortlisted basses on playability, tone, comfort and versatility.
3. Pickups and tone range. Bassbuzz limited its shootout to two-pickup basses because they give beginners more tone options as they explore styles.
4. Price and build. Value matters, but a bass that is too big or hard to play is a waste at any price.

How we chose

We weighted size fit, playability, pickups and price, in that order. The evidence came from manufacturer specs (the Yamaha pages and Squier product data), buying guides from Guitarworld, Bassbuzz, Guitar Player and Angeles Academy of Music, and Amazon ratings as listed. Bassbuzz says its reviewers judged basses blindfolded, which reduces bias, but that is their claim and we did not verify it. None of the team played these basses for this guide, and we make no hands-on claims. Check back when models or price tiers change.

Budget pick: under $100

The Ktaxon 4 String Electric Bass Guitar is listed at 4.5 stars from 354 ratings on Amazon, with 50+ bought in the past month. It suits buyers who want to see whether bass sticks before spending more. Our material does not include its spec sheet, so check scale length, neck and pickups on the listing before you buy. The GLARRY 36in Electric Bass Guitar is also in the under $100 tier, but it has only 73 ratings, which is a thin sample.

Guitarworld names the Ibanez Talman TMB30 its best budget pick. It has a short-scale 30-inch neck and no left-handed version, so check that before buying.

Mid-range picks: $100–$300

The Fender Squier Debut Series Beginner Precision Bass Guitar has 4.6 stars from 1300 ratings on Amazon and is in the $100–$300 tier. It fits most adults who want a familiar P-bass shape and a standard neck. The drawback is that our material gives no scale length or spec sheet for this listing, so confirm the details on the page first.

The Ibanez GSRM20BWNF MiKro is a short-scale bass with 4.6 stars from 1900 ratings on Amazon, in the $100–$300 tier. Angeles Academy of Music calls the miKro one of its smartest purchases for younger students because the smaller size prevents frustration. The trade-off is that an adult may find it cramped, so it's a poor choice if you're a full-size player.

Yamaha's TRBX174 is widely recommended for beginners, and Angeles Academy calls it affordable. We did not have an Amazon listing for it, so it is not in our picks.

Premium option: over $300

None of the Amazon listings in our material fall in the premium tier, so there is no premium Amazon pick here. Yamaha's official page for the TRBX304 lists a solid mahogany body, a 5-piece maple/mahogany neck, two YGD-designed M3 ceramic humbucking pickups and a 5-way Performance EQ tone circuit. That suits a player who already knows they want active tone shaping. We could not confirm its current price tier from our material, so check the listing.

If you want to compare a higher-end electric guitar, see our PRS SE Custom 24 electric guitar guide. That guide covers guitars, not basses.

At-a-glance comparison

How to choose

If you're under about 10 or have small hands, pick a short-scale bass such as the miKro. If you're an adult and want a standard bass for most music, pick the Squier Debut. If you want to test the waters for little money, start with the Ktaxon. If you already play and want more tone control, look at the Yamaha TRBX304.

Skip the premium tier until you know you'll keep playing. Skip the miKro if you're an adult with average hands, because a full-size bass will feel more natural.

FAQ

Should a beginner start on four strings?

Yes, for most people. Bassbuzz stuck to four-string basses because they are easier to learn on, and you can try five strings later if you want.

Do I need two pickups?

Not strictly, but Bassbuzz found that two-pickup basses offer more tone options, which helps you find your sound.

Is a short-scale bass too small for an adult?

It can be. Guitar Player says most adults should be fine on a full-size bass, so consider a short-scale only if your hands are small or you're buying for a child.

Conclusion

For most adults, the Fender Squier Debut Series Beginner Precision Bass is the best starting point in the $100–$300 tier. Buy the Ibanez miKro for a child or small hands, and try the Ktaxon if you want the lowest-risk start. Check the scale length on each listing before you buy.