Bass Guitar Buying Guide For Beginners - Types Of Bass Guitars

Arguably, the most popular types of bass guitar are the ones designed by Fender - the Jazz Bass and the Precision Bass. Both models are excellent and used by pros worldwide. Their designs spawned many copies, but, of course, nothing beats an authentic Fender!

Here we have the classic Fender Precision Bass guitar, or otherwise known as the Fender 'P' bass. 

The Precision Bass (or simply "P-Bass") was the first-ever bass guitar designed by Fender, and the first electric bass to gain popular attention - it revolutionised music.

Before, most musicians would use an upright bass. The P-Bass was lighter, slicker, with a punchier, more focused sound and more sustain. Thanks to that, music styles such as rock'n'roll, soul and funk could evolve, using the driving rhythms now possible thanks to the electric bass.

If you choose to play a Fender Precision Bass, you'll be playing the most classic, legendary type of bass, that has changed very little in 60-years! No bass guitar buying guide is complete without one!

The P Bass features a split-coil pickup, which provides a punchy, driving sound. It's not quite a humbucker and not quite a single-coil, but it gives you a sound w=somewhere in between. this is a great all-rounder for all styles of music. 

For beginners, Eastcoast bass guitars are a great choice - they're good quality and very affordable! Other good brands to choose from include Squier and Epiphone Bass guitars

Pictured: Fender Player Precision Bass MN, Black

The Jazz Bass was Fender's second bass and achieved even greater success than its predecessor. It is without a doubt the most popular type of bass guitar in the world, today.

It is punchier than a P-Bass, with more midrange and treble (though that kind of difference is not that obvious or relevant for beginners).

The Fender Jazz Bass is used worldwide by musicians of every musical style imaginable, from jazz musicians to rockers such as Flea, Geddy Lee, and many others.

The Fender Jazz bass comes in a variety of different styles and colour schemes, but one major feature throughout is the inclusion of two single coil pickups that you can isolate or blend. 

This means you have a more versatile sonic palette to play with, and part of the reason these bass guitars can fit in with any style or genre of music.

The Eastcoast Bass guitar version is great, and the Squier Jazz bass is also an incredible option that will suit all budgets. 

Struggling with P vs Jazz bass? Read our comparison between the Fender Jazz Bass and P Bass HERE.

The Fender Jaguar bass is another style of bass guitar relied upon by players all over the world. Although it's not a particularly common bass guitar to see, it's definitely an incredible option for the discerning payers out there.

The jaguar bass features both Single Coil and Split Coil pickups that you can isolate or combine, providing a massive sound.

Again, these bass guitars are not super common, so if you see one you like - it's best to grab it before they disappear. 

Pictured: The Fender Player Jaguar Bass PF Capri Orange

Besides playing the Jaguar VI bass, Cream's Jack Bruce also helped to make the Gibson SG bass more popular. 

Other users of the SG Bass include Bill Wyman (Rolling Stones), Peter Quaife (The Kinks), Jim Lea (Slade) and Doug Yule (Velvet Underground).

It's a great "rock'n'roll" bass, with a different feel and tone to Fender basses: the neck pickup offers more low end, and narrower neck makes it easier to play. 

The dual pickups provide a fatter, thicker sound overall in comparison to a single coil - which some players, especially those in Rock bands love. 

Fortunately for those on a budget, Epiphone also make an incredible version that is hard wearing and sounds awesome! 

Shop Gibson Bass guitars. 

Shop Epiphone bass guitars.

Another great "rock'n'roll" bass guitar, the Fender Mustang bass has a narrow neck and short scale. Bill Wyman also played a short-scale Mustang bass, like Mikey Way (My Chemical Romance), Dee Dee Ramone (Ramones), Carl Wilson (Beach Boys), Rhys Webb (The Horrors) and Tina Weymouth of Talking Heads. 

Fender recently reissued the Mustang bass as part of their American Performer and Vintera series.

These new models are quite probably the best ever Mustang bass guitars ever made, and are still one of the most versatile basses Fender has ever made.

Why?

It's very comfortable to play, and features upgraded pickups: one Jazz Bass pickup and one P-Bass pickup - the new Fender Mustang bass is pretty much like a bass guitar "best of" from Fender!

Pictured: The Fender Vintera 60s Mustang Bass PF Fiesta Red

The Thunderbird bass is perhaps the most "rock'n'roll" of all bass guitars! The Gibson Thunderbird seems a top choice for bassists in loud rock bands: this type of bass was played by Tom Hamilton (Aerosmith), Nikki Sixx (Motley Crue), Kris Novoselic (Nirvana), Adam Clayton (U2), John Entwistle (The Who), Jared Followill (Kings of Leon) and Kim Gordon (Sonic Youth). So you're in good company when you pick one of these up. 

The dual humbucking pickups within these bass guitars offer a versatile, yet instantly recognisable tone. You can really hear the Thunderbird bass on recordings as they seem to cut through the mix far more than most bass guitars out there. 

Although this is a regular scale bass guitar at 34" long, when playing it does give the illusion that your neck is a lot longer than other bass guitars. This is down to the wider frets, which can feel a little weird at first, but you'll find that you get used to it and start enjoying the freedom wider frets can bring. The Gibson models can fetch a higher price and are some of the best expensive bass guitars in the world, so expect to pay for it. 

However, should you want more budget-friendly option, the Epiphone models are available at a lower, but still reassuring price. 

Shop Gibson Bass guitars. 

Shop Epiphone bass guitars.

Pictured: Gibson Thunderbird Bass Tobacco Burst.

The most legendary non-Fender style bass has got to be the famous Hofner violin bass, with its distinctive violin-shaped body. You know, used by some guy, who played it in some famous band from Liverpool...

 In common with most of those different types of bass guitars, the Hofner has a narrower neck as well, but it's also much lighter than other basses. It's a dream to play!

These bass guitars are usually supplied with flatwound strings to give you that classic nylon/acoustic/boomy bass sound that is instantly recognisable on Beatles records. 

We recommend a set of Rotosound Tru Bass 88 String Set 65-115 strings to get that classic upright bass sound that is associated with this bass. 

Finally, at the most high-priced end of the spectrum, the Rickenbacker bass is certainly one of the most desirable instruments for any bassist. It's been used by Paul McCartney (Beatles and Wings), Roger Waters (Pink Floyd), Glen Matlock (Sex Pistols), Bruce Foxton (The Jam), Lemmy (Motorhead), Geddy Lee (Rush), Mani (Stone Roses / Primal Scream) and many other top names. It's a very distinctive bass and one of the best money can buy. It looks and sounds awesome and a bass guitar buying guide would look weird if it didn't include this iconic bass!

There are two key features bass players love about the Rickenbacker bass. The first is the dual inputs, which mean you can split the signal of your bass into two different amps, with one amp running the bridge and another the neck pickup. 

The second feature is the slimline neck. This can be a little off-putting to bass players who are used to the likes of a Fender, but you'll soon find that the slimmer design is easier to play and provides a particularly ergonomic, comfortable playing experience.

Plus, they sound absolutely awesome with some distortion! 

Pictured: Rickenbacker 4003S Bass Guitar Jetglo