Rumble of a bass guitar instils the soul in the rhythm of any band. Over the years the instrument has evolved from being a classical double bass guitar to a variety of styles and options.
Usually, the variants and the quality of materials used determines the pricing of a guitar. But the question here you might ask would be, how much does a bass guitar cost?
On an average, a basic bass guitar would cost around $500 to $700. But again, the pricing varies from the type of guitars you prefer buying.
For an example, you might be looking for a guitar that offers a soft and a traditional sound. In this case, it would be wise getting an acoustic bass guitar instead of the amplified electric bass.
On the other hand, if you go for any guitar besides the traditional 4-string electric variants, like a 5 string bass guitar, the prices would generally be high. Generally speaking, the cost of a guitar would go up with an increase in the number of strings that are attached to the instrument.
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Types of Bass Guitars
Three basic kinds of bass guitars are available in the market, they are:
Electric Bass
It is the most popular option that majority of bands purchase due to the solid foundation of music they offer. On an average, these would cost anywhere around $600.
Acoustic Bass
A slightly expensive variant, these are usually priced around $800. However, it may go up depending on the quality of materials used.
Hybrid Electric Acoustic Bass
This combines the features of both the above variants. The acoustic bodies along with on-board electronics enable amplification of the basses and these guitars can be attached with equalizers and tuners. The cost of these guitars is fully dependent on the number of accessories included.
How does the number of strings determine the cost of bass guitars?
Going back in history you will observe that bass guitars always came with 4 strings. However, in the last decade or so, most instruments have undergone innovation. Initially coming with 4 strings, these are available with options of up to 12 strings.
A higher number of strings enable playing the music in spaced intervals i.e. usual or full octaves. Adding extra strings usually requires modification to the standard designs and hence results in the rise in prices.
How to buy an inexpensive guitar?
Looking for inexpensive options? Well, the best thing to do would be buying any of the used guitars. The market has a number of used instruments that can be bought from both the conventional stores as well as several online platforms. Though this is a feasible option, you should ensure that you get your instrument inspected by a professional before purchasing.
Usually, a used beginner guitar might cost you around $300 and it is a better idea to purchase a used guitar if you have just started the journey of a musician. On the flip side, if you are opting for a new guitar, make sure you purchase the old-fashioned 4-string model. These are relatively priced much lower than any of the advanced options.
Choosing from any of the expensive Options
Coming to the expensive variants, most of these bass guitars come with extravagant looks and features. Some might include elaborate paint jobs, superior woods, custom number of strings and a series of other combinations to personalize.
The best options start from $2000 and may even touch a staggering figure of $10,000. The fretless basses that are rarely available below $1000, are the most popular inclusions under this category. These are the 1st choice among advanced or adventurous musicians.
Choosing Bass Guitar Made From Different Brands
A number of popular brands have come up with their own range of bass guitars. But it won’t be a good idea to simply purchase an option based on the popularity of the brand. A brand certainly offers you an assurance about the quality, but might not be the case at times. Hence, you should purchase a bass guitar only after a proper research.
For instance, Yamaha features a series of bass guitars but is yet to be recognized as a leading provider of quality guitars. They are mostly underrated despite being reasonably priced and made from good quality materials. Additionally, the brand has options for virtually every class of customer, be it a beginner or a well-known artist.
On the contrary, Fender is a well-known name that has been featuring a wide variety of guitars for the past few decades. The collection ranges from superior basses for both the entry-level customers and the superstar models or musicians.
However, to make sure you are purchasing the right option based on your requirements and budgets, it is important to do a thorough research of about any of the options that you might have shortlisted.
Rickenbacker is another brand that has made its name for offering great quality bass guitars and specializes in offering a robust midrange line of basses. You might even go for Rickenbacker series of bass guitars which has been in existence for quite some time. Their collection is unique in itself and is usually available at premium pricing.
Besides the few mentioned above, there are a number of brands that offer equally good quality basses. The internet is the best place to perform a research and collect details about the reliable brands offering their products in your region.
Final Tips for Buying a Used Bass Guitar
In case,the budget is your primary concern and you are probably buying the 1st one in your life, go for a used guitar. You can buy them either through a local store or an online portal. However, buying it physically and testing it at a local music store will ensure you have the opportunity to fully inspect.
You can test the instrument and may even return the product if they do not meet the promised quality and standards. The internet certainly offers an ample number of options for such used guitars, but it limits you with the option of testing the instrument before buying it.