What Bass Guitar To Buy (+ The Different Types Of Bass)

Product / Topic Reviewed

The video isn’t reviewing a single bass guitar model—it’s a guide to what bass guitar to buy, focusing on types of basses, key features, and which setups fit different genres.

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Key Features / What to Look For (Decision Factors)

• Budget first: know what you can spend. Choices were once more limited, but now there’s more variety (including budget brands).
• Comfort + playability over looks: appearance matters to some, but the emphasis is on how the bass feels and plays.
• Pickups determine tone/versatility:
  • Precision (P-bass): typically a classic “one sound” approach (mainly volume + tone). The tone can darken up.
  • Jazz (J-bass): two single-coil pickups, giving more tonal options (“Jaco type tone” from the neck pickup is referenced). This is positioned as more versatile.
  • PJ (Precision + Jazz hybrid): a blended sound—described as “neither one nor the other,” but still a blend the speaker likes.
• Scale length matters (nut to bridge distance):
  • Standard ~34” for most traditional basses.
  • 34.5” for a “modern” 5-string example—intended to keep the B string tighter.
  • Short scale ~30”: easier for smaller hands.
  • Short scale can still produce a big, bassy sound.
• Solid vs hollow body:
  • Solid body: more versatile for gigs.
  • Hollow body with f-holes: more “woodier”/distinctive character (linked to Beatles-era / Hofner-type tones).
• Frets vs fretless:
  • Fretless: smooth tone and specialized techniques; recommended only after you can handle a good fretted bass first.
• Number of strings:
  • 4-string: classic and the suggested starting point for general use.
  • 5-string: adds a low B for below-E music; described as a common choice for working/versatile players.
  • 6-string: adds low B + high C, but is harder/more specialized and doesn’t sound exactly like a 4-string due to dimensions (thin high tone mentioned).
• Electro-acoustic (acoustic) bass:
  • Mostly for practice; harder to play than solid body.
  • Good for fingerstyle practice (not recommended “for slap”).
  • Not common for live gigging; more specialized.

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Examples Mentioned (Models / Brands Used)

• Fender Precision (P-bass)

  • Historic reference to 1951; a 1978 example is shown.
  • Presented as a great live/pro choice with a split-coil pickup and a classic single-main-sound approach.

• Custom / modern 5-string (Zoot) by Mike Walsh (England)

  • Features referenced: quadruple flamed maple top, 5-string, 24th fret, modern look.

• Fender Jazz Bass (1975 shown)

  • Two single-coil pickups.
  • Example of small vintage quirks (a knob falling off).
  • Emphasis on neck vs back pickup tone differences and versatility from two pickups.

• Short scale Fender Mustang (Justin Meldal-Johnson signature)

  • About 30” scale.
  • Cited with reference to Royal Blood’s Mike Kerr, who uses it for riffs because he struggles with other basses.

• Höfner “Beatles bass” (Höfner Club / violin-style)

  • Speaker dislikes the look but demonstrates that short scale can still sound big and bassy.
  • Hollow/Beatles-era association is emphasized.

• Fender StingRay 5 (main gigging bass since 2003)

  • 5 strings, one pickup (listed as a con: less versatility).
  • Punchy tone; covers funk, but the speaker notes they didn’t always use the 5th string on a soul/funk gig.

• Budget/value brands and retailers

  • Budget directions: Sire and Ibanez (precision/jazz-style directions).
  • Mentioned as budget options: Vintage and The Bass Centre (low-cost, good-condition used finds).
  • Online try-before-keep / return availability: Thomann (Europe) and Sweetwater.

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Pros

• P-bass
  • Reliable for live/pro use.
  • Straightforward setup; classic tone with minimal complexity.
• J-bass / two-pickup designs
  • More tonal versatility.
  • Useful for session work and varied styles.
• 5-string
  • Adds low range (below E) without needing multiple basses.
  • Framed as “ultimate versatility” for working players.
• Short scale
  • Better for smaller hands while still sounding big.
• Fretless
  • Unique smooth tone and techniques (slides, ballad-friendly stylings).
• Electro-acoustic
  • Great for practice—especially fingerstyle—and can make electric playing feel easier afterward.
• Budget approach
  • You can get excellent basses without high spending today.
  • Encourages trying many basses to find what “speaks to you.”

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Cons / Tradeoffs

• Looks: not the top factor, but preferences matter.
• P-bass: “does one sound,” so limited versatility.
• Single-pickup examples (e.g., StingRay 5)
  • One pickup can mean less tonal flexibility.
• Fretless
  • More specialized; start with fretted first.
• 6-string
  • Harder to play; not the same sound as a 4-string (thin high C mentioned).
• Hollow body
  • More specialized; less general gig versatility than solid body.
• Electro-acoustic
  • Harder to play; not ideal for live; specialized use case.
• Buying lots of basses
  • Strong argument against collecting without need—buy based on genre/tone/comfort.

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Comparisons / Genre Guidance (Explicit Matchups)

• Soul / Motown / R&B (old school)
  • P-bass + flatwound strings (paired as the “combination” for this sound).
• General versatility / session work
  • Jazz configuration (two pickups) is often used for variety.
• Professional working players
  • Many use 5-string setups for low-note coverage (Leland Sklar referenced as an example).
• Beatles-era sound
  • Short scale + Hofner/violin-style hollow-body approach.
• Below-E music / extended low range
  • 5-string (or more) to access the low B.
• Chordal/jazz-like needs (as framed by the speaker)
  • 5-string can fit jazz/chordal playing needs.

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Numerical / Rating Info

• No formal star ratings or numeric scores are provided.
• Numeric facts mentioned:
  • Standard scale: ~34 inches
  • Modern example: 34.5 inches
  • Short scale example: about 30 inches
  • StingRay 5 gigging: since 2003
  • Budget bass price: about £350
  • Strings/tuning notes (range discussion, not scoring): low B, and 6-string low B + high C.

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User Experience / Practical Advice

• Try basses in multiple shops if possible.
• Ask for discounts and spare sets of strings.
• Make sure the bass is set up to your preferred action (defined as string height over frets).
• If local shopping isn’t possible:
  • Use online retailers with returns/testing, specifically Thomann (Europe) and Sweetwater.

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Concise Verdict / Recommendation

• For a safe, versatile starting point: get a fretted 4-string—and consider P-bass vs J-bass depending on whether you want classic single-voice simplicity (P) or more versatility (J).
• For the “one bass covers many situations” approach: consider a 5-string, especially if you need notes below E.
• Buy based on genre + tone goals + comfort, not collecting lots of basses.

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Unique Points Mentioned (Deduplicated)

1. Prioritize playability/comfort over looks (though looks still matter).
2. Budget is the first constraint.
3. P-bass is classic and tends toward a single-main-sound setup.
4. Precision typically uses a split-coil pickup with simple controls (volume/tone).
5. J-bass dual single-coils = more versatility.
6. Vintage quirks can happen (e.g., loose knobs).
7. Two-pickup designs support more varied tones than one pickup.
8. Scale length affects feel and tension (standard ~34”).
9. 34.5” can tighten the B string (as noted).
10. Short scale (~30”) helps with hand size issues.
11. Short scale can still sound big (Höfner/Beatles example).
12. Hollow vs solid: hollow = woodier/genre-specific; solid = more gig versatile.
13. Fretless offers smooth tone and specialized techniques.
14. Start with fretted 4-string before fretless.
15. 5-string adds low B and supports versatility/below-E music.
16. Some players rely on 4-string only; 5-string is best when you need extra range.
17. 6-string adds low B + high C but is harder/specialized; thin high tone noted.
18. Passive electronics are described as classic/“no preamp” in the 4-string context.
19. Electro-acoustic bass is mainly for practice and is harder than solid body.
20. Electro-acoustic can help fingerstyle practice; not typical for slap.
21. Motown/Soul/R&B pairing: P-bass + flat rounds.
22. Session versatility: J-bass is common for variety.
23. Working/pro players often carry 5-string for low-note needs.
24. Personal gig context: StingRay 5 since 2003.
25. StingRay 5 con: one pickup = less tonal flexibility.
26. Even on a 5-string, the 5th string might not always be used.
27. Budget brands: Sire and Ibanez as precision/jazz-style alternatives.
28. Value brands: Vintage and The Bass Centre for cheap/good instruments.
29. Strong belief the current market supports excellent basses without overspending.
30. Practical cheap-win example: about £350 bass with upgraded pickups, improved action, and better strings.
31. Encourages trying flatwound vs stainless strings (and types).
32. Recommends stores for feel testing and proper setup.
33. Online shopping alternative: Thomann/Sweetwater for easy returns/testing.

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Speakers / Perspectives

• Main speaker: Dan (appears to be the only speaker)
  • Provides a decision framework, personal experience (notably StingRay 5 since 2003 and a ~£350 budget bass), and genre guidance.
  • References other musicians for anecdotes/examples:
    • Mike Kerr (Royal Blood) and short-scale Fender ideas
    • Jaco-type tone in the pickup discussion
    • Leland Sklar as a working pro using 5-string
    • Justin Meldal-Johnson connected to the Mustang signature
    • A gig anecdote involving Martha Reeves and the Vandellas (5th string not used)

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