A beginner bass has to be comfortable first. Short-scale and three-quarter models shrink the reach along the neck, while full-size basses give the standard feel that carries over to any stage. Most start with passive pickups and a four-string layout.
The six basses below mix short-scale and full-size models from Ibanez, Squier and Yamaha. Specs come from each listing page and some weight fields are clearly wrong, so we leave them out. We have not played these basses ourselves. Warranty and lesson offers are the makers’ own.
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What to Look For
| Feature | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Scale length | Short scale shortens the reach; full scale is standard |
| Pickups | Split-coil and single-coil layouts shape the tone |
| Weight | Body wood and size change how it hangs on a strap |
| Amp | None of these listings include an amp |
Specs at a Glance
| Bass | Scale and size | Body and neck | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ibanez GSRM20 MiKro | Short scale, 4 strings | Poplar body; maple neck; jatoba board | 6.9 lb listed; dual single-coil pickups |
| Squier Sonic Precision | 4 strings | Poplar body field; maple board | 30 days of Fender Play listed; 2-year warranty |
| Squier Mini Precision | 3/4 size, 39.8 in long | Poplar and basswood fields; laurel board | Weight field unreliable; split single-coil |
| Squier Sonic Bronco | 30 in scale, full size | Poplar body; maple board | 4.51 kg listed; narrow nut |
| Yamaha TRBX174 | 4 strings, P/J pickups | Alder body; maple neck; sonokeling board | Weight field unreliable |
| Ibanez Gio GSR200 | 4 strings, 47.8 in long | Basswood body field; rosewood board | 9 lb listed; active bass boost |
The 6 Best Bass Guitars for Beginners
1. Ibanez GSRM20 MiKro
A short-scale four-string with a poplar body, a maple neck, a jatoba fingerboard, dual single-coil pickups and a hardtail bridge in a walnut flat finish, listed at 6.9 pounds. The top-wood field says mahogany, which conflicts with the poplar body.
Suits: small hands and short reach. Strengths: a short scale and a light body. Weaknesses: a conflicting wood field. Skip it if you want a standard scale.
View Ibanez GSRM20 MiKro on Amazon
2. Squier Sonic Precision Bass
A Precision-style bass with a split single-coil pickup, a narrow nut and chrome hardware, listed with 30 days of free Fender Play lessons and a two-year limited warranty. The listing gives no scale length, so confirm it on the page.
Suits: a classic Precision shape. Strengths: a split-coil pickup and lessons. Weaknesses: scale length not stated. Skip it if you need the scale confirmed.
View Squier Sonic Precision Bass on Amazon
3. Squier Mini Precision Bass
A three-quarter size Precision with a split single-coil pickup, a slim C-shaped neck, a thin basswood body and chrome die-cast tuners, 39.8 inches long. The weight field says 5 grams, which cannot be right.
Suits: smaller hands and a compact body. Strengths: a compact, light body. Weaknesses: an impossible weight figure. Skip it if you want a full-length bass.
View Squier Mini Precision Bass on Amazon
4. Squier Sonic Bronco Bass
A full-size bass with a short 30 inch scale, a narrow nut, chrome hardware and a powder-coated finish, with a free Fender Play trial and a two-year limited warranty, listed at 4.51 kilograms.
Suits: short scale in a full body. Strengths: a 30 in scale and a narrow nut. Weaknesses: a single pickup. Skip it if you want two pickups.
View Squier Sonic Bronco Bass on Amazon
5. Yamaha TRBX174
A four-string with P/J configured pickups, a deep cutaway, an alder body, a bolt-on maple neck and a sonokeling fingerboard in red metallic. The weight field says 0.27 grams, so ignore it.
Suits: split plus single-coil versatility. Strengths: P/J pickups and a deep cutaway. Weaknesses: an unusable weight figure. Skip it if you want a short scale.
6. Ibanez Gio GSR200
A full-size bass in pearl white with a rosewood fingerboard, pearl dot inlays, a split-coil and single-coil pickup pair and the maker’s Phat II EQ active boost, listed at 9 pounds.
Suits: a bass with onboard tone shaping. Strengths: an active boost circuit. Weaknesses: the heaviest listed weight here. Skip it if you want light and small.
View Ibanez Gio GSR200 on Amazon
Care and Setup
- Wipe strings after playing.
- Store it on a stand or in a case.
- Change strings when they sound dull.
- Have the neck set up if it buzzes.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Buying a full-scale bass for very small hands.
- Trusting a weight field that is clearly wrong.
- Forgetting you need an amp and cable.
- Skipping a strap.
Bass Guitars for Beginners FAQ
Do these come with an amp?
No. These listings are for the bass only, so plan on buying an amp separately.
Which is the shortest?
The Squier Mini Precision is three-quarter size, and the MiKro is short scale.
The Short Version
For short scale, the Ibanez MiKro. For a classic shape, the Squier Sonic Precision. For small players, the Mini Precision. For a short scale in full size, the Sonic Bronco. For P/J pickups, the Yamaha TRBX174. For active boost, the Ibanez Gio.
