How To Choose A Bass Guitar - Dagan's Bass Guitar Buying Guide & Types Of Bass Guitars

[@horwichblue9285]

I would say, for a beginner, go to the shop and try them out and then pick the one that makes you want to play it every day, and feel comfortable with playing, even if it's a "Cheap" bass

[@abelisraelcruzayuso4682]

HorwichBlue Agreed!

[@keerthikanthgubbala8140]

What if I've never played anything and want something to get started with? 🤔

[@FishTacoAG]

best to spend 100 bucks on something that feels right than 1k on something u regret

[@soft-round5341]

@@FishTacoAG I agree with you

[@thebigeasy87]

The only problem is as a complete newbie you don't really know what's good, what you like and can't get the best out of it. I'd buy cheap but passable second hand get a feel for the instrument then try before you buy

[@stone6025]

i love how he tell you his personal opinion while still telling you to have your own opinion not many people can do that

[@donsimons9810]

i love you people make meta analysis comments like anyone cares what you love. Get outta here, meta boy

[@JA11206]

anyone can do that, most peoplejust refuse to..

[@grantkoeller8911]

Number one bass for the money of all time is the Fender Squier. Inexpensive,super high quality, and also perfect for modding if needed.

[@samburkes7552]

Grant Koeller,,yessir! Most I've played play fairly well. Need some adjustments, if you could do yourself.

[@thierry18]

Yamaha and Ibanez are also great. Additionally, sire basses are pretty new to the market but just as good as some Fender models for a fraction of the price.

[@donsimons9810]

yeah go get more china products shipped here. Make sure trees cut down in the process!

[@grantkoeller8911]

@@donsimons9810 My 2004 Squier P bass was made in Indonesia

[@donsimons9810]

@@grantkoeller8911 Well that's something at least

[@grantkoeller8911]

There are many Japanese basses that were made between 1965 and 1985, that are totally killer. Hondo II, Kent, ESP, Ibanez, Audition, Memphis, Cameo, Kay, Harmony, Crestone, Silvertone, Greco, Electra, Matsumoku, Kingston, Yamaha, Guyatone, Univox, Tempo, Westone, Teisco, Aria pro II,

[@georgepaul5039]

Cheap is bad neck though body is good age neck12 years min is good to start with you will see the emenst improvement like day and night kaapish. Now go away

[@jacob.calloway6833]

Aria Pro II was my first. STB series. PJ style. Wish I never got rid of it

[@nicholaskumburis5485]

"They pick up the vibration of the string through magnets and turn it into sound through witchcraft". Seems legit.

[@candace6893]

it’s not haha it’s just how sound and vibrations work it’s pretty simple if you really think about it

[@jayzcoverz1809]

@@candace6893 you dont get the joke didnt you

[@ramonemiliogomezjorge8557]

@@jayzcoverz1809 he didn't get it

[@yasso2031]

@@candace6893 the joke nah not yet not yet almost your head

[@candace6893]

@@jayzcoverz1809 tears* i still don’t get it

[@stevec6427]

Just buy a Thunderbird. They sound awesome and the long neck is great for poking the guitarist in the ear when his solo is going on too long.

[@samburkes7552]

..I played an orig. neck-thru one in the 70's, thru an Ampeg SVT Amp..was tremendous sounding & playing!! Didn't wanna give it back, lol!

[@sonicthehedgewhore6090]

Why do I get the feeling he’s gonna say his name, claim I killed his father and instruct me to prepare for death?...

[@bernard7057]

Why do I get the feeling he calls himself captain despite the fact that his ship, the black pearl, was solen by his old crew in old fashion mutiny.

[@grantonrigney9208]

This made my day. You have a golden sense of humor.

[@thebigeasy87]

Never getting the love they deserve but Yamaha make great instruments across the price ranges. You tend to get alot of quality for the money.

[@isabelharris1912]

when he was taking about the 5 string basses I couldn't help but think its the viola of bass guitars

[@sellassielee9028]

Thank you Jack Sparrow!!!

[@samwarren5025]

Dagen(?) has to be the best guitar store worker I’ve ever seen

[@risingstorm679]

Dagan

[@grantkoeller8911]

You never mentioned scale length and how some short scale basses are great for smaller hands and fingers,

[@samburkes7552]

..Very true, indeed!! Scale length does make a difference in early stages of learning..depends on the individual.

[@johnsguitarmusicanddemos]

I am not a beginner guitar player but I'm recently getting into playing bass guitar to add to my mixes and I felt this video was very informative so thank you for uploading!

[@helloitsme9081]

I love the realism of his advise. I feel the same way. I bought an active bass (budget) to learn.

[@superdrag65]

Good advice. Thanks, Russell Brand!

[@badger4361]

You're spot on about the Jazz being most versatile, but a P bass is also stunning. Good shout out for Ibanez, very good for the money, I'd also mention Yamaha, and musicmans budget line, cant remember what they're called. I think you covered most of the basics.

[@christiannebailey6857]

Musicman’s budget line is called Sterling and they provide great guitars and basses 👍

[@wideband]

You're right always just try stuff out. I was die hard EMG active bass pickups for years and recently got a bass with a passive pickup that I wasnt too excited about... Plugged it in and I love the way it sounds! Always try stuff!

[@rajjyotisikdar4808]

My inspiration-Davie 504

[@rhoyzboo6073]

Sameee

[@hamburgervulture5789]

Mine is a mix of Davie504 and Paul McCartney

[@knightbender2]

S L A P

[@nyalan8385]

@@knightbender2 i *s l a p p e d* the like button on your comment

[@goodmansteve2481]

Far from it, I got into bass from people, like Lisa umbarger and Eric Avery, some of my favorite bassists, huge inspiration

[@jgfox1983]

The best bass for me is the one I want to pick up and play. Still a beginner and had an old cheap Ibanez which gathered dust. Bought a Fender Ultra Jazz and now I can’t put it down

[@musenw8834]

Did you sell that Ibanez? Or do you still play it?

[@jgfox1983]

@@musenw8834 sold it for £70. Wasn’t much point keeping it

[@sailingmaster]

Coolest bass I've ever seen was this Midnight Blue T-bird. So dark you could only see the blue when the light hit it just right. It had the bridge, pickups and electronics from a G&L L-2000 and a JB neck. It was a Frankensteinian thing of wonder and joy. The girl who owned it could make it sound like just about anything you could want. There might be more mods done to it, but I haven't seen her in years.

[@chauffer7286]

When you get your bass, learn how to do a proper setup on it. It only requires a few inexpensive tools but will make your bass easier to play. Watch Dave's World of Fun Stuff on youtube and you'll figure it out pretty quickly.

[@canucklehead0]

Excellent advice Dagan, I remember debating many options before I bought a Bass last year and because the closest music shop is over an hour's drive away I also wanted to see what I could get locally because you do really want to put your hands on it and make sure that the "feel" is something you are comfy with or it'll just collect dust in the box instead of becoming relicked the old fashioned way!!

[@charlesb7831]

Funny I've been playing guitar for over 30 years, always wanted a Bass , just never bought one. Weird thing was I noticed what all my favorite Bass players were using was all the same Bass. So I just happened to come across one at the local music store, a Spector bass, just the entry-level one Spector performer 4. Absolutely awesome, not disappointed at all, and exactly what I wanted in the playability and sound. Fabulous Bass!

[@craig.encinitas]

Excellent! How often do you switch between playing your guitar and bass? I’m wanting a bass, and I play guitar daily. 🎸 🤘🏻

[@charlesb7831]

@@craig.encinitas all the time, I always wanted a Spector and there amazing!

[@SCALEBEASTS]

I found you for Electric Guitar stuff, so I was surprised you also do Bass. I only got back into guitars because I wanted to learn Bass but stumbled into a very cheap electric kit and grabbed it too. And now I'm down the Theory rabbithole.

[@KavyanshDT]

Bass guitar is the most underrated instrument but it gives extra flavour to the music

[@arbdistress5592]

I suggest beginner should first start with cheaper starter bass with classic design for example a squire P or J. The design covers most of the beginner needs. Once having better skills and live gig experience then one would know exactly the desire and then can upgrade to a more expensive ones. For example you may think tone shaping on active bass is versatile / cover everything but... Wait until shoulder feeling pain the next day after long gig due to the extra weights... Or encounter a sudden dying battery issue on the live stage... Also the 4/5 strings issue, you may think it is only a neck profile issue but what happen if many of the songs you wanted to play required the low notes. You can drop-D or do other things but beginner wont know this until playing / gigging long enough to develop a sense of what he/she needs.

[@grantkoeller8911]

Certain brands are rock solid, and last forever. Peavey, LTD is ESP's second line, and Ibanez are some nice inexpensive basses that are super high quality, Sterling is Ernie Balls Music Man second line, Epiphone is Gibson's second line and Squier is Fender's second line.

[@musenw8834]

How about Aria?

[@grantkoeller8911]

@@musenw8834 Aria Pro II basses were made in Japan by Matsumoku, in the late 70's, and early 80's, with a super high build quality, they are now affordable, a great value, under the bass radar, most people do not know about Aria Pro II or sister company Westone.

[@gamecat666]

re: beginner bass cost - I bought an Eastcoast GP200 over christmas fully expecting it to be a bit naff, but its actually pretty decent! It'll do me fine for a few years.

[@phillips8292]

I have one fucking heavy though

[@gamecat666]

@@phillips8292 aye it definately is, makes my Les Paul feel light for the first time ever!

[@letmeintroducemyself9761]

Thank you a couple of my friends are trying to try a new hobby were very young but the pandemic helps a lot to learn :)

[@jaydenapollon7428]

Honestly after a while I was just watching this for you voice

[@SoftSpokenHadouken]

This man is the Captain Jack Sparrow of bass and I dig it.

[@rentaroo]

Thanks for the Thunderbird reference. Another bass player informed me that I shouldn't buy a Thunderbird for my first bass due to weight issues. I didn't even try one when I was shopping and purchased a Ray34 instead. Even though the Ray is an excellent bass that I will hand on to, it makes my mouth water every time I see a Thunderbird. It will definitely be my next bass.

[@guanoApe]

Thunderbird goth was my favorite out of probably 10 basses that ive owned. Sound wise and stage presents

[@roelofzinn8227]

When I saw his hairstyle and facial expressions I thought "Bon Scott". And then it turned out he likes Angus' playing!

[@PiLipOppa]

I took a lot of notes on my phone thank you so much!

[@heggy_69]

>get a rickenbacker Hold on, let me sell a lung

[@pabloxanaxbars4664]

The shirts dope, CKY was my first concert back in 03

[@avantgardenovelist]

Lots of words but not a single wasted one. The eloquence of experience.

[@stevejohnson2284]

Great video, good to see you Man. Haven't seen you in the new PMT videos. Thought you might had chucked it in and stayed in California after NAMM🤔... I own a Ibanez Dragons Eye Maple Bass it's wicked looking and plays great.

[@taukhouse44]

New bass player here and I bought a Fender Squire P bass and I couldn't be happier

[@ssjjcc78]

Dude, you crack me up! How smashed were u in parts of this video 😂😂. Legend 😂😂

[@ws8080]

P-Bass seemed like the most common starting place for people, so I bought a used combo deal for a Fender Squier and can't complain. But then I also wanted to try a short scale and I'm a fan of Royal Blood, so I bought a Gretsch. Really, only thing now is if I buy another amp. What matters is I need to play either one as much as possible, otherwise it's just sculpture decorating the man cave.

[@petethescalemodeller6130]

Love my Fender Jazz Bass .... I also love my Fender P Bass ... :)

[@dmac7660]

Try the Fender Player Series Jaguar bass. I thought I wanted a P bass but when I tried one in the store I found the neck to be too massive. The Jaguar can sound like a P bass but with a nice jazz type neck. And it's passive.

[@mateuspab]

Thanks for all the support

[@dr.phantom5147]

Hey Dagan.Make a video on the top mid-range Basses and Top high-end.I was looking at the PRS se Kestrel bass and it looks pretty nice for the money.The hardware looks like a tank.Cheers from Canada!

[@bryanhenderson8807]

2 things of note, most Fender style basses and lower price Ibanez basses have 21 frets. Mid-price to higher priced Ibanez basses have 24 frets.

[@abelisraelcruzayuso4682]

That kinda green ES at the right, in the beginning, lovely

[@hodaridaniels8786]

I agree a jazz bass you can't go wrong with having one, I like them just like Stingray basses.

[@musenw8834]

If I'm not wrong most of the stingrays are active basses. Great stuff if you look to be soloing and using a lot of active preamps and can also manage having spare batteries quickly and easily. But most passive basses are good

[@deegegaming7911]

I'm a huge Motley crue fan but it's Adam Clayton who makes me want to get a bass as my second instrument

[@southofheck]

My first and currently only bass is a cheap Squier Affinity PJ bass. With a bit of tweaking that guy plays about as well as any bass ive put my hands on, give or take some quality here and there. I hear so many people going on about "bad pickups/preamps" or "the sound is souless" and i always take it for a grain of salt. If some bottom of the barrel Made in China squier can sound decent, i assume most everything can.

[@musenw8834]

As long as your bass is set up nicely (

[@johnmoser2689]

Squire Jazz 4 or 5 string... is a great starter Music Man Stingray basses sound and feel awesome even the Sub line Ibanez it's always a great choice.... or an entry level Spector Schecter is an amazing choice as well I also really like that newest Jackson bass

[@kathleenk5438]

Quite entertained that the subtitles pick up his accent so creatively.

[@scrimpmster]

I've been playing guitar for a while but also want to give bass a go. However I don't want to get a starter kit and would rather splash out for something more expensive. Lol

[@shawnhuff3920]

I have a fender quilt top 24fret five string bass from karena it's a discontinued version special bass and I have a ibanez gio gsr206sm charcoal brown sunburst six string bass guitar

[@IThinkMottoMottolikesyou]

Your video is really informative and amazing

[@SwashBuccaneer]

Came for the bass knowledge, stayed for the Jack Sparrow comments.

[@elliotk9291]

I'm not a bassist but I find this interesting

[@FlightOfJatayu]

Is that a CKY t-shirt?!! Takes me back to high school in the early aughts. Good times!

[@patrickkelley4463]

I had a neck Heavy Bass for my first bass it was a BC rich Warlock , then I found an Ibanez sound gear and fell in love with bass.

[@paulvanwal4875]

A very good Review, thanks..

[@eduardovales4576]

Thank you so much for the tips. Great video!!

[@elliotk9291]

0:35 It's a bass video and your standing next to a rack of guitars.... THIS VIDEO IS CURSED

[@fishburrito4766]

I just want to slap

[@IYF_Productions_SL]

Might want to do that in private brah ;)

[@speednorm]

@@IYF_Productions_SL lool

[@OGM_OriginalGameMusic]

S L A P P

[@metalshinobi2900]

I want to pick it!!

[@Concraft]

picking is small pp

[@jeffbriggs4268]

Short scale vs long scale should be considered. I've got a Mustang Performer and I love it! If I were going to purchase a long scale bass, it might be an American Performer P/J bass if the neck worked for me. Otherwise, it might be the American Performer J bass. I played a Guild back in the 80s and it was heavy. As an older musician, I prefer lighter instruments these days. Good coverage of this topic!

[@guanoApe]

My favorite bass was a thunderbird goth. Best sound and i looked cool. Dont be scared away from it but the neck wait got me. Push through. Great ax. Plain ol jackson 500 dollar active now

[@PaulMabley]

I bought an Ibanez 300EB just after Christmas and it is fantasic. Of course I would love a Rickenbacker 4001but, to be honest, it would be wasted on me as I'm not £2499 good. I could justify the 1/10th of that to get the Ibanez though. I've got space in my life for maybe two more basses, and I'm looking at the Squier Jazz (to match the Squier 70s Strat Dagan sold me) or the Squier VI (which intrigues me). Get this Lockdown over quick Boris, I've got a MasterCard to abuse!!!

[@susiemuirhead561]

I'm planning on getting a Squier (by Fender) Classic Vibe 60s Jazz Bass. This bass will serve my purpose. I am a complete newbie and a much older player so a Squier vs Fender is o.k. by me. Fender makes a pretty good Squier and they sound pretty decent!

[@charlielucas3386]

HUGE Cliff Burton fan right here! So I'd shoot for a Rickenbacker or an Aria Pro II SB-1000.

[@jthablaidd]

I just want the kinda bass you hear in songs like “stir it up” or “kaya”

[@darthkaton]

My fav bass is without a doubt the Hofner 500/1 violin bass.

[@damora6013]

i just fell in love with the music man

[@samburkes7552]

..Never really liked those basses. Their amp line, in 70's, yes..Just not their basses. Personal preference.

[@damora6013]

@@samburkes7552 who asked

[@springy-2112]

wise words Dagan, I've been playing bass 40 years owned loads have half a dozen at present..but have learned there are no rules..My no1 bass is a squier short scale jaguar its just a revelation..even though I have really expensive basses long scale I've grown to love the affordable short scale...no rules !!! Peace and love brother 👍🏻☮❤

[@NickCADA]

Second most important to the bass itself. Rotosound Swing 66

[@Anna-ur1sr]

Ah I genuinely love this jack sparrow lookalike/actalike.

[@richardcyrka6682]

Having played bass for 50 years I would never suggest a beginner to buy a precision bass. They are not the most pleasant neck contour. Instead I would recommend an Ibanez, there necks are slim , easy to play with exceptional comfort. Once you become more proficient and learn how a bass is made, then check out lots of other basses to suit your hands and style you wish to pursue. Please bare in mind no one bass does it all.

[@grantkoeller8911]

Made in America basses include Fender, Gibson, Regal , National, Kay, older Peavey, Rickenbacker , Alembic, Older Harmony and many others...

[@samburkes7552]

..Even older Gibson/Epiphone, made in Kalamazoo, if you can get or afford. But you won't go wrong. Tremendous resale value to boot!

[@frostriver4547]

I’m lucky. I bought a new MIA Jazz V in the late 80’s, and found a good deal on an ‘06 Modulus Quantum 5 about 9 years ago. My two favorites

[@resol_beats]

Y’all are dope 🔥🔥🔥🔥🤟

[@aaronjanusch6090]

I have a Squire Vintage jazz bass like the one in the video. It plays and sounds great! I may refinish the body, but I'm not one to care too much about guitar colors... no neon, though, or pink lol.

[@spawnthecrazy]

Well, I'm screwed. Peavey T-40's and Ovation Magnum Basses aren't so common anymore...

[@kaylacolyer2039]

I got 5 idols Nikki Sixx, Mick Mars, Duff McKagan, Slash and Kirk Hammett. They play different guitars but I'm definitely stuck between Duff and Kirks.

[@lipptech1]

Active circuit = Slave to the battery !!! Better have a spare battery at ALL TIMES !!! If you decide to choose a bass with an active setup !! As a battery starts to loose it's charge it affects the ability of the pickups to be able to reproduce or capture the sound of the string ! As a battery starts to loose juice that I will have to pick/pluck harder and still the sound is not as good as it is with a new battery ! I'm with billy sheehan and I prefer to use passive designed basses due to this issue with a battery ! Of the 41 basses I own there are only like 10 active basses among all of those basses due to this issue !

[@frostriver4547]

If you’re regularly playing active bass guitars, like I do, just change the batteries every 6 months. They usually have plenty of juice left anyway. Never had an issue with batteries quitting

[@lipptech1]

@@frostriver4547 I have noticed that as a batteries current starts to be depleted,The pick up's will not pick up the string very well and require you to dig in a little more and then the pick up's will honk and fart as the current continues to drop. I like to use lithium ion 9 volt rechargeable batteries as the current capacity is much greater and they hold a charge for a much longer period than when using an alkaline battery. I prefer passive basses !

[@nataliewood6628]

i legally have to follow this advice because this was posted on my birthday

[@alanduncan1980]

Choose one with your eyes. Look at it before you choose you. That would be my best advice.

[@thatraccoon4353]

My inspiration is audun laading from Her’s R.I.P🙏

[@williamrowlands25]

Nice cky shirt! Huge fan of them.

[@jacobrobinson8892]

This guy was not only helpful but reminded me of jack sparrow. Bravo

[@grantkoeller8911]

You never talked about the Hofner bass, or the KLIRA bass, both were Made in Germany.

[@thomasjohnson4321]

For me, flat wounds on a hofner make the sound I'm looking for. Nothing else can match it. Very light for playing gigs as your shoulder won't ache. McCartney made it a classic because it works!

[@samburkes7552]

@@thomasjohnson4321 Thomas, most exactly right on!! Have one of those, a '65, not playable. When it had 30"-scale flatwound strings on it, sounded wonderful, late '66/early 67 bef. leaving NY..Then things went awry when we moved to AZ. Accidentally changed strings to longer-scale LaBella flats for a Fender(34"scale), neck really bowed, tried adjusting the trussrod jamnut..it snapped off!! That and other issues render it to having need be prop. reconstructed/ refurbished. Egads!!

[@mikegangwer8981]

I've been playing Hofners for years and have never felt the necessity to play anything else

[@captnjaygreybeard6394]

I am still shopping, was recommended a Yamaha, will have to try out a few different bass guitars

[@mojojoe-jo2170]

Props on the CKY shirt!

[@charlesstevens4275]

One thing about bass guitars is some have 24 frets, and some don't. Fender is 21 frets. So don't fret over it, unless you want to be able to play "bass solo take one ".

[@Kat-Kobold]

most of my bass inspirations have played a whole library of instruments over their careers. the only one who's been consistent is Steve Harris, so I will naturally gravitate towards a P Bass. of course I wouldn't be opposed to a Rickenbacker by any means. strangely enough though, i'm quite fussy about pickguard shape, which really turns me towards P Basses but away from Stingrays

[@johnmoser2689]

Squire Jazz 4 or 5 string... is a great starter Music Man Stingray basses sound and feel awesome even the Sub line Ibanez it's always a great choice.... or an entry level Spector Schecter is an amazing choice as well

[@Wulfex]

Critique of your videos: You'll make a cut to a different video, usually a close up of a guitar and you'll hear someone pointing or talking about a specific thing, but you can't see it. Or like at 2:30, you're looking at that "Active/Passive" switch. What does that do? Are these pickups capable of being passive, so you can switch them on or off, or is it like a preset switch that tries to emulate a passive pickup as close as possible. There's no mention of it in the video.

[@stevebarlow3154]

Most active basses have a switch that allows them to operate in passive mode. But beware not all do. So if a battery fails in the middle of a gig you are in trouble!

[@HarryAlberts722]

id say that you have to choose the p bass or j bass (for versility) bc out of all of the basses in the world they are defo the big giants. for me id choose the p bass bc i feel that you can easly tell if theres a jazz bass in music, and i feel that you can make more basses sound like a p bass then a jazz bass, so i feel that it sometimes comes down to being able to tell what bass it is than getting lots of other sounds

[@samburkes7552]

..Both great, iconic, mainstay basses!! We have, in the gun/pawnshop I work at, a Mexi. P-bass by Fender..Really nice instrument. They're asking $630 for it w/case..been hanging for about a year. Its brethren, an Olive Antigua, sold first..same price. This one is sunburst, white pickguard, pao ferro fretboard, and trussrod-adjusts nr. the nut @ headstock..Do I need it??..No. Do I love it??..Oh, yeah, specially after I set her up ballpark!.. Already own a mid-70's Rick 4001, Fireglo, and a non-functioning German Hofner Beatle Bass..Not even playing right now. But it would be a good investment, even tho made in Encinadas, MX...And I've never owned a Fender P-bass prior..!!

[@3cuber749]

I say that the right one for me is my 2005 ibanez btb 555

[@erikengvall]

4:09 Get a Dingwall, set it to passive and you have a pbass

[@julianthesmooshyhusky8976]

I never thought I’d play a $300 bass I’d say I was 100% willing to gig with. Sterling ray4: hold my beer.

[@davidbenasulin]

Nice tips! Thanks

[@jprsdas]

I think Johnny Depp met this man and then came up with the jack sparrow character

[@DoctorIntrepid]

Great video, as usual.

[@markseniuk99]

Ty for the insights