How Much Does A Bass Guitar Cost?

The rhythm section of any band is virtually guaranteed to be anchored by the rumble of a bass guitar. This instrument evolved from the classical double bass, and can now be found in a number of styles. The average cost of a bass guitar is in the area of $500-$700 dollars. Acoustic bass guitars offer a softer, more traditional sound than an amplified electric bass, though they will not reach the same volume unless they have some sort of on-board electronics. Purchasing anything other than a traditional four-string electric will leave you with a higher bass guitar cost. A number of string counts are available, from a relatively simple five-string to an extended eight-string and beyond. A general rule is that the cost of a bass guitar will go up with the number of strings on the instrument.

Types Of Bass Guitars

There are three basic types of bass guitars. The most popular version is the electric bass. The majority of bands today include an electric bass player, and with good reason, as the instrument provides a solid foundation to music that is rarely found elsewhere. Electric bass guitar prices are variable, but average around $600. Acoustic basses are slightly more expensive at about $800 for a quality instrument. The hybrid electric-acoustic bass gives you the best of both worlds. Though they have acoustic bodies, on-board electronics enable the amplification of these basses, and extra devices such as equalizers and/or tuners may also be placed directly into the body of the electric-acoustic bass. Like most new purchases, additional accessories will run up the bass guitar cost, irrespective of type.

Bass Guitar Cost According To Number Of Strings

For most of its history, the bass guitar has had four strings. In recent years there has been an explosion of instruments with extra strings, and the bass is no exception. First there were five-strings, adding a bass to the low side of the instrument. Soon there were six-string basses that played like a regular guitar, followed by seven strings, eight strings, and twelve strings. For the higher even numbers, strings may be musically spaced in intervals like usual, or at full octaves like a twelve string guitar. Extra strings usually require additional adjustments to the standard design, and leading to an increased bass guitar cost.

Inexpensive Options

Like most musical instruments, a bass can be purchased in used condition. The bass has a similar marketing history to the guitar, which has led to a surplus of used instruments. Several channels are available to pursue a used bass, including music stores, classified ads, the internet, and word of mouth. Always have an instrument inspected by a professional prior to buying (if you don’t consider yourself to be one). This will save you from any post-purchase blues. Beginner bass guitar prices are relatively low even if you don’t choose to go the used route. A bass of sufficient quality for a beginner can be found for under $300 on most occasions. It is always better to purchase on the low end of the price spectrum when dealing with a beginning musician. The last thing anyone wants is to be stuck with an expensive instrument that is collecting dust in the closet. Another tip for cutting the cost of a bass guitar is to stick with an old-fashioned four-string model.

Expensive Options

There is a lot of money to be spent on musical instruments if you desire to do so. Bass guitars have their own upper-tier of quality instruments that are extravagant in many ways. They may have elaborate paint jobs, a custom number of strings, special woods, or any other modification you could imagine. The best basses start at $2,000, but they can rise to over $10,000 with the right combination of imagination and economic recklessness. Fretless basses are very popular with advanced and/or adventurous musicians. Bass guitar cost is rarely under $1,000 if you are purchasing a fretless.