Basses for Kids – Best Bass Guitars for Kids

It is an excellent thing to introduce kids to music in the earlier stages of their life. However, it is not always an easy task to find an instrument that is small and lightweight enough to be played by children that is durable and that has great sound quality.

In the case of bass guitars, the most recommended types are the short-scale and mini-sized. The best choice will depend on the age of the kid. The first one is more recommended for older ones with the latter is for those very young children who can’t hold the weight of a full-sized bass just yet (they are heavy instruments). We will go more in-depth through this at the end of the article.

If your infant shows a particular taste for bass, keep reading, as in this article we will go through 7 of the best bass guitars for kids. On our list, there are options for all tastes and budgets.

Related: Best Bass Guitar

We Tested 7 Products and Found the Squier Mini Precision Bass to be The Best Bass Guitar for Kids

The Ibanez GSR Mikro was our Runner-Up

Best Bass Guitars for Kids in our Tests

Table of Contents

1. Ibanez GSR Mikro
2. Squier by Fender Mini Precision Bass
3. Gretsch G2220 Junior Jet Bass II
4. Squier by Fender Bronco Bass
5. Cordoba Mini II Acoustic Bass Guitar
6. G&L Tribute Fallout Bass
7. Ibanez TMB100 Meters

1. Ibanez GSR Mikro

The Ibanez GSR Mikro is a reduced-size version of the GSR line. It has a 28.6 short-scale, making it perfect for kids over 10 years of age. Sound-wise, it is very versatile and will let your infant explore lots of different tones.

Product Specifications

• Short-Scale Bass
• 4 Strings
• Available in 1 Color
• 1 Single-Coil Pickup and 1 Split-Coil

Advantages & Disadvantages

Pros

• Reduced 28.6 short scale with medium frets.
• 2 sets of pickups for optimal versatility and tone variations. This is great because it lets the kid explore the instrument even further.
• Comes bundled with a gig bag.
• Weighs about 6 lbs so it is fairly lightweight.
• Anatomic body shape, comfortable for playing for long periods of time and while having the bass guitar on your lap.
• Can easily be used both by adults and kids.

Cons

• None that is particularly concerning.

Conclusion

The Ibanez GSR Mikro is a versatile short-scale bass that can be used both by adults and kids over 10 years of age. For those younger than that though, we recommend a smaller bass. It also has a great value for the price considering the high quality of this instrument.

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2. Squier by Fender Mini Precision Bass

The Squier Mini Precision Bass is a reduced-scale version of the famous Precision, from Fender. This short-scale bass is perfect for younger kids, as it is lightweight and has a slim-profile neck that is comfortable even with small hands.

Product Specifications

• Short-Scale Bass
• 4 Strings
• Available in 1 Color
• 1 Split-Coil Pickup

Advantages & Disadvantages

Pros

• The Mini Precision Bass has a short-scale size.
• Lightweight.
• Durable components and hardware made out of nickel steel.
• Very affordable considering the quality offered by the product.
• Easy to set up and adjust the bridge.
• Simple and intuitive controls. There is only one knob for volume and another for tone.
• Can be used both by adults and kids.

Cons

Conclusion

A great short-scale bass guitar for an affordable price, the Squier by Fender Mini Precision Bass is minimalist. This is a positive thing for kids as there aren’t many controls or complex parameters that need to be tweaked in this instrument so the learning curve is very intuitive. We also like the fact that it is very durable.

Also Check: Short Short Scale Bass Under $500 

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3. Gretsch G2220 Junior Jet Bass II

Gretsch is a renowned brand in the music industry. The G2220 Junior Jet Bass II main design feature is, not only its short-scale but also its small body size. This bass is very comfortable to play for long hours of practice.

Product Specifications

• 4 Strings
• Available in 4 Colors
• 2 Mini-Humbucker Pickups

Advantages & Disadvantages

Pros

• The 2 mini-humbucker pickups offer a wide range of tone possibilities and can be easily tweaked and explored by the kid.
• This bass guitar has a reduced body size, which along with its short scale makes it very comfortable for kids to play.
• The body and neck are also very slim.
• The quality of the finish looks very good and durable.
• Great intonation.
• Easily stays in tune, making the task of tuning the bass guitar before every practice session easier for the kid.
• Can be played by adults too.

Cons

• No knob for tone control.

Conclusion

The Gretsch G2220 Junior Jet Bass II is an amazing choice, as it is simple to play and offers lots of tone possibilities. The quality of the components also surprised us, as well the instrument’s ability to retain its tuning, avoiding unnecessary hassles. It also has a reduced body size that is more comfortable for kids to hold and play while having the bass guitar on their lap.

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4. Squier by Fender Bronco Bass

The Bronco Bass is a classic. The bass guitar is known for its unique tone and short scale. As it is a very minimalist instrument, it is easier for kids to set it up. The body size is also relatively small when compared to other electric basses.

Product Specifications

• 4 Strings
• Available in 2 Colors
• 1 Single-Coil Pickup

Advantages & Disadvantages

Pros

• Minimalist and simple to control pickups.
• Slim and small body design.
• The neck has a slim profile, characteristic of Fender instruments, and is, along with the short scale, easier to play for people with small hands such as kids.
• The body is made out of ash wood, a durable and high-quality type of wood.
• Easy to adjust bridge saddles.
• Can be used both by adults and kids.

Cons

Conclusion

The Bronco Bass has a lot of quality and is sure to last for a very long time. Our favorite feature was the slim profile C-shaped neck, very comfortable to play for kids with small hands. It can also be played by an adult if you’d like to accompany your infant throughout his learning journey.

We like this bass guitar very much. It is hard to pick up a favorite between this one and the Mini Precision Bass. They are both very similar but with different sound and tone so the choice will be highly personal.

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5. Cordoba Mini II Acoustic Bass Guitar

The Cordoba Mini II, unlike most other options on the list, is an acoustic bass guitar. It has an even shorter scale and it is very lightweight so it’s a great choice for younger kids with small hands that can’t hold the weight of a solid body bass guitar just yet.

Product Specifications

• Acoustic-Electric Bass Guitar
• 4 Strings
• Available in 1 Color
• 1 Pickup

Advantages & Disadvantages

Pros

• This bass guitar can be both used acoustically and plugged into an amp. If you’re on a budget, this could be a great choice as your kid won’t need any other equipment to start playing.
• The scale of this bass guitar is even shorter than the traditional short-scale ones, perfect for younger kids with small hands.
• The body is made out of mahogany, a high-quality type of wood.
• Very lightweight: only 2.4 pounds.
• Nylon strings are more comfortable to play for those who aren’t used to the pressure that metal ones have.

Cons

• Not as versatile as a traditional electric bass guitar.

Conclusion

This is an excellent acoustic bass guitar. The Cordoba Mini II is small-sized and can be played without any extra equipment such as amps and effects. We recommend this model for very young kids who are just starting out with the instrument or if you want to expose your children to the instrument without spending too much.

The only con is that the Cordoba Mini II, as it is an acoustic bass guitar, is more limited when it comes to effects than a traditional electric model.

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6. G&L Tribute Fallout Bass Guitar

The G&L Tribute Fallout is a full-size bass guitar with a short scale. The body size is small enough to be comfortable for kids and has a pretty good-looking design. It is also available in 4 colors and in a left-hand option.

Product Specifications

• 4 Strings
• Available in 4 Colors
• 1 Humbucker Pickup

Advantages & Disadvantages

Pros

• The humbucker pickup in this bass guitar is less prone to noise and interference.
• The bridge saddles are easily adjustable.
• The design is simple and minimalist, without any complex controls or knobs.
• The body of the G&L Tribute Fallout is very small, more comfortable for younger kids.
• G&L is known for the quality of its instruments. Both the wood and the components in this bass guitar reflect that.

Cons

• More expensive than other options on the list.

Conclusion

While the G&L Tribute Fallout is an amazing short-scale bass guitar, it is considerably more expensive than other options on the list. It is a great choice of instrument for kids but, if you’re on a budget or your infant is a complete beginner, we recommend you go with a more affordable bass to be able to spend on extra equipment such as an amp or an IK Multimedia iRig.

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7. Ibanez TMB 4

The Ibanez TMB 4  is an affordable and very versatile bass guitar. Our favorite feature about this bass guitar is its two pickups, which offer more tone possibilities. It also has a 2-band EQ for even more versatility.

Product Specifications

• 4 Strings
• Available in 5 Colors
• 1 Single-Coil Pickup and 1 Split-Coil

Advantages & Disadvantages

Pros

• 2 Pickups: one on the bridge and one on the neck, for optimal tone versatility.
• Available in 5 colors. This is a huge pro because a lot of other models on the list have a limited range of colors.
• 2-band EQ.
• Very affordable if compared to other options on the list. By the time this article was written, it was priced at around $200.

Cons

• Not as lightweight as other bass guitars we reviewed.

Conclusion

The Ibanez TMB 4 is excellent regarding sound, tone, and build quality. Compared to the Ibanez GSR Mikro, it has a slightly larger scale so it may not be suitable for younger kids with small hands. Other than that and the body shape, the two models are pretty similar: both have two pickups for optimal versatility.

Tip: If your kid is interested in metal music, take a look at our Best Bass Guitars for Metal article. 

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Factors you Should Consider when Choosing a Bass Guitar for Kids

Size of the Scale

Short-scale basses are full-sized instruments that function as an alternative to the traditional large-scale ones. They are the most recommended for kids because they can be easily played by someone with small hands. They can also be used by adults: several bassists play them professionally due to their unique tone and easier playability.

Quality and Durability

Of course, you want an instrument that is going to be durable. Kids don’t have the same sense of carefulness that adults have so the bass guitar must be able to withstand eventual bumps. Plus, the quality of the components must be good too, so as to avoid any need for repairs in the future.

Sound and Tone

Different kids have different interests in music. Maybe your infant is more inclined towards rock music, maybe they prefer pop. Regardless, those interests tend to change frequently as they age so a versatile bass guitar is sometimes the best option, as it will let the young ones explore sound and tone more freely.

Acoustic vs Electric Bass Guitar

We included an acoustic bass guitar in our list too. Acoustic basses can be played without the need for an amp, but they are less versatile than their electric bass counterparts. We recommend this option for younger kids under the age of 10.

Bonus: Amp vs iRig

If you opt for an electric bass guitar, you will also need an amp or a device that allows you to connect the instrument to your kids’ smartphone, for example. Here are some suggestions of products:

Bass Amp

This is the most common solution. You don’t have to spend much on an amp for a beginner kid. We recommend an option that is compact and has a few extra functionalities such as an aux-in so that your infant can connect their smartphone and play to a backing track. Here are some suggestions:

JOYO MA-10B 10W Mini Bass Amp

The JOYO MA-10B is a mini bass amp with 10W that can be used both with a power adapter or batteries. It has an aux in and a headphone output and can be transported with a shoulder strap.

Features

• Aux-in.
• Headphone output.
• Can be used with a power adapter or with batteries.
• Shoulder strap buckles for transport.
• Normal/Drive dual channel.
• Easy to operate with intuitive controls.
• Weight: 1300g.

SONICAKE Guitar Bass Headphone Amp Mini

The SONICAKE Bass Headphone Amp Mini is a portable practice amp that can be connected to headphones and recharged via USB port. It is designed for both guitar and bass and has built-in FX.

Features

• Portable.
• More affordable than traditional amps.
• Built-in chorus effect.
• Can be recharged via USB port.
• Aux-in for connecting a smartphone and playing with a backing track.
• Headphone output.

IK Multimedia iRig

The IK Multimedia iRig is a device that can be connected to an iOS smartphone and used with the Amplitube app. The Amplitube app offers several amp models and effects, as well as the ability to easily record sessions, so the benefit is that your kid will be able to explore different sounds and tones more easily.

Features

• Compatible with iOS.
• Headphone output.
• Several options of amps and effects with the Amplitube app.
• Recording capabilities using the Amplitube app.

Which One is the Best?

Both solutions will work pretty well, but for beginners, our favorite is the IK Multimedia iRig. It is ot only portable and can be connected to a smartphone, but it will let your kid easily try different amps and effects on their bass guitar and even record their performances with ease.

FAQs

Conclusion

All of the bass guitars on our list proved to be of great quality. There are some key differences between the models so, in the end, the choice will very much depend on your kid’s age and their interests in music, as well as your budget. Here are our favorites from the list:

Squier Mini Precision Bass – Overall Best

With a short, 28.6 scale and high tone versatility, the Squier Mini Precision Bass was our favorite among all bass guitars on the list. By the time this article was written, it was priced at around $200, which is a fair and affordable price if we consider everything that this instrument offers. We recommend the Mini Precision Bass for kids over 10 years of age.

Ibanez GSR Mikro – Runner-Up

The Ibanez GSR Mikro was also a positive surprise. The most pleasant feature in our opinion are the two pickups: they offer a wider range of tone options and versatility if compared to some other options on the list. This will let your kid explore the sound of the instrument freely and more easily.

Cordoba Mini II Acoustic Bass Guitar – Great Option for Younger Kids

With a scale of 22 ⅞, considerably smaller than other options on the list, the Cordoba Mini II is a very lightweight acoustic bass guitar that can be played without needing an amp. Due to these features, we recommend this model for younger kids under the age of 10 with small hands who are still being introduced to the instrument.

How to Buy

You can find the link for each product on their respective titles on the list. Remember to research extensively and consider the age and the interests of your kid before making your choice. It is also a great thing too, if possible, learn the instrument together with your infant as this could be a very positive influence and activity to do together.We hope this article was helpful. If you have any questions or would like to discuss more about the subject, feel free to get in touch!