close

My StudyBass

Recommendations: Required

Every budding bassist needs to own a metronome, a tuner, a strap, a guitar stand and a music stand. Here are ones I'd suggest you consider...

Any Amazon links help support StudyBass with a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Seiko/Tempus Metronome

In addition to the free StudyBass Online Metronome, the Seiko SQM metronomes are my favorite to recommend. (Tempus is an identical vintage brand to search for.) The older vintage ones are better quality than the newer ones. It's all you need. It's simple, has a good "click" tone, and it's one of the few that hasn't broken on one of my students. I like the dial rather than a push button since you can instantly turn it to any tempo. Get a metronome and use it! Wear out those 9V batteries!
Visit website open_in_new

Boss TU-3 Tuner

Some tuners come as foot pedals (a.k.a. stomp-boxes). These are especially useful for when you play live. The Boss TU-3 is an excellent chromatic tuner in pedal form.
View on Amazon open_in_new

Planet Waves Mini Headstock Tuner

A chromatic tuner can detect any of the 12 notes. Chromatic tuners are good for practicing your fretless bass intonation and for non-standard tunings. I wouldn't get anything but a chromatic tuner. This is a good, inexpensive chromatic tuner, and it hides on the back of your headstock. I've tried a lot of these clip-on tuners, and this one responds the best and is easiest to use.
View on Amazon open_in_new

Neotech Bass Strap

You should use a strap to support your bass at all times. Get a good, comfortable one like this one. The width of the strap makes a big difference. Get as wide of a strap as you can find. This one may run a bit long if you're shorter.
View on Amazon open_in_new

Music Stand

A good music stand will make practice a lot easier. This Manhasset music stand is the classic one found in band rooms, rehearsal halls and stages everywhere. It is sturdy enough to hold heavy books and isn't easily tipped over. It is not foldable and portable though.
View on Amazon open_in_new

Budget Music Stand

This is a decent music stand for less. This one won't hold heavy books, but any stand is better than no stand.
View on Amazon open_in_new

Hercules Guitar Stand

As I mention in the practice articles, you want to have a lot of access to your instrument so that you practice more often.
View on Amazon open_in_new

Guitar Wall Hanger

If you don't have a lot of floor space for a guitar stand, hang your bass up on the wall. Make sure you use sturdy wall anchors or screw it into a stud. And, speaking from experience, don't hang it too high on the wall in case it comes crashing down.
View on Amazon open_in_new

Budget Bass Strap

This bass strap runs a little cheaper. Again, go for width and padding. You don't need any distractions while you play, and you certainly don't need any excuses to put down your bass.
View on Amazon open_in_new

Ear Plugs

Please, please, please protect your hearing. You can't get it back, and you can't play well without it. Wear these anywhere there is noise—even a loud restaurant. You can use foam ear plugs, but they aren't tuned for music like these are. Of course, use foam if that's all that's available.
View on Amazon open_in_new

Spectraflex Instrument Cable

If you can afford it, get a good quality cable. These Spectraflex cable last a long time, sound good, and have a lifetime warranty. I know I've had one of these for over 2 decades without problem. Cheap ones have problems in 6 to 12 months. Get a cheap cable for a backup. Don't go crazy with the length. Shorter cables sound better having less noise. A 10-foot cable should be just right; 20 feet should be the maximum.
View on Amazon open_in_new

Budget Instrument Cable

This is a good quality cable with a lifetime warranty at a more affordable price. It's always good to have two cables on hand—they're the most likely equipment to break.
View on Amazon open_in_new