Acoustic Bass

Acoustic Bass Guitars for Sale

While less common than traditional electric bass guitars or acoustic upright basses, acoustic bass guitars offer a unique middle ground between the two. These instruments are a great tool for a variety of players, including electric bassists who want a warmer acoustic tone without having to learn the positioning and fretless technique of an upright. They’re also perfect for upright players who want a more portable option that fits naturally into an “unplugged”-style rock show or folky coffee-shop setting

At Music & Arts, we offer acoustic and acoustic-electric bass guitars for sale for players at every level of skill and experience. You’ll find reliable options from trusted brands known for comfort, tone and craftsmanship.

How to Choose an Acoustic Bass Guitar

There are a few factors to consider when picking out an acoustic bass guitar, tailoring the instrument to your playing style and physicality. Here are some categories to focus on:

• Body Shape & Acoustic Design: The actual body shape can impact resonance, low-end response, even your own comfort level. For example, there’s a massive difference in size and projection between a larger, jumbo-style body and a more compact concert shape.
• Cutaway: A cutaway is a common design feature on acoustic (and acoustic-electric) guitars and basses. As the name suggests, it removes part of the upper bout of the body, giving the player easier access to the higher frets. While some players argue that a cutaway impacts the instrument’s tone, it’s generally understood that a cutaway does not noticeably alter the sound.
• Scale Length: Scale length — the distance between the nut and bridge — informs string tension, fret spacing and, as a result, the instrument’s overall feel and playability. While standard-scale (34”) models are typically louder with more low end, some players prefer the easier playability of short-scale models (30-32”).
• Fretted vs. Fretless: Bassists, just like guitarists, can pick between fretted and fretless instruments. Fretted acoustic bass guitars are the standard for most players, experience levels and genres — everything from punk to country. If you’re a beginner, you’ll want to start with a fretted acoustic bass guitar, which helps you deliver clear, accurate notes. More experienced or ambitious players should also try out fretless acoustic basses, which unlock the signature sliding tones, beautiful tonal warmth and expressive feel that relate to the acoustic upright bass.
• Tonewoods: Beginners shouldn’t worry too much about wood choice. At the end of the day, it’s about buying an acoustic bass guitar that sounds good to your ear and inspires you to play. But the type of material is worth considering, especially for intermediate and advanced players, given that wood choice can impact tone, resonance and projection.
  
  For example, spruce is prized for its brightness and clarity, while cedar sounds darker and more mellow. Mahogany, meanwhile, leans warm and deep with terrific midrange. Fingerboard materials can also impact an instrument’s feel and sound, especially on a fretless bass. In general, rosewood and pau ferro will sound darker and warmer, whereas ebony will have a slightly brighter, snappier sound and a sharper attack.
• Acoustic vs. Acoustic-Electric: The vast majority of acoustic bass guitars for sale at Music & Arts are acoustic-electric models. These feature onboard pickups, EQ and often built-in tuners, allowing you to amplify your bass, balance its sound and compete with louder instruments like drums. Since the natural acoustic resonance and projection of an acoustic bass guitar aren’t especially strong, an acoustic-electric model is highly recommended.

Shop Acoustic Bass Guitars at Music & Arts

At Music & Arts, we offer acoustic and acoustic-electric bass guitars for sale from leading brands like Fender, Ibanez, Martin, Taylor, Dean and Gold Tone. Shop online for fast, secure shipping, or visit your local store to try out models in person. Our team can help you find the perfect acoustic bass for your tone, style, experience level and performance needs.

Acoustic Bass Guitar Buying FAQs

Is an acoustic bass guitar good for beginners?

Yes, but there are nuances to consider. Most bass lines feature one note (and string) at a time, often prioritizing the root notes of each chord. Given that focus, many musicians find the bass much easier to play than its six-string sibling, especially in the earliest days of exploring the instrument. The bass is an ideal platform for learning harmony, rhythm, song form and dynamics.

That said, the physical construction of the acoustic bass guitar, particularly larger-bodied models, can often be more challenging for newcomers and players with smaller hands. Many acoustic bass guitars are also set up with higher “action” (the distance between the strings and fingerboard), which can be more challenging to play. For these reasons and because of its essential role in modern music, the electric bass guitar is a far more popular instrument among beginners.

What are the main differences between an acoustic guitar, an acoustic bass guitar and an electric bass?

The acoustic bass guitar is built in the style of an acoustic guitar, with a hollow body and a sound hole, but typically has a longer neck and four strings that are tuned an octave lower than the equivalent strings on a standard guitar. As with a six-string acoustic guitar, its sound is produced and projected via the instrument’s sound hole (and amplified through a pickup in the case of an acoustic-electric instrument). Electric basses feature pickups and are typically solid-bodied, like a standard six-string electric guitar — though semi-hollow and hollowbody models also exist. The electric bass plays an essential role in rock, pop, funk, reggae and other contemporary styles.

Do you need an amp for an acoustic bass guitar?

The short answer is yes. Most of the acoustic bass guitars manufactured today are acoustic-electric bass guitars with built-in preamps. For intimate practice where projection isn’t a concern, you might not need to plug your bass in. But for most public performances and band rehearsals, you will need amplification.

For performance-worthy volume and resonance, plug your acoustic-electric bass guitar into either a bass amplifier or a PA system. When opting for a PA, we recommend a DI box (Direct Injection/Input), which allows you to send a clean, balanced signal to the mixing board over a long run of cable. (If your instrument has a piezo pickup, make sure your DI box is “active.”) If needed, add an acoustic preamp pedal to further control feedback and EQ.

What accessories do I need when purchasing an acoustic bass guitar?

Setting and style also play a role here. A good foundation is a case or gig bag, a strap, a tuner and some picks. (If you prefer to play with your fingers, you won’t need the latter.) Depending on your preference for the instrument’s factory strings, you may also want to swap those out for some that better suit your sound and playing. With an acoustic-electric bass, you can consider additional options for tone-shaping with effects pedals or multi-effects processors.

Does Music & Arts offer financing or payment plans for acoustic bass guitars?

Yes! Music & Arts offers flexible financing options, so you can start playing today and pay on a timeline that fits your life and budget. For more details, visit our Financing page.

Does Music & Arts offer bass guitar lessons?

Yes! Whether you’re a complete beginner or looking to sharpen your skills, Music & Arts has the perfect bass teacher ready to guide you. As the nation’s #1 lessons program with 250 locations, we make it easy to find bass lessons near you. Get started today on our Lessons page.