Choosing a gift for a musician at any time of year can feel like a total nightmare, and nobody wants to get it wrong, but there's extra pressure at the most festive time of year. Luckily for you, our team of low-end lovers has put together this guide to the very best Christmas gifts for bass players to help ease the stress. This guide is packed full of affordable bass guitars, must-have pedals, state-of-the-art amps, and truly useful accessories that will go down a storm.
The bass player doesn't get as much love as the vocalists, guitarists, and drummers of this world, yet they're a crucial component of a band setup. Just like an onion, you probably wouldn't want one on its own, but you'd certainly miss it if it wasn't part of the final dish.
So, if you know a bassist who's underappreciated, then any of the gifts on this list are sure to bring a smile to their face this Christmas. We've accounted for most budgets, too, so if you're after a stocking filler or something as their main present, then you're well covered here.
If you're looking to make some savings, it could pay off to hold out for this year's Black Friday guitar deals.
Best Christmas gifts for bass players: Editor's picks
All of the products in this list will make a great gift for the bassist in your life this Christmas, but if you want to know what we'd pick, here are some of our absolute favorites. We've accounted for a range of budgets here, and there's something to suit every kind of bass player.
The Vox amPlug 2 bass headphone amp hits so many gifting criteria it's a bit of a no-brainer if the bassist in your life doesn't already have one. It's compact yet delivers a great sound, meaning bassists can take it on their travels and practice silently anywhere. A fantastic option this Christmas.
This small yet powerful pedal is one of those that will suit the vast majority of bassists. Offering an instant tone improvement the MXR Dyna Comp Bass Compressor is also absolutely tiny, so it will fit on pretty much any bassists pedalboard. Great as a stocking filler too.
Whether you've got a beginner bassist who needs a quality instrument, or a seasoned pro who always needs more guitars, the Squier Classic Vibe '60s Jazz Bass will make a fantastic addition to their collection. Well built with a powerful pair of pickups, this one will be a surefire hit this Christmas.
If you're looking for a low-cost gift option that will make a big difference this Christmas, the Ernie Ball Fretwrap by Gruv Gear is the gift they never knew they needed. It wraps over the strings to prevent extraneous noise when recording, as well as offering a cleaner sound for slap bass. Super useful yet cheap.
If your special someone has been really good this year and you want to treat them, the Boss GT-1B is the way to go. This powerful multi-effects pedal gives them loads of amp models and effects to get stuck into, as well as acting as an all-in-one recording rig via USB.
If you've forgotten about the bassist in your life - and this happens a lot - then a Fender Play subscription makes a great last-minute gift. It's got loads of lessons aimed purely at bassists, all taught by professional musicians.
Best Christmas gifts for bass players: Under £20/$20
Whilst a lot of bass guitarists use their fingers to pluck the strings, there are many instances where a pick is much better suited to the task. A pick offers a different tonality to the bass guitar and can open up different playing styles for the bass guitarist in your life. The Dunlop 513P140 Primetone is nice and firm, so it will cope with the thick gauge of a bass string. Even if your loved one already uses a pick they're easily lost, and us bass guitarists are always grateful for more accessories.
It may look small and unassuming, but the Ernie Ball Fretwrap by Gruv Gear can make a huge difference to a bass guitar player's sound. Acting as a damper, it sits on the neck of the guitar and prevents any unwanted string noise. For bass players, this tool can really clean up those tapped sections, slap bass parts, or just make for a better sound during live shows or recordings.
We've picked the small size for this guide as it will fit the majority of 4-string bass guitars, but do check and see what your bass player has to make sure you get the right size for them.
Bass guitarists have a bit of a reputation for never changing their strings, and whilst bass strings tend to last longer than their electric or acoustic brethren, there's definitely a benefit from slapping on a fresh set. Ernie Ball's Super Slinky Bass strings will make a perfect stocking filler this Christmas, giving the bassist in your life a fresh tone.
We've picked out the most popular gauge for standard 4-string bass guitars here, but there are loads of different gauges to choose from, as well as options for 5 and 6-string bass guitars.
Best Christmas gifts for bass players: Under $50/£50
In order to keep their bass guitar at its best, it's crucial they routinely clean and care for it. This involves polishing the body as well as cleaning and conditioning the fingerboard. It may not be the most glamorous job, but we all have to do it.
The Dunlop 6500 System 65 Guitar Maintenance Kit includes everything they need to keep their bass gleaming, including No. 65 Polish and Cleaner, Bodygloss Cream of Carnauba, Ultraglide String Conditioner, Fingerboard Cleaner and Prep, Deep Conditioner Oil, and two 100% cotton cloths.
If the bassist in your life has a million bass guitars, amps, and pedals, the Fender Jack Rack might just be the gift idea you've been looking for. It's made out of actual Fender amp grill cloth and has an amplifier input for the ultimate in realism, as well as keychains made from genuine guitar input jacks. It comes with a wall mounting kit too, so will be good to go the moment they open it.
If the bassist in your life lives and breathes the instrument, then Geddy Lee's Big Beautiful Book of Bass will go down a treat this Christmas. Packed full of incredible imagery and contributions from legendary bass players, it tells the story of his playing career with Rush, by way of all the bass guitars he played. With 400 pages, it's a celebration of all things bass guitar.
Flatwounds differ from regular bass guitar in strings due to their construction, which gives a much smoother, warmer bass tone. The playing feel is totally different too, which can open up a whole new world of sonic territory for the bass guitarist in your life.
A set of La Bella 760FS Deep Talkin’ Bass will also go down a storm as they're relatively expensive compared to other bass guitar strings, so if your bassist has been holding back from getting a set they're going to be seriously impressed come Christmas day.
Okay, so you may love your bass playing family member, but that doesn't mean you love hearing them hone their pop and slap technique with yet another rendition of Around The World for the 100th time this week. Well, the Vox amPlug 2 Bass may be the ideal gift for them and you.
This handy little headphone amp will allow them to plug their favorite set of headphones directly into their bass for silent practice, and will also give them the opportunity to play along with a range of rhythms.
Best Christmas gifts for bass players: Under $100/£100
This isn't the most exciting gift in the world, but it is one they will most definitely appreciate. A good quality guitar stand is a must-have item to allow them to display their awesome bass guitar without fear of it taking a tumble.
The Hercules GS412B Plus guitar stand features an Auto Grip System, which locks your guitar in place, meaning it's extra secure while also being height-adjustable to ensure it fits the elongated neck of any bass guitar.
Taking your beloved bass out and about to gigs, rehearsals, or even a mate's house can be a little daunting - there is always a risk it takes a knock or fall. A high-quality gigbag can help keep their bass safe and put their mind at ease.
With 20mm padding and gentle microfiber lining, this is the most comfortable place their bass guitar has ever been, and with multiple storage pockets, they have plenty of room to store all their essential accessories such as a guitar tuner, cables and music books.
A good tuner pedal should be the first port of call for any bass player, whether they're a beginner or they've already been playing a few years. The Boss TU-3 is one of the most popular tuner pedals ever made, and you'll find it on many a pro bassists pedalboard thanks to its excellent accuracy and rugged build quality.
If the bassist in your life doesn't have one of these, it will definitely be a welcome gift this Christmas. Your ears will thank you too, as you won't have to listen to another out of tune rendition of Seven Nation Army.
Best Christmas gifts for bass players: Under $150/£150
A compressor pedal is a bassist's best friend when it comes to stompboxes. The humble compressor isn't a fancy effect, but it has a huge impact on tone, taming the dynamics of the bass for a more focused and tighter sound. All the pros use one, and compression is an effect found throughout music as a whole.
The MXR M282 Dyna Comp Bass Compressor will allow you to give the gift of great tone in a compact package. It doesn't take up much pedalboard space, making it great for bassists who already have a lot of effects. There are plenty of options to tweak their tone too, so they'll get loads of use out of it well beyond Christmas day.
One of the most flexible overdrive pedals you can buy for a bass guitar player, the Electro-Harmonix Deluxe Bass Big Muff will give them loads of options for distorted sounds. It's an incredible flexible pedal specifically designed for bass guitar, so has lots of handy features like a built-in noise gate, wet/dry blend control, and a low pass filter.
Distortion pedals can tend to have a signature sound but the EHX Deluxe Bass Big Muff is one of the most flexible out there, so it's sure to give the bass player in your life something to smile about this Christmas.
Best Christmas gifts for bass players: Under $250/£250
When it comes to classic bass sounds, the iconic sound of an envelope filter has to be at the top of the list. Used by bass pioneers such as Bootsy Collins, Flea, and many more, this dynamic effect is sure to bring the funk.
The MXR M82 is the perfect pedal for those wanting to dip their toes into the world of envelope filters. With a range of user-friendly controls, it is intuitive, well built and sounds fantastic.
When it comes to effect pedals, it can be difficult to know where to start, and with many single pedals costing around the $100 mark, it gets pretty expensive pretty quickly to try out a bunch of different stomp boxes. That's where the multi-effects pedal comes in.
This high-tech box will give them access to almost every bass effect under the sun and at an affordable price - and as it's made by Boss, it is practically bomb-proof. Great for beginners or advanced players, new effects are always a welcome addition to the bass player's arsenal.
This Squier Affinity Bass looks just as good as it sounds, with its stylishly wonky offset body and high output humbucking pickup. The 32" medium-scale length is a little shorter than a standard bass, giving the Jag a slinkier feel - making it one of the best bass guitars for beginners.
Coming in three fabulous finishes - Charcoal Frost Metallic, Lake Placid Blue, and black - you'll be sure to find one that suits the demands of the bass player in your life.
Best Christmas gifts for bass players: $250/£250+
As bass guitar players, we are always seeking new sounds and tones - that's how we can justify having so many instruments - but what do you buy the bass devotee who has one of everything? An acoustic bass is a good place to start, and an affordable option is the Ibanez AEB5E.
This sleek and highly playable bass sounds incredible and will add something a little different to their collection. Acoustic basses offer a fresh sound on recordings and are great for accompaniment on open mic nights and acoustic sessions.
The Squier Classic Vibe '60s Jazz Bass is based on one of the most popular bass guitar designs ever made, so it's sure to be a hit this Christmas. Despite the relatively low cost of this bass, it hits the mark in terms of build quality, feeling solidly put together throughout.
It's got that signature warm and vibrant Jazz Bass tone too, thanks to the Fender-designed pickups. The neck features a slim 'C' profile, which is a nice middle ground that will suit the vast majority of bass players.
Read the full Squier Classic Vibe '60s Jazz Bass review
If they've been really good this year and deserve a treat, then the Orange Little Bass Thing will be a well-received gift this Christmas. Despite its small size this thing packs a punch, just be aware you'll need a bass cabinet to go with it if your bassist doesn't already have one.
It's geared towards rock music but is still plenty versatile enough to produce a range of tones. The low end absolutely thumps too when you crank it. It's got a built-in optical compressor and the small size means it's easy to take to rehearsals and live shows.
Best Christmas gifts for bass players: Last minute ideas and subscriptions
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