There are certain bass guitar accessories (and guitar accessories) every player should have available to them. We’re not just talking about spare strings and extra picks here.
All of these items are a vital part of a prepared bassist’s toolkit, and they can save your life in the heat of the moment. Because as we all know, things happen when you least expect them to — so you want to be as prepared as possible.
These are some of the most important, must-have bass guitar accessories.
Best pedal tuner: TC Electronic Polytune 3
You gotta stay in tune! Tuning technology has come a long way, and these days there are a variety of options to suit your setup.
Pedal tuners are amazing, as they have a number of functions like down-tuning and strobe tuning (accurate!), and LEDs for dark stage atmospheres. They can also provide a quick way to mute your signal.
As far as bass guitar accessories go, this should be at the top of every list.
Best clip-on tuner: Snark ST-2
If you don’t want to have anything on the floor you can always go with a clip-on tuner. They usually provide the same amount of tuning options as pedal tuners, but clip on to the headstock and gauge vibration.
This means they don’t sit in line of your output signal, and also free up space on your pedalboard. They’re ergonomic, easy, and also provide options for tunings other than 440Hz standard making them useful for any application.
Best standard tuner: Korg TM-60
The third, and least convenient, option is to use a regular chromatic tuner. Their accuracy is not in question, and some even come with a metronome for practicing.
But if you need to tune up or alter tunings during the set quickly they can be a cumbersome, implausible, and difficult to see. And if you’re looking for an innovative metronome, check out our review of the Soundbrenner Pulse.
Best tech kit: Dunlop GrooveTech Bass Player Tech Kit
Bass guitars are machines that occasionally need to be “tuned up”, and I’m not referring to pitch. There will come a time when you need to make adjustments, whether it’s to the action, neck relief, intonation, or something else.
Tech kits come with everything you’ll need to make sure your basses are set up and ready to go for every show and recording session. They include Allen wrenches (hex keys), multi-screwdrivers, gauges, rulers, a string cutter, and a convenient carry pouch.
And most, if not all, also include a setup guide to help you out with information if you need it.
Best D.I. and preamp pedal: Electro-Harmonix Bass Battalion
This is one of the most useful bass guitar accessories, and every bassist should have a solid D.I./preamp pedal so they don’t have to rely on whatever gear the house has to offer.
Some D.I.s come with overdrive, which can add harmonics and saturation to your sound on certain passages or help it cut above the mix overall. Many of them also offer EQ and compression as well.
You can use them in conjunction with an amp and blend the sounds so that you get the weight and punch of the amplifier with the midrange of going direct. Or you can use the direct signal into an amp modeler to get your ideal sound.
Best cleaning kit: Dunlop System 65 Guitar Maintenance Kit
Cleaning products might not be glamorous, but they are an inexpensive and worthwhile investment for keeping your instrument looking good.
At the very least you’ll want to have string (for extending string life), body, and fretboard cleaner (reduces decay and gunk buildup), a few polishing cloths, and a fret cleaning cloth. Some also include body wax.
With this combination you can keep your axe shining from headstock to bridge whether on the stage or in the studio.
Best hardshell case: Road Runner RRMBG ABS Molded Bass Guitar Case
A guitar is an investment, and just like any other investment you want to ensure you do everything you can to protect it.
Gig bags are better than nothing, but. there is no substitute for a hardshell case. It will keep your bass safe in transport and provides compartments for storing things like cables, strings, picks, and bass guitar effects pedals.
Best straplocks: Ernie Ball Super Locks
Aside from a good case, there might not be any better piece of gear that will protect your bass guitar than straplocks. After all, one of the worst feelings in the world is when your strap comes loose and your bass drops to the floor.
There are many design types of strap locks. Super Locks are installed by attaching them directly to the strap and use a locking mechanism that attaches to two pieces that replace the strap buttons on the guitar body.
A quick release design makes it easy to swap instruments, and positive locking pins keep the strap securely fastened to the instrument without fear of accidental unlocking.
Best strap: Fender Swell Neoprene Strap
A good strap is another essential that might not be sexy but is a necessity. There are many different kinds of straps and materials that compose them like nylon, neoprene, and leather.
Some even come with pickholders so you don’t have to keep them on the amp on a mic stand. There are also weight-relieving straps that help take some of the burden off of the back and shoulders during long playing sessions.
Fender’s swell is made of a comfortable neoprene that reduces strain and fatigue during long playing sessions. Heat relief mesh keeps you cool, and reinforced end tabs support heavy instruments – perfect for bass guitars.
Best stand: Ultimate Support GS-200+
A good stand is useful for a number of reasons. You can keep your backup bass on it so you can swap out quickly so you won’t have to keep it in your case or even worse – lean it against your amplifier.
The GS-200+ is height adjustable, has locking legs, and a security strap to keep your bass safe.
Best earplugs: Vibes High Fidelity Earplugs
It should absolutely go without saying that you want to take every precaution possible to protect your hearing. Bass players are often located in close proximity to the drums, with the cymbals normally right around ear level.
Anything is better than nothing, and the standard foam earplugs are certainly capable. But it’s a great investment to spend some money on custom molded earplugs designed for the live musician.
These will attenuate the SPL without too much of the occlusion effect, and also have a much better overall frequency balance. A good set of earplugs are especially important for players who sing, as they will allow you to monitor a more balanced overall frequency response.
It’s a worthwhile investment for playing live shows, recording sessions, and attending concerts.
FAQ
What’s the difference between a hard case and a gig bag?
A hard case provides better protection than a gig bag. They have compartments for storing accessories, and internal padding to protect the instrument. Gig bags are more lightweight and have storage pockets but don’t offer as much security.
What accessories does every bassist need?
A good tuner, extra strings and picks, a comfortable strap, hardshell case, and tech kit for repairs are all useful accessories. Ideally all bass players should have a cleaning kit and good DI/preamp too.
What do I need for a bass setup?
A tech kit has everything you need to set up a bass (except strings). Items include a hex wrench to adjust the truss rod/action, screwdrivers for setting the height of the saddles and intonating, and wire cutters for changing strings as well as other useful items like a string winder.
