5 Christmas Gift Ideas for Bass Players (Updated)
“What do you want for Christmas? Any ideas?”
We’ve all been asked this question by our parents, our spouse, or the Santa Claus at our local mall. As a bass player this is a great opportunity to score some gear in your stocking.
Is your guitar strap on the verge of snapping in half? How about those old strings you’ve had on your bass for the past two years?
If you need some help compiling your Christmas list this season, you’ve come to the right place. Here are five gifts all bass players should have on their Christmas lists.
5 Christmas Gift Ideas for Bass Players
- Tuner
- Strings
- Cleaning Solution
- Instructional Material
- Strap/Strap Locks
1. Tuner
Intonation is crucial for any musician, so why the heck would you venture off to your next gig without one of these bad boys? Tuners come in all different shapes and sizes. Honestly, it’s not a bad idea to have more than one. I’ve used several throughout the years, but my favorite cost-efficient tuner is the Son of Snark Mini Tuner. Incredibly cheap, incredibly accurate.
2. Strings
I’m going to confess… I haven’t changed my strings in over a year. Given I don’t play professionally I’m probably okay for now, but I always put strings on my Christmas list since I never think to go out and buy them myself. It’s also great to have an extra set handy even if your current strings are in great shape, just in case you break a string. My personal favorite strings are Dunlop Marcus Miller Super Brights.
3. Cleaning Solution
If you’re OCD like me, you like to keep your personal possessions in tip-top shape. Cleaning tools are great stocking stuffers, and I use Gibson’s Pump Polish for the body of my bass as well as fretboard cleaner (along with a polishing cloth for both solutions).
4. Instructional Material
Need to be inspired? Victor Wooten’s Groove Workshop DVD will blow your mind. His musical outlook is unlike any other, and his teachings have critically impacted my playing. Trust me- this is a must-have for any bass player’s library!
There are a ton of awesome bass-related books out there as well, including Ariane Cap’s Music Theory for the Bass Player, Ryan Madora’s Bass Players To Know and Geddy Lee’s Big Beautiful Book of Bass. These are great resources for learning more about music theory, the history of well-known players, and the instrument itself.
5. Strap/Strap Locks
OUCH. Just watching that makes me sick to my stomach, which is why you need a good set of strap locks along with your strap. Levy’s, Fender and Gibson all have solid straps, and Dunlop and Ernie Ball both have great selections of strap locks.
With this arsenal of gear you’ll sound great, look great, and have confidence to tackle your musical adventures next year. Merry Christmas!
