What to buy a bass player? 10 gift ideas they'll actually use

Bassists are always missing something. The strings lost their punch long ago, the strap starts digging into the shoulder after an hour, the gig bag is held together with tape and there's still room on the pedalboard for another effect. That's exactly why accessories are among the safest gifts. Strings, a strap, a tuner or a gig bag will be used by anyone who plays bass. If you want to give something bigger, go for a bass effect, a practice combo or straight away another bass. Here are ten tips in a countdown, from small joys to the biggest gift.

Old bass strings sound dull, lose their punch and make the bass disappear in the band mix, but a fresh set brings it back to life with a clear, defined tone. Warwick Red Label 42200 M are among our best-selling bass strings and they're very affordable, so a bassist will also appreciate them as a spare set for the gig bag. A classic loved in rock and funk is the Rotosound RB45, with a bright, metallic and distinctive sound. If you want the strings to last longer, go for coated Elixir NanoWeb strings, which keep their tone even with frequent playing. Before buying, just check whether the bassist has a 4-string or a 5-string bass. You'll find the whole range among our bass guitar strings.

A bass is heavier than a guitar, so a cheap, narrow strap starts digging into the shoulder after an hour of playing and the bassist still feels it a few days after the gig. The Ernie Ball Polypro is a simple, sturdy strap with hundreds of reviews that lasts for years and is easy to adjust to the right length. Bassists who play long gigs or have a heavier instrument will appreciate a wider, padded strap that spreads the weight of the bass over a larger area and gives their shoulders a break. You'll find models like these, from leather to fabric, among our guitar straps.

On a dark stage a clip-on tuner is hard to read, which is why bassists who play live prefer a pedal tuner. The Revoltage Minitune has a clear display that's easy to read even in low light and mutes the signal while tuning, so the bassist can tune up between songs without the audience hearing it. It fits on any pedalboard and instantly becomes the first pedal in the chain. You'll find other types, including clip-on tuners, among our tuners.

Every rehearsal room and every club sounds different, and the bass sometimes gets lost in the mix, while other times it booms unpleasantly and covers the kick drum. The Revoltage Zen Bass EQ helps the bassist boost the frequencies they want to hear and cut the ones that get in the way, so they're clearly audible without covering the rest of the band. It's a small pedal with a big impact on the sound of the whole band, and the bassist will use it at rehearsals, at gigs and when recording.

A slightly distorted bass sounds massive in rock and punk, gives the band energy and helps the bass cut through even next to loud guitars. The Behringer BOD 400 is an affordable bass overdrive that lets the bassist find out whether they enjoy this sound, and thanks to its low price it's a gift with zero risk. If the bassist plays heavier styles and wants a thicker sound, go for the Joyo R-28 Double Thruster, which offers more tweaking options. You'll find other types among our bass guitar effects.

A bass has to be carried to rehearsals on the tram, in the boot of a car and on the back across half the city, so a good gig bag is a necessity, not a luxury. The padded PSD-BSB-100 gig bag protects the instrument from knocks and has pockets for cables, a tuner and sheet music, so the bassist can take everything they need in one go. Thanks to its straps it can be carried like a backpack, leaving the bassist's hands free for the rest of their gear. If the bassist has a more expensive instrument or travels often, take a look at sturdier bass guitar bags and cases.

An unplugged bass is barely audible, so practising at home without a combo is hard and the bassist can't hear how their playing really sounds. The Revoltage RV-20B is our best-selling bass combo for home use, and the bassist can also play a recording through it and practise along with songs by their favourite bands. The really small and cheaper option is the Joyo MA-10B, which even fits on a shelf. The more powerful Revoltage RV-40B can also handle smaller rehearsals. You'll find more among our bass combos.

A bassist who wants to try chorus, octaver, distortion or compression doesn't have to buy ten separate pedals straight away and deal with the cables between them. The Zoom B1X Four packs amps and effects into one unit and adds an expression pedal, so the bassist can control wah or volume with their foot. It also includes drum rhythms for practice and a tuner, so it'll be used at home as well as at gigs. It's the ideal gift for anyone who loves discovering new sounds.

Bass notes travel through walls all the way to the neighbours, which is why a bassist who practises in a flat or late in the evening will love playing through headphones. The Boss Katana GO plugs straight into the bass and plays into headphones, so the bassist hears a full sound without disturbing anyone. It has a mode for bass as well as for guitar, so it's also great for anyone who plays both instruments, and the bassist can shape the sound to their taste through a phone app. Its small size is handy when travelling, too.

Every bassist knows they could use one more bass, whether as a backup for gigs, for a different tuning or simply for a different sound. With this gift, however, be careful, because every bassist has their favourite type of instrument. Some swear by the classic Precision Bass, others by the Jazz Bass or modern basses with active electronics, and some play a 5-string bass or a short-scale model. The weight and neck shape also matter, and the bassist only gets to know them once they hold the instrument in their hands. So only buy a bass if you're confident enough to surprise them and you know what they play. You'll find inspiration among our electric bass guitars and acoustic bass guitars. If you're not sure, a gift voucher or advice from our customer service is the safer choice.

For a bassist who has everything, buy something that expands their sound or their practice options. A good choice is the Zoom B1X Four multi-effect, the Boss Katana GO headphone amp or premium Elixir NanoWeb strings that last longer. If you're not sure, a gift voucher is a safe choice.

For under £20 you can buy a bassist things that wear out or get lost: a set of Warwick Red Label or Rotosound RB45 strings, an Ernie Ball Polypro strap or a clip-on Revoltage CLT-4 tuner, which also works on bass. The safest tip is strings, just check the number of strings.

For under £45 you can choose from effects, gig bags and small combos. A good choice is the Behringer BOD 400 overdrive, the Revoltage Zen Bass EQ, the padded PSD-BSB-100 gig bag or the Joyo MA-10B mini combo for practising at home.

First find out whether the bassist has a 4-string or a 5-string bass and what gauge they use, for example by taking a discreet look into their gig bag. The most common set is 45–105, such as D'Addario EXL160 or Warwick Red Label. If you want them to last longer, choose coated Elixir NanoWeb strings.

The most common first bass effect is an overdrive, which gives the bass power in rock, such as the Behringer BOD 400 or the Joyo R-28. An EQ is also useful, as it lets the bassist fine-tune their sound in any room. If you're not sure, choose the Zoom B1X Four multi-effect or have a look at other bass guitar effects.