Must-have Accessories for Bass Guitar

Whether you want to add new flavor to your bass tone, need supplies to care for your instrument, or need a few extra accessories, Sweetwater’s got you covered with our expert-approved list of must-have accessories for bass guitar. This list brings together the best equipment for beginners and pros alike, outfitting bassists of all stripes for excellent rehearsals, gigs, and recording applications. You may even find an accessory here you never thought about before — strap locks and bass mutes, anyone? So, take a read through Sweetwater’s picks of must-have bass accessories and outfit your bass guitar for the better!

Note: At Sweetwater, we know there’s no such thing as “best” when it comes to music gear. Every player and artist has unique tastes, which is what makes selecting gear so fun! The items on this list feature some of our favorite products from top manufacturers to help you start your buying journey! Explore these recommendations and dive into Sweetwater’s massive collection of gear on our online store. For personalized picks and expert advice, please contact our knowledgeable Sweetwater Sales Engineers at (800) 222-4700!

Bass AmpsBass PedalsBass TunersBass BridgesBass Gig BagsBass PicksBass MutesBass Strap LocksBass Polishing ClothsComfortable Bass StrapsBass Maintenance Kits

Bass Amps

Ampeg Rocket Bass RB-210 2×10-inch 500-watt Bass Combo Amp

Vintage ’60s appearance, modern performance and sound

Ampeg has become a household name for bassists, and the Ampeg Rocket Bass RB-210 2×10-inch 500-watt bass combo amp proves why. With renowned Ampeg punch and growl at your back plus the Ampeg Legend preamp with 3-band EQ and SGT (Super Grit Technology) overdrive, you’re set to leave a lasting impression at any gig. Another secret to the RB-210’s sound are the two 10-inch Eminence speakers that make any bass sound monumental. It makes no difference whether you roll with hot-wound humbuckers or passive single-coils; the RB-210’s 0dB and -15dB instrument inputs take well to both! Last, an effects loop gives you further sonic options in your signal chain once you add your favorite pedals.

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Orange Crush Bass 50 1×12-inch 50-watt Bass Combo Amp

Orange tone never misses

Crush your practice sessions with the Orange Crush Bass 50 1×12-inch 50-watt bass combo amp. This 50-watt solid-state combo amp doles out the goods, thanks to a powerful 12-inch speaker and features carried down from Orange’s OB1 and 4 Stroke amps. Plus, a ported cabinet allows the bass frequencies to resonate freely for better low-end sound quality. It’s easy to shape your tone with included features such as the parametric mid control and active 3-band EQ. Also, you don’t have to sacrifice tone while practicing in quiet environments, thanks to a CabSim headphone output for silent practice.

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BOSS Katana-210 Bass 2×10-inch 300-watt Combo Amp

Tons of sonic options

A BOSS Katana amp is a must-have at least once in your musical life, and the BOSS Katana-210 Bass 2×10-inch 300-watt combo amp is a great contender. Packed with a comprehensive 4-band EQ, three selectable amp voicings, a vast range of built-in effects, a studio-inspired blend section, and more, the Katana-210 is an amp that demolishes boredom. Even in quieter situations, you can take this amp down to 1-watt operation via the Power Control without compromising your tone. The best part? You can connect this combo to the BOSS Tone Studio editor, and your sonic possibilities open to the stratosphere!

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Gallien-Krueger MB110 1×10-inch 100-watt Bass Combo Amp

Outstanding amp experience at rehearsals and gigs

Prepare for an outstanding practice experience when you plug in the Gallien-Krueger MB110 1×10-inch 100-watt bass combo amp. Built with ultra-efficient digital power plants, the MB110 doles out mesmerizing low-end sonics with ease and offers its user a 4-band active EQ to set their desired sound. The MB110 can also connect to an MBP-powered enclosure through its Chain Output to bolster its sound for gigs at larger venues. Last, its light weight makes it an excellent companion on the road. Want more practice options? Plug in an MP3 player via the aux in and jam along to your favorite tracks!

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Hartke HD500 2×10-inch 500-watt Bass Combo Amp

An immersive trademark zing

The Hartke HD500 2×10-inch 500-watt bass combo amp packs an impressive 500 watts of Class D amplification and a pair of 10-inch HyDrive speakers to dole out the goods. A 3-band EQ sets you up to sculpt your sound while a Shape EQ knob with variable filter offers even more control. The HD500 provides bassists with a headphone output for silent practice, and an aux input lets you groove along to your favorite songs. The secret to the immersive tone is the HyDrive speakers that use paper and aluminum, which culminates in lightweight portability and a trademark zing to the upper mids and highs!

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Bass Pedals

BOSS OC-5 Polyphonic Guitar/Bass Octave Pedal

Fortify your sound

Beef up your sound with one of the coolest octave pedals in the game: the BOSS OC-5 polyphonic guitar/bass octave pedal. Designed to re-create the classic OC-2-style octave effect for modern-day applications, the OC-5 has you covered with both poly and vintage modes. An instrument switch on the pedal optimizes it for bass or guitar, so it’ll sound just as good on the lower frequencies — the guitarists don’t get to keep all the best pedals to themselves anymore! The OC-5 also assures its user of supremely low latency, high expression, and absolutely no dropped notes.

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Electro-Harmonix Bass Clone Bass Chorus Pedal

Punchy bass + sweet chorus

Set up your pedalboard with the Electro-Harmonix Bass Clone bass chorus pedal and reap the sonic rewards of full, punchy bass with sweet, dimensional chorus. The X-over switch removes the lowest frequencies from the chorus circuit, leaving only tight, punchy tone. Users can also tweak the treble control on both dry and wet signals and manage the bass control on the dry signal to get the perfect-sounding chorus effect. True-bypass switching completes the scene for clean, uncolored signal when the Bass Clone is not in use.

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Source Audio C4 Synth Pedal

Endless Eurorack fun in a pedal

Fuzz not cutting it? The Source Audio C4 synth pedal is the perfect pedal to bring inspiration to a bassist looking to try something new. Here you’ll find the massive sonic power of a Eurorack modular synth packed into a compact, rugged chassis. The C4 boasts three oscillator wave shapes, 11 envelope followers, 14 onboard LFOs, 128 presets accessible via a separate MIDI controller, and much more. This pedal expands its sonic world beyond its pedal form, thanks to the Neuro Desktop Editor (free download)! We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: the Source Audio C4 is the pedal that keeps on giving.

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Way Huge Pork and Pickle Smalls Bass Overdrive Pedal

A pedal in good taste

There are a million ways to enjoy a bass guitar, but none of them stack up the way the Way Huge Pork and Pickle Smalls bass overdrive pedal does. The streamlined, pedalboard-friendly metal chassis houses not one but two unique sections: one part the soft-clipped crunch of the Pork Loin overdrive and one part the vicious grinding of the Russian-Pickle fuzz. Unlike the classic version of this pedal that came before, the P&P Smalls sets you up to run the Pork Loin’s British-inspired clean preamp on the Russian-Pickle side, opening up sonic avenues not previously explored. Fine-tuners will revel in finding extra Level, Curve, and Presence controls tucked away under this pedal’s tasteful hood.

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Bass Tuners

Sing a new tune

Staying in tune is crucial for beginning bassists and pros alike. Luckily for you, these must-have tuning accessories make it easy! There are a couple of ways to go about it, from tuner pedals that fit on your pedalboard to unobtrusive clip-on devices that stow perfectly in a gig-bag pocket. For instance, the BOSS TU-3W Waza Craft chromatic tuner with bypass offers impeccable tuning accuracy with an LED display that’s easy to read and multiple options for tunings. Another pedal of merit is the Peterson StroboStomp HD pedal tuner with an LED display that’s easily read from feet away, 100+ sweetened tunings, support for up to 12-string guitars, and much more.

On the flip side, you can put the pedalboard aside and opt for a compact tuning solution with clip-on tuners. The Peterson StroboClip HD clip-on strobe tuner with case is a great bet, thanks to an easy-to-read display, 50 sweetened tunings, and an included case to keep it protected. Specifically designed for bass, the Korg AW-LT100B clip-on bass tuner will effortlessly translate the frequency of your bass through three different display modes and run for up to 100 hours on a single AAA battery. Last, the TC Electronic UniTune Clip clip-on chromatic tuner is another incredibly accurate tuner with a bright LED display that’s perfect for any playing environment.

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Bass Bridges

Start with a solid foundation

Forget about your sonics falling flat! The Leo Quan Badass II 4-string high-mass bass bridge is ready to enhance your sustain and intonation for a sound that’s miles ahead of your stock hardware. Since 1972, Leo Quan’s Badass bass bridges have maximized sustain, resonance, and definition on bass guitars with 5-screw Fender-style bass bridges. The high-density zinc alloy is to thank for the substantial improvement in sound while deeply grooved saddles allow you to customize the string spacing to your liking.

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Bass Gig Bags

Complete protection and accessory storage

A solid gig bag is essential for transporting not only your bass safely to the next location but also the gear and accessories that are your first line of defense. The Gator Transit bass guitar bag and the MONO Vertigo hybrid electric bass gig bag are great choices for bassists who want superior protection for their basses on the road. The padding, weather-resistant exterior, and copious accessory pockets ready you for any musical excursion. The MONO gig bag offers excellent features such as the Headlock neck suspension system, top loading, an EVA insole and molded rubber outsole, and specialized storage compartments.

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Bass Picks

Pick a winner!

For bassists who prefer plucking out their grooves with a pick, the right thickness and weight are paramount to a good playing experience. You can find picks designed specifically for bass at Sweetwater, including Gravity Picks Classic, Dunlop Tortex triangle guitar picks, and Dunlop 8012 3.2mm felt picks. From a more rounded edge to a more triangular grip, you’re sure to find the right pick for you or discover something new!

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Bass Mutes

Don’t kill the music, just dampen it

Feeling inspiration from Carol Kaye and want to dampen your bass sound? Unlike Kaye, you don’t have to use a piece of fabric. Instead, you can choose a Gruv Gear Fump bridge-side dampener for 4- or 5-string bass or use a Gruv Gear FretWrap! The Fump dampener works by slipping over your strings at the bridge and giving you a palm-muted sound. Conversely, the FretWrap easily slides over your strings on the headstock side and can go from soft dampening to a formidable mute. Each one fits easily in a gig bag!

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Bass Strap Locks

Secure confidence during inspired grooving

For energetic bassists — and who can resist a few moves when the groove hits you? — bass strap locks are a must! These handy tools keep your strap rock-solid so you can jump around or sling your instrument across your back. The Dunlop Straplok dual-design strap button set is a super pick that’ll keep your strap steady and ready for use with the Straplok Retainer System. Take a look at the Loxx strap lock system for guitar and bass if a decades-old design and resistance to a pulling force of up to 220 lbs. catches your eye! It’ll certainly keep your bass locked down tight.

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Bass Polishing Gear

Polish your sound

It’s time to do something about those fingerprints accumulating on your bass! The best way to tackle those annoying prints and other dirt is with a handy bass polishing cloth like the MusicNomad super-soft microfiber suede polishing cloth or D’Addario micro-fiber polishing cloth. On the other hand, if you’re in for a more comprehensive cleanup, then the Lizard Spit MP 15 Ultimate Fret Polishing System will be more your speed. Packed with polishing pads and fret guards along with a finishing cloth, your bass will be prim and perfect for your next gig or band photo shoot!

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Comfortable Bass Straps

A bassist’s best friend

Forget fatigue at gigs with these comfortable bass straps that’ll keep you playing longer with less discomfort. Each made from real leather, Levy’s DM1PD-BLK 3-inch leather guitar strap with padded interior, LM Products’ X-CLEF Ropemaker Edition bass strap, and Levy’s M4WP-001 3-inch wide embossed leather guitar strap are sure to last a lifetime and take the abuse from energetic shows. The width of these straps ensures better weight displacement than a traditional cloth strap, and the extra padding on the Levy’s and LM Products straps keep your back and shoulders happy. For undeniable style, you can’t go wrong with the embossed Levy’s M4WP-001!

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Bass Maintenance Kits

Maintain the music with a handy kit

At home, on the road, or in the studio, bass maintenance is key to the upkeep of your instrument. These all-in-one kits are a fantastic way to have the necessary tools on hand when the job calls for it! To start, the D’Addario PW-EBMK-01 bass maintenance kit offers a multitude of tools, including a string winder, a multi-tool, and a neck cradle, and comes with an included travel case. Next, become a pro at string changes with the MusicNomad string change tool kit that includes a string cutter, hex wrenches, screwdrivers, lubricant, and more! If an all-in-one kit is more your speed, then check out the Ernie Ball musician’s tool kit with a comprehensive selection of hex wrenches, cloths, wipes, and a 6-in-1 screwdriver all wrapped up in a compact, organized case.

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Bass Accessories from the Best

When you’re a bassist, playing your instrument is half the fun; the other half is collecting accessories and bolstering your sound with amps and effects! Sweetwater is your go-to music store for everything bass-guitar related, and there’s far more available for outfitting your bass in our storerooms and stocked shelves. Call up one of our knowledgeable Sweetwater Sales Engineers at (800) 222-4700 and start chatting with an expert who understands what you need to perform at your best — we can find nearly any accessory for you!
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