How do I pick a good bass guitar? 

• Pay the most you can for the bass 
• Play the bass, and see how it feels under your fingers 
• I suggest that you get a fretted bass before a fretless 
• Decide beforehand if you want passive or active pickups 
• Bolt-on neck give you the option to replace the neck, through-neck basses have more sustain 
• Solid body basses are more common, semi-hollow body basses give a more acoustic sound 
• Go for a 4-string first and then update to 5, or 6 string instruments, when needed 
• Try short scale basses if you are a younger player