Best Bass Guitars

Review & Comparison, Last Update December 25, 2023
When you think that a regular drum machine is just not enough and you'd like to add some groove to your songs, there is no better instrument than a reliable bass guitar. We have found some of the best options out there so you could choose the one that suits your needs. ...Read more ...Read less
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BEST 2024
PROS
CONS
OUR VERDICT
Body Material
Neck Material
Bridge System
Electronic Controls
Strings
Frets
Included Accessories
Warranty
 
PROS

Both the maple body aesthetic and the sound of this bass will bring you back to the golden age of the most iconic 70s bands. 

CONS

Can be rather heavy for beginners.

OUR VERDICT

The maple body and the fretboard that is soft to the touch delivers a powerful sound. Engineered to resemble a vintage model, the bass has two handles to set up the volume and tone to your liking. Optionally, you can choose between 6 different body colors.

detailed parameters
Body Material

Soft Maple, Polyurethane finish

Neck Material

Maple, Vintage tint gloss

Bridge System

Fixed Bridge

Electronic Controls

Volume 1. (middle pickup), Volume 2. (bridge pickup), Master tone

Strings

4 Fender® USA Bass 7250ML, NPS, (.045-.100 Gauges)

Frets

20

Included Accessories

None

Warranty

2-year limited

PROS

The 5-string bass will provide you with the opportunity of adding a heavier tone to your style.

CONS

If you are switching from a 4-string bass, it may take some time to get used to a narrower space between strings.

OUR VERDICT

A powerful yet lightweight musical instrument with 22 frets that offer more opportunities for delivering a variety of different styles. The PHAT II equalizer creates a more versatile tone range and makes the bass sound heavier and more powerful. 

detailed parameters
Body Material

Mahogany

Neck Material

Maple

Bridge System

Tune-O-Matic

Electronic Controls

Bridge pickup volume, Neck pickup volume, Tone, PHAT II EQ

Strings

5

Frets

22

Included Accessories

None

Warranty

1 year

PROS

The bass delivers a powerful sound that requires minimal amplification (a simple battery amplifier will be more than enough).

CONS

Some buzzing can be heard at high volumes.

OUR VERDICT

The guitar's light weight makes it a solid budget-friendly solution for teens or entry-level musicians. The bass is easy to tune and it maintains its settings for a long time. There is an option to choose between the classic colors or brighter ones.

detailed parameters
Body Material

Basswood

Neck Material

Maple

Bridge System

Fixed Bridge

Electronic Controls

Volume - Tone

Strings

4

Frets

20

Included Accessories

Guitar bag, Clip bass tuner, Shoulder strap

Warranty

Amazon's 30-day return policy

PROS

A shorter fretboard creates warmer tones.

CONS

The pre-set tuning may sound a little bit high-pitched.

OUR VERDICT

A bass guitar of high-quality with narrow space between the frets will be a good starting point for the young musicians or people who prefer smaller instruments. Moreover, the version with an elegant Candy Apple Red finish is really eye-pleasing.

detailed parameters
Body Material

Agathis

Neck Material

Maple

Bridge System

4-Saddle Standard

Electronic Controls

Master tone, 2 volume controls

Strings

4

Frets

20

Included Accessories

None

Warranty

2-year limited

PROS

An adjustable bridge system can create various sound effects.

CONS

Requires regular tuning.

OUR VERDICT

A well-made copy of a classic model is easy to grip and hold. The pickups are capable of delivering a deep sound. With the additional transportation elements, the kit has a great price-quality ratio that will be suitable for most entry-level musicians.

detailed parameters
Body Material

Combined laminated and solid wood

Neck Material

Rosewood

Bridge System

Adjustable

Electronic Controls

Volume - Tone

Strings

4

Frets

20

Included Accessories

Guitar bag, Shoulder strap, Guitar pick, Amplifier cord

Warranty

Amazon's 30-day return policy

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Fender 306702521

A Timeless Classic

We introduce a model that is truly a timeless classic, the Fender Jazz Bass. The guitar in its modified version features metal knobs instead of regular plastic, hence the name. Its aesthetic look brings you back to the ‘70s - the age that brought the sort of bands that inspired several generations of musicians.

Unlike Precision Bass, the Jazz Bass has a brighter sound, which makes it ideal for finger-style players and for those who use a slap technique. The bass itself is made of soft maple with a polyurethane finish that has a nice texture and is nice to the touch. The maple wood fretboard in combination with two single-coil pickups delivers full and warm tones. It’s a rather heavy guitar that weighs almost 15 pounds, thus, we recommend purchasing an ergonomic shoulder strap. Despite that, the instrument is well balanced and comfortable to play for more than an hour even in a standing position.

Since this Squier bass guitar is passive, it doesn’t have any batteries inside. Thus, the instrument requires a good amplification system in order to reach its full potential. Albeit it has the name Squier on the headstock, this model is a classic, to say the least. After some practice, this Vintage Fender can and will sound better than most of the more expensive models.

Review of Fender 306702521 Vintage Modified Jazz Bass

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $0.00
Stock May be out of stock
ASIN B00DWVB6K2

 

Ibanez GSR205BWNF

A Heavier Bassline

Despite the modest price, this 5 string bass guitar sounds like a professional instrument. As for the weight, the model is noticeably lighter than its 4-string Fender counterparts, mostly thanks to the use of lighter materials. The body of this electric bass is made of walnut mahogany and the fretboard is made of rosewood. On top of that, the maple neck sits nicely in the hand, which contributes to the comfort of playing.

The Tune-O-Matic bridge allows for adjusting the break between the strings over the saddles, which will be convenient for experienced musicians. By setting more angle between the strings, you will be able to achieve more tension for a better sustain. Additionally, we were surprised to discover that this bass is passive and uses its 9V battery for boosting the signal. With a bass booster on board, this Ibanez bass guitar delivers an absolutely stunning level of sound quality, especially considering its price. What is more, this model features 2 pickups and a PHAT II equalizer that create a distinct Ibanez tone. With such combination, you will be able to play the basslines from all your favorite songs and easily create some of your own.

In conclusion, if you are looking for a 5-string bass that not only looks cool but also sounds great, look no further as the Ibanez GSR205BWNF is the right model for you. 

Review of Ibanez GSR205BWNF 5-String Electric Bass
Last updated price $249.99
Stock In stock
ASIN B00HWIRU1A

 

Crescent EB-SB-Tuner-Picholder-Pics

Get to Know Bass

The bass guitar starter kit from Crescent is a nice budget-friendly solution if you are at the very beginning of your journey as a bass player and are looking for a starter instrument. The kit includes a musical instrument itself, three picks, carry bag, additional set of strings, cable for the amplifier, and a shoulder strap. Though, to be fair, the quality of the shoulder strap leaves quite a bit to be desired, thus, we recommend purchasing a different one if you intend to play in a standing position.

The electric bass itself looks neat and sounds even better after some initial tuning and adjusting the strings. When tuned well, the instrument delivers the sort of sound that might just very well be unmatched in its price category. This model features a basswood body, rosewood fretboard, and a maple neck. This wooden composition is extremely lightweight and sturdy at the same time, a solution that makes sure you will be able to play this bass comfortably for a long time.

Although this model is great for entry-level musicians, we wouldn't recommend using it as a concert instrument due to the fact that the bass makes a noticeable buzzing sound at high volumes. Nevertheless, despite some minor flaws, such as a crudely fixed tuner, it does not affect the tuning and playability of this instrument. Which is why this model from Crescent is still one of the best bass guitars for beginners in this price range.

Review of Crescent EB-SB-Tuner-Picholder-Pics Electric Bass Guitar Starter Kit
Last updated price $0.00
Stock May be out of stock
ASIN B003M76KNY

 

Fender 0328800509

A Glossy Beauty

The Squire Bass Guitar from Fender is, without a doubt, one of the best instruments in its price range on the market today. The reviewed short-scale version of the guitar features 20 frets, which makes it a highly versatile musical equipment. Although the sound will slightly differ from its regular-sized sibling, you can still easily perform all of the notes. The fretboard of this model is just 30” long, making it a perfect solution in case regular bass guitars are too big for you. The body of this Fender bass guitar is made of agathis. The combination of the latter and a thin rosewood fretboard makes this compact musical instrument very lightweight and convenient to hold and play.

As for the design, the bright red apple color of the body is very bright and, combined with a black pickguard, creates a beautiful tandem that is both stylish and appealing to the eye. Moreover, the renowned silhouette of a Jaguar makes this bass distinguishable among other similar models. The bass also features a Single-Coil Jazz bass pickup paired with Single-Coil Precision Bass pickup that creates a unique combined sound with tones of both Precision and Jazz bass models.

All in all, if you are not a particularly tall person and happen to be in need of a bass guitar, this model from Fender is a perfect choice for you. Additionally, the Jaguar SS will be a good gift for younger aspiring musicians.

Review of Fender 0328800509 Modified Special Jaguar Bass
Last updated price $0.00
Stock May be out of stock
ASIN B004VSQ5Q0

 

Goplus Full Size 4 String with Strap

Made to Surprise

The electric 4 string bass guitar from Goplus may not look like anything out of the ordinary at the first glance. Even though it is arguably one of the best-in-class starter kits out there today, the guitar itself requires some tinkering before you can actually play it. The kit includes the bass guitar, guitar bag for hassle-free transportation, shoulder strap, guitar pick, and an amplifier cord.

The body of the instrument is made of combined solid wood and laminated finish. The Brazilian rosewood fretboard and neck create a great sound with a tone and precision that can compete with more pricey models. On top of that, the two piezoelectric sound pickups do their job well enough to contribute to the sound quality. Despite their rather cheap look, the quality of the metal handles is sturdy enough to last you for a long time.

If you were planning on picking up the bass right from the bag, be warned that a slight fret buzz on one or several frets might occur. To prevent that from happening, you will need to tune the instrument a little bit. If you are a beginner, we recommend inviting a professional to do the tuning. After the initial tuning is done, this electric musical instrument will sound even better than some premium models.

Suffice to say, the Goplus starter kit has a terrific price-to-quality ratio and is surely one of the best beginner bass guitars.

Review of Goplus Full Size 4 String with Strap Electric Bass Guitar
Last updated price $119.99
Stock In stock
ASIN B01KNZOYE4

 

What Is a Bass Guitar?

A bass guitar is a stringed musical instrument that is normally used to create a heavy, low-pitched sound. Similar to an electric guitar, the bass has a longer fretboard and it utilizes thicker strings to create low-frequency tones. This instrument is an irreplaceable element of any rhythm section or a music band that creates music in a studio and performs live shows.

Since the bassist and the drummer are the driving force of any band, the role of the bass is very important for the rhythm of any song. Without the rhythm backbone, the sounds of other instruments may seem weaker than they are.

That said, be aware that using the bass with a regular guitar amp may cause damage to the speaker due to the low frequencies that the instrument delivers, thus, we recommend purchasing a bass amplifier. The amplifiers used with basses are usually made of thicker wood and also more rigidly constructed.

And if you are seeking to add more style to your songs, you might want to consider taking a look at our reviews of pedalboards and keyboards.

How to:

Sources:

1. Bass Guitar, Wikipedia.

2. How to Change Strings on a Bass Guitar, wikiHow.

3. Matt Scharfglass Guitarist's Guide to Playing Bass: 20 Tips to Help You Think Like a Bassist, Guitar World. February 28, 2018.

4. James Porter Right Hand Bass Techniques for Beginners Learning to Play Guitar, ThoughtCo. September 12, 2017.

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Publish Date: 2018-05-10 09:55:35