The Best Bass Guitars In The Market

Quick Picks: Best Bass Guitars In The Market

1. Fender Vintera ‘50s Precision Bass

The P-Bass was the first bass guitar to be successful in the commercial market. It was introduced in 1951 and is still popular today because of its versatility and great sound. This Fender Precision Bass is designed to capture the original sound of the P-Bass but with modern build quality and components.

This P-Bass sounds just like you would expect it to. It has a deep, warm sound and a strong mid-range presence. It lets it cut through any mix beautifully. It has a straightforward pickup configuration with only one volume and tone control, but the tone knob is surprisingly versatile.

This fender jazz bass has subtle touches that make it look vintage. Screw holes have been drilled where the traditional finger rest and pickup cover would have been. It makes it look old-fashioned. Fender hardware is stable and tough, so it’s a good choice for people who want a simple instrument that is also versatile.

2. Sterling by Music Man StingRay4

The full-fat Music Man StingRay bass is a popular choice for bassists, but it is expensive. The Sterling by Music Man StingRay4 is much more affordable and gets close to the look and sound of the more expensive Bass.

That sound is driving and clear. The active electronics give you a lot of output that sounds good with many styles of music. You also have tone sculpting options with the onboard EQ.

This interesting bass guitar has deep cutaways on the body that give you easy access to the upper frets. It is also lightweight, so carrying it around during rehearsals won’t be a pain. The neck is also smooth and easy to play with, so you’ll want to keep returning. You won’t find a better bass guitar at this price point.

3. Epiphone Thunderbird 60s Bass

Are you looking to make a statement at your next show? Check out the Epiphone Thunderbird 60s Bass. This Bass is not only visually stunning, but it also has a powerful sound that is perfect for rock and metal music.

Dual ProBucker #760 humbuckers provide a fat sound that lasts for a long time. You can mix the volumes of each pickup to get the perfect sound. Whether you need a warm, round tone or a more cutting treble tone, this guitar has it all.

This guitar has a neck-through design, making it easier to play the higher frets. It also feels good in your hand, even though it is fat. The hardware is very durable and can handle a lot of abuse. It also looks great, so you will want to take it on the road.

4. Ibanez SRMS805

Bass guitars have been around for a long time and used to look the same. But recently, they’ve changed. The Ibanez SRMS805 has a new design that is more comfortable to play with.

The Bartolini BH2 pickups are angled to help make your sound clearer. It is beneficial when you have a low B string in your mix. The pickups sound good when turned off, but they sound even better when turned on, and you have more power to work with.

The multi-scale neck design means the lower strings are longer, so the action is low. The higher strings are shorter, so they are ‘snappy.’ It is a marvel of modern bass guitar design and plays very well.

5. Yamaha TRBX 305

Yamaha makes a lot of instruments, but they are especially famous for their bass guitars. The Yamaha TRBX 305 is a five-string bass guitar suitable for beginners or experienced musicians. It has a clean and clear tone with plenty of projection. The onboard EQ has five presets that have different cover styles of music.

This neck is a shallow ‘D’ profile. It’s simple to play, with a shorter scale length than you’d expect from a five-string. It is, therefore, ideal for beginners or those with a more diminutive stature.

6. Hofner Ignition SE Violin Bass

The Hofner Ignition SE Violin Bass is an affordable option for bass guitar players who want an instrument that looks and sounds like the real thing. It has a distinctive look and sound, which will turn heads and make people take notice.

The unusual control panel can be a bit confusing at first. Still, once you understand how it works, you can use it to create many different sounds. If you switch to Rhythm mode, you’ll get lots of low end with that trademark violin bass thump. If you switch to Solo mode, the sound will be more mid-range heavy, with a lovely growl.

It is very lightweight thanks to its hollow body, which makes it comfortable for extended playing sessions. The short scale also improves the playability, making the fretboard feel far more comfortable for new guitarists or those with smaller dimensions.

7. Squier Classic Vibe 60s Jazz Bass

The Squier Classic Vibe 60s Jazz Bass is a great bass guitar that offers excellent playability at a great price. This bass guitar is from Squier’s Classic Vibe series, which has delivered some great instruments, including this Jazz Bass.

The Jazz Bass is a famous guitar with a bright and trebly tone. It also has a lot of mid-range roars. It makes it sound rich and responsive. You can also choose different sounds from the two pickups because they each have its volume control.

This bass guitar is so playable because of its slim width neck. It makes it easy for your hands to explore the fretboard. The Bass feels like it is worth twice the price, and it would be an excellent choice for any bassist.

8. G&L Tribute L-2000

In 1965, Leo Fender had to leave his company because of illness. But once he got better, he didn’t waste any time returning to business. The G&L Tribute L-2000 bass guitar is a tribute to one of his more famous creations after he left Fender.

The L-2000 has a much higher output tone than older models. It is different than the famous J- and P-Bass sounds. This Bass is precise and thick. When you use the TriTone preamp, you can get a lot of different sounds. You can choose between series or parallel options, and there is also a two-band EQ.

The medium ‘C’ profile guitar’s Leo-designed Saddle Lock bridge allows you to lock the bridge saddles together. Side-to-side movement is reduced to help focus the overall sound and improve intonation and action. This design makes light work of various playing styles while still feeling nice and hefty in your hand.

9. Ibanez Talman TMB100

The Ibanez Talman TMB100 is a powerful bass guitar. Its pickups are mighty and can create a lot of sounds. You can change the sound of the guitar by using the controls.

The Talman has a versatile mixture of a split coil in the middle position and a J-Bass-type pickup in the bridge. This classic combination works beautifully with the stacked controls, which control volume and pickup balance. At the same time, the other is sculpting your EQ with Bass and treble. At the same time, the other is sculpting your EQ with Bass and treble.

The neck of this bass guitar is pretty chunky and comfortable. The body contours make it cozy to sit in, even though the neck dive can be a little problem when standing. This Bass is extraordinary for riffing in long rehearsal or recording sessions.

10. Yamaha BB735A

The Yamaha BB735 bass guitar offers professional quality and reliability. It has unique build features and superb electronics, making it versatile enough for almost any scenario.

The pickup configuration provides a smooth, full-bodied tone. You can use the 3-band EQ to change the bass sound to be more like vintage or modern sounds. It will help you stand out more when you are performing.

The build quality of Yamaha instruments is simply outstanding. The neck has six bolts and two that are angled at 45 degrees. It makes it very stable and able to handle aggressive playing.

11. Fender Deluxe Active Precision Bass Special, Maple Fingerboard

The Fender Precision bass guitar has been around since the 1950s. Many people believe it is the best bass guitar ever produced. The company has had a lot of ups and downs, but they were at its best in the early 1960s. A few years later, they could have done better.

Since then, there have been good times and bad times, but it’s fair to say they never recreate that thundering bass sound of the early days. Today’s offerings are sufficient, though, in many respects, and we will look at this model.

If you are looking for a Precision with traditional passive single coil pickups at both the bridge and neck, you should look away now. This version has active split coil pickups at both the neck and bridge.

The idea behind this sound is to be new. The bridge pickup is more like a Jazz bass than a Precision bass. It has a three-band active EQ that lets you boost or cut the treble, mid and bass frequencies and an active/passive toggle switch.

The body of the guitar is made from Alder wood. The neck is made from Maple, and it feels good to play. It is well-constructed and made in Mexico. The sunburst finish on the guitar is beautiful.

12. Yamaha Bb734a Bb-Series

This Yamaha bass is a new version of the classic BB line. The body is made of Maple and Alder wood. It keeps the popular basic design shape, including the body contour that makes it comfortable to hold for the proper arm rest.

There is a new neck design. It is a five-piece mahogany and maple wood affair with six bolts to make it stronger. The fingerboard is rosewood with 21 frets and some inlays.

This guitar is a little smaller than other guitars, which makes it more playable. It is well-constructed, like all Yamaha guitars, and the hardware is suitable without being too fancy. The tuners are open and lightweight, and the guitar is strung through the body with a Vintage Plus bridge. This is all basic stuff but also very efficient and reliable.

This guitar lets you have both active and passive pickups. This way, you can get different sounds from the same guitar. The guitar has two V7 pickups with a single coil at the bridge and a split coil at the neck. You can control the sound with a master volume and three-band equalizer, plus a pickup blend control to mix the two sounds. There’s also a switch to go between active and passive circuits quickly.

This bass guitar is well-built and has a variety of sounds. It also comes from a thoroughbred design that has been around for a while. It’s versatile and great for the price.

13. Yamaha 4-String Bass Guitar Trbx304 Mgr

This Yamaha bass guitar is a good option for people who want a quality instrument but don’t want to spend too much money. It has a solid mahogany body that is shaped and contoured to make it comfortable and easy to play with. Yamaha put some thought into making this guitar easy and enjoyable to use.

This guitar is surprisingly well-balanced for a budget guitar. It feels comfortable whether you are standing or sitting. It only weighs thirteen pounds, so it is easy to handle. The neck comprises five-piece Maple and mahogany with a rosewood fingerboard and a very stable bolt-on neck. When you stand back and consider this guitar, it just looks right. When you pick it up, it feels right as well.

The two M3 humbuckers create rich tones. The guitar can be played in either passive or active mode, but the passive option is dull and quiet. The humbuckers work better in the dynamic way to create the tones this guitar was built for.

This bass has exciting design features. One is the contour on the top of the pickups, allowing your thumb to rest comfortably while you’re playing. Another is that it isn’t all about volume – it also has a softer side using the neck pickup, which is mellow and warm.

The onboard controls on this guitar are attractive. You can control the volume and tone as usual, but there is also an active EQ with five different style options. This will change the essential tonal quality of what you are playing, but you will still have room to tweak the sound. The strings are well-spaced, so playing slap or fingerstyle techniques is more accessible.

14. G&L Tribute Jb2

This bass guitar doesn’t look very special when you first see it. But if you look closer, you can see the similarities between it and early Fender guitars. We won’t list them all for you, but we’re sure you’ll notice them yourself if you pick up the guitar.

The body is made from wood that comes from the swamp. The wood is shaped, so it feels comfortable when you put your elbow on it. You can choose a maple or rosewood neck. The neck is smooth and has 22 medium-sized frets. It also has a medium “C” profile.

Open-backed tuning keys and a saddle-lock bridge are very traditional. People have used these before. But now, let’s look at the essential parts of the guitar – the pickups.

Did they choose a new design with a split, single, or mixture of both? Active or Passive?

It’s not too tricky to figure out that they chose an original Leo design with a couple of refinements. They put in two single-coil pickups – one near the neck and one near the bridge.

This bass guitar is perfect, and it’s a great price. The controls are simple – volume to the neck, bridge, and a master tone. There are few bass guitars for this price as good as this one.

15. Yamaha BB234 BB

The Yamaha BB bass guitar has been around for many years. It has had some cosmetic changes and different versions over the years, but the sound and style of the guitar remain the same. This model has its body made out of Alder. The familiar shapes on the edging are still there, ensuring it is comfortable and easy to handle. It is a little thinner than before.

The neck is Maple, and it bolts on. The scale is also 34 inches long. The design of the neck is a little slimmer than earlier BB models. This makes it easier for some people to play, which makes it ideal for beginners or people who want to improve their skills.

The pickup configuration is called a P/J setup. This means that the Precision and Jazz pickups are used. It needs to be clarified how this works out because Fender does not use Yamaha V3 pickups. We presume they are referring to the pickups being a single coil and placed in similar positions. A single coil means they are passive, so there is no messing around with 9v batteries. Three simple controls for volume and tone give you the range of sounds available.

This bass guitar has a unique sound. You can choose between a rich, warm neck pickup sound or a growling, angry bridge pickup sound. Yamaha is known for making great guitars, and this one is no exception. It plays well and sounds great, with lots of tonal varieties to choose from.

16. Epiphone “Toby” Standard-Iv 4 String Electric Bass

Epiphone is not trying to compete with high-end guitars, but they are doing well in the mid-range and beginner areas. Gibson makes great guitars, and Epiphone is no exception. However, Epiphone has yet to be as successful when it comes to bass guitars. This is mostly because the competition is more established or more innovative.

Though not the most expensive, this bass guitar is still worth looking at. It has a great design and performs well. People will be impressed by it.

The first thing to note is the beautiful design of the guitar. It was made with Tonewood, which makes it not only look good but also easy to hold.

The maple neck is added with a rosewood fingerboard. This makes the guitar easy to move around and play. The black hardware looks nice and gives the guitar a stylish look. The bridge has four adjustable saddles.

The tuners on the headstock are black. They are not the most expensive, but they hold the tuning well. Two single coil pickups provide noise- one at the bridge and one at the neck. These pickups are both powerful and have great tonal options.

Four controls on this bass guitar let you adjust the sound. These include the volume, the sound mix, and the treble and bass levels. The sounds are clear and strong, with a lot of punch. And the single coil gives a crisp sound.

17. Squier By Fender Affinity Jazz

Squier has made a new bass inspired by the classic Jazz bass. It is made under the Fender umbrella and is a good-quality bass. It is smaller than the Fender Jazz bass, which makes it a good choice for beginners.

The traditional look of the guitar is still there. The body is made from Alder and finished in a lush sunburst. A maple neck is added with a rosewood fingerboard in its traditional shape with pearl dot inlays. The hardware is okay, reasonable. It has a fixed bridge system and Jazz-style tuners at the headstock.

This instrument is equipped with two single-coil pickups. Because of this, it has the sound of a typical jazz guitar, but it also has an air of nostalgia to it. In addition, there is a master tone control as well as controls for the volume of the neck and bridge pickups, both of which are straightforward and efficient. This gives you the ability to mold your sound in any way you see fit.

Although it’s not a Fender guitar, this one has a very similar sound. The Affinity Jazz features a wide variety of selectable tone options. You can give it a warm and gentle tone, or you can turn it up and give it a harsh sound.

The price of this guitar is significantly lower than that of a Fender, despite the fact that it is not a Fender. On the other hand, we have seen an increase in the quality of guitars that are classified as “less expensive.” The gap between these guitars and the “real” thing is narrowing all the time, and it’s not as wide as it used to be. This guitar is of high quality both in terms of its construction and its presentation, making it an excellent buy for the money.

How to find a good bass guitar?

When you are shopping for a guitar, it is essential to do your research on the different types of wood. Each type of wood will offer various benefits for the musician. For example, guitars made out of swamp ash will have a bright sound, while guitars made out of mahogany will have a warm sound.

You should also do some research on the kind of wood your guitar is made of so that you can maintain your health. If you intend to take your bass guitar with you on the road and perform for an extended period of time while standing on stage, you should consider purchasing a bass guitar that is lighter in weight so that it is easier for you to play.

It really doesn’t make a difference which type of bass guitar you go with in the end, does it? Regardless of how much each option costs, you ought to go with the one that appeals to you the most sonically. A bass guitar that you take pleasure in playing will never steer you wrong.

What’s the difference between active pickups and passive pickups?

The type of pickup your bass guitar has will also define the sound it makes. If you want a classic, warm sound with a dynamic range of tonal production, you’ll want a guitar with passive pickups.

If, on the other hand, you can get your hands on a bass guitar that has a set of active pickups fitted, then you will be able to produce tones that are crisp and clear. If your guitar has built-in preamps, you’ll be able to hear these tones more clearly than if it has passive pickups since the overall volume output of a passive pickup is lower than the overall volume output of a guitar with built-in preamps. Because active pickups do not need to interact with a great deal of interference or background noise, they are frequently regarded as the most desirable type of pickups in the world of guitar playing.

When purchasing a bass guitar, you will be need to decide whether you want an active or passive pickup. Your individual preferences will determine which option is best for you to go with. Before making a decision about an instrument, it would be beneficial for you to experiment with a few different guitars.

Should I buy new or used?

It all comes down to what you want. If you want a new bass guitar, you’ll have a warranty. You’ll also get the guitar set up to start playing it immediately. If you choose a used bass guitar, it might not have a warranty, but it will be cheaper.

No matter how much money you put into a used bass guitar, there is always the possibility that it will break. On the other hand, if you’re lucky, you can get your hands on a fantastic bass guitar for a reasonable price. Before you buy a used bass guitar offline or online, you should make sure the seller has a good reputation.

Although you might be able to find an instrument at a flea market, yard sale, eBay, or thrift store for a lower price, doing so is riskier because it is highly unlikely that you will be able to try it out before making a purchase. This could lead to problems, especially if the equipment doesn’t work well with your amp or if it doesn’t fit properly. In addition, returns are not accepted at these kinds of stores the vast majority of the time.

If you buy a used guitar from an individual who does not have a good reputation, you could end up having to spend a lot of money fixing it. On the other hand, purchasing a new guitar can be more expensive.

Long scale vs. Short scale bass guitars

When choosing a bass guitar, you’ll need to decide if you want a long or short-scale guitar. The scale length is the distance between the bridge and the nut. This is used to measure how long the instrument can be played.

A type of bass instrument known as a long-scale bass has a scale length of 34 inches “. Because it is the standard in the industry, you will have more options to choose from when you go to buy one. People who are used to playing smaller instruments, or people who are generally smaller, may find that a short-scale alternative better suits their needs.

The scale length of a short-scale bass is typically thirty inches “. This results in a shorter neck with frets that are spaced more closely together than usual. Because of this, playing is simplified. Because there is less tension on the strings, the instrument is also simpler to play. On the other hand, this also indicates that the tone will be more “bassy” and warmer. Your short-scale bass won’t provide you with the same level of versatility that you get with a regular-scale bass.

Find a bass that fits your body well and is enjoyable to play as your first and most important step toward learning to play the instrument. If you don’t enjoy playing your bass, you won’t want to put in the effort to practice or perform in front of an audience. This is the single most important factor.

Four-string vs five-string vs six-string

For most people – especially beginners – four strings are plenty. This will give you enough time to practice and get used to the size of the bass guitar. We suggest that you start with four strings.

Four-string basses can play any style of music, from jazz to thrash metal. But if you want to try playing music in a higher range, five or six-string basses are a good option.

A five-string bass instrument has an additional low string that is tuned to a low B. Utilizing this string will enable you to investigate tonalities that are more profound and ominous. The five-string bass can perform all of the same functions as the four-stringed bass and is used in a wide variety of musical genres and styles. One disadvantage of the five-string bass is that the fretboard needs to be widened to accommodate the additional string, and the cost of a set of strings for a five-string instrument can be quite high.

If you’re looking for more string options, a bass with six strings is a good choice. You have access to a wider variety of sounds thanks to the fact that it possesses both a low string and a high string. However, because there are fewer six-string basses than four- or five-string basses, it may be more difficult to locate one. Because the necks are also more comprehensive, some people may find it more difficult to use them. The range of tones, however, is quite good.

What bass sound are you looking for?

It is also very important to pay attention to how the instrument sounds. Single-coil pickups on basses typically have a lower output than humbuckers do in terms of volume. Even though there is no hard-and-fast rule about which pickups should be used for which styles of music, it is still important to give this some thought. If you want to achieve a sound that is considered classic or traditional, you should consider purchasing a bass that has not undergone significant modifications over the years, such as the Fender Precision or Jazz bass.

Players who are interested in playing a wide variety of musical styles should consider investing in a versatile bass. Because different pickup configurations can be found on different basses, it is possible to achieve a wide variety of tones using the same instrument. Other players who are only interested in the most fundamental bass sounds might be satisfied with a bass that has only one pickup and a straightforward arrangement of the controls.

Weight and Comfort

You should be able to sit easily in the ideal bass for you. If you have a smaller handspan, you might be better off with a bass that has a shorter scale length. If you are just beginning to learn how to play the bass, you might find that a short-scale bass is easier to get used to. Consider how the body of the bass sits on you as well, particularly if you plan to use it for extended periods of time while standing up.

If you are concerned about how a bass feels when you play it, you may want to select a bass that is lighter in weight. The shape of the neck can also have an effect on how the bass feels in the hands of the player. If you want to avoid extensive stretches as much as possible, you should probably have a slimmer neck.

Can I use a normal amp with my bass?

Now that you have one of the best bass guitars, you need an amplifier to play it on. Most guitar amps are not designed to handle the low frequencies produced by bass guitars, so you could end up damaging your amp by using it with a bass. That’s why getting an amplifier specifically designed for bass guitars is a good idea.

Choosing The Best Bass Guitar

When selecting a bass guitar, there are numerous factors to consider. It would help if you thought about how it sounds and feels when you play it. Before making a choice, It’s always wise to try a few different ones, but if that’s not possible, don’t worry. All of the bass guitars in this article are great for both beginner and experienced players.

You’ll often encounter active versus passive electronics when dealing with bass guitars. Passive electronics work using the voltage supplied by your pickups, so you must plug it in and get started. Active electronics usually have a preamp built into the guitar, so it needs an additional power source.

It depends on your preferences regarding vintage basses vs. active electronics. Vintage basses have passive electronics, which means the sound is less output but a warmer tone. Active electronics are often described as sterile because of the higher output and available tone-shaping options.

Active electronics give a modern sound, while passive electronics offer a vintage sound. However, some bass guitars have active and passive electronics so you can get both sounds on one instrument.

There are variations of bass guitars with four, five, and even six strings. The most common types of bass guitars are those with four or five strings. People who want to experiment with a variety of sounds or play styles that require a lower tone will find that the five-string Bass, which has an additional low string, is an excellent choice. Keep in mind that the five-string bass guitar may be heavier than other basses because it has more strings.

The longer necks and larger bodies of five-string basses contribute to their greater weight in comparison to four-string basses of the same model. A beginner should begin by learning to play on a bass guitar with four strings until they become more comfortable with the instrument.

The distance from the nut to the bridge is measured in scale length, and this distance is expressed as a unit. It is absolutely necessary for the proper functioning of the instrument. The string will be of a greater thickness if it has a longer scale length. It is common for five-string bass guitars to have a scale that is longer than that of four-string bass guitars. This is because there needs to be sufficient space for the string.

There is a remote possibility that you will hear the short-scale bass guitar. People like these guitars because they are simple to play and have a fantastic tone that is great for recording. Because of their shorter scale length, these guitars have a sound that is very punchy, which is one reason they are commonly used in recording studios.

Frequently Asked Questions About Best Bass Guitar