Best Bass Guitars In Today’s Market - What Makes a Good Sounding Instrument?

Last Updated: November 19, 2019 After loads of changes in the world of bass guitar, we decided to revise our main bass article to reflect these changes. While we removed a few models, we saw plenty of new additions. These included the arrival of two higher-end models in the Ibanez SRH500F Fretless and the Hagstrom H8II-TSB Retroscape, and the gorgeous midrange ESP LTD B-204SM. We also added a new acoustic bass - the Fender Kingman V2 - as well as the beginner-friendly Schecter Omen 4, and the budget Squier Bronco Bass in our top ten chart.

Whether you have a grand in your pocket and are looking to upgrade to something more premium, or are simply trying to find a cost-effective first bass guitar on which to practice your slapping, we have you covered! Choosing a bass guitar isn’t easy, especially as manufacturers get better at producing great instruments at lower prices – the choice out there is astounding. However, at Guitar Fella, we have our team searching high and low for some of the best basses on the market today. We have sorted them into convenient categories, so you can quickly find the right one you, depending on your budget, skills, and tastes. Stick around after the chart for some useful buying tips. Let’s get started!

Top 10 Best Bass Guitars:

Whatever your budget, good electric bass guitars are available in every price bracket – you just have to know what to look for and which will best suit your style of playing. There’s plenty more to talk about, including what makes a good bass and where to find it, but we’ll discuss this in more depth soon. First, we have prepared some brief reviews of the best basses in their individual classes on the market today.

For Beginners:

Under $1000:

Under $500:

Under $300:

Under $200:

5-Strings:

Acoustic Basses:

The Bass Guitar Buyer’s Guide

Are There Other Good Bass Guitar Brands? Of course there are! We wanted to compile a brief chart focusing on the best of the best, so we naturally had to exclude some other fantastic basses. When browsing, be sure to check out some of the other brands that specialise in bass guitars, including G&L, Ernie Ball, Rickenbacker, Washburn, ESP, Warwick, Spector, and Lakland – the majority of these have been building instruments for decades and have some great models that are well worth your time. Some manufacturers are bigger than others, and some don’t enjoy the prestige that the likes of Fender and Ibanez do, but they can all offer a lot of quality in a variety of different price ranges and genres, from jazz to metal. What Makes a Good Bass? Just like a ‘good guitar’, we could write a whole book on what makes a good bass! However, as everything on this list, the word ‘good’ to you may mean something completely different to the next bassist. Firstly, it’s always worth considering the woods used to make the body and neck. With cheaper models, you may find basswood or alder bodies, and then woods such as maple, swamp ash, and mahogany as you move up the price ranges. These materials shouldn’t be a defining factor, but it’s worth researching the kind of tones each wood can offer, should you be presented with the choice. For example, mahogany may help produce warmer and punchier tones, while swamp ash is said to give you a brighter sound. It’s also worth considering your plans for the bass. If you plan to practice, gig or record for lengthy sessions, you may want a lighter wood (such as basswood) instead of something heavy like maple. Looking at pickups and you’ll find an array of single-coils and humbuckers, as well as active and passive designs (more on these later). Single-coils are seen as ‘the classic pickups’ and are nice and simple, with one coil and one magnet, producing a bright sound. Humbuckers, on the other hand, have a fatter sound – sometimes a little muddy at higher volumes. Their main benefit is that they help cancel background noise and interference. There’s no right answer here – choose what sounds the best to you and you won’t go far wrong. Which Brand of Bass is The Best? First things first – our ‘best’ may not necessarily be your ‘best’ when it comes to describing a bass guitar. Still, most bassists can agree that some brands deserve to sit at the top of the table of all-time best bass brands. Fender is one of these. The iconic American guitar manufacturer, established in 1946, created the important Jazz Bass (J Bass) and Precision Bass (P Bass), which changed the face of bass guitars forever. Ibanez is another brand that can arguably claim the title of ‘the best’. The Japanese company produces some bass guitars that look like works of art, and a premium Ibanez bass can feel like a true masterpiece. Other brands that are excellent for rock and metal basses include Rickenbacker, ESP and Schecter, while the American brand Musicman produces the legendary Stingray bass. Finally, the German company Warwick are very popular in all genres of music and have created signature basses for everyone from Robert Trujillo (Metallica) to John Entwistle (The Who). However, there are many others that would argue that they are, in fact, ‘the best’ – Yamaha, Gibson, Washburn… it’s not an easy argument to settle! How Many Strings is Enough? Good question – but, again, there’s no definitive answer! You can choose between a four, five or six-stringed instrument, and your decision will ultimately depend on your style, level and budget. If you are just starting out, a bass with four strings is traditionally the way to go. Keep it simple. Four strings will give you more than enough notes, especially when you consider how much popular music is played on a four-string bass. There’s generally less to keep track of when playing, and it’s easier to learn and develop on. If you are more advanced, you may consider adding a 5-string bass or 6-string bass to your collection, which will allow you to increase the range of notes you can play. There will be a lot more stretching around the neck, but it can be worth the practice. However, as a beginner, it may be worth thinking about this as a second or third acquisition, instead of your first instrument. What is The Difference Between Passive and Active Pickups? Players looking for a classic warm, punchy bass tone, and a dynamic range of sounds will prefer passive pickups, which have been a traditional fixture since the birth of the electric bass. However, the relatively newer active pickups, which come with built-in preamps powered by separate batteries, are worth considering for bigger, brighter and clearer tones. Thanks to the preamp, active pickups have significantly higher output when compared to that of a passive pickup, while the background noise and interference is kept to a minimum. Again, passive or active will be a choice for you to make based on your individual tastes. Make sure to try out a few different basses with different pickups to find a sound that appeals to you.

How Much Does a Good Bass Cost?

Beginners and those on a budget will be relieved to discover that you can find good bass guitars in the affordable price ranges. Aim for something from a trusted budget-friendly brand (like Squier, Ibanez or Yamaha) and something with good marketplace reviews, and you can’t really go wrong. As long as you don’t just go for the cheapest one you see, you can end up with a very good bass for under $200. Of course, you may want to spend more than two hundred bucks – and if so, good for you! You instantly widen your choices and can end up with something very good indeed. We’re not talking a premium model here, but a quality bass with an upgraded build and components that would survive practice, jamming and small gigs comfortably. This kind of bass may feature a unique design, a fast neck, improved tuners, and upgraded pickups and controls to deliver a powerful thump. For this kind of bass, expect to pay between $300 and $500.

Should You Buy Used or New?

The choice of buying new or used is another dilemma. With a new bass from a reputable online marketplace or guitar store you have the security of a warranty and returns policy, as well as a likely cooling off period if you change your mind. Buying a used bass, in whatever price range, is always a little riskier – but this risk can pay off when it comes to value for money. If you are buying used, ensure you choose a reputable physical or online guitar store, instead of a flea market or thrift store – these offer so much more risk, especially when you aren’t able to test the bass out through an amp, or make easy returns.

The Final Word

As you’ve seen, there are many things to consider before buying a new bass, whether it’s your first or tenth! In general, the best advice we can give is to spend some time reading about, watching videos on, and trying out different basses to really find something you love. At the end of the day, you’ll be parting with anything from a couple of hundred bucks right up to over a grand, so you want to ensure the bass you end up with is the perfect one for you. Good luck and see you again soon!