Best Acoustic Bass Guitars -­ Going Unplugged

Last Updated: November 19, 2019 Attention acoustic aficionados! We have revisited this page to add a few new models to our acoustic bass chart. While we removed the Fender Kingman SCE, we replaced it with its new iteration, the Fender Kingman V2. We also welcomed the equally eye-catching Dean Exotica Quilt Ash Bass.

The world of acoustic bass guitars is certainly a niche one when compared to the electric bass market. Still, acoustic basses are very popular with many players who use them for practice, acoustic jamming and even some performance scenarios. Which is why we’ve put together this article, which charts the highlights of the acoustic bass market. Below are our top picks from all price ranges – there’s top-class high-end right down to a sub-$100 beauty! If you’ve never considered an acoustic bass before, then hopefully this article will introduce you to something new and inspire you ahead of your next purchase. Let’s get right into it!

Top 9 Best Acoustic Bass Guitars

Understanding Acoustic Bass Guitars

Usually when discussing the absolute best bass guitars out there, it’s an electric bass we are talking about – something like a Fender Jazz or a Music Man. However, we can’t ignore acoustic basses! Just as there are acoustic guitars, there are acoustic bass guitars. And, just like you wouldn’t say a Martin dreadnought is ‘only a Fender Strat without electrics’, acoustic basses are also completely different to their electric counterparts. A lot of people see acoustic basses as a mix between an upright bass in terms of sound and an electric bass in terms of playability. While not strictly true, we are quite satisfied with this definition for the time being. Here’s a good example of what you can do (with some practice!) on an acoustic bass: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDhsTTMfoKI

Why Buy an Acoustic Bass?

There are several reasons you may wish to acquire an acoustic bass, although the biggest is the experimentation this instrument offers. Ultimately, the acoustic bass is a relatively new instrument without a clearly defined purpose. This actually appeals to many bassists, as they can experiment with playing new styles and techniques, without any preconceived ideas about what they should or should not be doing with it. As for more practical applications, acoustic basses bring other perks to the table. For example, you don’t need an amp or cables to practice and you get instant feedback. Because of the raw nature of an acoustic bass, it’s a good instrument on which to perfect your technique. As it isn’t very forgiving, mistakes are clearer – so you really focus on nailing that technique. Additionally, playing an acoustic bass can help train you to use your picking hand correctly. In short, there is no pickup for you to rest your thumb on, so you are forced to rest it on the E string or the body. Why is this important? Take a look at four different pickup arrangements found on modern basses. You don’t want your whole performance depending on where the pickup is located, right? As well as practice, acoustic basses are also great for performing unplugged. When you are tasked with playing bass in an unplugged setting, you can now play on something with a familiar style, similar to an electric bass. The other option is finding an upright bass and learning a whole new playing style and technique… that’s not ideal!

Preamps and Amplification

Another great perk of using basses of the acoustic variety is the fact that they almost always come with electronics. Now, of course, we are contradicting ourselves a little, as we have just sung the praises of the advantages of playing unplugged. However, if you are playing bass as part of an acoustic set with three acoustic guitars, going fully unplugged would be rather difficult – you would struggle to be heard by your audience and fellow musicians. With onboard electronics, you are able to match the output levels with different instruments. As you can see from our chart above, some basses come with rather simple electronics, while others feature more advanced systems. Which is best for you? If you want to plug into an amp or PA system directly, a more elaborate preamp with more onboard tone shaping capabilities definitely comes in handy. However, if you decide that you want to dial in the perfect tone using all kinds of effects pedals, you can easily get away with a simpler set of electronics. Once again, it is a matter of personal preference.

Short Scale Acoustic Basses

Let’s quickly touch on short scale acoustic bass guitars. For many players, making the jump from electric bass to acoustic is quite uncomfortable, due to the extra demands on both the picking and fretting hand when playing. Throw a long neck into this mix and you can see why some seek out shorter scale models. The only problem is that not many brands make them, and even those that do are rarely on sale on most marketplaces as the demand isn’t that high. So, if you want to try a short scale acoustic bass, prepare yourself for a bit of hunting around – look on the usual sites like Amazon or Guitar Center, although eBay may be your best shot at landing a short scale acoustic bass.

The Final Word

At the end of the day, acoustic bass guitars are an awesome tool, allowing you to express yourself in a completely different way to an electric bass. Even though they are not as popular as their 6-string acoustic counterparts, there is still a lot of worth in these instruments. As you’ve seen in the chart above, there is also a growing range of acoustic bass models to choose from, with most big-name brands offering at least a few models in their catalogs. So, whether you’re a diehard acoustic bass fan or just fancy adding one to your collection, we hope our chart and guide have given you a little inspiration. Good luck in your hunt for the perfect acoustic bass!