Best Bass Guitars

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.