Whether you’re an experienced musician or a complete beginner, choosing from the best bass guitars is a great way to improve. Quality instruments are engineered for responsive playing and beautiful audio, so you can sound your best at any skill level. When you’re looking at different models, there are lots of factors to consider — the number of strings, type of wood, body style, frets, pickups, and more. It can be confusing, which is where we come in. We’ve collected the top 10 best models on the market to make the shopping process a bit easier. With the right bass guitar, it’s easier to take your playing to the next level.
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1. Ibanez 4 String Bass Guitar
If you’re a musical generalist, or if you’re just getting started, this four-string Ibanez bass guitar is a great choice. It comes with an affordable price tag, but still has all of the features you need — full pickups that deliver a rich sound, quality materials, and a gorgeous design. It’s also made with a compact body, which sets it apart from full-size guitars. Use it for smaller players or teenagers, or buy it to save space on a tour bus or in a small apartment.
2. Yamaha TRBX174 DBM Agathis
Sleek and stylish, the Yamaha TRBX174 DBM Agathis will make you feel like a rocker right out of the box. With its sleek, contoured body and rich blue finish, this instrument makes a beautiful statement on stage or in the practice room. The mahogany body transfers vibrations efficiently, and the single-coil pickup delivers a bright, clear sound that makes your riffs ring out. With its matching headstock, this guitar has a distinctive look.
3. Safeplus Electric Bass Guitar
If you’re in the market for the best beginner bass guitar, this Safeplus model is a good place to start. Not sure if you’ll stick with it? With its affordable price tag, this model reduces the risk. Plus, it comes with all of the supplies you need to start playing, including a strap, a guitar pick, and a cord to connect to your amp. The included gig bag makes it easy to carry this guitar to lessons or your first performance. Built with pualowina and rose body and fingerboard create a smooth-handling, crisp sound to support the learning process.
4. Sterling by Music Man StingRay Ray4 Bass Guitar
Turn heads when you’re carrying this stunning StingRay Ray4 bass from Sterling by Music Man. The distinctive body stands out in a crowd, thanks to the brilliant Fiesta Red finish and white pickguard accent. Made with a basswood body and a maple wood neck, this guitar delivers a short sustain that’s perfect for faster playing. The humbucker pickup reduces noise and increases clarity, and the built-in controls allow you to adjust the sound without missing a beat. We love the neck, which is attached with six bolts and a significant overlap for lasting durability and stability.
5. Glarry Electric Bass Guitar
The best bass guitar for beginners, the Glarry electric bass is the perfect way to get started. First, it comes with a budget-friendly price, so you can get a feel for the bass before making a serious investment. The classic shape looks beautiful on stage, and the cherry red finish contrasts dramatically with the white fretboard. All you need is an amp — this package includes everything else, including a cord and a pick. We love the smooth neck, which enables you to reach the frets easily and in complete comfort.
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6. Goplus Electric Bass Guitar
Learn to play the guitar with the help of this Gopluls electric bass kit. The guitar itself features a solid wood body with an overlapping neck, so it’s tough and stable enough for beginning players. The rosewood fretboard adds a pleasing complexity to the sound, and the piezoelectric pickup creates a clear, crisp audio transfer that’s ideal for beginners. This set includes a case, amp cable, picks, strap, and more, so you can plug in and start playing right out of the box.
7. Ibanez Talman TMB100 MGR 2015
With its striking body style and wide neck, the Ibanez Talman TMB100 is a guitar for players who aren’t afraid to make a statement. The poplar body delivers a well-balanced audio profile, and the passive P/J pickup helps you create powerful audio. In fact, with its Ibanez DXP neck pickup and DXJ bridge pickup, this guitar is a great way to add a retro edge to classic and contemporary music. Plus, with the built-in Active EQ, you have access to a range of tonal qualities.
8. Ibanez Bass Guitar
Get right to rocking with this Ibanez four-string bass guitar. The top features a beautiful brown sunburst design with a darker edging that showcases the classic shape. The slim neck is easy to handle for players with smaller hands, and the short-scale body is a great choice for kids and compact musicians. Built with a poplar body and a maple neck, this instrument delivers a balanced tone with a bright, sustained edge that’s ideal for live playing or studio recording.
9. Squier by Fender Bronco Bass
Are you a guitarist who needs a bass as a backup or for occasional playing?? This bronco bass from Squier by Fender fits the bill. It features a short-scale body that’s easy to play, even for kids and small musicians. Alternatively, it makes an excellent tour or travel instrument. With its solid Agathis body and single-coil pickup, this guitar produces a powerful sound. Die-cast tuners help you achieve the perfect pitch.
10. Silvertone LB11 Bass Guitar and Amp Package
If you’ve never played an electric guitar, you’re probably in need of multiple supplies, and that’s where this Silvertone LB11 package comes in. It includes a guitar, bag, and all of the other supplies you need to start playing. Plus, since it includes an amp, you can get going immediately. We love the included instructional DVD, which makes setup and basic playing a breeze.
When you’re a musician, your instrument matters — especially when it comes to bass guitars. These guitars are the foundation of a band, so it’s important to find the right one. By picking from the best bass guitars, you can increase your chances of finding the perfect instrument for you.
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By BCR Staff
September 2019
