Best Bass Guitar For The Money (8 Electric Basses That Outperform Their Price)

Getting a good bass guitar doesn’t have to be expensive.

Obviously, you can’t buy the cheapest model on the market and expect amazing things.

But you can get some amazing instruments for a great price these days.

You just have to weed through all the crap that’s on the market.

That’s what we did for you. The result is this list of the best electric bass guitars for the money.

While the price and quality vary greatly, all of these basses far outperform their price level.

Keep reading to figure out which bass guitar is best for your needs and budget.

 

Best Bass Guitars Compared

 

Top Electric Bass Guitars Reviewed

The following electric bass guitars are all great for their price. Of course, the budget models won’t give you the same sound and creative freedom as the more expensive models. But if you’re just starting out, that’s not generally an issue.

 

Best Bass Guitar All-Around: Fender American Performer Precision Bass

Whether we’re talking about guitars, basses, amps, and even pedals – few brands come close to Fender. As for basses, their American Performer Precision model strongly stands out. It is a favorite among bass players.

It has a classic Strat-shape and some awesome qualities. It has an alder body and a maple neck that forms a standard bolt-on construction with the body.

Of course, it also features the standard maple fingerboard, giving it that “snappy” feel, just like you get with their standard 6-string guitars.

The American Performer Precision Bass has 20 medium-jumbo frets and a total scale length of 34 inches.

It has a “Modern C” neck profile, which makes for a comfortable playing experience. The fretboard radius is 9.5 inches, which gives it somewhat of a vintage feel.

The instrument’s other basic features are also rather vintage-oriented. This goes both for its bridge and the electronics.

It is a 4-saddle vintage-style bridge, just like the one you see on those old basses from the 1950s. Then you have a single-coil Yosemite Jazz pickup in the bridge, plus a split-coil pickup in the middle position.

These awesome pickups are accompanied by individual volume controls for each pickup and a master tone control.

You also have the Greasebucket tone circuit which lets you roll off the high-ends without taking away from the instrument’s output and power in the bottom-end.

Finally, you have the wonderful finish variants for a full, luxurious package. This is one of the rare basses that can cover almost any genre that comes to mind.

Pros

• Great build quality
• Amazing tone and versatile tone-shaping options
• Very balanced all around with all necessary frequencies covered nicely
• Greasebucket circuit for better tone shaping
• Great design

Cons

• It might be a bit expensive for some, though it’s an amazing value for what you get

 

Best Beginner Bass Guitar: Squier Bronco Bass

Fender instruments are great, but they’re expensive and primarily meant for experienced musicians. However, if you want an affordable bass guitar that still retains some of the great qualities of a Fender, Fender’s budget subsidiary Squier has you covered.

They make somewhat stripped down versions of Fender guitars that sell for much less. A great example for beginners is the Squier Bronco bass guitar.

It features a straightforward design, with the classic double-cutaway body shape. But this one has its own twist.

The “Bronco” shape is like a slightly morphed Strat and pretty similar to the Mustang models. In some ways, it’s a tribute to the old Fender Bronco bass that was produced from the late 1960s, up to the early 1980s.

This is a fairly simple bass guitar, with an Agathis body and a maple neck. The instrument also has a maple fingerboard, which is not common on cheaper guitars or basses.

Other than that, it has 19 medium-jumbo frets and a fretboard radius of 9.5 inches, with a standard “C” neck profile.

These specs tell you that this is yet another vintage-oriented bass. You also see this with other specs, like the instrument’s 2-saddle bridge and the inclusion of just one Special Design single-coil pickup placed in the middle position.

It’s not a fancy instrument, but that makes it a great option for beginners. That and the low price.

And because it’s well-made and sounds great, you can continue playing it, even when you reach the intermediate level. Learn more in our full review of the Squier Bronco.

Pros

• Really simple, perfect for beginners
• A reliable instrument; can even come in handy for live gigs
• Maple fretboard, which is rare on a cheaper instrument

Cons

• It could use at least one more pickup

 

Best Cheap Bass Guitar: Jackson JS1X Concert Bass

Jackson is famous for making some pretty awesome, but cheap, instruments. They have been doing this for a long time and the JS1X concert bass is no exception.

Looking at its specs, you’ll be surprised that this instrument is that cheap. Despite the low price, it’s more than just a regular entry-level bass. It can serve you well for rock, hard rock, metal, and even some other genres.

The instrument has a poplar body, maple neck, bolt-on construction, amaranth fingerboard, 22 jumbo frets, and a relatively flat radius of 12 inches.

One thing that really surprised us was the graphite reinforcement in the neck. Along with this comes a shorter scale length of only 28.6 inches. This also makes it a great choice for younger players, or just those who prefer smaller basses instead of regular-sized ones.

The smaller size has absolutely no negative impact on the performance or tone. The bass comes with the standard P/J pickup configuration, with a split-coil in the neck position, and a standard single-coil in the bridge.

They are Jackson’s stock pickups, but they do a surprisingly great job, delivering some awesome tones.

You also have a nice 4-saddle HiMass bridge that makes the JS1X really easy to set up. If you’re looking for a reliable budget option, you’re not going to find a better one. It even has a pretty nice design, if you’re looking for a rock-oriented aesthetic.

Pros

• Great deal for low price
• Reliable
• Simple to use
• Versatile; can be used for plenty of genres

Cons

• Nothing for this price level

 

Best Bass Guitar for Small Hands: Fender Geddy Lee Signature Jazz Bass

A common concerns among small-handed bassists is finding the right instrument to accommodate their smaller hands. Bass guitars usually have long scale lengths, thick strings, thick necks, and overall wide frets, which can make them tough to play.

If you’re looking for a fully professional bass guitar that’s easy to play with smaller hands, we highly recommend Fender’s Geddy Lee signature model.

Of course, this instrument is great for any bassists, but it’s the perfect choice for those who have smaller hands. You might expect a shorter scale length, but it has the regular scale length of 34 inches. It is a full-sized bass guitar.

So why do we recommend it for small-handed bassists?

Because it has a perfectly designed neck for those with smaller hands, with a “Thin C” profile. This is perfect for virtuosic players as well.

It has a standard configuration with an alder body in a traditional Jazz bass shape and a bolt-on maple neck with a maple fretboard.

This is also followed by a vintage-oriented fretboard radius of 9.5 inches and a total of 20 medium-jumbo frets. What’s more, the fretboard comes with black block inlays that go perfectly with this instrument’s design.

This wonderful 4-string also has two single-coil Jazz Bass pickups. Using the individual volume controls and a master tone knob, you can go anywhere from super bright piercing tones and to those “muffled” smooth dark sounds.

Pros

• Thin C neck profile makes it really easy to play
• Amazing Jazz Bass single-coil pickups
• Great-looking and balanced design
• Done according to Geddy Lee’s bass specs

Cons

• Nothing at this price level

 

Best Bass Guitar Under $1000: Sterling by Music Man StingRay Ray34

Despite all the advancements in the world of guitars and basses, it’s still hard to find a great deal on a high quality instrument. It seems that all of the best go way past the $1000 mark.

But what if we told you that there are a few really awesome basses out there below the $1000 level? Top on that list is the Sterling StingRay Ray34.

Sterling is a subsidiary of Music Man, so you expect excellence. From the very first glance, you can see this is one of the finest basses you’ll find on the market today.

But its greatness is not just skin deep. It goes past the aesthetic qualities. The design is based on the classic Music Man StingRay model and features the classic double-cutaway shape, a mahogany body, roasted maple neck, roasted hard maple fretboard with 21 medium-jumbo frets, and a full-sized 34-inch scale length.

But what’s also really awesome is that this bass comes with its own integrated active preamp, meaning you can plug it directly into a mixer and make it sound as if you’re playing through an actual amp.

The Ray34 model comes with only two H-1 Alnico humbucker pickups, allowing for that tighter and more controlled tone. The active preamp also comes with a 3-band EQ, which opens up some great tone-shaping options.

In short, this is an all-around wonderful bass that can serve you in pretty much any setting.

Pros

• Really good deal for the price
• Comes with an active preamp and a 3-band EQ
• Well-conceived design and amazing build quality

Cons

• Absolutely nothing for this price

 

Best Bass Guitar Under $500: Yamaha TRBX504

No matter the type of instrument, Yamaha always finds its place on any “top” list. On this list it’s the TRBX504. It sells for just under $500, and is a shockingly good electric bass guitar at that price.

Yamaha’s basses are known for looking great and being very comfortable to play. This one is no exception. This bass guitar has a mahogany body, which is not something you see that often.

The body is accompanied by a 5-piece bolt-on maple and mahogany neck equipped with a rosewood fingerboard. The joint is designed in such a way to allow comfortable performance in higher-fret areas. Speaking of, the instrument comes with 24 frets, which makes it a great choice if you also play bass lead sections.

When it comes to the electronics, this is an active system, powered by a standard 9-volt battery. The Yamaha TRBX504 comes equipped with two H5 Alnico 5 humbuckers which deliver a massive tone.

This is all accompanied by a volume knob, a 3-band EQ, a balance control, and a switch that toggles between active and passive electronics.

In short, this bass has it all. And it falls under the $500 mark, making it a really good choice for bass players of pretty much any genre.

Pros

• Really good deal for the price
• Controls bring a lot of tone-shaping options
• Choose between active and passive electronics
• Ergonomic and eye-pleasing design

Cons

• Nothing for this price level

 

Best Bass Guitar Under $300: Gretsch G2220 Electromatic Junior Jet Bass II

If you want a cheap bass, but don’t want to drop down into the super-cheap category, you don’t have many good options. But there is one great one: the Gretsch’s G2220 Electromatic Junior Jet Bass II.

Just like some of their 6-string guitars, the Jet body shape resembles a classic single-cutaway Les Paul. However, it’s sort of a “mutated” Les Paul shape, meshing it with some of Gretsch’s design qualities.

This particular model is well-known for its somewhat shorter scale length. Measuring at 30.3 inches, it can come in handy for those who prefer to play smaller basses.

The G2220 model features a somewhat vintage-ish design, with a basswood body and a maple neck. It also has a walnut fretboard with 20 medium-jumbo frets and a flatter radius of 12 inches.

It has a classic easily adjustable 4-saddle bridge, along with die-cast tuning machines. All have a chrome finish.

The G2220 comes with two Gretsch mini-humbuckers in the bridge and neck positions, although the neck one is a bit closer to the middle position than you usually see.

There are basic controls for volume, tone, and one 3-way pickup switch, just like you’d find on 6-string guitars with two humbuckers, making it a rather unique bass.

It’s a decent bass that becomes great when you factor in the price. It’s especially useful for classic rock and hard rock settings. Read more about it in our detailed review of the Gretsch G2220.

Pros

• Stylish design
• Pretty low price, worth the cost
• Really simple
• Reliable

Cons

• Not that versatile in term of musical styles

 

Best Short-Scale Bass Guitar: Ibanez GSRM20

A common issues some bass players have is finding a proper piece with a shorter scale length. For those looking for a bass with a shorter neck, we recommend the Ibanez GSRM20.

It is quite a bit shorter than regular basses, measuring 28.6 inches. That is around the size some 6-string baritone guitars have.

What’s more, it is a rather cheap bass, with basic features and controls at a very low cost. It has a poplar body, a standard maple neck with a jatoba fretboard, and 22 medium-jumbo frets.

This is accompanied by a decent 4-saddle bridge and a P/J pickup combination. It’s a rather simple instrument that can also come in handy for beginners or intermediate players. Our full review of the Ibanez GSRM20 has more.

Pros

• Good for those who prefer shorter scale lengths
• Pretty simple and easy to play
• Very cheap

Cons

• Not that versatile
• Design and aesthetic features are pretty basic

 

Bass Guitar Buying Guide

When you are shopping for a bass guitar, the different options and features can become overwhelming. This buyer’s guide will help you make sense of it all and figure out exactly what you need.

Here are the most important features you should take into consideration.

 

Body And Neck Build

Almost all bass guitars come with a bolt-on body and neck configuration. We also have a plethora of body tonewoods, with each bringing its own twist into the mix.

But what’s most important are the body shapes and their ergonomic qualities.

If you’re looking to play at higher-fret areas, look for shapes that allow easier access to higher frets. This is mostly the case with brands like Yamaha or Ibanez.

Necks are usually made of a single piece of wood, although you can find 3-piece or 5-piece ones. Some even feature graphite reinforcement which can ensure stability in the longer run.

In most cases, basses come with maple necks. This is true for both cheaper and more expensive ones. But those higher-end basses have better wood, making it easier to set the truss rod tension.

It’s also important to note that almost all bass guitars feature solid bodies. There are some hollow-body basses out there, but they’re not common and are usually more expensive.

 

Number Of Strings

We mentioned only 4-string basses above, because they’re the most common. But there are also 5-string and 6-string bass guitars, and even some with more strings.

5-string basses come with an additional bottom string, allowing you to go even deeper. In standard tuning, this would be a B string.

With 6-string basses, you get an additional string below E, as well as a higher string, which is tuned to B in the standard tuning, two octaves above the bottom one. Basses with more than 6-strings are highly advanced instruments and are usually experimental and quite expensive.

Extended-range basses have become pretty popular among modern metal musicians. However, it’s also not uncommon to see a 5-string bass in any other genre.

 

Active Or Passive Electronics

A lot of basses come with active electronics. The main traits of this setup include a more powerful output, as well as the ability to plug directly into a PA system and get a good amp-like tone. They’re also known for having a stronger and “sharper” attack.

On the other hand, passive electronics come with a reduced output signal strength and have a smoother attack. Neither of these setups is considered better or worse. It just comes down to what individual players prefer.

One “advantage” of passive electronics is that you don’t have to replace the battery. Some basses have the option to blend or switch between active and passive tone, giving you a lot of tone-shaping options.

It’s also not unusual to see basses with only one pickup.

Such instruments usually have the pickup in the bridge position, but there are some cases (like the Squier Bronco mentioned above) with pickups placed in the middle or neck position. Although this might be limiting, it doesn’t mean that these bass guitars are bad.

 

Pickups And Controls

While single-coils and split-coil pickups are more common, some basses have humbuckers. Just like with regular electric guitars, single-coils bring a sharper tone and stronger attack, while humbuckers are somewhat softer but have a more “robust” and powerful tone.

When it comes to different musical styles, we’d recommend humbuckers for hard rock and metal music, while single-coils have more widespread use.

Almost all basses come with volume and tone controls. Some have individual tone controls for each pickup. A few electric bass guitars also have pickup selector switches.

When you have active electronics, or active preamps, in bass guitars, they’re often accompanied by a 3-band EQ, which allows you to do more detailed tone shaping.

No matter the type of electronics, it’s usually standard to have individual volume potentiometers for each pickup or a blend knob that lets you balance between two pickups.

 

Scale Length And Neck Profile

Scale length is the distance between the nut and the bridge. Having a longer scale length allows you to use lower tunings while retaining more tuning stability. These basses can also have a more pronounced sustain.

The standard scale length measures 34 inches on a 4-string bass, which is 86 cm. 5-string basses most often come with a 35-inch scale length.

There are some basses with an extra-long scale length of up to 36 inches. Shorter scale lengths, which are around 30 inches, are common for some smaller or beginner-oriented bass guitars.

 

Best Bass Guitar For The Money: Final Thoughts

We wanted to make sure to include a large variety on this list, so that you can find the perfect bass guitar for you, whatever your budget. Obviously, the more you pay, the more you get. But even the cheapest bass on this list is pretty good.

And all of them, from the cheapest to the most expensive, are incredible values. Each one is the best bass guitar for the money at its price level. No matter which one you choose, you get far more than you pay.