Best bass guitars: Lay down the low end

There are some misconceptions that bass guitar is a background instrument. That couldn’t be further from the truth. The best bass guitars offer a mix of tone, playability, versatility, and craftsmanship.

Discover some of our favorites and what sets them apart from the pack.

Best bass guitar overall: Fender American Ultra II Precision Bass

It’s a debate that seems to go on perpetually – Jazz versus Precision bass guitars. The reality is it’s all up to player preference, but what if you could have the best of both worlds? That’s what the American Ultra II brings to the table. And wow, does it have ways to customize the sound.

A contoured offset alder body strikes the perfect balance between feel and comfort, and the Modern D-profile neck with 10-14 inch compound-radius fretboard (available in maple or ebony) lets you glide up and down easily. A tapered neck heel makes accessing higher frets easy, if that’s your thing.

The electronics are much more sophisticated than your average bass. Pickups are Fender Ultra II Noiseless, and the onboard 18-volt preamp with 3-band EQ gives you all the pump and punch you could ask for. 

Master volume is a push-push S-1 switch, there’s a pan pot to select pickups, and stacked concentric midrange cut/boost with passive tone, stacked concentric treble cut/boost and low end cut/boost.

This level of control makes this instrument a tone machine that’s perfect for session players or bassists that need to be able to experiment.

Best bass guitar with single-coil pickups: Fender American Professional II Precision Bass

The American Professional II brings decades of Fender innovations into a single instrument. A ‘63 C-profile neck with rolled fretboard edges has a good mix of the taper toward the nut of a Jazz bass and the chunky feel of a Precision bass neck. A sculpted neck heel provides easy access to the upper frets, which is one thing that a lot of bass guitars lack.

One of the biggest selling points is the pickup. It’s a V-Mod II Precision Bass split-coil pickup that provides all of the punch and growl you’d want from that kind of pickup

This model has better sustain than others, and there are multiple reasons why. It has a genuine bone nut, and a HiMass Vintage bridge that can be used string-through or top-loaded. Lightweight vintage-style tuners provide tuning stability from the head portion of the instrument.

Fender’s American Professional II Precision Bass is quite the versatile instrument. So whether you’re a touring pro, session ace, or weekend warrior the value here is undeniable.

Best bass guitar with humbucker pickups: Ernie Ball Music Man StingRay Special HH

Humbuckers are sort of the black sheep of the bass guitar pickups family. They’re obviously popular with electric guitars, but there is still a lot of mystery around them when it comes to basses. 

But the reality is they are thick, heavy, and add sustain to the tone like no other type of bass pickup. And when it comes to humbuckers in a bass guitar, Ernie Ball pretty much wrote the script. 

The StingRay special has the iconic Ernie Ball look, punchy sound, and chunky premium roasted maple neck and maple fretboard that has appealed to players since the 1970s. It uses Ernie Ball’s 5-bolt neck and brings the tuning stability that bassists have come to love.

But the pickups steal the show with this model. Soap-bar style humbuckers with neodymium pickups have thick pole pieces that set the stage for you to dial in the sound. An 18-volt active preamp with 3-band EQ customizes it further. 

The StingRay Special is a unique tonal starting point. It’s loud, in-your-face, and has great headroom. Any bass player from indie rock to metal can make it the premier piece in their signal chain.

Best budget electric bass guitar: Ibanez GSR200

There is no shortage of bass guitars on the market that fit the budget category. Beginners often experiment with their tone so they can find the best for their style, so why not go with as versatile an option as possible?

The GSR200 sports two pickups, single-coil and split-coil variations. These open up a range of sounds that you can blend. Each pickup has its own volume control so you can blend to taste and finalize the overall EQ with a master tone knob.

Ibanez chose a unique blend of tonewoods for this model. The neck is one-piece maple with a Jatoba fretboard. An agathis body is lightweight with strong low end resonance, the midrange has good bite, and there’s an open top end.

It’s got an active preamp with a Phat II bass boost circuit that adds weight and sustain to the sound. And the 18-volt power supply offers plenty of headroom to prevent clipping.

The body is sleek and contoured, which makes this bass comfortable to play. It comes in a variety of finishes, and though you might buy it as a starter instrument with the proper setup you can use it long into your playing career.

Best acoustic bass guitar: Martin BC-16E

Who knew Martin makes acoustic bass guitars? Like their guitar models, the BC-16E is crafted with stunning quality.

Martin selected an interesting combination of tonewoods for this full-scale acoustic bass guitar. The rosewood back adds depth, while the Sitka spruce top provides a nice snap in the high midrange.

The singlecut body with dovetail neck joint allows for easy access to higher frets, and the 34” scale length has less string tension that provides easier playability. 

Martin’s E1 electronics system and preamp gives you controls over volume and a 3-band EQ for precision sound shaping. A lot of onboard preamps sound thin and anemic, but with the E1 you get precision sound shaping.

It’s got a regal look like other Martins. The body isn’t too thick, but the low end is full and resonant. 

FAQ

What features should I look for in a bass guitar?

Key features to consider include neck shape and feel. Scale length also matters, with 34″ being standard and longer or shorter scales affecting tone and string tension. These directly affect playability. 

Pickup type is also critical. Passive pickups offer vintage warmth and active pickups provide modern clarity and onboard EQ control. Other important elements are weight, which impacts comfort during long sessions, and tone versatility, especially if you play across multiple genres.

Should I get a 4-string, 5-string, or 6-string bass?

A 4-string bass is standard and ideal for most players, especially beginners. If you need extra low-end range, a 5-string bass adds a low B string. A 6-string bass includes both a low B and a high C string, which offers a full range for soloing and extended techniques. 

Are expensive basses worth it?

High-end basses are built with better materials, electronics, and quality control. If you’re gigging, recording, or want a lifetime instrument, they’re worth the investment. But there are great-sounding basses in every price range. Playability and tone are more important than brand prestige.