Are you looking for the 12 String Bass Guitar? If so, you’ve come to the right place.
Choosing the 12 String Bass Guitar can be difficult as there are so many considerations, such as Vintage, Custom Shop, Glarry, Fender, Ibanez, Jackson, Taylor, Yamaha, ESP, Schecter Guitar Research. We have done a lot of research to find the top 20 12 String Bass Guitar available.
The average cost is $721.73. Sold comparable range in price from a low of $21.99 to a high of $2999.00.
Based on the research we did, we think Ibanez GSR200 Bass Guitar (Jewel Blue) is the best overall. Read on for the rest of the great options and our buying guide, where you can find all the information you need to know before making an informed purchase.
20 Best Selling 12 String Bass Guitar (20 Sellers)
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$229.99
4.7
Reviewers Noted:
Good sound quality . Attractive . Well made . Durable . Lightweight
Features:
- Model: gsr200-jb
- Series: gio
- Finish: jewel blue (jb)
$2149.99
4.8
Reviewers Noted:
Good sound quality . Attractive . Well made . Weight . Durable
Features:
- Upgraded with fralin pickups.
- Comes with original fender pickups.
- Comes with case candy and covers and coa.
Reviewers Noted:
Good sound quality . Lightweight . Attractive . Well made . Durability
Features:
- One-piece maple neck
- Rosewood fret board
- Pearl dot inlay
$2099.99
4.8
Reviewers Noted:
Attractive . Durable . Good sound quality . Well made . Lightweight
Features:
- The photos shown are actual photos of the guitar you are purchasing.
- Weight 8.6 lbs.
$299.99
4.7
Reviewers Noted:
Sound quality . Attractive . Lightweight . Durable . Well made
Features:
- Serial number icj2202577.
- Weight – 7.9 pounds.
- Versatile style and enormous sound collide in the all-new js series spectra bass js2p.
$2999.00
4.6
Reviewers Noted:
Attractive . Good sound quality . Well made . Durable . Lightweight
Features:
- Vintage electric 12-string tone
- Solid maple semi-hollowbody construction
- Through-body neck
$229.99$129.99
4.0
Reviewers Noted:
Sound quality . Lacks durability . Attractive . Craftsmanship
Features:
- Basswood body in three stunning finishes
- Maple neck with 24 jumbo frets that are ideal for any style of playing
- Split-single and single-coil ceramic pickups cover an array of musical genres
$229.99
4.7
Reviewers Noted:
Good sound quality . Attractive . Lightweight . Well made . Durability
Features:
- Agathis body
- One-piece maple neck
- Pearl dot inlay
Reviewers Noted:
Good sound quality . Attractive . Weight . Craftsmanship
Features:
- V-shaped matching white painted falcon headstock with gold-sparkle inlaid gretsch vertical winged logo
- Traditional gretsch rancher "triangular" sound hole
- Gold sparkle bound body neck and headstock with b/w/b/w purfling
Reviewers Noted:
Good sound quality . Attractive . Well made . Durable . Lightweight
Features:
- Phat ii active bass boost adds additional low-end power.
- Jatoba has a reddish brown color which produces a rich mid range with a crisp high end.
- The b10 bridge allows fully adjustable intonation and solid tuning stability.
Reviewers Noted:
Sound quality . Well made . Attractive . Lightweight . Durability
Features:
- Description.
- Top: mahogany.
- Back & sides: mahogany.
Reviewers Noted:
Good sound quality . Attractive . Well made . Durable . Lightweight
Features:
- Dimensioni e peso: 130 x 40 x 20 cm, peso 9 kg (dimensioni e peso imballo)
- Condizioni estetiche: buone, qualche segno di normale usura come visibile in foto
- Accessori: nessuno
$353.00
4.6
Reviewers Noted:
Good sound quality . Weight
Features:
- 'vintage' is a guitar line developed in great britain in conjunction with the famous trev wilkinson of (obviously) wilkinson hardware.
- This is the vj74 icon fretless jazz bass.
- It features a classic j body and scale, with solid alder body, rock maple neck and all wilkinson hardware and pickups.
$599.99
4.9
Reviewers Noted:
Good sound quality . Attractive . Weight
Features:
- Solid spruce top with laminated mahogany back and sides
- Gloss black finish
- Mahogany neck
$279.99
4.7
Reviewers Noted:
Attractive . Sound quality . Craftsmanship . Durability
Features:
- Ibanez aeq-2t preamp w/onboard tuner.
- Maple neck features a well-balanced tonal character from low to high end.
- Nandu wood fretboard & bridge.
$1499.99
4.9
Reviewers Noted:
Sound quality . Visual appeal . Weight . Durability . Craftsmanship
Features:
- Ash/pangapanga top with african mahogany body in a satin finish
- Atlas-5 neck type. 5 piece panga panga / purpleheart neck with oilfinish – bolt-on neck joint
- Nordstrand big single neck & bridge pickups with eq bypass switch (passive tone control on treble pot), 3-way mid frequency switch
$1285.00
4.8
Reviewers Noted:
Craftsmanship
Features:
- Please note: small finish crack at neck joint, tooling marks and visible glue on fretboard.
- Custom pickups.
- Five-piece korina and walnut neck.
Reviewers Noted:
Visual appeal . Weight . Sound quality
Features:
- Full-size complete bass package.
- Comes with everything you need to get started.
- Including a 30 watt peak 15w rms amplifier strap and case included.
Features:
- This item is in very good condition.
- This item has been tested and is 100% functional.
- Please message us with any questions.
Features:
- The definitive history of the world's most famous 12-string electric guitar.
- Category: reference.
- Sub category 1: instruments.
1. Ibanez Gsr200 Bass Guitar (Jewel Blue)
Product Details:
Gsr200 for 30 years the sr has given bass players a modern alternative. with its continued popularity, ibanez is constantly endeavoring to answer the wider needs of a variety of players, at a variety of budgets. but no matter what the specs, the heart is the same-sr continues to excite with its smooth, fast neck, lightweight body, and perfectly matched electronics. gio – a guitar doesn’t have to cost a lot to sound great. the gio series was developed for players who want ibanez quality and performance in a more affordable package. purpleheart fretboard the purpleheart fretboard emphasizes the beauty and the rich tonal character of this bass. medium frets medium sized frets enhance the accuracy of your notes. poplar body poplar used as body wood delivers a well-balanced tone with incredible thickness. dynamix pj pickups dynamix pj pickups deliver clarity and fullness phat ii eq the phat ii active bass boost adds additional low-end power. b10 series bridge the b10 bridge allows fully adjustable intonation and solid tuning stability.
Specifications:
Bass Guitar Type | Solid Body Bass |
Body Style | SR |
Orientation | Right-Handed |
Number of Frets | 22 |
Scale Length | 34" |
Neck Material | Maple |
Fingerboard Material | Jatoba |
Bridge Type | Fixed |
Nut Material | Plastic |
Active or Passive | Passive |
Number of Pickups | 2 |
Pickup Configuration | S-S |
Bridge Pickup | Dynamix J |
Neck Pickup | Dynamix P |
Hardware Color | Chrome |
Case Included | No |
Reviews:
Sound: The stock pickups sound great especially with high gain. Nice crunch and break up. Features: For me the reason that I bought this model is that it is the least expensive way to get a real Edge tremolo. I can do subtle things with the Edge that I can’t do on an Original Floyd Rose. The bar is easier to position and it stays where ever you put it. As long as the torsion bushings on the bar aren’t worn out, the pop in bar is neither too tight or too sloppy. Value: This guitar is worth every penny. Manufacturer Support: I did not use Ibanez customer service and I did order half a dozen sets of torsion bushings, but had to order them from different places. The Wow Factor: I love the color of this one, Desert Sun Yellow. Overall: In the last 2 months I’ve bought 5 different Ibanez guitars, both lower and higher price. I must say that this guitar is the most bang for the buck out of any of my 21 guitars that I own.Got more than 200 bucks off on mine as it was sold as a slight blemish. When the guitar arrived, I noticed it did have a hairline crack in the paint on the bass side at the neck pocket. That was the only flaw I could find and it probably would have happened anyway if I would have got a “new” one.This is the shreddiest guitar that I have. The only thing that I had to address is that the 6th fret was a little proud. Other than that the fret job was good. All the frets were shiny and smooth and no fret sprout.This is the guitar that is at the price point where if you spend more money, you aren’t going to get much better. And the fit and finish were top notch.Scott
Overall: This guitar was a total impulse buy and I’m so glad I bought it! It’s easily worth twice the price of it. Can’t get too many mid tier guitars that are neck thru with decent pickups and a 5-way switch that has a fast and slim neck at this price. I mostly play baritone 6 strings and 7 strings but I needed a 25.5” scale for drop C and this is perfect for it with 10-54 strings. I did upgrade the nut with a Graphtech tusq nut and Hipshot locking tuners with knurled tuner buttons and looks even more badass while staying in perfect tune! I have an Ibanez rgib6 Iron Label 28” baritone and this is up there with that as far as quality and playability. The stock pickups aren’t bad at all and definitely surprised me cuz that’s usually the first thing I’ll change in an inexpensive guitar. As you can see by the other reviews people say it’s a great guitar and they’re not lying so if you’re on the fence about getting it then go for it! You won’t be disappointed at all and if for some reason you are then zZounds has a return policy within like 30-45 days so you won’t be stuck with a guitar you don’t love.Josh
Overall: I have been playing the epiphone les paul std for two and half years now,and started looking at semi hollows around five months ago! I did some research looked at reviews and then bought the am93 ays almost four months ago,and just love it! The body is bigger and its lighter then the les paul ,it rests real nice on the lap no strap is neaded.Pickups and tunners excellent !! I would say the neck shape is a (c ) standard! Not thin like a jackson or wizard 3 neck! With the string action low feels and plays very nice!! Flawless machine ! No sharp frets,no freting out, all notes are clear, fret boards nice and dark no gaps around the block inlays ! All smooth sealed and even. Amazing finish. Thanks to everyone at zZounds ! With the payment plan i was able to get this! im very happy and very much enjoy it
2. Fender American Original '60s Jazz Bass (Candy Apple Red)
Product Details:
Released in 1960, the upscale jazz bass quickly found favour among working bassists thanks to its premium appointments and versatile sound. the narrower neck seemed tailor-made for fast, dexterous playing, while the pair of single-coil pickups added a bold new dimension to fender bass tone. the american original ‘60s jazz bass has all the tone and style of its earliest incarnation, with modern playability. the pure vintage ’64 jazz bass single-coil pickups are as period-correct as possible, from the enamel-coated coil wire to the cloth covered output wires, fibre bobbins and alnico 5 magnets. there’s no mistaking the sound of these pickups—from a deep growl to articulate punch, they are the voice of this legendary bass. the slim “’60s c”-shaped neck profile and 9.5”-radius round-lam rosewood fingerboard combine for an agile playing feel. other authentic touches include vintage-tall frets, original-era body radii, vintage style hardware—including a four-saddle vintage style bridge—vintage-style hardshell case and a lacquer finish that not only lets the wood “breathe” naturally with resonant tone, it also wears in a distinctively appealing way. an inspiring instrument, the american original ’60s jazz bass is the best way to add original-era fender tone and style to your sound.
Specifications:
Shape | '60s C |
Wood | Maple |
Neck joint | Bolt-on |
Scale length | 34" |
Finish | Gloss nitrocellulose |
Active or passive pickups | Passive |
Pickup configuration | SS |
Middle | Single-coil Alnico V |
Bridge | Single-coil Alnico V |
Series or parallel | Parallel |
Radius | 9.5" |
Fret size | Vintage tall |
Number of frets | 20 |
Inlays | Dot |
Nut material | Bone |
Nut width | 1.48" (37.59 mm) |
Cutaway | Double cutaway |
Construction | Solidbody |
Body wood | Alder |
Body finish | Gloss nitrocellulose |
Orientation | Right handed |
Control layout | Volume 1, volume 2, master tone |
Bridge type | Fixed |
Bridge design | Vintage-style |
Tuning machines | Vintage-style |
Number of strings | 4 |
Pickguard | Yes |
Country of origin | USA |
Reviews:
If you are tired of searching for a professional sound buy this bass. I hated the mim fender deluxe model, but fender did something special with this bass. It has a clear piano like quality to it. My two sire basses sound like toys up against it. I have wasted so much money on lesser basses. I'm just trying to help my fellow bass players out there. Everyone says that I sound good playing my other basses, but there are certain ugly overtones that I don't want to hear in my bass. This bass doesn't have those unwanted frequencies, it is voiced beautifully. I know that most of tone is in the fingers, but at the end of the day you know what you want to hear. If you are an audiophile this is the bass for you. I have spent weeks demoing this bass and no matter what amp you run it through it sounds good. I played it at a church last week and all I can say is it was nasty. My wife ordered mine yesterday for my birthday and it's suppose to arrive today, fingers crossed.Eric
I've owned and played bass guitars for 30 years now and I've owned several fender basses and the myriad clones out there of the J and P basses. That history and background left me with a bias against fender and an eye for other "better" production guitars like the Stingray which is my other go-to bass. That being said, I am blown away by this bass. It is a SOLID instrument with no flaws or blemishes that I can detect. It came from the factory with an almost perfect setup. I had to make a minor intonation adjustment on the low B and E strings but the string height, pickup height, and neck position were perfect. Fender's Ultra Noiseless pickups (a stacked humbucker really) sound great in passive mode emphasizing a fat bottom end and the tone nob adds a good bit of mids. The highs are kinda meh for me but the active switch takes care of that and I can get as bright as I want. The 18v active preamp provides a lot of room to boost or cut low, mid, and high frequencies to get just about any sounds I want (I still prefer my Sting Ray if I want to get real funky). This is about the best sounding 5-string I've had. Most 5-strings sounds great as 4-strings and SUPER muddy when you work the low-b string but this bass brings it out without too much mud.T. DeWees
I bought this base back in April 2022. It sounds great and plays great. However, the front pickup recently quit all together. After a tech looked at it, it was discovered that it was a bad front pickup. It was beyond the store warranty, so I took it up with fender. After 2 weeks of going back and forth between them and the store that I bought it at, it was determined that fender would send the pickup to the technician if my choice and they would fix it. But it would take 30 days because they send it directly from the manufacturer. Which still boggles my mind, because the slowest mail would be less than a week? So my opinion of fender customer service has dropped considerably. A working musician doesn't have 30 days to do without their instrument. This is unacceptable. I decided to purchase the pickup myself. I can get it in the mail in 2 days, and put it in myself. However this is a great base if you happen to get one with good parts in itJerry
3. Ibanez Gsr200 Bass Guitar (Trans Red)
Product Details:
Gsr200 for 30 years the sr has given bass players a modern alternative. with its continued popularity, ibanez is constantly endeavoring to answer the wider needs of a variety of players, at a variety of budgets. but no matter what the specs, the heart is the same-sr continues to excite with its smooth, fast neck, lightweight body, and perfectly matched electronics. gio – a guitar doesn’t have to cost a lot to sound great. the gio series was developed for players who want ibanez quality and performance in a more affordable package. purpleheart fretboard the purpleheart fretboard emphasizes the beauty and the rich tonal character of this bass. medium frets medium sized frets enhance the accuracy of your notes. poplar body poplar used as body wood delivers a well-balanced tone with incredible thickness. dynamix pj pickups dynamix pj pickups deliver clarity and fullness phat ii eq the phat ii active bass boost adds additional low-end power. b10 series bridge the b10 bridge allows fully adjustable intonation and solid tuning stability.
Specifications:
Product Dimensions | 40 x 3 x 12 inches |
Country of Origin | China |
Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
Back Material | Oak |
Color Name | Transparent Red |
Fretboard Material | Rosewood |
Guitar Pickup Configuration | combination |
Scale Length | 34.0 |
String Gauge | 0.50 – 0.105 |
String Material | Nickel |
Top Material | Alder |
Neck Material Type | Maple |
Number of Strings | 4 |
Guitar Bridge System | Fixed |
Battery type | Zinc Carbon |
Finish Type | Polished |
Instrument | Guitar |
Reviews:
Overall: I wandered into a national Music store chain one day in Oct 2016 and went straight to the used guitars that were hanging on the wall in the used section. I'm always trying to keep an eye out on a good used Music Man electric as I try to collect these fine instruments. That particular day there was pretty slim pickings so I wandered through amps, effects and I ended in the pass guitar section. (I do play bass but usually when I write my own tunes) and this 6 string bass caught my eye. It didn't look cheap so I asked one of the vultures hovering there ( employees, just doing their gig) what he could tell me about this bass. It was pretty light-weight, first impression, so he gave me the run-down on the thing and I asked him if I could put it through the paces that I knew and we plugged it into an Ampeg mini brute what ever it was called and began a 45 minute of exploration where I passed this through an extensive test regarding tone, intonation,ease of reaching pots, tome control, The bass boost, I checked out the spec's which were pretty tight on with what was written. The balance was great, ease of use overall in case I plan to take a 6 string bass to a gig and perform for 3 hours was good weight-wise. I was particularly impressed with the bright tome. I was impressed in the selection of pickups that were available with this instrument. I've been performing on stage since I was 8 years old but mostly on guitar. I understood first you are usually someone and I was tithe whoweEric
Overall: I bought this simply to see if I want to pursue playing a 6 string. Beyond a few brief encounters in music stores, I have not played one and opted to try the tried-and-true Ibanez brand. The price point had me a little scared but this was a great purchase. I don't expect to have this long being I will either continue on the 6 string, or it will be flipped into something else. This is my first Ibanez and I will likely give the higher end SR models a closer look regardless of string count. The Good: Price, the setup was perfectly playable out of the box, tone is decent, weight is good for a 6 string, the fret ends a dressed. The Bad: doesn't balance well (Raw leather strap helped), finish is thin and wood not worth keeping natural (wanted the black model but, out of stock), Odd EQC.j.
I had no trouble setting up this bass. I was able set the intonation perfectly. Even the low strings sustain pitch very well and were easy to tune. I added a slight relief to the neck, because there was a lot of string buzz. After this slight adjustment to the truss rods, there is only a buzz when playing hard on the bottom 3 frets of the lowest string. The action is still low and it is very easy to play (though I do have long fingers). The stock strings are very cheap. As someone else stated, I feel upgrading to higher quality strings may resolve the low B buzz issue. The tone is amazing thanks to the built in EQ bass boost. I found it easier to play harmonics than my other basses. Walking bass lines sound smooth and percussive playing sounds pro. This is my new favorite bass. I can't wait to play it with the band.Michael O
4. Fender American Vintage Ii 1960 Precision Bass – Daphne Blue
Product Details:
The fender american vintage ii 1960 precision bass is a hard-wearing, top-grade instrument which guarantees a luxury standard of performance every time you pick up and play. built with cutting edge engineering and innovation by some of the world's finest guitar makers, this bass accurately represents the sound and feel of some of fender's earliest products. equipped with an alder body, the tone of the guitar is natural and warm, with a focused mid rage and sparkling highs provided by the maple neck. what's more, the vintage split coil pickup ensures a powerful low-end which is tight and highly responsive to the dynamics of your playing. featuring a gorgeous, daphne blue finish with a tortoiseshell pickguard, this premium-grade instrument oozes class and style. the visual aesthetic is tied together by the exposed timber of the rosewood fretboard and classic strat-style maple head stock – for a perfectly balanced experience on stage, at home or in the studio.
Specifications:
Body Finish | Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer |
Body Shape | Precision Bass |
Control Knobs | Knurled Flat-Top |
Fingerboard | Slab Rosewood |
Hardware Finish | Nickel/Chrome |
Pickguard | 4-Ply Tortoiseshell |
Position Inlays | Clay Dot |
Neck Finish | Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer |
Neck Construction | 4-Bolt |
Side Dots | Vintage Clay |
Headstock | Precision Bass |
Bridge Cover/Tailpiece | Includes Chrome Bridge Cover |
String Nut | Bone |
Middle Pickup | Pure Vintage '60 Split-Coil Precision |
Controls | Master Volume, Master Tone |
Pickup Configuration | Split Single-Coil |
Bridge | Pure Vintage 4-Saddle with Threaded Steel Saddles |
Tuning Machines | Pure Vintage Reverse Open-Gear |
Case/Gig Bag | Vintage-Style Brown (Orange Interior) |
Fingerboard Radius | 7.25" (184.1 mm) |
Fret Size | Vintage Tall |
Neck Material | Maple |
Refinement Neck Material | Maple |
Number of Frets | 20 |
Nut Width | 1.70" (43.2 mm) |
Scale Length | 34" (86.36 cm) |
Truss Rod | Vintage-Style Butt Adjust |
Reviews:
I am absolutely loving this bass. I am a guitar player who wanted a bass for recording. I had been using a Squier bass but wasn't satisified. It just didn't sound and feel like Fender Precision Basses I'd played in the past. Decided to pull the trigger on this, and am so glad I did. It is significantly heavier and just feels much more solid. The fingerboard is fabulous. The back of the neck is so smooth and comfortable to play. The frets are perfect. Hardware so much better overall. Tuners much more solid…less tuning issues. And the sound is exactly what I was going for. It sits in my mixes so much better than the Squier bass was. And it is beautiful on top of everything. Can't recommend this bass enough.William
I purchased the Dakota Red Vintera Precision bass because I have been looking for that vintage feel and sound without having to mortgage the house. I wish I could afford a true vintage '58 Precision Bass, but the Vintera does not leave me disappointed. The first thing you will notice is it's beefy neck. If you are looking for a slim modern neck, this isn't it. It is the vintage "C" style neck with a wider fretboard which feels really good to me IMO. The gold aluminum pick guard really stands out next to the red of the body. The craftsmanship and finish is excellent; no fret sprouts or blemishes in the finish. The electronics are excellent with no buzz or crackle and the pups definitely have that vintage sound, particularly when the tone is rolled all the way off; you can definitely channel your inner James Jamerson and Duck Dunn. If you roll the tone back up it nicely brightens things up. I did have my luthier complete a set-up on it and I did change the stock strings with La Bella flats to further provide that old school sound. If you are looking for a bright modern sound then you may want to check out the Vintera Jazz basses. I play the bass through a Fender Rumble which allows this bass to sound it's best. Lastly, the tuners do their job well and provide stable tuning. This is an excellent bass and I have no reservation with recommending it if you want the old school feel and sound. C'mon, you know you want it!!C. Inman
I've been a Precision Bass player since I started playing bass years ago. This is my first "real" Fender bass however, after playing several different Squier basses over the years. While Squier makes great instruments at a fair price point, this Vintera Precision is like a different world compared to my previous basses. You can feel the overall quality of the parts, the fit & finish, and the materials just by picking up the bass and playing around on it. I received it in the mail almost perfectly set up by Music Store. Only the action was too high for me, but that was an easy adjustment. The bass has a wide, not too thin neck profile that is not very deep. Super comfortable to play. The nut width is slightly larger than on other modern P-Basses which is nice if you like the extra space. I really like the way this forces you to play a little bit different compared to a narrower fretboard, like for example on a Jazz Bass. The difference compared to a regular P-Bass is pretty small. You just get a feeling of more space for fretting. The fretboard radius is also a bit smaller than on a modern P-Bass. This makes for a very balanced playing feel in my opinion. These differences are all nice touches and make for a slightly different playing feel, but don't make it any harder to play than a regular P-Bass. The sound is absolutely wonderful. The 50s-style pickups have a slightly compressed sound that sound great on its own, plugged directly into a DI box or an interface. I replaced the factory set of strings with .045-.105 LaBella flatwounds which is a perfect fit for this pass. The low-mids are greatly enhanced by putting a set of flats on this bass. It sits beautifully in the mix and is never weak or overpowering – always perfectly balanced. The fit and finish of this bass is great. I'm not one to go looking for faults in the paint or anything like that, but I absolutely have not spotted any quality control issues with my bass. The hardware is absolutely fine and does the job. You don't get a massive bridge or fancy hardware here, because everything is done to vintage specs. You can, of course, modify these parts later on, but I really don't think that's in the spirit of this vintage-focused instrument. If you want to put a more massive bridge on the bass and modify it in other ways, I would choose a Fender Player Series P-Bass instead which is a bit cheaper – you can spend the difference on your mod parts. The bass is surprisingly light. If you have back issues or generally dislike heavy instruments, I would definitely recommend this one! The lack of weight does not impact the sound quality at all. The only drawback is that, in some positions, it can have a little bit of neck dive, not to a point where it really becomes a problem, however. I always wear a strap even when sitting down, and that takes care of the very slight neck dive very easily. One thing to keep in mind is that the hardware, specifically the bridge and trussrod, are truly built to vintage spec. This means that the string height adjusters on the bridge do not have tiny hexagonal screws but small slotted screws instead. You will need a very small slotted screwdriver to access these screws. The trussrod can only be adjusted at the base of the neck which can be annoying. You need to remove the neck in order to adjust the trussrod. Here, again, there is no hexagonal screw but rather a large philipps screw to adjust. Small minus points for these features that could have been left out in favor of more modern solutions. I guess the placement and types of screws used make it more true to the vintage specs, but I would much prefer if they had just chosen the modern versions instead. Overall, this is a very beautiful and great-sounding bass that I can only recommend if you like P-Basses, vintage sound, and flatwounds. The build quality is fantastic and I have no doubt that this bass will stay in great shape for a long, long time.
5. Jackson Js Series Spectra Bass Js2p – Black Burst
Product Details:
Versatile style and enormous sound collide in the all-new js series spectra bass js2p. the brand-new offset body style was designed with the artist in mind. the poplar body with poplar burl top and large upper horn evenly distributes weight throughout the instrument, providing perfect balance by reducing neck dive for hours of comfortable playing. a bolt-on maple neck with scarf joint design provides rock-solid reliability, while the speed neck contour, 12"-radius laurel fingerboard and 24 jumbo frets make for lightning-fast playability. the spectra bass js2p provides a sound that is as unique as the bassist playing it. whether it be funk, hard rock or gospel, a colossal jackson j-style bridge pickup and p-style neck pickup deliver a range of punchy growls or lucid tones, while the hardtail bridge provides enhanced stability, improved sustain and bolder timbre. tone can be refined and tweaked with the blend, bass boost and volume controls (with a push/pull selector to bypass or engage the active circuit for the bass boost). with the push/pull selector, youll never have to fear a battery running out and losing sound. a quick pull on the volume knob will bypass the active circuit, making it easy to regain sound from the bass without the use of battery power. highly affordable, the 4-string spectra bass js2p comes in a sophisticated black burst or blue burst finish with black hardware and a unique 2×2 black headstock with an understated j logo.
Specifications:
Body Finish | Gloss |
Body Shape | Spectra Bass |
Bridge Pickup | Jackson J-Style Pickup |
Bridge | Jackson Hardtail |
Configuration | PJ |
Control Knobs | Dome-Style |
Fingerboard Material | Laurel |
Fingerboard Radius | 12" (305 mm) |
Fret Size | Jumbo |
Hardware Finish | Black |
Headstock | Unique Jackson 2×2 |
Neck Finish | Satin |
Neck Material | Maple |
Neck Pickup | Jackson P-Style Pickup |
Number of Frets | 24 |
Nut Material | Black Plastic |
Nut Width | 1.5" (38.1 mm) |
Orientation | Right-Hand |
Position Inlays | White Dot |
Strings | Nickel Plated Steel (.045-.105 Gauges) |
Truss Rod Nut | Truss Rod Adjustment at Nut |
Truss Rod Wrench | Yes |
Truss Rod | Dual-Action Head Adjust |
Reviews:
After the initial COVID lockdown I landed a gig where I had to have a 5 string bass. So like a red blooded American I took my cash down to the local GC store to buy a fender 5 string American jazz. There wasn't any. I looked for an Ibenez. There wasn't any. I looked for anything and we'll there wasn't any. As the date grew near for our first show, I happened in and they had this one. I was disappointed that this was all there was, but out of desperation, I bought it thinking I would trade it once something I wanted became available. It took me about two months and 10 gigs later when I realized I love this thing. 9 months in and I don't know how many dates later, I wouldn't want to live without it. It plays awesome after a quick and minor setup on the action. The tone is big on the bottom and the mids and highs are as shapable as you want. It is a dream to play and guess what, when I finally got to put my hands on the fender I wanted, I didn't want it anymore. This bass is very much like the high end Ibenez basses. Probably too much for Ibenez's liking actually. I run through a 800w mark bass head with a 2×10 cab and a 1×15 cab. It sounds incredible. The big thing for me is when I run through my amp using the direct out in bypass, it sounds amazing. It is like having a sans amp in the bass. The electrics are that good. I have gotten tons of compliments on the tone and questions about how I got it. I literally just plugged it in. Also I can play it all night and even though it is a five, I am less fatigued then when I play the four fender American jazz I already own. The string spacing and scale I believe is responsible for that. If you are serious about playing a 5 string, at any level, then this bass is one you should look at. I am not super crazy about the esthetics but I get a surprising amount of complements on it. So if that is your thing then rock on I guess. I am getting over the fact that I was a fender snob. Also I believe Jackso is made by fender sooo….Chris
Love this Jackson bass. Finish is first class and blemish free. the satin finish of the neck really does give it a smooth easy playability. doesn't have the triangle fret markers or logo on pick ups like more expensive models…and only one screw holding the truss rod cover in place… but this is where savings are made and the price kept low I guess.. The hardware… bridge, saddles and tuning pegs are all solid high quality… i highly recommend this bass to beginners and pros alike… OK… the BUTs.. out of the box… this model must have been rushed through control… the action was so low that that there was fret buzz across the entire fret board. slight truss adjustment and raising of the saddles easily enough sorted that out though…. It plays beautifully now but i would'nt have expected to have to do a full set up. AND…I also ordered a mic stand… this brought my total order to over 200 euro. The website VERY clearly states that orders over 200 euro qualify for free postage to Ireland… but after ordering, I was mailed to inform me that as it is a guitar…. and therefore large, I would have to pay postage…this isn't mentioned anywhere on the Musicstore site… very annoying indeed. So.. great guitar… but might need a little setting up and beware of postage charges.
My one only bass for the past 20 years has been a Ibanez SR405 (2001 year model). I feel like I've purchased a big upgrade with this Jackson X Series Spectra. In comparison to the Ibanez, the Jackson's neck is fatter, lower fret sizes are slightly wider and the string spacing is slightly wider. The playability is a lot smoother for my larger fingers/hands. The pickups and active EQ systems are powerful. Need to have some amp/di box control to contain the powerful output when in smaller venues. I use the passive pickup control when in smaller venues and small churches. I feel that what sets this apart from other basses I've tried is how great it sounds to play the d and g strings as well as going above the 12th fret. The stock strings (D'Addario) sound really pretty when playing the higher octaves. The Elixir strings I'm currently using give the B string a BIG SMOOTH THUMP. For those worried about setup out of the box, I live in high altitude. Setup post manufacturer is usually a must because of that. I have been able to get fairly low action without fret buzz after casually messing with adjustments.Zach
6. Rickenbacker 330/12 Jetglo
Product Details:
Careful acoustic research has resulted in the full, rich and warm sound of this popular model. two single coil pickups on a full size body are accented by a traditionally shaped sound hole. the 24 fret rosewood fingerboard is punctuated by dot inlay fret markers, with full double cutaways permitting access to all the frets. standard output is monaural through a single jack plate. still as classic looking as ever, this 2001 330 12-string recently had it's 18th birthday. through the years the maturity of the guitar has came through, showing a nice patina through the black with a gigged quality that suits it well. the only damage worth mentioning are some buckle marks on the back of the guitar (shown in pictures) that do nothing to take away from the signature look and sound of the instrument. guitar comes with a non-rickenbacker hard case.
Specifications:
Body Type | Semi-Acoustic |
No. Frets | 24 |
Scale Length | 62.9 cm (24 3/4'') |
Neck Width at Nut | 41.4 mm (1.63'') |
Neck Width at 12th Fret | 49.05 mm (1 .931'') |
Crown Radius | 25.4 cm (10'') |
Body Wood | Maple |
Neck Wood | Maple |
Fingerboard Wood | Rosewood |
Overall Length | 101.6 cm (40'') |
Overall Width | 38.1 cm (15'') |
Overall Depth | 38.1 mm (1 1/2'') |
Neck Binding | Yes |
Fret Marker Style | Triangle |
Tailpiece | R |
Bridge | 6 Saddle |
Neck Typ | e Set-in |
No. of Pickups | 2 |
Type of Pickups | Hi-gain |
Output Type | Mono and Stereo |
Machine Heads | Schaller |
Reviews:
This one stands the test of time. What it does , it does the best in its class. Tom Petty incorporated his personal ideas into this particular design. The first thousand models were signature guitars and are now worth a lot of money. Rickenbacker however did not stop producing this guitar after the signature run because they knew a great thing was worth keeping. Tom Petty was not happy with that decision but it worked out wonderful for the rest of us . One suggestion to everyone is to buy a Janglebox pedal and play it through that in order to achieve the best potential so it delivers the purest classic shimmering chime 🎶😎🎶Billbass1
I'd been looking for a Rickenbacker for a while and kind of got this one on a whim based on availability. It's genuinely my favourite guitar. I play in a noise/metal band, and the versatility and tonality makes this a power house and goes way beyond the stereotypical Rickenbacker sound. It's definitely a smaller guitar, which takes some getting used to, but that makes it easier to use without breaking your shoulders. The smaller body also gives a very distinct characteristic in its sustatin, which means it takes pedals and distortion exceedingly well.
This guitar is not only gorgeous to look at, it sounds and plays like no other. I've been coveting this particular model & finish (360 Fireglo) for years, as they are hard to find — and worth the wait & money – no question. If you are new to Rickenbacker, they have a very unique feel that is both responsive and… WARNING, it makes it extremely hard to put down. The pick ups have a unique sound, superb range and versatility. You can add any effect to that and they just deliver out-of-this world tones. The little fifth "blend" knob is a great tool to balance your pick up sound. The more I play with this, the more stuff I discover. You can do rhythm or lead on ANY style, with 2 full octaves fretboard and easy reach to the highest frets, you can see why so many savvy guitarist have at least one of these beauties in their collection. BTW, this guitar comes with 2 cable jacks. The Rick "O" Sound (the hole for the cable on the bottom) will only work with a stereo cable when connected to two different inputs (amps/mixer). If you connect a regular cable to the Rick"O"Sound your neck pick up will not sound, it is not broken, it is because each pick up goes to a separate speaker with that mode (and it sounds like a fantastic beast). If you use the top guitar hole "standard" you will be good to go, because it still sounds amazing. Just don't connect cables to both holes simultaneously. The guitar came perfectly set up from the factory, the intonation, action and any calibration was spot on. Once I tuned it, it was close to impossible to put down. This is definitely an investment that passes down the generations as "inheritance." If you are interested in one of these beautiful guitars, please don't cheat yourself getting a "counterfeit" instrument. Even if you have to save for a while longer, it will be worth every cent and waiting minute. The pictures do not make them any justice. I am saving already for my next Rick (I'll do the 330 jetglo next).BeeZee
7. Mitchell Mb200 Modern Rock Bass With Active Eq Black
Product Details:
The mitchell mb200 bass features a slick basswood body and a modern-profile neck shape that is deal for multi-genre players. the deep bevel cutaway provides outstanding playing freedom across the entire fretboard. split-single and single-coil ceramic pickups cover an array of musical genres, while a 2-band active eq offers more tonal control for any style of music. premium black nickel y-type die cast tuners and a high-mass bridge adds to its robust tone and sustain. all mitchell basses receive a complete stateside setup and quality control inspection to ensure exceptional playability.
Specifications:
Shape | Shallow D |
Wood | Maple |
Neck joint | Bolt-on |
Scale length | 34" |
Truss rod | Dual-action |
Finish | Gloss |
Active or passive pickups | Passive |
Pickup configuration | HH |
Neck | Split-coil ceramic |
Bridge | Single-coil ceramic |
Series or parallel | Series |
Active preamp | Yes |
Special electronics | 2-band EQ |
Radius | 12" |
Number of frets | 24 |
Inlays | Dot |
Nut material | Black plastic |
Nut width | 1.5" (38.1 mm) |
Cutaway | Double cutaway |
Construction | Solidbody |
Body wood | Basswood |
Body finish | Gloss |
Orientation | Right handed |
Control layout | Master volume, blend, 2-band EQ |
Bridge type | Fixed |
Bridge design | High-mass adjustable |
Tuning machines | High-ratio |
Number of strings | 4 |
Country of origin | China |
Reviews:
This is a good bass that I picked up as a beater and will probably use more than just for that. For active electronics and the cost, I figured it would be worth any set up that other reviews complained about. Mine didn't require any setup at all. However, there was a really noticeable chip off the paint on the headstock, and I bought new, not scratch and dent. It took two weeks to ship and I didn't want to go through a return process and get a less playable return, so I called Musician's Friend and asked for a rebate. They only gave ten, but I got it on sale and took the deal. As for the play-ability of this bass, it rocks right up there with a lot of basses three times the cost. It's a really easy to play setup, easy to navigate neck and gives nice indie rock bass tones out of the box, at least for me.Rev. Sal
I bought this for my son for his birth day a year and a half ago. I myself have played bass for over 30 years. I have had this thing professionally set up twice. Fretts needed dressed, action was way too high right out of the box. Electronics are fairly decent and playability is good after a set up. He is happy but already seeking a better bass.Scott
i bought it used, so that may affect my review but the bass was fairly easy to play, but the tuning was an issue. it would stay in tune but the pegs were kinda loose. i should note that this bass has ACTIVE PICKUPS. Meaning it takes a 9v battery to power. Not a big deal but you can't really play the bass without a battery. And if you forget to turn the volume knob all the way down, the battery will drain overnight and be complete dead before you pick the bass back up again. Would i recommend this to someone? yes but if they are beginning to learn how to play the instrument.zach m
8. Ibanez Gsr200tr Electric Bass Guitar, Transparent Red
Product Details:
The gsr series offers the famous soundgear sleekness, comfort, tone, and playability at prices that will astound. not only do gsr soundgears look and play better than everything else in their price range, every gsr gets the same warranty, rigorous setup and inspection of ibanez's more expensive models. the transparent red finish gsr200tr features a gsr4 neck, agathis body, psnd j & p pickups and a phat ii eq.
Specifications:
Right/Left Handed | Right-Handed |
Number of Strings | 4 |
Cutaway | Double-Cutaway |
Neck Type | Bolt-On Neck |
Neck Wood | Maple |
Fingerboard | Rosewood |
Number of Frets | 22 |
Type of Frets | Medium |
Scale Length | 34.00" / |
Radius | 12" |
Nut Width | 41 mm |
Bridge Type | Fixed |
Pickguard | No |
Controls | Tone Control- x 2 Volume Control- x 2 |
Amplifier Type | Solid-State |
Output Power | 25 W RMS |
Channels | 1 |
Master Volume | Yes |
Tone Section | Channel 1- Bass, Mid, Treble |
Outputs | 1 x 1/4" Stereo Headphone |
Configuration | 1 x 8" Speaker |
Power Rating | 25 W RMS |
Cabinet Type | Straight Closed Mono |
Dimensions (WxHxD) | 14.0 x 15.2 x 10.0" / 35.6 x 38.6 x 25.4 cm Combo |
Connector 1 | 1 x 1/4" TS Male Straight |
Connector 2 | 1 x 1/4" TS Male Straight |
Contact Plating | Gold |
Cable Length | 10' / 3.05 m |
Conductor Material | Bare Annealed Copper (BAC) |
Wire Gauge | 24 AWG |
Jacket Type | Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) |
Shielding | 95% Copper Spiral |
Insulation Type | Polyethylene |
Certifications | CE, RoHS *as per Manufacturer |
Display | Full-color LED Rotates 360° |
Tuner | Chromatic |
Dimensions | Not specified by manufacturer |
Maximum Length | 52" / 132.08 cm |
Material of Construction | Celluloid |
Thickness | 0.70 mm |
Reviews:
The Ibanez GSR 200 is one of the best "bang for your buck" basses on the market. They are made with excellent quality, lightweight wood, agathis, maple, rosewood. The onboard P/J pickups and electronics sound good. They play good out of the box but they play excellently if set up by a guitar tech. These were choice basses for many of the bass players supporting MWR tours. Musicians would take Ibanez GRS 200 basses on tour and raffle them off to service members on the last gig.matt4717
I bought the jewel blue one and named it "Jewel". No, not like the singer. I thought it was totally beyond all expectations. I played it for a couple of years before I lost it when my marriage fizzled. Now I want another one. I'm no novice. I've been playing guitar for over 35 years, and Jewel was my third bass. I liked her better than a Fender Jazz. I want another one. To nitpick, I didn't like the square corners on the top of the neck (past all the frets), so I took the neck off and rounded them. Problem solved. I also didn't like that the threads stripped out on the E string bridge piece when I tried to back it up far enough to get the intonation right. But I think the real problem is solved with an Earvana nut. Anyway, if you can't afford to buy the bass everyone is telling you to buy – or even if you can – buy this one. If you don't sound good on it, you don't need a Fender or a Rick, you need lessons.Gravity Zen
9. Gretsch G5022cwfe 12-String Jumbo White Falcon Acoustic/electric Cutaw
Product Details:
The g5022cwfe-12 rancher falcon jumbo 12-string gives you lavishly full 12-string tone with full-on gretsch falcon style, sparkling gilded appointments and onboard electronics for peerless amplified tone. its jumbo cutaway body is finished in gloss white, with dazzling gold-sparkle binding on the top, back, soundhole, fingerboard and headstock. other premium features include a solid spruce top with scalloped "x" bracing and classic rancher triangular soundhole, maple sides and arched back, mahogany neck, 21-fret rosewood fingerboard with neo-classic "thumbnail" inlays, "v"-shaped headstock with vertical winged "gretsch" sparkle logo, compensated bridge with rosewood base, deluxe tuners, and gold-plated hardware. the fishman sonicore under-saddle pickup and isys+ preamp system provide great amplified performance, with volume, tone and phase controls, onboard tuner and battery life indicator. case sold separately.
Specifications:
Product Dimensions | 50 x 9 x 20.5 inches |
Batteries | 1 9V batteries required. |
Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
Back Material | Rosewood, Maple Wood |
Color Name | Gold,White |
Fretboard Material | Rosewood |
Guitar Pickup Configuration | Piezo |
Scale Length | 25 Inches |
Top Material | Maple Wood, Rose Wood, Mahogany Wood, Spruce Wood |
Neck Material Type | Maple |
Number of Strings | 12 |
Fretboard Material Type | Rosewood |
Hand Orientation | Right |
Reviews:
PROS: audacious, attention-getting appearance. Great action even on 12 th fret…on a 12 string! Sounds great plugged in. Light weight for size. Good price point. CON: mushy tuning gears. Want stay in tune, as with almost all 12 strings. Good luck finding a case which fits due to enormous headstock. Thin sound strictly acoustic.Rich
My buddy has a Fine Guild 512. This compares well to that, at a fraction of the cost. It sounds like an orchestra. As I learn to utilize it's capabilities I get new ideas. Reworking songs I used to play on 6 strings yields interesting new arrangements. Have not had annoying tuning issues as with other mid-range 12s I have tried.Steve
I have several 12 strings. The Gretsch is quickly becoming a my favorite. The action is superb. Has a "chunkier" feeling neck like by old B25-12 but action like my Rick 360. Not real loud when unplugged but loud enough. Plug it in and the Fishman takes care of the rest. Full bodied sound, very rich. And the flash of the guitar definitely gets noticed. It's great and I am very happy with my purchase.Mr 12 String
10. Ibanez Gsr200b 4-String Electric Bass Guitar, Black
Product Details:
For more than 25 years, ibanez soundgear series have given bass players a modern alternative. with its continued popularity, ibanez is constantly endeavoring to answer the wider needs of a variety of players, at a variety of budgets. but no matter what the specs, the heart is the same-sr continues to excite with its smooth, fast neck, lightweight body, and perfectly matched electronics. its phat ii active bass boost adds additional low end power more than any other basses in this price range. neck: gsr4 maple. body: mahogany body. fingerboard: rosewood. inlay: white dot inlay. frets: medium frets. pickups: dynamix p neck pu, dynamix j bridge pu. eq: phat ii eq. bridge: b10 bridge. hardware color: black.
Specifications:
Strings | 4 String |
Handedness | Right-Handed |
Right/Left Handed | Right-Handed |
Number of Strings | 4 |
Neck Type | Bolt-On GSR4 Maple Neck |
Fretboard | Rosewood Fretboard with White Dot Inlay |
Fret | Medium Frets |
Number of Frets | 22 |
Bridge | B10 Bridge (19mm String Spacing) |
Neck Pickup | Dynamix P Neck Pickup (passive) |
Bridge Pickup | Dynamix J Bridge Pickup (passive) |
Equaliser | Phat Ii Eq |
Factory Tuning | 1g, 2d, 3a, 4e |
String Gauge | .045/.065/.085/.105 |
Hardware Color | Black |
Cutaway | Double-Cutaway |
Neck Scale | 864mm/34" |
Neck Width at Nut | 41mm |
Neck Width at Last Fret | 62mm |
Neck Thickness at 1st | 21mm |
Neck Thickness at 12th | 22mm |
Neck Radius | 305mmR |
Reviews:
Sound: The sound is okay but i have heard better. Definetly good sounding for a 200 dollar bass. Features: It did not come with accessories other than a cable witch does work good. I wish that it included a strap. The pick ups are pretty good. It could use better strings though. Ease of Use: The sound of the bass isnt the best but it is pretty good for a 200 dollar bass. Quality: When I recieved mine it had some messed up paint on the back. The neck was also floating above the body in the front it was not fully connected. Value: This bass is definetly worth the 200 dollars you pay for it. Manufacturer Support: I have not dealt with the company but i recieved the bass within 5 days. The Wow Factor: The pearl white color is very nice looking i also like the chrome hardware. Overall: I atleast expect 2-3 years for this product to last.
Overall: I’ve had this guitar for 10 years now. Bought it because it was cheap and needed one fast to help a friends band. Didn’t expect to love it, or even really like it. Just something to get me by for a month or so. Over the past 10 years I’ve owned easily 10 bass guitars, and this is still my favorite. It plays like a dream. The action is low with no buzz. It has a deep, punchy sound. It works for the rock and metal I prefer to play, as well as country, blues, and jazz. I strongly recommend this guitar for anyone who is starting out, or needing a great guitar on a budget.Joel
Sound: The sound rage on this bass is just extraordinary. I can get the deep deep tones to play those heavy bass lines or I can turn it into a very "light" sounding slap and pop bass. The sound that comes out of this bass has just blown me away. Features: Some people might say that the 4 knobs is a bit excessive, but I think that it's wonderful. It gives you so many different sounds to experiment with. Ease of Use: Whether you're playing heavy rock, jazz, or blues this bass can get the sound you need. It's all right there within the bass itself as well, no need for fancy pedals or other modifiers. Quality: I have been using this bass for almost 5 years now and while it has received minor scratches and dings, it is still playing like the first day I bought it. I am truly impressed at what this bass has survived and how it still continues to play perfectly. Value: For what it is, $200 bucks is a steal. Sure, you can always find a better bass out there, but for what your paying, this is a beginers dream. You can get a high quality bass and start playing for a mere $200 dollars. Even if you're not a beginner, this bass is still not one to pass up if you're just looking for a cheap bass that you can haul around everywhere and not have to worry about it breaking down on you. Manufacturer Support: I have not delt with Ibanez for any problems at all so I can't be of much help here, but the way I see it, thats a good thing. This bass has held together so well over 5 years of use that i haven't needed to contact them for parts or service. The Wow Factor: It's a slick bass. It's also pretty simple. It dosnt attract a whole lot of attention, but then again, if you're just starting out, do you really need a whole lot of attention…? Overall: My first bass and 5 years later I am still playing it. A great product, deffenetly worth the pickup if you need another bass or you are just looking to get into playing.
11. Kala Nomad Acoustic Electric U-Bass
Product Details:
Like no other bass before it, the kala nomad u-bass is going to come in and mix things up. don't expect the status quo when you pick-up the most affordable bass in the uu2022bass line. made of mahogany and stripped down to the bare essentials – this is our no frills approach to uu2022bass. mahogany is focused, balanced, responsive and punchy for an unabashedly resounding uu2022bass.the nomad uu2022bass is great for learning and gigging – provide yourself with the perfect tool to get started. available in a fretted model.
Specifications:
Neck | Mahogany |
Finish | Satin |
Fingerboard | Rosewood |
Headstock | Standard |
Bridge | Rosewood |
Nut | Graph Tech NuBone |
Saddle | Composite |
Tuners | Custom Black Die-Cast |
Strings | Aquila Thunderblack |
Electronics | U-BASS Active EQ |
Includes | Padded Gig Bag |
Scale Length | 20.8125" |
Overall Instrument Length | 29.375" |
Body Length | 13.8125" |
Number of frets | 16 |
Width at upper bout | 7.625" |
Width at lower bout | 10.5" |
Width at waist | 6.75" |
Body Depth | 3" |
Fingerboard width at nut | 1.75" |
Fingerboard width at neck/body joint | 2.125" |
Reviews:
Okay, so I'm a novice bassist, at best. But this little guy is so much fun, I can't put it down. It is cute. Yes, I said cute. And because it is cute, it is *grossly* underestimated by any unfamiliar musician that crosses its path. My boyfriend is a well-seasoned, guitar player and he was thoroughly convinced his Fishman 30w could handle this "tiny Tim bass"… nope! He was so impressed, he couldn't put it down! He said it was so loud, he was in absolute shock & disbelief. He didn't care for the Thunder Black strings bec they are "too roll-y" but it's not his bass, it's mine and I love them! This is a LOT of bang for your buck. If you're on the fence, hop on over, it's super fun and no regrets!
I'll be using the U-bass for travel convenience and recording here and there. Having something this portable isn't reason enough to make this purchase, but the unique, very upright-esque, sound of this instrument makes it a very worthy tool to add to any bassist's arsenal. It plays very well, its hard to put down once you pick it up! Like others have said, it does take a little while to get used to the narrow fret spacing, but it's really not as difficult or inconvenient as that may sound, just a minor hurdle! Another frequent compliant that I noticed was the fact that it goes out of tune very quickly. I would say that this is somewhat true, but certainly not to the point that it becomes unusable or unplayable. Also, the built in tuner all but alleviates this problem, so you're good to go anywhere, anytime!Thaxan
Love the U-bass. The fat rubber strings weren't as much of a learning curve as I was expecting. Very easy to pick up and play. The built-in tuner works nicely, and even unplugged it sounds great. Perfect for noodling on while lounging on the couch while also having a huge sound when plugged in.CLARK
12. Ibanez Gsr200 Gio Electric Bass Guitar, Jewel Blue
Product Details:
The ibanez gsr200 4-string bass is a hot little bass with nice balance and feel for a very friendly price. features an agathis body, super comfy one-piece maple neck, rosewood fretboard, pearl dot inlay, split coil and single coil pickup array, active eq with phat-ii bass boost, chrome hardware, a fully adjustable bridge, and medium frets. case sold separately. agathis body. one piece maple neck. rosewood fretboard. pearl dot inlay. split coil and single coil pickup combination. active eq with phat-ii bass boost. chrome hardware. fully adjustable bridge. medium frets.
Specifications:
Strings | 4 String |
Handedness | Right-Handed |
Right/Left Handed | Right-Handed |
Number of Strings | 4 |
Neck Type | Bolt-On GSR4 Maple Neck |
Fretboard | Rosewood Fretboard with White Dot Inlay |
Fret | Medium Frets |
Number of Frets | 22 |
Bridge | B10 Bridge (19mm String Spacing) |
Neck Pickup | Std. P Neck Pickup (passive) |
Bridge Pickup | Std. J Bridge Pickup (passive) |
Equaliser | Phat Ii Eq |
Factory Tuning | 1g, 2d, 3a, 4e |
String Gauge | .045/.065/.085/.105 |
Hardware Color | Chrome |
Cutaway | Double-Cutaway |
Neck Scale | 864mm/34" |
Neck Width at Nut | 41mm |
Neck Width at Last Fret | 62mm |
Neck Thickness at 1st | 21mm |
Neck Thickness at 12th | 22mm |
Neck Radius | 305mmR |
Reviews:
First my jewel blue bass does not look like the one in the picture. It is the correct model but has a different neck. The knobs are cheap plastic and they were not sanded correctly so the first time I turned one the plastic bumps on the bottom scratched the paint. The bass sounds good and is easy to play. I'm torn with the craftsmanship because on some levels it's near perfect for the price, where other areas felt skimped.Norvak
I bought the jewel blue one and named it "Jewel". No, not like the singer. I thought it was totally beyond all expectations. I played it for a couple of years before I lost it when my marriage fizzled. Now I want another one. I'm no novice. I've been playing guitar for over 35 years, and Jewel was my third bass. I liked her better than a Fender Jazz. I want another one. To nitpick, I didn't like the square corners on the top of the neck (past all the frets), so I took the neck off and rounded them. Problem solved. I also didn't like that the threads stripped out on the E string bridge piece when I tried to back it up far enough to get the intonation right. But I think the real problem is solved with an Earvana nut. Anyway, if you can't afford to buy the bass everyone is telling you to buy – or even if you can – buy this one. If you don't sound good on it, you don't need a Fender or a Rick, you need lessons.Gravity Zen
13. Vintage Icon Vj74 Relic Sunset Sunburst Fretless Electric Bass Guitar
Product Details:
This is the fretking vintage v74 fretless electric bass guitar. weight: 8 lbs. 13 oz . body material: poplar. all music inc is long island's biggest little music store. we've been in the music business for over 30 years, proudly serving everyone from beginners to national acts. come join the ami family!
Specifications:
Reviews:
While this is not a high end instrument, it's highly playable, has good intonation, is good sounding, has a great feel and is fun to look at. It's a fantastic bang for buck. It wouldn't become my first choice for recording or playing out, but, it would make an excellent backup bass and a wonderful starter bass. I wish my first couple of basses were as good when I started learning. This may actually be comparable to a Squire. I'm sure this was mass produced, but, it really doesn't feel cheap. It's a solid piece of gear. It wasn't a necessary purchase for me, I'm happy I bought it and it didn't really set me back very much.baystardo
14. Fender Kingman Acoustic Bass – Black
Product Details:
Decked out in the electric-inspired style of fender's california player series, the kingman bass delivers the full, deep acoustic projection and comfortable playing feel you expect from fender. named for a famous stop along us route 66, the short-scale kingman bass offers a gloss black finish, smooth-playing mahogany jazz bass neck and convenient cutaway for easy access to the upper reaches of the fingerboard. this bass is built for one thing, and one thing only—to rock. designed for players, this 30”-scale bass is slightly shorter than others, giving it a slinkier playing feel while simultaneously making it easier to play seated or take out on the road. the kingman bass features optimized scalloped “x”-bracing under the solid spruce top for reduced mass and superior resonance, a graph tech nubone nut and saddle for greater sustain and a fishman preamp system that makes it easy to plug in without sacrificing the bass's natural acoustic tone. the lightweight mahogany jazz bass neck features a comfortable, easy-to-play, slim-taper "c"-shaped profile that’s suitable for any playing style, and its walnut fingerboard and bridge further augment this instrument's vibrant tone. with its superb playability, distinctive looks and unmistakable fender vibe, the kingman bass is an instrument for a new generation of bassists.
Specifications:
Body Back | Laminated Mahogany |
Body Sides | Laminated Mahogany |
Body Top | Solid Spruce |
Body Finish | Gloss Poly |
Body Shape | Concert Bass |
Body Binding | Aged White |
Bracing | Forward Shifted Scalloped X |
Rosette | 2-ring B/W/B |
Neck Material | Mahogany |
Neck Binding | Aged White |
Neck Finish | Satin Urethane |
Neck Shape | Jazz Bass |
Scale Length | 30.3" (770 mm) |
Fingerboard Material | Walnut |
Number of Frets | 20 |
Nut Material | Graph Tech NuBone |
Nut Width | 1.5" (38.1 mm) |
Position Inlays | Block |
Bridge | Modern Viking |
Bridge Pins | Cream Colored with Black Dots |
Hardware Finish | Nickel |
Tuning Machines | Open-Back Geared |
Pickguard | 3-Ply Gold |
Strings | Fender Phosphor Bronze Bass (.045-.100 Gauges) |
Reviews:
Beautiful full sound, with cool looks. Fret board is smooth and the bobd is comfortable to hold. Love it.Mark U.
Absolutely belting and beautiful acoustic bass, lovely to play, great sound and lovely to look at. Acoustic basses are great if you’re time and space limited and just need something to pick up and play without the faff of plugging in and finding headphones etc (which i find a bit anti social for my partner and kids). I’ve tried a few acoustic basses and this is the best and it has a surprisingly good slap sound, which I hadn’t expected from an acoustic bass! All in all if you want something to play at home this is the best. I can’t comment on the electric sound (this has a preamp) as I haven’t used it yet and it’s not what I bought it for.D R. M.
This is a great bass! I've owned and played a handful of acoustic basses from different companies in my time and i like this one the best. Let me state first, I'm not a fender guy but…I've always loved the sound of an acoustic bass and I always wanted one, so i shopped around for a while and went through a few different models to arrive at this one. I've had it for a year now and i grow to love it more all the time! The pictures on GC dont do it justice…The high gloss black finish on the body and headstock is sleek and sexy and the bold block inlays coupled with the jazz bass neck and headstock give this beauty a different attitude compared to other acoustic basses and it plays smooth and sounds great! The biggest thing I noticed with this model compared to the other acoustic basses I've had is that this one really projects well and has great tone plugged or unplugged! I travel a lot and this bass has gone a lot of places with me and it's always sure to turn heads. I live in a place where i wouldn't want to crank my amps to play electric so this has become the main bass i use to practice with and i have a lot of fun with it. It looks and sounds great, it's built and finished well, it's fun and smooth to play, it holds its tuning and the electronics don't drain batteries…what more could you ask for? I would definitely recommend this bass, especially for the price point.Ray
15. Ibanez Pcbe12 Acoustic-Electric Bass – Open Pore Natural Guitar
Product Details:
Specifications:
Body Shape | Grand Concert Body |
Neck | PCBE Maple Neck |
Fretboard | Nandu Wood Fretboard |
Bridge | Nandu Wood Bridge |
Inlay | White Dot |
Soundhole Rosette | Tortoiseshell |
Tuning Machine | Chrome Die-Cast Tuners |
Nut Material | Plastic |
Number Of Frets | 20 |
Saddle Material | Plastic |
Bridge Pins | Black With White Dot |
Strings | Ibanez IABS4XC32 Carbon Coated |
Pickup | Ibanez Under Saddle |
Preamp | Ibanez AEQ-2T Preamp W/Onboard Tuner |
Output Jack | 1/4" Output |
Scale | 812.8mm |
Radius | 400mmR |
Reviews:
I was so pleasantly surprised by this bass. It sounds awesome plugged in, it really sings. It won't hold it's own acoustically without being plugged in against acoustic guitars but it is great for practicing with unplugged. I removed the cheesy pick guard (it came right off) and installed a thumb rest to set it up like I want to play, I almost never use a pick. Very happy and would recommend it to anyone looking for an affordable ABG and it looks so cool also.TCP
Even with a smallish body, it has good balance (not neck heavy). Really good sound. Once acclimated to the temperatures, stays in tune. Good close action with little fret buzz, only if you really snap it. Piezo pickup is very sensitive, so flat wound strings might be in order to reduce slide-squeak. Played through an acoustic guitar amp it has a deep true sound. Some slight splintering around the inside of the sound hole. Nice neck profile, well finished frets. Very thin finish, which helps the sound but makes the body seem somewhat fragile. Handle with care! Overall an excellent value.The Seeker
16. Ibanez Sr1345b Premium 5-String Electric Bass Dual Shadow Burst Flat
Product Details:
Ibanez proudly introduces the premium sr bass, the sr1345b, featuring an ash and panga panga body top. the combination creates an exotic and boutique feel on the sr's arched body. the atlas-5 pc panga panga/purpleheart neck provides tonal clarity and superior note attack with the panga panga fretboard. its slim grip shape permits superior playability with the meticulous premium fret edge treatment. the neck is constructed with kts titanium reinforcement rods, increasing its stability and adding sustain. the neck end adjustment allows you to adjust the neck easily. the mr5s bridge is the ultimate bridge for bass string isolation with a wide intonation range. each bridge is independently and securely locked down to the body for maximum vibration transfer without interference. the ibanez custom electronics 3-band eq, eq bypass switch, and 3-way midfrequency switch allow for precise tonal control (250 hz, 450 hz, and 700 hz). when the eq bypass is activated, the treble-tone control knob acts as a passive tone control for the instrument's output. the single-coil nordstrand "big single" pickups produce a full-bodied, powerful and aggressive tonal texture, while still retaining the clarity that's characteristic of single-coil pickups. other features include the black tusq xl nut and the gotoh machine heads.
Specifications:
Top/back/body | Ash/Panga Panga top/African Mahogany body |
Fretboard | Bound Panga Panga fretboard/Abalone oval inlay |
Fret | Medium frets/Premium fret edge treatment |
Number of Frets | 24 |
Bridge | MR5S bridge |
String Space | 16.5mm (0.65") |
Neck Pickup | Nordstrand Big Single neck pickup (Passive) |
Bridge Pickup | Nordstrand Big Single bridge pickup (Passive) |
Factory Tuning | 1G,2D,3A,4E,5B |
Strings | D'Addario EXL165 + .130 |
String Gauge | .045/.065/.085/.105/.130 |
Nut | Graph Tech BLACK TUSQ XL nut |
Hardware Color | Black |
Neck Scale | 864mm (34") |
Neck Width at NUT | 45mm (1.77") |
Neck Width at 24F | 68mm (2.68") |
Neck Thickness at 1F | 19.5mm (0.77") |
Neck Thickness at 12F | 21.5mm (0.85") |
Neck Radius | 305mmR |
Reviews:
Premium built guitar with very attractive price tag (sale). Beautiful maple top, comfortable neck with roasted maple fretboard, lovely sound. Only pots feel cheap and tone change pot in passive mode could be improved as it's far from the smoothness experienced on for example my other bass guitar which is Fender Precision.Reviewed by Andertons Music Co.
What an awesome bass and Better Music were the best to deal with. Awesome customer serviceBen D.
17. Reverend Airwave 12 Metallic Alpine
Product Details:
The reverend airwave 12-string electric guitar boasts an awesome tonewood combination, featuring a double cutaway semi-hollow korina body, capped with a solid spruce top. the fingerboard is topped with 22 medium jumbo frets and a 12”radius for extremely fast playability.the electronics boast a pair of reverend-designed cp90 pickups that deliver traditional-style twang with a little extra kick. the bridge pickup is slightly hotter than a vintage p90. you get raw, classic tone with slightly less hum than most other p90’s. these pickups will cut through any setting with jangle to spare. these versatile pickups deliver great clean sound but can also deliver the goods with heavy distortion added. the airwave 12-string possesses a tremendous range of tonal possibilities that could cover any gig.the controls include a master volume, and a master tone, and a bass contour control. the bass contour is great for tightening up the low-end. chrome hardware includes reverend pin-lock tuners, and a combination string-thru/top load bridge with adjustable independent saddles for each of the 12 strings. the airwave 12-string electric guitar brings together classic styling with modern features, making it the perfect weapon for today's players.
Specifications:
Pickups | 9A5 Bridge, 9A5 Neck |
Bridge | GOTOH Independent Intonation Bridge |
Neck | Five-Piece Korina/Walnut |
Scale | 24 3/4" |
Fingerboard | Rosewood – 12" Radius |
Frets | 22 – 0.110"W x 0.050"H |
Rod | Dual Action – Headstock Access |
Tuners | Reverend Pin-Lock |
Nut | 1.75" Width – Boneite |
Controls | Volume, Tone, Bass Contour, 3-way |
Reviews:
Great 12 String Sound on a well built instrument.beginnersmind1581
Great guitar for classic 12 string songs. This 12 string plays and sounds great.Bob
18. Full Size Electric Bass Guitar Starter Beginner Pack With Amp Case Strap Black
Product Details:
Full size 45" electric bass guitar 15 watt/30 watt peak amp, gig bag case, guitar cable, strap, bass. features: chrome hardware, maple neck, solid body, diecast tuners, high gloss finish. amp features: size 12" x 9" x 5", 15 watts/30 peak, 6" speaker, volume treble, bass controls hi-low, inputs headphone, jack output. weight 9.5 lbs.
Reviews:
At the price, it's impossible to beat. The tuners and the bridge are better than I expected. Electronics work nicely, usable strings for a burn-in period. It needed less than 10 minutes to tune, adjust and intonate. The neck is unfinished, I'm going to seal it with tung oil and lightly scuff it with some steel wool. I'm already assuming the frets will have some high/low spots. Surprisingly, the fret ends are dressed nicely. I see people have complained about cutting their fretting hand on sharp fret edges. Not the case here but necks do shrink a tiny amount depending on climate and that shouldn't really be a valid complaint. It's easy to fix fret ends and at this price I would expect to do it. No pick guard so the patched area near the pickups can be seen if you look close enough. As I'll be putting in a pick guard eventually, it's no big deal. I did buy it as slightly scratched so that's it for the "issues". In short, I'm happy. It's also a fair bit lighter at the body than I expected. I don't see that as a bad thing.kfries-half
For a guitar player getting into the world of the bass guitar this was almost too good to pass up. After a simple bridge adjustment and raising the pickups a tad this is a really functional bass to learn on. Sounds good, no fret buzz (outside of my poor playing). Pots work OK – really impressed for around $50!! It is lighter than higher quality bass guitars, but so far so good! Thanks!!velofan
19. Fender Fa-450ce Acoustic-Electric Bass 3-Color Sunburst
Product Details:
Factory second, overall in mint condition. stamped "used" on back of headstock. the luxurious flame maple top of the fa-450ce bass enhances articulation, lending a crisp attack to the mahogany back and sides rich, warm voice. not just another pretty bass, the inspiring and surprisingly versatile fa-450ce makes it easy to take killer fender bass tone and feel anywhere you go. for amplified performances. the onboard fishman preamp system offers crystal-clear sound along with volume, bass and treble controls to precisely shape your tone. the modern c -shaped neck bears a 9.5 -radius fingerboard which works well for almost any playing style. cream binding, a modern 2×2 headstock, classic viking bridge and keystone rosette complete the appointments, adding an elegant touch to the instrument s visual appeal.
Specifications:
Body Finish | Gloss |
Body Shape | Jumbo Cutaway |
Back and Sides | Laminated Mahogany |
Bracing | Scalloped X |
Rosette | FA “Keystone” design |
Neck Material | Nato |
Neck Finish | Gloss Urethane |
Fingerboard | Laurel |
Fingerboard Radius | 9.5” (241 mm) |
Number of Frets | 20 |
Nut Width | 1.650” (42 mm) |
Nut Material | Graph Tech TUSQ |
Scale Length | 32” (813 mm) |
Position Inlays | Keystone Standard |
Orientation | Right-Hand |
Electronics | Fishman electronics |
Controls | Volume, Bass, Treble |
Hardware Finish | Chrome |
Bridge | Indian Laurel |
Tuning Machines | Open-Back Geared |
Strings | Fender Phosphor Bronze Bass (.045-.100 Gauges) |
Case/Gig Bag | Sold separately |
Reviews:
Forget what you've heard about Acoustic Basses. This thing has a great feel and a great sound. I love the big traditional tuners. The only drawback is that its kinda hard to find a case that it will fit properly in. I bought a roadrunner case and had to modify it to accommodate the keys.David
20. Rickenbacker Electric 12-String
Product Details:
The definitive history of the world’s most famous 12-string electric guitar. when the byrds recorded their hit version of dylan’s “mr. tambourine man,” they popularized a new sound in pop music: the electric 12-string guitar. rickenbacker is the guitar maker that brought the electric 12-string to market and has since been almost single-handedly responsible for establishing what such a guitar should do. the california company gave one of its earliest 12-strings to george harrison of the beatles on the group’s first tour of the united states in 1964. he immediately used it live and in the studio and showed off the sound of electric jangle to the rest of the world. this book tells the story of those heady days in the ’60s, of the competitors who tried and failed to match the sound, and of the instrument’s continuing production by rickenbacker and use by many modern guitarists. complete with high-quality photos and exclusive interviews with many of the 12-string’s leading players, this is the best guide yet to the history of the sound of jingle-jangle.
Reviews:
Comprehensive history of not only the Rick 12, but the threads of Electric Guitar history and the relationships which formed it. Just as the first recordings were done from furniture places, as the tech such as gramophones were counted as furniture, so the creators of electric instruments were electro techs, familiar with Bakelite radios etc. Some details puzzled me; I visited the Rickenbacker headquarters in Anaheim in 1976. Maybe it was a zip code thing. The book says Santa Anna. No one there could trace the serial number of my 360 12. Perhaps someone else coul help now? the estimated it as a 1965 dated model; it is identical to George's second Rick 12. Details worth adding to a new edition would be the use of a Rick 12 by Fleetwood Mac (Say that You Love Me, lead break), Greg Kihn, and also Martin Rotsey of Midnight Oil. The latter made extensive use of Rick 12's on albums fro 10-1 onwards. Tony Bacon picked up on The Church, but there was also Greg Rowe of the The Flying Circus, an earlier Byrds like outfit from Australia. Some good tips for players from the mouths of the artists, and an overdue homage to a unique sound in my life soundtrack and also my arsenal. Thexton.2016calebjo1411
Great book if you're interested in Rickenbackers, especially that iconic sound of the first electric 12 string, or even just that history of the British Invasion and how many recognisable songs used them from the Beatles to Tom Petty and many others. A must have if you have a Rickenbacker 12 String of course !Andy