Are you looking for the Best Starting Bass Guitar? If so, you’ve come to the right place.
Choosing the Best Starting Bass Guitar can be difficult as there are so many considerations, such as Carvin, Glarry, Fender, Ibanez, Yamaha, Godin, Hamer. We have done a lot of research to find the top 20 Best Starting Bass Guitar available.
The average cost is $268.99. Sold comparable range in price from a low of $99.99 to a high of $849.99.
Based on the research we did, we think Ibanez TMB100 Talman Electric Bass Guitar (Black) 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 Starting Bass Guitar (20 Sellers)
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Reviewers Noted:
Good sound quality . Attractive . Well made . Durability . Heavy
Features:
- Maple neck with jatoba fingerboard
- White dot inlay
- Medium frets
Reviewers Noted:
Good sound quality . Attractive . Well made . Lightweight . Durability
Features:
- Phat ii active bass boost adds additional low-end power.
- The jatoba fretboard 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:
Attractive . Good sound quality . Well made . Durable . Lightweight
Features:
- Vintage advantage.
- Unmistakeable sound.
- The fender player series precision bass guitar is a genuine, bass icon reborn for a new generation to appreciate all over again.
$199.99
4.7
Reviewers Noted:
Sound quality . Lightweight . Attractive . Well made . Durable
Features:
- B10 bridgethe b10 bridge allows fully adjustable intonation and solid tuning stability.
Reviewers Noted:
Good sound quality . Attractive . Well made . Durability . Weight
Features:
- Full-size acoustic electric bass guitar crafted from wood for high-quality sound
- 4-band preamp allows for bass, middle, treble, and presence control for versatility
- For beginners or pros, ready to use right out of the box
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.
$329.99
4.7
Reviewers Noted:
Good sound quality . Attractive . Well made . Durable . Lightweight
Features:
- Comfortable lightweight body with bolt-on maple neck
- Medium-scale design for easier play while maintaining great low end
- Versatile pj pickup layout with 2-band eq
Reviewers Noted:
Good sound quality . Attractive . Well made . Lightweight . Durable
Features:
- Maple/mahogany five-piece neck
- Solid mahogany body
- Three-band and active eq
Reviewers Noted:
Sound quality . Lightweight . Durability . Well made . Attractive
Features:
- Nice bass for beginner, or whatever your need!
- May have to be setup to your needs (i have not set action or intonation).
- Does not come with a case or gigbag.
$229.99
4.7
Reviewers Noted:
Good sound quality . Attractive . Lightweight . Well made . Durability
Features:
- Agathis body
- One-piece maple neck
- Pearl dot inlay
$129.98
4.4
Reviewers Noted:
Good sound quality . Attractive . Well made . Durability . Lightweight
Features:
- Play your favorite songs, study, practice or play with your band.
- Our 20w amplifier features built-in speakers, a headphone jack so you can play your favorite tunes. 3. perfect gift.
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.
$169.99$99.99
4.5
Reviewers Noted:
Sound quality . Attractive . Lightweight . Well made . Lacks durability
Features:
- Basswood dual cutaway body
- Bolt-on maple neck with rosewood fingerboard
- High-mass adjustable saddle bridge
$239.99
4.8
Reviewers Noted:
Sound quality . Well made . Attractive . Weight . Durability
Features:
- Solid sculpted mahogany wooden box
- 4 strings
- Power: 12-watt
Reviewers Noted:
Good sound quality . Lacks durability . Well made . Attractive
Features:
- Scale length: 34'' (863.6mm) neck: maple fingerboard: snorkeling radius: 10'' (250mm)
- Nut width: 40mm body: alder tuners: covered bridge: vintage style pickups: split coil x 1, single coil x 1
- Vintage style bridge
$179.99$109.99
4.3
Reviewers Noted:
Sound quality . Attractive . Lacks durability . Lightweight . Well made
Features:
- Basswood dual cutaway body
- Bolt-on maple neck with rosewood fingerboard
- High-mass adjustable saddle bridge
Reviewers Noted:
Visual appeal . Durability . Sound quality . Craftsmanship
Features:
- Basswood body, maple neck
- 34" scale length, 42mm nut width. 20 frets
- Dot inlays, 1 volume & 1 tone control
$119.99
4.3
Reviewers Noted:
Good sound quality . Well made . Attractive . Lightweight . Durability
Features:
- Acoustic-electric bass: equipped with a 4-band eq-7545r guitar preamp to produce high-quality sound for beginners and pros alike
- Rich, resonant sound: the wood composition creates a beautiful sound, great for unplugged jam sessions or performances
- 4-band preamp: built-in volume control, a 4-band equalizer adjusts bass, middle, treble, and presence
$229.99
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
$1249.99$729.99
4.6
Reviewers Noted:
Good sound quality . Attractive . Well made . Durability . Weight
Features:
- Contoured ply maple body
- 30.75" canadian hard maple set neck with 15" resinator fingerboard and hagstrom pearl block position marks; h-expander trussrod
- Dual dyna rail viking bass neck and bridge pickups; 6-way rotary pickup selector; dual volume and tone controls
1. Ibanez Tmb100 Talman Electric Bass Guitar (Black)
Product Details:
The new talman bass series combines the re-emergence of a historic ibanez body shape with powerful genre-hopping versatility. tmb electronic system paves the road to a variety of classic tones. dynamix pickups tmb100 features the ibanez dxp neck pickup and dxj bridge pickup for the rich, vintage sound. ibanez custom electronics 2-band eq ibanez custom electronics 2-band active eq offers a variety of tonal options.
Specifications:
| Shape | Not specified |
| Wood | Maple |
| Neck joint | Bolt-on |
| Scale length | 34" |
| Truss rod | Standard |
| Finish | Satin |
| Active or passive pickups | Passive |
| Pickup configuration | SS |
| Neck | Dynamix P |
| Bridge | Dynamix J |
| Series or parallel | Parallel |
| Active preamp | Yes |
| Special electronics | 2-band EQ |
| Radius | 240 mm |
| Fret size | Medium |
| Number of frets | 20 |
| Inlays | Dot |
| Nut width | 1.625" (41.3 mm) |
| Cutaway | Double cutaway |
| Construction | Solidbody |
| Body wood | Poplar |
| Body finish | Gloss |
| Orientation | Right handed |
| Control layout | Master volume, blend 2-band EQ |
| Bridge type | Fixed |
| Bridge design | Stoptail |
| Number of strings | 4 |
| Pickguard | Yes |
| Country of origin | Indonesia |
Reviews:
I bought this bass because a friend had one that worked great and played great and I loved it. When I purchased mine I had it sent to my house. 5 days later and it comes in with busted knobs and I had to take it in for a refund. They had another in stock and I took it home. Well the second is busted too. Huge disappointment considering how much I enjoy playing this bass. Absolutely unreliable and I won't be getting a third one.James
With a setup, this bass is WELL worth its price. The nut width isn't as narrow as I'd prefer, I'm more used to the size of the Jazz bass, but this still plays quite nicely for me. While taking inspiration from many classic instruments, the style manages to be unique, and the bass always gets compliments at shows. Controls are easy enough to become second nature quickly, pots turn nice and smooth, and the selector, treble, and bass knobs all have nice tactile notches at their halfway points which is incredibly helpful. The only reason I took off half a star is the angle of the output jack is just super awkward if you typically use right-angle cables, which I do, and only a little less awkward if you don't. Also, not a reason to avoid buying the bass, but it must be said, CHANGE STRINGS IMMEDIATELY!! This might be TMI, but the grooves in the stock strings would pull on my arm hairs EVERY TIME I rest my arm on the bass (and my mustache hairs when I'd give the bass a little kiss at night)
This beast of beauty is must have for people who like to play a bass with a different touch.. the touch is where it happens, it feels very good and it is very playable even for a guitarist like me, a real challenger this awesome Ibanez! the sound of the standard strings surprised me a lot! The sheer power tone and bizarre sustain almost too much.. it just keeps on going haha! The sound settings are all very noticeable adjustable and a good thing , i like the click in the middle of some pot settings so you know where they stand. it is a great help to create your sound. The six smooth twisting mechanics work like a dream, no play or other rattle is heard while playing this monster! I like it alot and i am very pleased with this beautifully build instrument.
2. Ibanez Gsr200 Bass Guitar (Black)
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:
As a learner who has been playing a cheap 4 string the move to this 5 string was an excellent experience due to the slender neck. The paint job is out of this world and the hardware oozes quality. I've always wanted an Ibanez and it has not disappointed. A thing of beauty and tones to match any players style.COLIN S.
I spent a few weeks trying out basses at my local music stores before settling on this bass. What set this bass apart from the others was the tone and the various tones I could get out of it, as well as it's playability. The active EQ is far better than the passive EQ's that I find on other basses. For example, the EQ on Jackson basses are all but useless. There was very little tone difference when varying the EQ controls on Jackson basses. But on this Ibanez, you really hear the difference in the tone settings. The Ibanez has a bass, mid, and treble tone control. So you can really dial in the tone you're looking for. Also, the individual string height adjustment on the Ibanez lets me tailor the action to exactly how I like it. The guitar is well balanced weight wise and so hangs naturally when I play it. I have a BC Rich mockingbird bass which is terribly weighted ad the headstock drops to the floor if I don't have my fret hand supporting the neck. The string spacing on the Ibanez 5 string is good, and I can still play slap bass on it. All the knobs on the bass (except the volume knob) have a mid point that you can feel as your adjusting the tone controls, so you know exactly where "flat" is. I really like that feature.beaglebuddy
Unexpectedly nice looking bass. 2 piece fllamed maple body with a darker burst than the website photos suggested. Not bookmatched, but a nicely figured body. Super versatile preamp and nice sounding, powerful and noise free pickups. Fast, slim neck and good quality hardware. I've tweaked the set up over a couple of weeks and it's playing really well. A far nicer bass than I expected for the price, after some playing in I think it will be better than my mid 90s SR. Very easy bass to set up, and the action can be brought down ridiculously low.Reviewed by Andertons Music Co.
3. Fender Player Precision Bass , Maple Fingerboard, Buttercream
Product Details:
There’s nothing more classic than a fender electric bass, and the player precision bass is as authentic as it gets—genuine fender style and the rumbling, seismic sound that spawned a thousand imitations. with its smooth playing feel and spotlight-ready style, this thunderous bass is ready to enter the studio or prowl the stage and help show the world your creative vision. respecting heritage while maintaining innovative spirit, the fat, punchy player series split-coil precision bass middle pickup is packed with legendary fender bass tone, turned up to 11 for modern ears. master volume and tone controls are close to hand to shape the pickup’s powerful voice so you can easily craft your sound. the “modern c”-shaped maple neck’s hosts a 9.5”-radius fingerboard with 20 medium-jumbo frets that are ideal for almost any playing style, while the 4-saddle bridge is engineered for accurate intonation and easy action adjustment so you can personalize the feel to your playing style and taste. other features include a 3-ply pickguard, synthetic bone nut, vintage-style disc string trees, open-gear tuning machines and a four-bolt “f”-stamped neck plate that marks this instrument as the real deal—as fender as it gets. a modern classic with genuine fender sound, style and feel, the player precision bass is ready to pump out some serious low end. case sold separately.
Specifications:
| Shape | C |
| Wood | Maple |
| Neck joint | Bolt-on |
| Scale length | 34 in. |
| Truss rod | Standard |
| Finish | Satin |
| Active or passive pickups | Passive |
| Pickup configuration | Split single-coil |
| Active preamp | No |
| Radius | 9.5 in. |
| Fret size | Medium-jumbo |
| Number of frets | 20 |
| Inlays | Dot |
| Nut material | Synthetic bone |
| Nut width | 1.625 in. (41.3 mm) |
| Cutaway | Double cutaway |
| Construction | Solidbody |
| Body wood | Alder |
| Top wood | Alder |
| Body finish | Gloss |
| Orientation | Right handed |
| Control layout | Master volume, tone |
| Pickup switch | No |
| Coil tap or split | No |
| Tone switching | No |
| Special switching | No |
| Bridge type | Fixed |
| Bridge design | 4-Saddle adjustable |
| Tuning machines | Open-geared |
| Number of strings | 4 |
| Pickguard | Yes |
| Country of origin | Mexico |
Reviews:
Its a little by chance what you get from mex. fenders in terms of craftsmanship and details. Mine has a little dent and a little gap between neck and body but it is sturdy. Fret work is not like americans. Tone wise and playability is good. I like the look of pau ferro wood. Neck shape is comfy not like 70s baseball bat p bass more like 70s j bass. The orange color is the reason i pick this one, fender changing colors every two three years so if you have this color in mind go for it. Much much better in real than pictures. Overall, if you need a good practice/little jamming bass its a good alternative. Instead of squiers go for this. I have sire as well, if you dont like/need active preamp simple is the best. Also, this new pickups are good, have good bass and midrange not scooped like some american pickups. One final thing, I've tried couple of player series before ordering this, some of them is not well at all in build quality. So, it is a little surprise what you get, check after you buy it and then decide to keep it or not. Have fun..
Purchased the Fender Player Jazz bass. Overall great looks and sound, but some quality issues from the Fender Mexico factory (not Andertons' fault): – First bass had very clear weird uneven blemish under the varnish on the sunburst body. Not awful, but if I was in-store I would never have chosen that particular item. Returned and swapped by Andertons, no quibbles. Second bass arrived. Overall happy, sounds great, but still a few issues with quality control and design. – Control plate was missing 2 screws and was moving around – how does that get through Fender quality control? Replacement screws sent free of charge by Andertons. – Nut has not been slotted correctly – high G must have been passed through a machine and slipped, string is clearly a couple of mm too close to fretboard edge and you can see the failed first pass. Doesn't really affect playability, but is annoying and I will get it corrected at some point. Again, points to poor quality control. – Fretboard (Pau Ferro) is really thin – on the Player series, at least. Neck fret dot markers in white are half over the mid-dark fretboard, half over the light maple neck. Very hard to see in low light levels. OK, so they're just an indicator for position, but the design isn't great. So overall, the bass sounds great and Andertons service was very good. Fender quality control loses the one star from the review.Reviewed by Andertons Music Co.
…and falls in love. Let me start by saying I actually have owned one other P-Bass. I had a 50s reissue Precision, but honestly the neck was just too thick for my liking after years of playing Jazz basses. Honestly, it felt thicker than the neck on my Yamaha 5-string. So, I picked this bass up after always dancing around getting what would be considered a more standard P-Bass. I have a 70s Jazz with a ton of modifications, I've had quite a few other brands of basses, but I wanted to see what the fuss was about. I ordered this a few weeks ago, and have been very pleasantly surprised. The action was pretty good out of the box. I adjusted it a bit, made a few tiny tweaks to the intonation, and now it's super smooth. And, on the pickups, let me say it's a great sounding bass. Pickups are clear, bass sounds great. I play through a little Ampeg Micro cabinet. Earlier this week, I bought some Flats to throw on it (because that's what you do with a P-bass, right?) and now it's quickly becoming one of my favorite instruments to jam with. It really cuts through the mix when playing in a group. I see why folks really love the sound of a precision. My Jazz still has it's place, but man, I really like the sound of this bass. The Player P is a great value for what you get. I've never owned an older MIM, but I research the heck out of pretty much any purchase I make, and it looks like Fender really stepped it up with this rendition of their MIM Precision basses. Good tone out of the box, no discernible pickup noise, good action, a beautiful neck, and a Tidepool Blue finish that just shines and shines.Dennis F
4. Ibanez Gsrm20 Mikro Electric Bass Guitar – Brown Sunburst
Product Details:
The ibanez gsrm20 short-scale bass gives you great low end with minimal size and weight. this model of the famed soundgear series offers a compact body and smaller neck to help alleviate those neck and back problems. it also sports a 28.6"-scale neck that's large enough to be comfortable yet short enough for smaller arms and faster playing styles. you get the best of both worlds with the gsrm20's j-style and p-style pickups, both bringing their recognizable tone to your fingertips. compact, contoured mahogany body provides excellent balance and comfort. slim neck profile gives you amazing playing comfort and speed. short 28.6" scale is long enough to be effective yet perfect for shorter arms and smaller hands. standard p and j pickups serve up classic fat, punchy tone. b10 bridge gives you impressive sustain. the ibanez gsrm20 bass delivers short-scale comfort and full-sized tone!
Specifications:
| Number of Strings | 4 |
| Left-/Right-handed | Right-handed |
| Body Shape | SR MiKro |
| Body Finish | Gloss Polyurethane |
| Neck Material | Maple |
| Neck Shape | GSRM4 |
| Radius | 12" |
| Fingerboard Material | Jatoba |
| Fingerboard Inlay | White Dots |
| Number of Frets | 22, Medium |
| Scale Length | 28.6" |
| Nut Width | 1.496" |
| Nut Material | Plastic |
| Bridge/Tailpiece | B10 Fixed Bridge |
| Neck Pickup | Dynamix P Split Single-coil |
| Bridge Pickup | Dynamix J Single-coil |
| Controls | 2 x volume, 1 x master tone |
| Strings | .045-.105 |
Reviews:
The Mikro bass plays, looks and sounds great. The extra-short scale length does not compromise the traditional bass tone it produces. I have played 6-string guitar for over 40 years, including many professional gigs and teaching. I own over a dozen topnotch guitars. But this is my first bass, and I chose Mikro on the recommendation of a trustworthy friend. I have been doing my own repair work on guitars for decades, and can say the Mikro bass is impressively well made, and arrived decently set up with new, good strings. Fret work, neck, nut, tuning machines, bridge, fingerboard, finish, electronics are all virtually flawless; and the tobacco sunburst color I chose looks really nice, with a "vintage" vibe. I replaced the stock chrome dome knobs (which are nice ones) with Gibson-style knobs so I can see numbers for volume and tone settings. I really like the tone of the Mikro, especially the "Precision" style pickup–the one closer to the neck, from which it's easy to get a classic P-bass tone in conjunction with the tone control, which also works great. Ibanez chose a great capacitor value for the tone knob. The bridge position ("Jazz" style) pickup is just OK–usable, and not bad, but nothing remarkable, and it's especially lackluster when used solo, without any of the P-style pickup dialed in. That is the only part of this bass, other than the knobs, I would consider upgrading in the near future (maybe also the potentiometers, but even those feel smooth and responsive out of the box). The satin-finish neck feels great, and is a breeze to play, even for someone like me, who is coming to the bass from years on guitar. The tuning stability of the Mikro is remarkably great. So the latest versions of the Mikro basses are a phenomenal bargain! I would not hesitate to recommend a Mikro to anyone considering moving from guitar to bass, or to someone with smaller hands. From what my bassist friends tell me, the Mikro is great for any bassist PERIOD.NYC Slide Guitarist trying bass
Overall: I've been playing for years, mostly Fenders, Tobias and a heavily modified Decca short scale from the 60s. This is my first Ibanez bass and I am blown away! I chose the brown burst finish, and took a chance on the "blemished" version. Been looking at it all day and I can't find any imperfection anywhere. Definitely wanted short scale, light weight and a fast neck, this one has all 3 and then some. Set up out of the box was close, very close, with only a slight fret buzz on the E string. A very small adjustment at the saddle took care of it. The stock pickups sound good, the tone knob has useful range, everything sounds quite good through everything I've played it through so far (Fender, Orange, antique Earth head, etc.). Overall, I couldn't be happier!Bryan
An utterly great bass overall. It's perfect for someone with a low budget, or someone who's new to learning bass. Also good for children or people with small hands since it's a short-scale. This was my first bass and I still play it a lot. Not only is it cheap, but it has a really good tone, a nice feel to it, and a beautiful orange finish (if that is the finish you chose). The only bad thing I have to say about this is that it got some fret buzz to it but in all honesty, it's not that bad. I love Ibanez basses, I own several and this one is absolutly great.Logan
5. Best Choice Products Blue Acoustic Electric Bass Guitar With Equalizer Solid Construction
Product Details:
Reviews:
I brought this for a signature book for our wedding, we wanted a playable momento, but didn't want to spend a lot of money. It's a great $88 guitar, we have guitars upwards of $500 so of course it would not be as good. Well built, tunes easily, buy needs frequent tuning. I think if we replace with high quality strings we would definitely take this guitar up a notch. Good for beginners and will definitely teach them tuning skills.Tasha S.
I purchase this bass being motivated by its price and rave reviews. Let me just say that when I received my bass today I was blown over at the fit and finish on this bass. It looks like a $500.00+ guitar! I've been playing it for hours and the deep bass is so sweet. The action is a tad high but I kind of like it that way. The great sound projection from this bass made me chuckle while I was playing because the bass made a silver cup I have on a wall mounted shelf rattle! Now that's impressive sound projection! I can't wait to plug in this bass to my friend's Ampeg that's a 1X15 ported bass amp. It should be wild! For the money this Best Choice acoustic had got to be the deal of a lifetime if you're in the market for an acoustic bass guitar.Jason
This is a great acoustic-electric bass. I originally purchased it to use as an alternative to plugging in my electric bass. I instantly fell in love with it. It stays in tune. The nut is of appropriate measurements and the frets are greatly positioned. I changed the factory installed strings with some acoustic bass strings and it sounded so nice! For the price, I didn't expect to get a good value, but I was surprised once I immediately opened the box. Good job Best Choice products!consumer
6. 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
7. Ibanez Srmd200 Sr Mezzo Electric Bass – Sea Foam Pearl Green
Product Details:
Despite inheriting the sleek and sophisticated beauty of the revolutionary sr bass, the sr mezzo was designed to be fun to play. the sr mezzo's 32" medium scale allows for both easy playing and a rich low-end. the sr mezzo's full sonic palette will make hitting the stage a blast. no matter the style of music, the sr mezzo fits you perfectly. the ibanez srmd200 sr mezzo electric bass's 32" scale neck is 2" shorter than that of the general ibanez sr models, but the mezzo stills delivers a powerful low end. the sr mezzo's compact, lightweight body and shorter scale offer effortless playability. the srmd200 features a poplar body, stunning new finish and a newly-designed pickguard. a smooth maple neck and maple fretboard with medium frets allow for a clear tone and attack. electronics consist of an ibanez custom electronics 2-band eq and an ibanez dxp neck pickup and dxj bridge pickup for extra punch. the b10 bridge allows fully adjustable intonation and solid tuning stability.
Specifications:
| Handedness | Right-Handed |
| Strings | 4 String |
| Neck Type | SRMD4 / Maple neck |
| Top/Back/Body | Poplar body |
| Fretboard | Maple fretboard / Black dot inlay |
| Fret | Medium frets |
| Number Of Frets | 22 |
| Bridge | B10 bridge |
| Neck Pickup | Dynamix P neck pickup (Passive) |
| Bridge Pickup | Dynamix J bridge pickup (Passive) |
| Equalizer | Ibanez Custom Electronics 2-band EQ |
| Factory Tuning | 1G, 2D, 3A, 4E |
| String Gauge | .045/.065/.085/.105 |
| Nut | Plastic |
| Hardware Color | Chrome |
| Neck Scale | 32" (812.80mm) |
| Neck Width at NUT | 38mm (1.50") |
| Neck Width at 22F | 62mm (2.44") |
| Neck Thickness at 1F | 19.5mm (0.77") |
| Neck Thickness at 12F | 21.5mm (0.85") |
| Neck Radius | 305mmR |
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
8. Yamaha Trbx504 Translucent Black Bass Guitar
Product Details:
The yamaha trbx 504 bass guitar makes you the master of the perfect bass tone. constructed with a mahogany body, the sound of the instrument has a fantastic base to build upon. using a pair of incredibly designed h5 pickups, it possesses an incredible level of dynamic sensitivity. when you include the fact that this bass has an inbuilt three-band eq you can truly sculpt your sound to your exact preference. you truly have every disposal to create your dream tone.
Specifications:
| Product Dimensions | 47.83 x 17.91 x 3.74 inches |
| Batteries | 1 9V batteries required. (included) |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Back Material | Mahogany |
| Color Name | Translucent Black |
| Fretboard Material | rosewood |
| Guitar Pickup Configuration | H |
| Top Material | Maple, Mahogany |
| Neck Material Type | maple |
| Number of Strings | 4 |
| Guitar Bridge System | Individual Adjustable Bridge System |
| Finish Type | Polished |
| Instrument | Guitar |
| Operation Mode | Electric |
Reviews:
I've been playing for over 30 years. I mainly play a fretless bass but I like to play a fretted bass at times. My old fretted bass is worn out and spending 2k on an instrument that isn't my main go to bass is not something I'm going to do. This Yamaha is a great bass. The finish is perfect. Even in the hole to adjust the truss rod. I got the translucent black and It's a very black matte look. The frets are not super polished but are not sharp or sloppy. They play really nice, stand tall, and are capable of a wide variety of tones with different playing stlyes. The 5 piece neck is really playable. I'm really digging it. Mine is perfectly adjusted right out of the box. Tuning pegs have a really cool gunmetal finish and are adjustable if the ever get sloppy. Bridge is the same gunmetal finish and isn't high mass but it's not flimsy like the stock fender and it is the standard 5 screw type if I ever decided to change it. I don't think I'll do it anytime soon. The sustain resonates so well. Maybe better than my pricey fretless. I'm really into the mahogany body. Mine came with the intonation setup perfectly. It shipped detuned as it should've. All I did was stretch the string and tune it. Man do these electronics shine. I've got to spend some more time really learning the controls but I was able to dial in a few tones I wanted to try immediately. My first impression of the strings is that they really suck. Maybe that's true but they do play well and they're not dead but I bought a set of my favorite strings that I'll get on when I get sick of these. Overall I got a lot more bass than I expected for the money. A beginner could really grow into this and more advanced players should be quite satisfied.ZioEnzo
The Yamaha TRBX305 Bass Guitar itself: There is nothing to fault this guitar – particularly at this price point. It is beautifully finished and constructed and infinitley playable with no set up needed – right out of the box. Whilst it lacks a dedicated 'mid' tone control there is plenty of tonal variation available to suit all styles, especially given the novel five way eq toggle switch. Personally I bought this for recording purposes and prefer to leave things pretty flat and post eq in the mix. I dont think I would have any difficulty getting this to cut in a live situation on the fly though. If you are in any way doubtful of this instrument in terms of tone, purpose or playability – don't be. I reckon its a good work horse that will satisfy most general bass purposes. If you are a beginner looking for an instrument that is affordable and not going to hold you back as you grow into it – look no further. This is a really really good guitar. If you are a pro – just looking for a five string for a change, you won't be disappointed. AND – look how much it costs!? Really, its a no brainer. Why not buy two, – one for evening and the other for day wear. DV247 Music Store: I searched high and low for this instrument – a lot of suppliers were constantly out of stock. They also had it priced at least £50 above what I paid with DV247 Music Store. When I placed the order I hadn't realised the guitar would ship from Germany, but it did. It arrived in good time non-the less and in a factory sealed box, all snug perfect and shiny. Great value DV247 Music Store, and great service. I would recommend them to anyone. Thank you.
First, I saw it in a shop just out of the corner of my eye and it grabbed my attention. So, I am usually not a fan of Yamaha, holding this bass in my hands convinced me in seconds I found it easy to play because of the neck form, which is curved asymmetrical, giving a good grip for my thumb. The when the seller passed me the cable to a very cheap amp, I was immediately sure that this is an exceptional bass guitar for a good price. As I am also not a fan of active electronic, the possibility to switch between active and passive is well done, and when during a concert your battery gives up, there is no big problem to switch to passive and change the battery before the next song. I love to take this bass when I do not know what the meeting with other musicians is about, and even with electronic music it can cope. The bass is very light and easy to carry, it is easy to play and playing with the active electronic gives you a huge variety of modern sounds, that is really nice to experiment with. Surprisingly for me Yamaha did a lot of innovative things with this bass guitar and a lot of things right. Meanwhile I am used to the thin grey matt painting and somehow, I started liking it. It makes the bass looking just different from any other. Try it! I also think that the bass is worth each penny.EL Principe de la Navarte
9. Fender Squier Bronco Bass Electric Bass Guitar – Torino Red
Product Details:
The squier bronco bass is great for guitarists who occasionally need a bass, for younger beginners, for smaller players or for anyone who likes the feel of a short-scale bass guitar. it tunes easily and sounds full and rich, thanks to its maple neck, die-cast tuners and solid agathis body, which is equipped with a single-coil pickup. with a great retro vibe and killer vintage sound the fender squier bronco bass is the perfect bass for many styles. features: agathis body. maple "c" shaped neck. maple fingerboard with 9.5" radius. 19 medium jumbo frets. special design single coil volume control, tone control. 2 saddle chrome bridge. standard covered mini tuning machines. 3-ply white pickguard. chrome hardware short scale length. color torino red.
Specifications:
| Length | 18 in |
| Height | 54 in |
| Width | 9 in |
Reviews:
The Squier Bronco Bass delivers exactly what I expected. It's a 30" scale bass with a body shaped like the Fender Mustang bass; it has a single pickup (I believe it's a strat pickup), is fairly light weight (mine weighs in a 7 pounds 10 ounces), and it's a fun little axe. It's also the lowest-priced bass by an actual musical instrument company. How do they keep the price down? One way is that this is the only bass I've owned that has no fingerboard. It doesn't affect anything, but the front of the neck IS the fingerboard. The hardware is okay quality. But here's the thing – it sounds decent, feels great, plays well. There's going to be a little luck of the draw in a lower priced instrument, but my tuners stay in tune, intonation was on, everything is good. There was a little too much neck relief, but that was easy to adjust. If you're realistic about your expectations, the Squier Bronco Bass is an awesome value, looks good, and it gets you playing. It's not going to sound like a Stingray or a Geddy Lee Jazz Bass, but it doesn't sound bad, either – I would do a show with one without worrying about it. I have other basses, but wanted to add an inexpensive short scale to my stable, and this bass was exactly what I wanted. I may upgrade the pickup later – I may not. For now, it falls between my 34" scale and 28.6" scale basses, and it's fun to play. I'm very happy with it.Pcake
I ended up using this bass for songs where long scale can be a bit difficult. My main bass is an imported '54 P Bass copy, Alder body and maple neck/fingerboard. It had to go into a local shop for some major nut repair, and I needed something to play around with. Off the rack, it was a pretty great bass for the price. The neck is very well crafted, no sharp fret edges like some imported instruments. It's an agathis body, so the tone can be kind of bland, but compared to older Squier Broncos, it seems that all of the bridge and neck contact one piece of wood on the multi-piece construction, so sustain isn't too bad. The bad: The tuners are pretty sorry and are an oddball size, which makes replacement with good tuners very difficult. My E and A tuners rattle some, but all four do hold tune pretty well for cheap tuners. Also, the stock pickup is a six-pole ceramic Strat pickup, so it can sound…odd when bending strings. The other bad is the bridge: although it intonates pretty well, two saddles can make proper intonation difficult to achieve along with proper radius. Also, the bridge mounting pattern is almost impossible to replace with another bridge–four hole lock-down and quick-release style bridges DO work, but the bridge is mounted a little too far forward, and intonation is almost always sharp on the upper end of the fingerboard. Gotoh 201's are also very difficult to adapt to fit. But for its price point, some of these cons are easily fixed. I have a Mojotone Alnico V lipstick Strat pickup in mine with CTS 500K pots. It sounds excellent–it fools some of my buddies about how cheap it is. This bass could probably also benefit from a bar retainer near the nut. It went from an around the house beater to a mainstay for certain songs.Isher
my dad, a professional and extremely experienced bass guitarist, bought me this for christmas last year, and i love it. this is the first bass i've ever picked up and it's easy to play, is well built, has a nice feel to it, etc. i highly recommend it for beginners. i play it in my school band class and it fits in very well with the rest of the instruments. however it can fall out of tune easily and the pickup isn't the best, but ultimately it's the most perfect beginner bassout there, especially for the low price, it's high qualityace
10. 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
11. Glarry Full Size Electric Bass Guitar, Beginner Kit With Ss Pickups And Amp, Black
Product Details:
Features: 1. consistent quality and stylish design – the electric bass guitar consists of a wooden body that is characterized by its sturdiness, allowing you to play freely. this durable guitar can withstand years of wear and tear. 2. 20w amplifier – play your favorite songs, study, practice or play with your band – our 20w amplifier features built-in speakers, a headphone jack so you can play your favorite tunes. 3. everything you need -package includes1 bass, 1 amplifier, 1 bass bag, 1 strap, 1 connecting wire, 1 spanner tool, 1 plectrum specifications: orientation: right handed body: basswood guitar body
Specifications:
| Orientation | Right Handed |
| Guitar Body Color | Black |
| Neck | Maple |
| Fingerboard | Rosewood |
| Strings | 5 |
| Pickups | Single-Coil Pickup; Single-Coil Pickup |
| Control | Two Volume Controls; Two Tone Controls |
| Amplifier Power | 20 watts |
| Guitar Weight | 7.0 lb /3.2kg |
| Assembled Product Weight | 17.64 lb |
| Assembled Product Dimensions (L x W x H) | 45.67 x 14.96 x 3.35 Inches |
Reviews:
5 string bass in burley wood. Fit and finish first class. Unbelievably light. Fantastic value for money. Mine played very badly out of the box, with the neck seemingly overdone on the truss rod. Relaxed that a turn, set intonation and saddles and it's pretty good now imo. Think it would benefit from having some frets filed a bit. But all in all it's excellent for the money. I could spend 3-4 times as much for the next up cheap 5 string, but I doubt it would play better and I bet it would be significantly heavier.
My second Glarry bass. the first purchase was a 4 string fretless – flawless instrument. Obviously I was happy with it – I bought another instrument. This 5 string arrived today. I spent a brief time setting up the action, as you would need to do with any new instrument. It was not at all necessary to have a shop do it, as they send the tools you need included with the instrument and it is great for a player to be able to do this themselves- it will make you a more knowledgable player and take additional pride in ownership. But the real reason for leaving this review is to convey just how great the quality is. My wife's initial reaction: "that is beautiful – a work of art!", and she is so correct. Having owned many basses and played for 35+ years, this is as good as any bass I have had. You will see many other reviews state the same thing. The action, the finish, the sound – there is nothing to complain about, even if you took the affordable price out of consideration. Buy one of these now before they figure out they could charge 2-3x as much and I would still recommend buying even at those prices. I am installing a thumb rest on it and using this the next weekend for a songwriter showcase. Can't wait to see what compliments I get on it. Glarry, you guys do a great job and my hat is off to you.
There's nothing really spectacular about this bass, except for possibly the bang for your buck. What you get is a fairly well made solid instrument that does the job without any unnecessary frills! Mine arrived well packaged and in good condition. There are a couple of minor finish blends, but they aren't noticeable if you're more than a foot away. The set up was nearly spot-on, only a few minor adjustments were required. The neck and fretwork were well done. Frets are smooth with no sharp ends. The fretboard is dry, but that is somewhat expected, and not a big deal. I did send the back of the neck with 1000 grit paper so it is now silky smooth and plays great. The pickups sound very good, though the volume puts taper rather abruptly. Overall, this is a good sounding, very playable bass! I am a happy Glarry customer once again!
12. 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.
13. Rogue Lx200b Series Iii Electric Bass Guitar Pearl Black
Product Details:
You won't believe the great sound and consummate playability of this sonic destroyer. the rogue lx200b bass guitar features a maple neck, fast and friendly rosewood fretboard, covered traditional-style split and single-coil pickups, 2 volume and 2 tone controls, die-cast machine heads, and black hardware. bolt-on maple neck with rosewood fingerboard. high-mass adjustable saddle bridge. j-style humbucker bridge pickup. p-style split coil neck pickup. dual volume and tone controls. die-cast tuners. black hardware. case sold separately.
Reviews:
I bought this bass awhile ago. After reading several negative reviews I think the issues they have is this bass is shipped with no tension on the truss rod/neck. Out of the box it is not playable, sounds horrible and you need to adjust the truss rod to add relief to the neck. After making that adjustment this bass is a great beginners bass and sounds good. You will not be disappointed. Just watch a YouTube vid on how to add relief to a guitar neck / adjust truss rod.Gerald
I got this just to use for home recordings after YEARS away from bass playing. I've owned better in the past, but this is not bad! It has a good tone and the neck is easily playable. Sounds good playing through a Fender Rumble 25 watt amp. If there is one thing I don't like, it's the round-wound strings. I first started with flat wounds, playing funk and R & B, so the strings aren't as "warm" as I'd like. Still good for slap styles or for rock.Lee
I bought this bass back in 2003, and wanted to start playing again. I played bass in the early 1980's till 90's. I grew up with Rock to Metal days and had a Fender bass. I got caught up in marriage and working 12 hr days , so I sold my equipment. This bass plays well once you get it set up. Sounds great for a budget bass. I still have it among other upgrades bass guitars I now have. I still like playing it. And it still looks like new . Great bass for the money.Jbrocky0
14. Yamaha Trbx174 Electric Bass Guitar – Metallic Blue
Product Details:
The trbx174 represents a price breakthrough for the trbx range, yet the quality is everything you'd expect from a yamaha bass. you're the bedrock of your music. you need an instrument with the strength and power to perform. that instrument must give you the freedom to innovate, to create and push the boundaries. you need a bass where everything s just right. sound, feel, looks – nothing comes second. with yamaha's unique combination of advanced design, precision engineering and time-honoured craftsmanship, the yamaha guitar development team have created the perfect instrument for bass players who aren't ready to compromise. an instrument that seamlessly blends the powerful sound you need to underpin your performance with immense flexibility so you can create and define your own tone. an instrument that offers unparalleled comfort and playability combined with construction you can depend on – show after show, session after session. an instrument designed and built to be the core of your music.
Specifications:
| Length | 47.8346 in |
| Height | 3.7402 in |
| Width | 17.9134 in |
Reviews:
Should you be in the market for a decent, inexpensive bass, you really should consider this model. Having just arrived home from jamming with six friends, three of whom (including myself) are gigging pros, I felt obligated to congratulate Yamaha Corp for creating such a marvelous bass for the price. I brought my favorite jamming bass–a Squier VM 70's jazz bass–to the jam yet ended up playing this TRBX for four hours. (The guy who owns the studio remarked that he just bought it (used), and he wanted me to try it out.) I'll admit that the controls for the pots are cheap plastic, but everything else about the bass was top notch. It's a passive bass, but the EQ is very responsive with a wide range of voicings from its P/J style pups. Beautifully finished neck, a fretboard with a generous slab of rosewood–it sure looked and felt like rosewood, despite what it's being called in the GC write-up–a really smooth fret-edge finish, solid body wood, but not too heavy. Tuners worked great, and the sunburst stain under the urethane finish was masterfully done. The studio owner bought the bass with flatwound strings, but the pups made them sound clear, with a nice degree of sustain. This TRBX will serve a bassist well as a back-up, but I wouldn't be surprised if some would use it as a main axe (maybe after ditching the plastic knobs for better-quality ones). btw, I had it input to a Tech-21 bass Sansamp (which I use all the time), and into a GK MB210-ii. Even with the Sansamp bypassed, it performed quite well. In summary: Nice surprise!BassesRBetter
After building myself an in home studio, I quickly realized the only thing i was missing was a bass. Swung over to a local store (sorry MF, i was in a rush!) and checked out their large selection. Being that i'm a drummer, I was looking for apparent quality as I didn't much know the specifics or traits that i should be mindful of. The price tag, finish, weight and balance of this thing caught my eye. I toyed around with it for a moment and purchased it about 15 minutes later. I would be lying if i said this was the most played piece in my studio – BUT whenever i do pick it up i am always impressed. Plugging it directly in to a preamp and hitting record with this thing is a dream. You can go from a very washy sound to some solid attack with the knobs. Contrary to one of the previous comments, it does have a volume knob. As i have developed my skills in the studio and on a guitar/bass I have never felt beyond or limited by this guitar. Exceptional piece, I can say with confidence that if bass was my main instrument, i would love to have this guitar as a backup. But for someone like me?…..perfect.Chris
This bass is excellent for the money. It comes out of the case ready to go, just requires tuning which can be easily accomplished with the provided tuner. The case and stand are of excellent quality. The case is hard and sturdy. Its fairly large but will definitely provide great protection. The stand is very sturdy and props the bass up securely. The bass itself sounds great. The only issue Ive encountered with it is some rattle on the E string which I believe can be fixed with the proper adjustments I just havent taken it in yet. Otherwise it sounds nice, full, and rich. Its also beautiful to look at. Overall a fantastic buy for someone looking to get into playing bass. Highly recommend!nicholapedraz-0
15. Yamaha Trbx174 Blue Metallic Bass Guitar
Product Details:
Since 2013, the yamaha trbx bass range has been delivering incredible bang for your buck bass punch. the yamaha trbx174 offers powerhouse specs and stunning aesthetics, its a serious guitar! the super resonant mahogany body has slick curves and a really crisp blue finish. utilising a mass optimized 3d design, this bass benefits from the optimum balance between tone and comfort, and with perfect weight distribution its balanced and comfortable. the maple neck has a slim, easy to play profile and enhanced sustain and stability. designed to appeal to both modern and more traditional style players it has a bright but mellow tone. the rosewood board is rich and resonant and complements this bass perfectly.the yamaha pickups deliver a super strong signal and insane note definition. the split coil design delivers monster power that still captures every little detail of your playing, its smooth and warm and extremely versatile. a 2 band eq system allows for maximum control and with a huge variety of tonal options you will never be caught short! the yamaha trbx174 is such good value for money, from beginners to pro's, this bass is a great choice!
Specifications:
| Product Dimensions | 47.83 x 17.91 x 3.74 inches |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Color Name | Dark Blue Metallic |
| Fretboard Material | Sonokeling |
| String Gauge | Light |
| String Material | Alloy Steel |
| Neck Material Type | Maple |
| Number of Strings | 4 |
| Guitar Bridge System | Individual Adjustable Bridge System |
| Instrument | Guitar |
| Operation Mode | Electric |
Reviews:
This bass is excellent for the money. It comes out of the case ready to go, just requires tuning which can be easily accomplished with the provided tuner. The case and stand are of excellent quality. The case is hard and sturdy. Its fairly large but will definitely provide great protection. The stand is very sturdy and props the bass up securely. The bass itself sounds great. The only issue Ive encountered with it is some rattle on the E string which I believe can be fixed with the proper adjustments I just havent taken it in yet. Otherwise it sounds nice, full, and rich. Its also beautiful to look at. Overall a fantastic buy for someone looking to get into playing bass. Highly recommend!nicholapedraz-0
I've been wanting to start learning the bass for a while now, so I started looking and saw this one… looked at a few video reviews and it sounded amazing! And it has definitely exceeded expectations! Such a lovely sound and so comfortable to play, even for someone who is classical trained in piano and not really touched a guitar of any sort haha! Brilliant product!Darcie J.
16. Rogue Lx205b 5-String Series Iii Electric Bass Guitar Pearl White
Product Details:
The lx205b 5-string bass guitar incorporates an extended maple neck with a fast and friendly rosewood fingerboard for fleet action. the j-style pickups deliver massive slabs of classic tone and are tweaked via 2 volume and 2 tone controls. die-cast machine heads and black hardware wrap up this astonishingly priced thumper. bolt-on maple neck with rosewood fingerboard. high-mass adjustable saddle bridge. j-style pickups. dual volume and tone controls. die-cast tuners. black hardware. case sold separately.
Reviews:
Bought this as an open box return. The finish was slightly scratched near the bottom strap peg (so slight I didn't notice it for several days) and one fret marker was missing leaving just the hole. For the price the damage was VERY minimal. I have yet to replace the missing fret marker and have never noticed any issues at all while playing. Overall, considering it was an open box return, the quality of the bass greatly exceeded my expectations. The bass itself is very nice. Good tone, ease of playability, sound electronics, solid construction, and overall of good quality. I wouldn't choose it over my Peavey T-40 but that's because I bought the Peavey new in 1980 and we've been best friends a long time. Otherwise the Rogue could have easily become my go-to bass. In summation, I would have no problem in recommending this guitar to a friend.Pokyhawk
There's not a lot to dislike. I thought I would have to strip the finish and redo it to my liking, but the blue sparkle actually looks quite nice. Tuners are sealed, and like the pickups and controls might need upgrading, but are perfectly serviceable right out of the box. Maybe this was because it was a scratch and dent special, but there was SEVERE fret sprout, so bad that I scratched my hand badly during initial playing. Fixing that isn't terribly difficult, though, and during that fix I noticed the action was a bit high, so I lowered it. Once I change the strings I'll give it a full setup for neck relief and all. I'm not docking it any points for this as you as the buyer should be aware that any instrument that you get in the mail, especially at this price, will likely need a setup done. I bought a rogue A/E guitar on a scratch and dent special and it's served me well over the years. I expect even better from this bass.SKR3N3S
I fist bought a 4 Rouge 4 string bass guitar Dark Blue & a Cherry Apple Red 5 String Bass Guitar. I play the 4 string to play n are the cure cover band named AVATAZ we play Cure songs. I also play U2 With or without you Sunday Bloody Sunday Where the steers hu CT have no nameWe also playI play the 5 string bass guitar 2 Metallica song One, Nothing Else matters,Stained It's been awhile& Outside & Red Hot Chilly Peppers Under The Bridge, Scar Tissue& AC/DC Thunderstruck ,TNT, 4 Those About 2 Rock( We Salute You), Bauhaus Hollow Hills & She's n Parties,Bryan
17. Sawtooth Ep Series Electric Bass Guitar With Gig Bag & Accessories Black Right-Handed
Product Details:
Sawtooth bass guitars are the best value in bass guitar design. the highly versatile electric bass guitars are crafted to give you a great-sounding, sleek-looking, easy playing, electric bass guitar with modern and vintage vibes. these bass guitars are perfect for any student, beginner or aspiring musician. including free access to the godpsmusic live lesson app.
Specifications:
| Product Dimensions | 46 x 13 x 2 inches |
| Batteries | 1 CR2 batteries required. (included) |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Back Material | Basswood |
| Color Name | Satin Black |
| Scale Length | 34.0 |
| Top Material | Basswood |
| Neck Material Type | Maple |
| Number of Strings | 4 |
| Guitar Bridge System | Adjustable |
| Battery type | Lithium Metal |
| Back Material Type | Basswood |
| Finish Type | Polished |
| Instrument | Guitar |
| Operation Mode | Electric |
Reviews:
Mine came with a warped neck, body is super soft and easily dings,and finish as you would expect is consistent with most low cost cost Asian basses. Electronics also. Required a lengthy setup but still could not optimize with bad neck. There are better options in a beginner bass. The Rondo SX and the lower end Ibanez lefty basses are just two examples.kraigster414
Absolute junk. ReturningTERRY
18. Best Choice Products 22-Fret Full Size Acoustic Electric Bass Guitar With 4-Band Equalizer, Adjustable Truss Rod, Solid Construction – Black
Product Details:
Rock out with a bass guitar made to deliver clear, high-quality sound with every pluck. featuring an attractive inlay and gorgeous glossy finish, this classic instrument is perfect for plucking the bass of your favorite tunes. built-in volume control and a 4-band equalizer will allow you to achieve just the right tone. dimensions: 45.5”(l) x 18.3“(w) x 49“(h).
Reviews:
I brought this for a signature book for our wedding, we wanted a playable momento, but didn't want to spend a lot of money. It's a great $88 guitar, we have guitars upwards of $500 so of course it would not be as good. Well built, tunes easily, buy needs frequent tuning. I think if we replace with high quality strings we would definitely take this guitar up a notch. Good for beginners and will definitely teach them tuning skills.Tasha S.
I purchase this bass being motivated by its price and rave reviews. Let me just say that when I received my bass today I was blown over at the fit and finish on this bass. It looks like a $500.00+ guitar! I've been playing it for hours and the deep bass is so sweet. The action is a tad high but I kind of like it that way. The great sound projection from this bass made me chuckle while I was playing because the bass made a silver cup I have on a wall mounted shelf rattle! Now that's impressive sound projection! I can't wait to plug in this bass to my friend's Ampeg that's a 1X15 ported bass amp. It should be wild! For the money this Best Choice acoustic had got to be the deal of a lifetime if you're in the market for an acoustic bass guitar.Jason
So hey. I’m kinda new at this sort of thing. I did grow up playing music in the bands and orchestra. Mostly woodwinds. I did always want to play some strings. So finally I do. I’ve been at the guitar for a little while now. And it’s very exciting to find an opportunity to study bass. This instrument seems very fundamental and good to me. So I’m excited about it. Good deal for starting out. Thing is, as I’ve been practicing,… I just kinda noticed that I can’t seem to get the High A note to speak as well as I’d like. I mean everything sounds great. But I’m going to have my guitar shop buddies take a look at the fret there. Something isn’t quite right. I bet it just needs a little adjustment. That’s a pretty sweet note if you can fit it in a solo. But of course that deep bass and fundamental sound is what it’s really about. !!!Egore
19. Mitchell Mb200 Modern Rock Bass With Active Eq Blood Red
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.
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
20. Hagstrom Viking Bass Black
Product Details:
The hagstrom viking bass is a reconstruction of the classic concord bass from yesteryear. keeping the soul and look of this retro classic, however providing the functionality and versatility to satisfy the modern day player as well. the pickups on this bass are "vintage voiced", however a six position rotary switch has been placed in the lower horn to provide the player with a pallet of different voices. this bass provides a warm vintage tone, with an amazing sustain thanks to the h-expander truss rod. this medium scale length bass will please the performing musicians in thought to the lower weight of the bass, but also continue to impress due to the multitude of different tonal variations to suit many playing styles.gigbag.
Specifications:
| Wood | Maple |
| Neck joint | Set-in |
| Scale length | 30.75" |
| Truss rod | Standard |
| Pickup configuration | HH |
| Neck | Proprietary Humbucker |
| Bridge | Proprietary Humbucker |
| Pickup switch | 6-way |
| Radius | 15" |
| Fret size | Medium-jumbo |
| Number of frets | 21 |
| Inlays | Block |
| Nut material/width | GraphTech/1.5" |
| Body Type | Semi-Hollow |
| Body wood | Maple |
| Bridge/Tailpiece | Long Travel Tune-O-Matic/Trapeze |
| Tuning machines | Die-cast Sealed |
| Number of strings | 4 String |
| Country of origin | China |
| Orientation | Right-Handed |
Reviews:
I bought mine new and it's everything positive others say about it. Don't know what bobz429 is talking about. Obviously he has a modified model. Hardware is first rate with a Hagstrom designed P90 single coil at the neck and classic '58C humbucker at the bridge (Hagstrom winds their own pickups). It's a joy to play, very clean factory pups, beautiful finish, very well crafted and flawless. Rivals guitars up to 3 times the cost in my opinion. The Hagstrom composite Resinator fret board is fast and has good sustain. This guitar can be used for jazz with very clean articulation and voicing, moan the blues, fit right into classic or grunge rock and growl with the best of 'em throughout it's entire range. The ringing clarity is stunning! It's a lot of bang for your buck, and lighter than you'd think for a guitar with a 28" scale. A "tad" neck-heavy balance wise, but once you play it and realize it's potential from mild to wild, this is easily overlooked and by "no means" a deal breaker. It has 5 star ratings across the board for a reason. It's simply that good! This is a players guitar and one I'll keep the rest of my life. It will surprise and please you once you plug it in. This is an amazing baritone. Plug it in, crank it up, and jam 'til the cows come home! If your in the marketfor a baritone guitar, the Hagstrom Viking Deluxe is very hard to beat! I personally don't think any others in it's price rang hold a candle to it. Highly recommended. Enjoy! Edit: Was surprised to see I wasn't listed as a verified purchaser (don't know how that works). Oh well, I assure you I own this guitar purchased from SoundsCheapMusic on eBay out of Pleasant Hill, MO on April 22, 2015… in the Cosmic Black Burst finish. All the same, you won't be disappointed. 😉honorable1-us
With more than 15yrs. of experience with various Hagstrom guitars and over 40yrs. of playing and performing, this instrument and review was an unexpected and a very pleasant surprise. I will acknowledge that I was prompted to pull the trigger on the purchase in no small part because of a couple of reviews here on MFI, one by a fellow who is an American musician living in Sweden. From what I was able to glean from a collection of YouTube videos from past NAMM shows, it looks like the Viking DLX 12 made it's debut about 2016, and has had at least one major update since, with the most notable being larger, but traditional-shaped F-holes on the top, fully creme bound, of course. I very much agree with the opinion previously expressed about there being a major advantage for Hagstrom because of their sourcing all woods(primarily Canada)and all hardware and electronics, leaving their factory contractors in China to concentrate on building the best looking/sounding instrument possible. I would place current Hagstrom product on a par with anything from the Park factories in Korea, and nearly on par with some of the older product that came from Matsumoko in Japan. IMHO, and as pointed out by a previous reviewer, the only real contenders in this narrow category of instrument are the hollowbody Ric 300 Series, and the current Gretsch Electromatic 5422-12, both of which are 2-3X the cost of a new Viking DLX 12. Pickups are clear voiced but fairly hot, and the Resonator fretboard feels great and works with the overall timbre of a maple bodied guitar. The bookmatched flame maple body sides, top, and back are a sight to behold; laminated but beautiful. The most playable and comfortable neck I have EVER put in my hand for a 12-string; a profile similar to an early 60's Gibson or modern ESP being "thin", but with a 15" radius and a 45mm black Tusq nut. Perfect for chording and rhythm, but enough room between string pairs for either finger or flatpicking with precision. Get ItArch69er
It caught my eye hanging in my local Guitar Center in Goodlettsville, TN, which has a terrific staff btw. I asked to try it and was quite impressed with the overall build quality and set-up. Simply perfect; action, intonation, fret dressing, etc. It didn't need a thing! Thought about it overnight and returned the next day to buy it.Alan
