As a professional bassist, it will be a challenging job for you to find out the best bass guitar brands available in the market. Basses can find their place in different brands across the musical spectrum.

By following the latest trends of the market, it is challenging to buy a bass guitar from a renowned brand. Because this instrument is so important, the market has brought forth many different brands and a great variety of basses by the bass players.

Although many factors are more important than the brand name, knowing the top brands to look out for can help find your bass.

Here in this article, we will discuss the best bass guitar brands available in the market.

Avoid to Buy the Wrong Guitar

Whenever you are determined to buy a new guitar for yourself, you are confused about choosing the best bass guitar for you. For this problem, you have to read this article very carefully.

The way a specific bass will fit you will largely depend on your particular needs, what you find essential, and what style of playing you prefer.

Usually, some factors contribute to the choice of bass guitar for yourself. The list of the elements is given below:

1. Budget
2. Number of Strings
3. Tonewood
4. Comfort

Budget

It is a positive approach to find such a bass guitar for yourself in your budget range. Setting a budget is a crucial step when purchasing a bass guitar, or any other instrument for that matter.

The reasons for this are many. More expensive bass guitars usually hold their value for much longer, so your investment is somewhat secure. The best advice I or anyone else can give you is to buy the best bass guitar model you can afford.

A lot of newcomers are on the fence about putting their entire budget towards a bass guitar. Work within the limits of your budget, but always go for the upper limit. It is a great instrument with lower priced model even used by John Entwistle.

Number of Strings

You can choose the number of strings of the instrument according to your ease and comfort. For example, if you are a beginner, you must select four columns of the bass guitar, but you can choose even five, six, seven, twelve-string bass guitars.

If you are starting, it’s best to stick with the four-string models. Those extra strings extend the capabilities of your instrument, but they also require a bit more effort to get used to.

On the other hand, this choice also depends on the type of music you are playing. Some heavier stuff like deathcore and similar genres will benefit from that extra string or two.

Tonewood

With the help of tonewoods, the world is your oyster. Each tonewood has its frequency response. Which of these basses is suitable for you, only you can answer that, but the only question you need to ask yourself when you pick it up and play it is, ‘Does it make me want to play it all the time?’ That’s what we are all looking for, a bass that makes you want to play it.

Comfort

The guitar is an excellent instrument for music that soothes a musician’s soul. So as much as with every other tool, comfort is a box you need to check if you even want to think about being good on a specific bass guitar.

A comfortable bass will make you feel like that, an extension of your body, but an uncomfortable one will quickly turn into a torture device.

Which Bass to Choose?

Some players find a bass they love when they first start and stick with it for life. Others hunt for that perfect tone for their whole careers. Make sure you check out the manufacturers’ websites for the most up-to-date information on their gear.

It’s pretty evident from this article that there are many different basses out there to choose from, so how do you decide which one is right for you?

My advice is to do the research. There is no substitute for knowledge when it comes to making an informed decision. Learn as much as you can about an instrument before taking the plunge.

Worst Bass Guitar Brands to Avoid

You know the feeling; you browse the web and keep seeing a great-looking bass for a reasonable range. Unfortunately, with musical instruments, you get what you pay for. You’d be better off going with something in the $200 range from Ibanez Yamaha or Squire than to buy a no-name bass.

Top Bass Guitar Brands

Some of the best bass guitars in the world are made by manufacturers who also create the finest electric guitars. Others are built by companies that specialize only in gear for bass players.

Just like in any other industry, some of these companies are better than others. And some focus on specific genres or styles of music. So if you play bass or are thinking about it, it’s essential to know who is who.

There is a list of famous brands of bass guitars.

1. Warwick
2. Spector
3. Fender
4. Squier
5. Lakland
6. Ibanez
7. Washburn
8. Schecter
9. Rickenbacker
10. Music Man
11. Gibson
12. Yamaha
13. Peavey
14. Kiesel
15. Steinberger

Note that the companies aren’t listed in the same order as this list. I did this for a couple of reasons. One is because my opinions change from year to year and sometimes from day to day. Second, I didn’t want to reorder the whole article every time my list changed.

Warwick

Warwick is a German company well deserving of being put at the top of any top bass guitar builders list. Their Corvette, Streamer, and Thumb models, along with the rest of their German-made instruments, are worth the cost if you can swing it.

These are incredible instruments featuring exotic tonewoods and gorgeous finishes. Personally, the Warwick Corvette is probably the most delicate bass I ever owned. However, if you are serious about your music and have a little surplus money lying around, I highly recommend you buy this bass guitar.

If cost is an issue, you’ll also find lower-priced Warwicks in their Rockbass line, making it possible for almost anyone to own a real Warwick. Once you play one, you might be hooked on the Warwick growl for the rest of your life!

Although there are many electric bass guitar brands in the market, J bass, P bass, jazz bass are more active than passive bass.

Spector

Spector is an American company that probably isn’t very well known even to guitar players but holds an esteemed position in the minds of most bassists. Spectators are loved for their deep, warm, woody tones and beautiful finishes. Musicians in genres as diverse as metal and jazz rely on Spector for their sound.

The NS is the classic Spector model, with roots going back several decades. They put out some other high-quality USA-made and Euro models as well.

It would be best to avoid bass guitar brands that have precision bass pickups, passive pickups, precision basses, and Ibanez basses are the best bass guitar companies.

Fender

Fender bass guitars have been mainstays in just about every genre of music for the past half a century. It is generally known for passive, four-string instruments, although they have some five-string and active agents in their lineup. This brand is more popular than other basses.

Mostly, when you’re thinking of it, you’re thinking about the Jazz and Precision Bass. Both are high-quality, American-made instruments, own ears, and in many ways, they have set the bar in the industry over the past 50 years.

If you don’t have the cash for an American version, or if you’d instead ease into the thing, they also have some budget-friendly Player Series” models of the Precision and Jazz that are made in their Mexico facilities.

These instruments took the place of the Standard Series, which was beloved by bassists for their value and performance. With a few minor upgrades, the Player Series looks and sounds even better. They are good enough for gigging and recording but come in at a fraction of the price of their American-made counterparts.

The American Original Series of guitars and basses are high-quality instruments with innovative design tweaks and high-performance components. But, of course, they still maintain that classic look and feel the Jazz and Precision made famous.

If you are thinking about a high-level bass, the American Original Series is worth a look. The Jazz bass is a better option for the brass players touse bass guitars than any musical instruments.

Squier

Squier is Fender’s little brother. tIt owns them, and most Squier guitars are low-cost versions of its instruments. This means a beginning player can start with a unique-style Precision or Jazz Bass at a reasonable price.

I always recommend the Squier Affinity Series Jazz Bass for beginners. They are the most affordable Squiers, and they sound great. There are only a handful of high-quality, budget-friendly instruments that I think are intelligent choices for beginners, and this is one of them.

But Squier also makes some gear that’s good enough for veteran musicians, such as the Classic Vibe and Vintage Modified series, which cost just a bit more and are excellent values for the money.

This bass is a six-string bass with a vast bass guitar space as in Gibson bass, and other bass guitars range from 100 dollars to 1000 dollars.

Among my favorite Squier basses, which I’ve been playing for a few years now, is the Vintage Modified ’70s Jazz bass. It has a more expensive instrument feel and sound but a price tag that works for beginners.

A music man prefers to use a good bass guitar or an electric bass guitar other than a standard fender jazz bass. The Jazz bass is a better option for the brass players to use bass guitars than any musical instruments.

If you are a bass newbie, or a guitar player looking for an easy and affordable way to start playing bass, a Squier by the Starter Pack is hard to beat.

Lakland

Lakland is an American company, a relative newcomer. But in a short time, Lakland basses have gained a tremendous following and a reputation for outstanding sound and quality.

If you’re a fan of the Jazz and Precision or Music Man styles, you’ll probably see something you like in the Lakland lineup. Unfortunately, though they’re worth the cost, they are a bit pricey, so Lakland has been producing its Skyline series of more affordable bass for more than ten years now.

In the Skyline lineup, you’ll see some of the same classic designs as their USA series. The Jazz bass is a better option for the brass players to play bass guitars than any musical instruments. You can also choose fender basses as another option.

A music man can have Yamaha basses, Spector basses, and other passive pickups as a great bass guitar option. Ernie ball music man played Fender basses with more comfort than any other.

Ibanez

Metal guys love Ibanez guitars. Their basses have their share of worshippers in the metal crowd too, but their reputation also reaches out into other genres, most notably jazz. You must know that how many strings your bass will have?

Ibanez is a Japanese company that started decades ago making quality copies of American instruments but has since evolved into an instrument manufacturer with some great gear under their brand name.

Their Soundgear and BTB lines are known for fast necks and versatile electronics, as well as some lovely woods and finishes. However, it is an expensive bass guitar having volume and tone knobs in it.

Ibanez has recently introduced severe upgrades to their Soundgear lineup, with innovative electronics, tonewoods, hardware, and body styles. I started out playing a Soundgear over 20 years ago, and Ibanez has continually improved design since then.

It’s one of the best starter bass guitars you will find, especially players who are into metal and hard rock. In addition, its body provides an excellent look to look like a more expensive bass guitar than music man basses ring.

Washburn

Washburn has been around for over 125 years, and they’ve sure had their ups and downs during that time. It is one of the major bass maker comapny famous for finest bass and fender instruments.

In today’s Washburn bass lineups, you’ll find their high-end Stu Hamm signature model, but Washburn also makes some tremendous intermediate instruments for reasonable prices.

The Washburn Taurus series starts with the basic T12 model and moves to the higher-quality T24 and T25. Even the T24 can be found for around half a grand, but it looks like a much more expensive instrument. The instrument costing hundreds of dollars. It is an amazing gear having red hot chili peppers in its top.

The next bass guitar is this one which is a significant bass maker than other basses or passive basses. If you are playing a new bass guitar, you must test that it should be a quality instrument even from a local music store with five-string basses or active basses.

Schecter

Schecter guitars are some of the best deals in the music world. They are also among the top basses for metal and hard rock.

You can find appointments in a Schecter instrument that you’d expect to see in a tool costing hundreds of dollars more. There are many models to choose from, but you may want to start with the Stiletto Series.

This bass feels like heaven when played because it is among the high-quality basses. If it is your first bass to use, you are making bass guitars more wonderful.

I owned a Schecter Stilletto for a while, and it falls into the category of gear I wish I never parted with.

This guitar company continues to impress by presenting excellent gear that seems like it should cost way more than it does. They offer affordable instruments with the sound and quality to succeed onstage or in the studio.

John Paul Jones uses this brand’s guitars for Hofner staple nickel pickups. It has an excellent playing style as in Beatle bass, Mustang bass, SG bass, Schecter bass, four-string bass, and all major guitar manufacturer in the bass world.

Rickenbacker

Rickenbacker is another example of a company that has shaped the sound of rock music over the decades. Though they are not as numerous or well-known as instruments, Rickenbacker basses have found their way into the hands of musicians.

The 4003 is their flagship model, an evolution of the original 4001, and features a classic design complete with a chrome-covered bridge pickup. While this bass might not appeal to the younger crowd, most seasoned musicians know that Rickenbackers are tone machines worth every penny of the asking price.

Rickenbacker 4000-Series bass guitars are classics, and for many players, this is a brand that deserves to be at the top of the list. It is a high-quality bass brand with unique playing styles and an excellent finished tone knob.

Music Man

Music Man basses have a different vibe than many other instruments. The company is part of Ernie Ball Inc., and their StingRay is their flagship, but other great models include the Sabre, Sterling, and super-funky-looking Bongo.

It is one of the great basses manufacturers with active pickups, warm sound, two band eq, fender amp, and dual humbucking pickups.

Where many basses have single-coil pickups, Music Man stands out for their use of big, fat humbucking pickups. Like on the guitar, these pickups present a beefier tone and help cancel unwanted noise. Some bassists swear by the StingRay and Music Man.

But pretty much everyone agrees that they are unique, high-quality instruments. Other than any bass brands. Like some other guitar manufacturers, either Schecter guitars, PJ bass, thunderbird bass are good bass in the guitar world.

Gibson

When you hear the name Gibson, you probably think of guitars. No wonder, as their Les Pauls, Explorers, SGs, and Fly Vs. are some of the most coveted instruments in the music world. But, while Gibson isn’t quite as famous among low-enders, the basses they make are as incredible as their guitars.

The best-known low-ender in the Gibson lineup may be the Thunderbird, employed by Nikki Sixx of Motley Crue for years. It’s a hot-looking instrument modeled after the Gibson Firebird guitar shape. They even make a Les Paul bass with the same mahogany body and maple cap that their guitars are famous for.

As Yamaha makes basses of premium quality, some other guitar manufacturers are also included, such as Gibson. Its bass lies a strong foundation body. Gibson bass guitars ranges from a low to high demand sich as active bass, G I tribute, washburn bass lineup today.

Paul Mccartney finds Squier basses than other Schecter basses. You will enjoy a lot while playing guitar.

Yamaha

Yamaha makes all kinds of musical gear like guitars, pianos, drums, and even xylophones, but their basses are particularly well-received. The bass reminds beginner and intermediate players of high build quality to find Squier bass used by Ernie Ball and Nine-inch nails.

They put out some outstanding options for beginners like the RBX170, but I don’t think that means they can’t do quality high-end gear as well. For example, their TRBX basses are comparable with the best in the business and feature high-end components and building techniques.

Whether you stand as a musician, from a newbie just starting to a veteran looking for boutique-quality gear, Yamaha has an instrument that will fit your needs. Unfortunately, only a handful of the manufacturers in this listing can say that. You can find squier basses from here.

It has an excellent build quality as a violin-shaped model as same electronics configurations of good basses. Moreover, its latest models have Squier Vintage modified series with the unmistakable sound possibilities of active electronics.

Peavey

Peavey is a company that does just about everything well when it comes to musical equipment. They make some of the best high-gain guitar amps globally and produce loud, bulletproof, reliable bass amps and PA gear.

This brand’s bass impressed veteran bassists with active or passive modes, the more mid-range growl of musical styles. In addition, you can have Leo fender, bass’s eq, and some other high-quality guitars if you have a few spare coins with you.

They do bass guitars well too, and these days their offerings are aimed more at working-class and up-and-coming musicians. That’s good because that’s most of us! Check out the Millennium, Milestone, PDX, and Grind series, as well as their starter packs if you happen to be a newbie. Peavey gear is always challenging and worth the asking price.

Leo Fender is also a good brand for the best basses. It has a unique sound, perfect body shape with a four-string instrument such as Squier starter packs.

Moreover, this brand is well known for its body shape. It has EMG pickups, legendary gear makers, pickups pair, and master tone included.

Kiesel

Kiesel only sells direct to the buyer, and each of their instruments is custom-tailored to the needs and wants of the musician. It is better to use than other instrument with truly beautiful woods. You can easily afford it if you have spare coins laying.

Like their guitars, Carvin basses are now under the umbrella of the Kiesel brand name. This is a return to their roots, not so much a change in the brand. You can still expect the same excellence from Kiesel-branded instruments as always found in Carvin.

You might think custom instruments will be pretty expensive, but Kiesel’s prices are pretty reasonable. First, you pick the model of the bass you want, then choose the woods it will be built from and the color and finish, as well as the pickups, electronics options, and hardware.

The instrument produces the tone slightly with a beautiful neck profile such as other musical gear of another beautiful bass in the market.

Steinberger

Even non-musicians have probably noticed those cool little guitars and basses that look like boxes and have no headstocks. Well, those unique instruments are called Steinbergers. The old L-series Steinbergers were built using synthetic materials, not traditional wood. Today, Steinberger is owned by Gibson and Leo Fender.

The Synapse is their flagship model at this point, and even though it looks similar to the traditional Steinberger design, it uses a combination of graphite and natural wood. The Spirit is a similar instrument that can be had for a much lower cost but still has the same Steinberger look.

Gibson’s lower-priced brand is more popular among the bassist who is beginners. Beginner price point boost frequencies with a brighter tone. It has a figured mapled body with a broader or narrower neck. The beginner gear has red hot chili pepper-shaped body.

More Bass Guitar Brands

Not every bass brand is suitable for every player. Here are a few more shortlists and ideas for finding the right bass according to the music genre you are into:

1. Squier
2. Ibanez
3. Yamaha
4. Jackson

All the Schecter fits features with affordable price is available on the page. In addition, the instrument company makes a unique body shape with figured maple tops, big sound, and rick o sound qualities.

Cheap Bass Guitars and Starter Packs for Beginners

Beginner bass guitars are probably one of the most misunderstood categories on the market. The newbie bassists are advised to use shorter scale aggressive genres, with passive pickup as music man stingray, a more aggressive genre.

Beginners themselves are always trying to bypass this whole segment, while more experienced players don’t even consider these basses as an option in most cases. The truth is that a beginner bass guitar can be a fantastic instrument, given a proper setup and maintenance.

If you are interested in learning how to play bass and have a limited budget, you should consider beginner models for your first guitar. For example, you can use the bass of Geddy Lee. It is best for mid-level musicians with a thick neck and nut width.

Below I have outlined what I think are the five best options for beginners, all of which are more than capable of keeping up with you as you progress and improve your skills. It has a great job to buy this guitar if you have spare coins lying with two pickups.

They are also very affordable and available at such a low cost with the regular mono jack.

4 Best Bass Guitars For Beginners

Here is my list of the four best bass guitars for beginners in 2021. I have ranked them from 1 to 4 in the chart below. There’s no doubt that everyone will play better on a more expensive instruments. However, these are great options for those just starting out and perhaps don’t want to spend a lot of money.

Squier

Some of the starter packs here are great value for money. That image is slowly changing, but this brand still delivers some of the best beginner guitars you can find.

The Squier by Fender Vintage SS Modified Special Jaguar Bass we are looking at here is a genuinely capable guitar with the looks and performance you need.

Its price ranges from 150-1000 dollars as an onboard preamp lower-priced models with subtle details count. It is for a good starting point with a great learning tool with an alder body and tonal capabilities, one pickup bridge position.

Features

This Squier bass features that standard Jaguar body in Candy Red and several other finishes. The SS designation means that it’s a short-scale bass, which is a benefit as it’s easier to get used to, and there are no significant tradeoffs in terms of performance.

The neck is a maple C shape design with medium jumbo frets on a rosewood fretboard. Additionally, this model comes packing a P/J pickup configuration, thus merging the best of two worlds.

It has woody tone, wider or narrower neck having its own frequency response other than certain bass to more aggressive genres. The body has four strings with active instruments presenting outclass gear.

Performance

The tone you get from this instrument is balanced and powerful across the range. There is enough versatility in the electronics to shape a variety of styles, including the sharp, punchy ones and deep muddy sounds. The short-scale neck makes it comfortable to play even for beginners, which is a massive plus in our scenario.

All the other accessories include two output jacks and a perfect body structure.

Ibanez

Ibanez has always been the go-to brand for capable entry and mid-level bass guitars, and the Ibanez GSR200BWNF continues that tradition. In addition, this model caters to those who like a low-profile neutral bass, both in terms of aesthetics and sound.

Features

The body style you see here is a more or less standard Ibanez design used for many of their bass guitars. The tonewood of choice here is mahogany with a spalted maple top. The neck is a regular maple piece with a rosewood fretboard. In terms of electronics, you get a set of Dynamix P and Dynamix J pickups connected to a Phat II Eel EQ unit. Together, these components form one capable circuit that delivers thunder on demand.

It is also included in the list of more affordable basses in the market. The basses remind me of a happy time. Bass manufacturers should pay attention over its shape to provide comfort for bass players.

Performance

One of the things Ibanez has been known for is their neutrality in their lower to mid-range bass guitars. It’s no different here. The tone is very nicely balanced, giving you enough maneuvering space to go either way while still retaining a good amount of clarity and definition. You can play metal or blues on this thing, and it will keep up with you without a problem.

The output is there as well, even though these are still passive pickups. I looked into some exciting starter packs which look promising.

Yamaha

Yamaha, the Crescent Electric Bass Guitar is one that caught my eye. The bass itself is a copy of the Fender Precision Bass, and it looks pretty decent. So let’s take a closer look. You get the bass guitar, a gig bag, a strap, and a guitar cable within the starter kit.

The bass features a body made of paulownia, a super light tonewood that isn’t all that bad. For a full-sized bass guitar, this price is a steal.

Build quality is decent, but be ready to take it down for a proper setup as it will need it badly. Pickups come in the form of a single split-coil precision pup with accompanying controls.

Performance

Overall, this bass is pretty good. Being this cheap, you can expect tradeoffs; however, the benefits outweigh the flaws by far when you draw the line. The tone is decent, somewhat focused, but still flexible. This bass might have some fret buzz, which is partially why you should take it to a shop for a proper setup.

You would be amazed what some professional attention can do for any bass guitar. So if you are starting and you don’t want to over-commit, this is the setup to go for. Again we are looking at a Fender P-Bass copy that comes with a gig bag, a strap, some cables, and an amp.

Jackson

It is a bit more expensive than the previous starter pack we reviewed, but this one has it all. The guitar itself is a full-sized replica of the iconic Fender design. It looks and feels decent, but some setup issues are almost guaranteed. Again, a professional setup job will do wonders here.

The amp is a fundamental model limited in many ways but more than adequate for home use and practice. So whether you are just starting or looking for a secondary bass, this starter kit is worth considering.

Performance

Performance is exactly what you would expect it to be. Tradeoffs are evident from the start, but the whole setup works. The bass guitar is playable, comfortable, and relatively smooth.