There are several types of bass guitars available, each with its own unique features and characteristics. Some common types include electric bass guitars, acoustic bass guitars, fretless bass guitars, semi-acoustic bass guitars, and extended-range bass guitars. Each type has its own distinct sound and playing style, making it suitable for different genres of music. Additionally, there are various shapes and sizes of bass guitars to choose from, allowing musicians to find the perfect instrument that suits their preferences and playing abilities.
Best Bass Guitars of November 2024
Rating is 5 out of 5
Squier by Fender Bass Guitar Kit, with 2-Year Warranty, Laurel Fingerboard, Black, Poplar Body, Includes Rumble 15G Amp, Padded Guitar Bag, Cable, Guitar Strap, and More
- Beginner’s Starter Pack: This beginner's starter pack was masterfully curated around a Squier Precision Bass and has everything you need to play bass
- Lightweight and Comfortable: The Precision bass guitar featured in this pack sports a thin basswood body, which reduces weight and increases comfort when playing
Rating is 4.9 out of 5
Ibanez 4 String Bass Guitar, Right, Walnut Flat (GSRM20BWNF)
- Fast, slim Maple neck
- Compact, light-weight Body
Rating is 4.8 out of 5
Yamaha TRBX174 RM 4-String Electric Bass Guitar
- Incredible Quality and Value
- Mahogany Body
- Vintage Style Bridge
Rating is 4.7 out of 5
Stedman Beginner Series Bass Guitar Bundle with 15-Watt Amp, Gig Bag, Instrument Cable, Strap, Strings, Picks, and Polishing Cloth - Metallic Blue
- Full Size 46" Electric Bass Guitar
- Basswood Body and Maple Neck with Adjustable Truss Rod
- Rosewood Fretboard
Rating is 4.6 out of 5
Best Choice Products Acoustic Electric Bass Guitar, Full Size 4 String, Fretted Bass Guitar w/Padded Gig Bag - Vintage Sunburst
- ACOUSTIC-ELECTRIC BASS: Equipped with a 4-band EQ-7545R preamp to produce high-quality audio for hours of musical practice and play
- ATTRACTIVE DESIGN: Crafted with an attractive sound hole inlay, chrome die-cast tuners, and a glossy finish for easy upkeep
- CUTAWAY SHAPE: A classic design, the cutaway shape combines a rich, supple tone with easy access to the higher frets for a more diverse sound
Rating is 4.5 out of 5
Squier Affinity Series Precision Bass, Olympic White, Maple Fingerboard
- Thin and lightweight body
- Slim “C”-shaped neck profile
- PJ pickup configuration
- Open-gear tuning machines
- 4-saddle bass bridge
Rating is 4.4 out of 5
Donner Electric Bass Guitar 4 Strings Full-Size Standard Bass PB-Style Beginner Kit Sunburst for Starter with Free Online Lesson Gig Bag Guitar Strap and Guitar Cable, DPB-510S
- 🤘[CLASSIC BASS PICKUPS]Donner PB-Style electric bass with classic bass pickups, deliver classic tones with all the warmth and crisp, clear sound, always the first choice for bass players. The bass is designed to be lightweight and design for portable play.
- 🤘[VINTAGE BRIDGE]Donner Bass is equipped with a through-body fixed bridge-"4-SADDLE BRIDGE", each string can be independently adjusted in height, and intonation, and features slotted saddles for enhanced tuning stability, and punchy attack.
- 🆙[WE HAVE YOU IN MIND] Donner PB-Style 4 Strings Bass comes with all accessories you need: a gig bag, a guitar strap, and a guitar cable as gifts. You can play Donner bass directly when you get it.
Rating is 4.3 out of 5
Fender Acoustic Bass Guitar 4-String with Fishman Bass Acoustic Guitar Pickup with Tuner and Equalizer, Classic Design with Rounded Walnut Fingerboard, Mahogany Construction, Spruce Top
- One right-handed Fender Concert Acoustic Bass Guitar
- Concert Body: This guitar’s concert body shape provides a well-balanced, well-rounded, and bright tone, great for freestyle fingerpicking and solo playing. Perfect for beginners and songwriters
- Enhanced Playability: Easily enhance and control your sound with the built-in Fishman Classic Design pickup/preamp tuner
Rating is 4.2 out of 5
Squier Affinity Series Jazz Bass, Charcoal Frost Metallic, Laurel Fingerboard
- Thin and lightweight body
- Slim “C”-shaped neck profile
- Squier single-coil pickups
- Open-gear tuning machines
- 4-saddle bass bridge
Rating is 4.1 out of 5
Squier by Fender Mini Precision Short Scale Bass Guitar with 2-Year Warranty, Laurel Fingerboard, Sealed Die-Cast Tuning Machines, and Split Single-Coil Pickup, Maple Neck, Black
- One Squier Mini Precision 4-string bass guitar
- Reduced-Size Instrument: The Squier Mini Precision bass guitar with a split single-coil pickup is the perfect companion for players seeking a smaller and lighter instrument for great sound and easy travel
- Rock Steady Tuners: Chrome die-cast tuners help keep your guitar tuned with the perfect amount of tension, and they don't attract much dust or grime
Rating is 4 out of 5
Ibanez GSRM 4 String Bass Guitar, Right, Starlight Blue (GSRM20SLB)
- Fast, slim Maple neck
- Compact, light-weight Body
What is a short-scale bass guitar?
A short-scale bass guitar is a bass guitar that has a shorter overall length than a standard bass guitar. This typically means that the scale length (the distance between the nut and bridge) is shorter, resulting in smaller fret spacing and overall easier playability for those with smaller hands or shorter fingers. Short-scale bass guitars are popular among players who find standard bass guitars to be too cumbersome or difficult to play.
What is a solid-body bass guitar?
A solid-body bass guitar is a type of bass guitar that is made with a solid piece of wood, typically mahogany, ash, or alder. This design allows for a more consistent and sustained sound, as well as a smaller and lighter instrument compared to hollow-body bass guitars. Solid-body bass guitars are commonly used in rock, metal, and funk music genres for their powerful and clear tone.
What is an active bass guitar?
An active bass guitar is a type of bass guitar that has built-in electronic components, typically a preamplifier and a battery-powered active circuit. This setup allows for more control over tone shaping, EQ adjustments, and signal boosting without requiring additional external equipment. Active bass guitars are known for their high output and improved clarity and punch in the sound, making them popular among bass players in various genres of music.