Best Bass Guitar - Instruments Review. Best Bass Guitar - Instrument Review Which brand of bass guitar to choose

Updated: 02.12.2018 16:49:21

Judge: David Lieberman

*Overview of the best according to the editorial site. About selection criteria. This material is subjective, is not an advertisement and does not serve as a guide to the purchase. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.

In any rock band, it is impossible to do without a bass player. The instrument he uses is quite different from the traditional acoustic guitar. Even, one might say, radically! Such a musical instrument has a special shape. Colors can be completely different, in connection with which bass guitars remain in the memory of many people. It's like a supercar against the background of ordinary cars! The problem is that there are now a large number of mediocre bass guitars that sound frankly bad. To avoid buying such a tool, check out our article. We will only talk about the best models.

How to choose a bass guitar?

If you want to buy a bass guitar for yourself, then the easiest way is to choose one of those models that are discussed below. However, this is not the only way to buy. If you are willing to take the time, you can familiarize yourself with the range of online stores selling musical instruments. But what parameters of bass guitars should you pay attention to? Let's find out.

First of all, you need to decide on a budget. To do this, you need to focus on your skills. If you are a professional musician who is the bass player of a fairly well-known rock band, then you need an expensive instrument. If you are just learning to play, then there is no need to spend many tens of thousands of rubles - some simple four-string model will suit you. If your ear isn't trained, you won't be able to tell the difference between a budget pick and a very expensive six-string bass.

Usually, when choosing a musical instrument, considerable attention is paid to design. Bass guitars are the most affected. When you decide on a specific model, you need to make its external inspection. In particular, you should be interested in the following:

1. Cuts on connections- they should be as accurate as possible, you should not feel them to the touch;
2. Hull painting- it should not have defects, streaks and bubbles are not allowed;
3. Neck condition- it should not have bulges, deflections and irregularities;
4. Driven screws- they must be on the same level with the body, and their loosening is unacceptable.

Of course, after an external examination, it is advisable to play a little on the selected guitar. Pay special attention to checking the sustain - the damping of the sound. The longer the melody fades, the better! To check, it is not necessary to connect the guitar to any acoustics. Just put it to your ear, then pull each string, first open, and then pressed at the 12th fret. So you can find out which frequencies dominate the most. And in the future, you can connect the guitar to an amplifier in order to assess the amount of noise in the sound itself, as well as whether there are sobs or buzzes. In a word, this is how you check the electronic component of the bass guitar. If you are a beginner, then a four-string guitar with a 20-fret neck, which is sold at a low price, should suit you.

Rating of the best bass guitars

Nomination	place	Name of product	price
Rating of the best bass guitars	1		51 290 ₽
	2		42 000 ₽
	3		25 400 ₽
	4		17 900 ₽
	5		27 363 ₽
	6		15 800 ₽
	7		26 275 ₽
	8		16 989 ₽

Most often, bass guitar manufacturers do not bother about the wood from which the body of their musical instrument will be created. In most cases, the choice is made in favor of spruce, which not every buyer will like. Only fairly expensive instruments have a body made of mahogany (mahogany). In particular, the SCHECTER STILETTO STUDIO-4 STBLS bass guitar can boast of this. At the same time, the top of the case of this model is made of wavy maple, which pleases even more. The neck was created partly from maple, partly from multi-layered walnut. It also features a traditional rosewood fretboard.

This bass guitar is designed for picky buyers. This representative of our rating will look great in the hands of an experienced musician who has already learned how to earn big money with his favorite business. It will not be difficult for him to spend 60 thousand rubles on the purchase of an instrument. For this amount, he will receive a beautiful guitar, the body of which is painted black. Made in Korea, the instrument features EMG 35HZ bridge pickups. A similar pickup is used here. It's nice that during the game the sound can be adjusted in every possible way. In particular, a three-band equalizer is installed here for this purpose.

In a word, this is an excellent bass guitar that just begs to be on stage. However, professional musicians still do not have enough of its capabilities. However, they may consider purchasing a 5-, 6-, or even 8-string configuration of this model. They are, of course, even more expensive.

Advantages

• Excellent design;
• Mahogany was used for the production of the body;
• Durable construction;
• Double adjustable anchor;
• Good pickups are used;
• Stylish pegs.

Flaws

• High price;
• Case sold separately.

This representative of our rating has the longest name. But, more importantly, the buyer is not waiting for the highest price tag! The Indonesian manufacturer asks for about 40 thousand rubles for his creation. This bass guitar is made in a retro style - approximately the same instruments were played by rock bands in the last century. As the name implies, the top deck is colored using three colors. To be more precise, this is a three-color sunburst. The body was created from agatis.

The neck of this guitar is made of maple. On top there is a rosewood fingerboard with 20 frets marked. Four strings are strung on the instrument - such a number should suit any novice bass player. However, an instrument with such a high price tag is intended more for experienced musicians than for beginners. This is evidenced by the Fender-Designed Split Single-Coil pickups, which are of very high quality.

On the body of the bass guitar, you can find not only a mount for the strings, but also three regulators. With their help, you can adjust the volume of both the middle and bridge pickups. As for the third knob, it is designed to adjust the tone.

Advantages

• The frets are instructed with mother-of-pearl dots;
• Maple neck is used;
• Quality pickups;
• The guitar is similar to the legendary Fender Jazz Bass;
• There are several handy controls.

Flaws

• Very high cost;
• Supplied without case;
• There is no equalizer.

Slightly cheaper, but more difficult to learn guitar. For about 27 thousand rubles. the buyer will receive a five-string instrument. Its body was made of mahogany. It is painted in a strict black color. The optimal layer of varnish will not allow the paint to wear off either tomorrow, or in a month, or in a few years. As for the neck, it was made from maple. In the case of the bass guitar, this seems like the perfect fit. The neck also has a rosewood fingerboard - an indispensable attribute of all more or less high-quality guitars.

As befits a good bass guitar, the IBANEZ GIO GSR205-BK has two pickups. They use electronics called Dynamix H. Also included in the product is the Phat II eq equalizer. All of these components have been carefully tested, as well as the guitar itself as a whole. There are 22 frets on the neck of this instrument. This was done with white dots - in this regard, the manufacturer did not bother. It is also impossible not to note the relatively small thickness of the neck, thanks to which the game becomes as comfortable as possible. Perhaps this is the best purchase for those who are just starting to make music, but know for sure that they will not abandon this business for many years.

Advantages

• Expressive sustain;
• Fine appearance;
• There is a good thermal block;
• Quality pickups;
• maple neck;
• Long service life;
• The number of strings has been increased to five;
• Chrome fittings.

Flaws

• White dots instead of mother-of-pearl;
• There is no case included.

Another bass guitar with a black body in our rating. The tool has a nice appearance, and modern varnishing technologies should keep it for many years. It is also impossible not to notice that the Japanese are not in vain considered leaders in the field of sound - the parts published by the bass guitar should suit everyone. The quality of the melody is positively affected not only by the materials from which the instrument is made, but also by ceramic pickups.

The body of this model was created from red and exotic trees. On the top deck there was a place not only for string fixtures, but also for three regulators. As for the neck, maple was used for its manufacture. The 24 frets are inlaid with white dots on the rosewood fingerboard. The guitar also has the usual tuning pegs located on the sides.

Sound-wise, the YAMAHA TRBX174EW TBL produces some growl with a strong midrange, especially when roundwound strings are used. In any case, the musician will get a lot of tonal options, selected using the third knob (the other two are responsible for the volume of the pickups).

This bass guitar is the best option for a beginner. However, some professional rock bands can also use this instrument - they are unlikely to seriously make at least some claims to the guitar.

Advantages

• Excellent appearance;
• Quality sound pickups are used;
• Vintage bridge;
• Perfect assembly;
• Maple neck with lots of frets;
• Relatively low cost.

Flaws

• There is no case included;
• No equalizer;

Another guitar with 24 frets on the neck. Unlike most of the existing instruments of this kind, the frets here are marked with vectors, not dots.

The case of this model was created from mahogany and maple. It is painted in black cherry color, which makes the guitar not only beautiful, but also recognizable. Not far from the strings are four metal regulators, forming a rhombus. In his left hand, the musician will hold a neck made of maple. It has the familiar rosewood overlay. The Diamond Bass bridge completes the whole thing, on which branded tuning pegs are located.

This guitar is made in Indonesia. It uses a reliable double anchor that is adjustable. Also, high-quality pickups are used here, to the work of which there are no complaints. Don't forget they need a 9 volt battery. The bass guitar comes with very good strings. But the SGR-6B case is offered to be purchased separately. And this despite the rather high cost of the tool. However, the price tag will still seem ridiculous to professional members of rock bands - everything is known in comparison.

Advantages

• Nice body color
• Quality assembly;
• Excellent pickups;
• A maple neck is used;
• Vector fret markers;
• A large number of regulators;
• A large number of frets;
• Reliable and beautiful pegs.

Flaws

• The case must be purchased separately;
• There is no equalizer.

A little higher in this rating, we already talked about a similar guitar from the same Japanese company Yamaha. This model differs from it mainly in the color of the case. Here the buyer is waiting for a brown sunburst - this is the color that all parts of the deck have. The body is equipped with a Split Single Coll neck pickup. For its manufacture, ceramics were used, which indicates the durability of this part.

In the left hand, the owner of this guitar will hold a maple neck. The manufacturer did not forget about the fingerboard made of rosewood, on which 24 frets are inlaid with traditional dots. The design is completed by a stylish bridge, on the sides of which vintage tuning pegs are placed. There is also a Single Coll bridge pickup, also made of ceramic, which gives the melody a pronounced middle and even some rumble.

The body has a shallow cutout that provides access to all frets. It was created from exotic and mahogany trees. The paint is varnished, so it will definitely not crumble in the coming years. The neck is attached to the body with bolts, which also indicates the durability of the product. The distance between the strings is 19 mm, and their number is four.

Perhaps this is an ideal bass guitar, if we talk specifically about models in the price segment “up to 25 thousand rubles.” After buying such a tool, you are unlikely to be disappointed. Especially if four strings are enough for you. But do not forget that you will also need a case - unfortunately, modern bass guitars are most often shipped without one.

Advantages

• 24 frets are used;
• Maple neck applied;
• Excellent pickups installed;
• The three knobs are rotated with a flick of the fingers;
• Fine appearance;
• Low cost.

Flaws

• There are no significant ones.

MAGNA BBJ 101 / NTM

Another bass guitar, the cost of which does not exceed 25 thousand rubles. If many other similar instruments have an atypical color, here the body of a natural wood color awaits the musician. Some people don't like the bass guitar because of this. Others will be delighted with it. Especially those who used to play only acoustic guitars. By the way, the case of MAGNA BBJ 101 / NTM was created from American ash, it is glued from two pieces. The neck is made of Canadian mountain maple, but already from three pieces.

Connoisseurs will no doubt guess that this model is a copy of the famous Warwick Corvette bass guitar. Most of all, beginners will like the product - they will definitely appreciate the extended sound range. The hollow construction and natural woods greatly increase the sustain, which is perhaps the most important thing for a bass guitar.

As expected, the neck of the instrument has a rosewood fingerboard. It has 24 frets on it. The sound from the four strings is controlled by a Wilkinson WBJ type J-J active two-way thermal block. The guitar offers rich sound settings, thanks to which the instrument adapts to the style of the musician without any problems. In a word, only the appearance of the guitar and the number of strings can not suit someone - otherwise it is extremely difficult to find fault with this model.

Advantages

• Prolonged aftersound;
• Durable construction;
• Light weight;
• Quality pickups;
• There is a two-band equalizer;
• The neck is made of mountain maple;
• Not very high cost.

Flaws

• Not everyone will like the design;
• Supplied without case.

ARIA IGB-STD/5MBK

Our rating mainly consists of four-string bass guitars. Such instruments are easy to learn, and for most musicians their capabilities are enough. However, we couldn't help but mention a couple of five-string guitars. One of them is ARIA IGB-STD/5 MBK. This is one of the cheapest bass guitars in our selection. At the same time, the manufacturer almost did not save on its creation. For the manufacture of the case, he used alder. The neck is attached to the body with screws, but it was created from maple. Of course, the rosewood fretboard is not forgotten - it is on it that 24 frets are inlaid.

The guitar is very beautiful. Its body is black metallic. Also, the product is able to boast of a long scale. Like the rest of the basses reviewed in this selection, the ARIA IGB-STD/5 MBK has two pickups - one single coil and one humbucker. On the thermoblock there is a volume control, a tone knob and a toggle switch for switching pickups. As for the fittings, they are chrome-plated.

This guitar will suit every beginner, ready to master the game on a five-string instrument. Professional musicians can only complain about not enough long after-sound.

Advantages

• Five strings are used;
• Good pickups;
• Nice appearance;
• Low cost;
• maple neck;
• Easy to use switches.

Flaws

• The aftersound cannot be called particularly long;
• The case must be purchased separately;
• There is no equalizer.

Conclusion

From now on, you know how to choose your perfect bass guitar. As you understand, these musical instruments can differ significantly from each other. Some models are designed for beginners who are just learning the basics. Others will suit those who are going to play for fun at home or with friends. And, of course, instruments for professional use can be considered a special caste - they are durable, and their sound quality will suit even the most fastidious musician.

And this is strange, since usually manufacturers, sensitively reacting to a new fashion trend, unanimously begin to stamp identical guitars. In the same year, we were offered a good "park" of various models, from which there is something to choose from.

Introducing the TOP 5 bass guitars of 2017 (according to our store).

1. The Ibanez SR300E is one of the best mid-range basses out there, with an ergonomically slick body that's perfect for anyone of any size. The model is remarkable for its interesting layout of electronics, here passive pickups interact with an active equalizer, moreover, the pickups themselves can work in three modes for greater flexibility.

2. Washburn Taurus T25 - First of all, this is a very beautiful instrument with a through neck and a mahogany body. Each of the two J-Style pickups has its own tone and volume controls, giving you a wide range of control options.

3. Yamaha BB424X - a new model of one of the most famous series of bass guitars in the world, it is interesting with an unusual arrangement of pickups. P-style and blade-style pickups create the opportunity to create a unique classic tone, while the instrument itself, continuing a long tradition, has excellent materials and workmanship.

4. Fender Deluxe P-Bass Special - If you're looking for a classic Fender Bass, this is the one to go for. The guitar has an alder body and a maple neck, and to add luxury and justify the name, the instrument is endowed with a gold pickguard. In all other respects, this is a regular Fender with modern pickups and bridge saddles.

5. Schecter Stiletto Custom-4 - Schecter is able to make not just good instruments, they also know how to create amazing designs. The guitar, in addition to an elegant body, has two color options - natural and "Vampire Red", and 2 EMG 35HZ pickups provide smooth highs and elastic lows, which is ideal for heavy styles of music.

All the tools in our top, as you might have noticed, are relatively budget models up to 70,000 rubles.

Why did we choose them? We talked about these basses because they are the best-selling and interesting new products of 2017. These instruments are real "workhorses", any of them can be easily taken with you on tour with full confidence that it will not let you down.

The choice of budget bass guitars is extensive and varied. Well-known and eminent brands compete here on equal terms with a huge number of all kinds of new, local or frankly Chinese noname brands. The process of choosing the first instrument turns into a real headache for a beginner bass player. Will bass from a well-known brand be better than from a little-known new brand? Does it make sense to overpay for a big name? Is it even possible to take cheap instruments, what is their build quality, materials and sound? Let's try to understand the example of the most popular budget bass guitars among our customers.

The absolute leader in sales is the signature model of Vitaly Dubinin, the bass player of the legendary band Aria. The model was conceived precisely as a high-quality budget instrument from the Japanese company Aria and the most popular Russian namesake band. The idea was 100% successful - the bass turned out to be comfortable, high-quality, beautiful, with the traditional universal sound of instruments like Precision. It is not necessary to play heavy metal on it at all, because it is a copy of the Fender Precision - an instrument that can be played with any kind of music. A soft winter cover that comes with the kit will be a nice bonus, and Aria fans will additionally be pleased with a poster with a real autograph of the musician.

The SGR C-4 bass guitar is an inexpensive instrument from the famous American company Schecter. Guitars and basses from this company are very much loved by heavy music performers, and when you pick up this model, you will immediately understand why this is so. It gives the same thick, oppressive tone as on the records of many stars of modern metal. In addition, this instrument has a very successful design, and the black matte color of the body looks solid and noble. The interior consists of two Schecter Diamond Plus humbuckers, two volume knobs and two tone knobs. A nice addition - the set comes with a branded soft case with the manufacturer's logo.

The STAGG BC300 is an entry-level bass guitar. If you do not expect from her a divine sound and an ideal assembly, then she will not disappoint you. Two passive pickups (bridge single and neck PB) produce a bright, well-readable sound in the mix. This bass guitar can be recommended to novice musicians who want to try themselves in modern rock styles. In the future, with straight arms and a soldering iron, it can be significantly improved.

The ASHTONE AB10 bass is another replica of the popular Fender Precision bass and one of the most affordable basses ever made. In terms of appearance, filling and sound, everything here is traditional - one P-pickup, passive electronics and a great design, inherited from the very first mass-produced bass guitar in the world. Is that the sound, although similar to the original, but noticeably simpler and paler. Otherwise, it is an excellent model for training for a reasonable price.

The bass guitar is an instrument for playing in the low frequency range. Most prefer to play with their fingers, but there are also performers who choose a mediator. Bass guitars mostly use four strings, but there are also instruments with more of them. Five-string instruments serve to expand the frequency range, used by professional musicians. There is also a small number of copies with six strings. The main rule is that you should like the guitar. A good instrument is the main part of the musician's image, here the shape, dimensions of the soundboard, its color also matter.

When playing while standing, a sense of balance is of great importance. The position of the guitar should be free, the neck should not outweigh. The electronics of the instrument are divided into passive and active. By far the active circuit is the most relevant, but only for use in a crowded stadium. And at the beginning of training, for a better feeling of sound, it is better to use the passive option.

We have compiled a list of the best bass guitars based on expert reviews and reviews from real buyers. Our recommendations will help you make the best choice for your requirements and desires. There are many competitors on the global equipment market, but we have selected the best manufacturers and recommend paying special attention to them:

Budget / Inexpensive

1. Schecter
2. Squier
3. Epiphone

1. Ibanez
2. YAMAHA

Neck: Bolted Pattern: S-S Pattern: H-H Body material: alder Body Material: Agatis

* Prices are valid at the time of publication and are subject to change without notice.

Bass guitars: Fretboard: Bolted

Neck: bolted / Body Material: Agatis/ Pattern: H-H

Main advantages

• The instrument harmoniously combines a verified professional sound, modern electronics and good ergonomics.
• The elegant body of the guitar is made of high quality mahogany with a pleasant color in the tone of white mother-of-pearl.
• The bass guitar is equipped with a modern tone block and a multi-stage equalizer with comfortable knurled knobs for adjustment.
• The five-ply, 24-fret neck is made from a combination of American maple and rosewood. Fretboard made of rosewood with white dot finish
• The advanced cast bridge is designed with a 19mm string spacing. Setting the strings is so easy that it is accessible to a novice amateur.

Show all goods in the category "Neck: bolted"

Bass Guitars: Pattern: S-S

Neck: bolted / Body material: alder/ Pattern: S-S

Main advantages

• The instrument is distinguished by high sound power and excellent feedback, one of the best options to push the boundaries of musical standards.
• The body of the guitar has a pronounced stylish shape, and is also characterized by a double cutout that opens up convenient access to the upper registers.
• The monolithic body of the bass guitar is made of alder, the wood of which gives the best sound in terms of balance with a characteristic deep bottom. The neck is maple with a beautiful sonockel fingerboard.
• The bolt-on neck to the deck allows you to fully use all the ways of guitar playing - from slap to pick
• The guitar is built with two modern J and P type pickups, providing a wide range of sound reproduction.

Show all products in category "Scheme: S-S"

Bass Guitars: Body Material: Mahogany

Neck: bolted / Body material: mahogany/ Pattern: H-H

Main advantages

• The body of the guitar is made of selected mahogany species with a unique ergonomic design with 3D elements.
• Powerful and dynamic sound is provided by branded pickups, which are perfectly synchronized with an active flexible preamplifier. Ceramic magnets and large cores create a rich yet crisp sound
• The conveniently shaped neck is made from a laminated mahogany/maple combination. The main advantages of the element can be called comfort in performance and beautiful tone.
• The Performance EQ electronic switch is the ultimate in guitar design. The active node circuit guarantees a momentary change in sound, and a special equalizer makes it possible to adjust the bass tone
• The die-cast tailpiece productively duplicates the vibration on the deck when playing, providing the most dense sound. Optimally matched spacing between the strings helps to maximize finger playing technique

Show all items in the category "Body Material: Mahogany"

17-06-2011

Every bass player (or bassist in common) has thought more than once about which instrument is better, i.e. which best bass guitar exists now in the music market. No matter how hard you try, it's impossible to answer this question unambiguously. Since this is a matter of sugobolitny in each case. There are only a few firms that have already proven themselves in the music market for many years.
And so in order.

classic best bass guitars considered an American company Fender. It has existed for a very long time and has been successfully supplying the whole world with its tools throughout the entire time. Bass guitars made before the 90s are especially valued, as the method of assembling musical instruments was different from how it is assembled today. The main difference is in the sound. A good sound, in most cases unique and branded, is appreciated by many professional musicians who give their preference to the company Fender. You can take a bass guitar starting from 30.000-40.000 rubles. The sound reserve of this instrument will last for many years.

Despite its mass distribution and promotion of the brand, more than 60% of the company's bass guitars Ibanez leaves much to be desired. Not all musicians appreciate the proprietary clang (reinforced high frequencies), the proprietary difference between Ibanez and other manufacturers.
Of the most successful models that have become widespread, one can single out SR500 and SR505(its five-string version). The rest are not worth their money. The sound, as a rule, does not differ in a special variety, but in contrast to this “shortcoming”, a huge plus can be brought. Ibanez they make very comfortable guitars, and in some cases, comfort is more important than a tight sound, but again, everything is individual.

Music Man

Japanese Music Man bass guitars are valued all over the world. Because of their price, you can’t call them budget ones in any way - the new model costs about 100.000 rubles, and from the hands, starting from 30.000-40.000 rubles, but they are worth the money, there is no doubt about it. bass guitars appreciated Music Man made before 90. These models are much more expensive, but when it comes to the quality of the sound, it fully justifies its price. Many consider the tools made by this company to be the best, but everyone has a personal opinion on their own account.

Bass guitars of this company have received their recognition relatively recently. This means when the people began to get rid of the purchased Ibanez and acquire the course of a new wave - Warwick.
Warwicks are distinguished by a very unusual shape (as for me, this is some kind of satanic shovel), but quite good models flicker, and as for the sound, it is simply gorgeous. With the right hands, anything can be played on it. You can buy a budget model (which, in terms of sound quality, will do more than half of guitars in this price category), you can from 25.000-30.000 rubles.

The Japanese firm ESP never had a special distribution; it received its recognition in narrow musical circles. First of all, because of its unusual shapes and soft sound. These are professional guitars, but made for an amateur. These models cannot be called budget ones, since their price starts from 55.000, and for such an amount you can buy other instruments of the same level.

In conclusion, you can consider another company