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The 5 Best Bass Guitar For 2023

Pamela Lynch
  Dec 10, 2023 8:56 PM

The bass guitar is a versatile instrument, capable of providing the rhythm and groove for many different styles of music.

Regardless of your preferred genre—be it jazz, rock, reggae, country or something else altogether—the right bass guitar can add depth to your sound and enhance your sonic palette.

With so many basses on the market today, selecting the perfect one can seem overwhelming. But have no fear: we've put together a helpful guide to help you find the best bass guitar for 2023! Here are five great options that should satisfy any musician's needs.


Top picks

Best comfort: Ibanez EHB

The Ibanez EHB Ergonomic Headless Bass is the perfect instrument for bass players who need a dependable 5-string electric guitar that can keep up with their energetic playing. The ease of use and ergonomic design of this incredible guitar will take your music to a whole new level! 

With the African Mahogany body, this guitar looks and sounds amazing - providing rich and tight low notes, increased sustain, and superior note attack. Perfect for any playing style or genre, you won't find better sound quality than what the EHB1505MS offers.

Designed specifically for right-handed use, you'll love the comfort that comes with playing this headless bass. The contoured body is lightweight yet strong, well-balanced, and comfortable to hold whether in seated or standing position. It's even equipped with a 9-piece Panga Panga-Walnut neck to provide extra support as you rock out on stage!

Best value: Jackson 2919011568

This 4-string bass guitar is designed with a lightweight and resonant poplar body, bolt-on maple neck with graphite reinforcement and scarf joint for superior strength and ultra-playability. It features a 34-inch scale, 12–16 inch compound radius Amaranth fingerboard with 24 jumbo frets and pearloid shark fin inlays that make it perfect for riffing on even the most demanding stages.

To push your sound further, it comes loaded with dual Jackson high output humbucking bass pickups, delivering a monstrous low-end growl that will easily punch through any mix. The Jackson HiMass bridge also ensures rock solid stability and improved sustain, giving you an almost tangible tone. 

Best unique: Ibanez EHB Headless

With its unique slanted body back that allows it to rest closer to your body for better control and comfort, this bass is sure to take your sound to the next level! The extra scooped cut on the back of the body behind the lower horn provides you with easier upper fret access.

Plus, with its Luminescent side dot inlay, you’ll have clear visibility even in low light environments! But that's not all - this bass also features an MR5HS Mono Rail Bridge that offers a wide intonation range with each bridge piece securely attached to the body so vibrations are efficiently transferred as well as a detachable Finger Ramp so you can customize your playing style. 

Best classic: Fender 146510306

Well now you can with the Fender Duff McKagen Deluxe Precision Bass in black, with a rosewood fingerboard. Its classic shape and design are sure to capture the attention of even the most discerning musician, while its high-powered single-coil pickup provides the perfect blend between articulate articulation and relentless crunch.

The combination of the humbucking pickup, maple neck, and alder body make this bass an ideal choice for tight rhythms and precise low end. The smooth rosewood fingerboard offers effortless playing action that feels extremely natural initially but has plenty of power to accommodate more demanding techniques when needed. 

Best powerful: Yamaha BBNE2 WHITE

This exquisitely crafted 6-string electric bass is perfect for any aspiring or experienced musician looking to add a versatile instrument to their collection. Constructed with both a Maple/Alder body and Neck Through Construction, this bass offers a comfortable feel and powerful resonance.

The neck is assembled with 5 pieces of Maple/Mahogany, while the fingerboard is constructed from Ebony. Moving over to the bridge section you'll find Yamaha’s BPZ-7 bridge for superior tuning stability.

With its lightweight construction and flawlessly manufactured tone, if you're looking for a multi-faceted electric bass guitar that will take your music to multiple places, look no further than the Yamaha BBNE2 Nathan East 5 String Electric Bass Guitar with Built-in NE1 in White!

Other deals:

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Last update on 2023-12-10 / Affiliate links / Images, Product Titles, and Product Highlights from Amazon Product Advertising API


FAQs

Everything You Need to Know About Bass Guitar

Yamaha BBNE2

Have you ever felt the need to rock out with some deep and powerful bass guitar sounds? Or, have you always wanted to learn more about this instrument that is the cornerstone of most modern music?

If so, then we have just the answers for you! In this blog post, we’ll explore all things bass guitar – from the techniques used by seasoned bass players to the basic knowledge every beginner needs. So get ready to start your journey into the world of bass guitar!

1. Basic Bass Guitar Parts and Setup:

Before getting into playing the bass guitar, you need to understand its parts and how they come together.

The most important parts of a bass guitar include the neck, pickups, bridge, strings, frets and tuners.

Other essential accessories for a bassist include an amplifier and effects pedals. Once you have all of the parts, it’s time to assemble your bass guitar and get ready to play.

2. Bass Techniques:

The techniques you use to play the bass are just as important as knowing how to put a bass together.

From simple picking patterns up to complex slapping and tapping licks, there is an infinite amount of ways that you can express yourself on the bass.

It’s important to find out what techniques sound best for you and your particular style of music.

3. Bass Theory:

Understanding the theory behind bass guitar playing is also essential. This includes knowing different scales, chords and harmony, which are all important when it comes to understanding how music works.

Knowing these basics of music theory will help you to create your own bass lines and improve your overall sound.

4. Bass Gear:

As a devotee of the low end, having the right gear is essential for crafting great bass guitar sounds. Knowing what type of amp, strings and effects pedals are best for your particular style can make all the difference when it comes to getting the perfect sound out of your bass.

5. Learning Songs:

For many bassists, learning songs is one of the best ways to practice and improve their technique.

Whether you’re playing a classic rock song or a jazz standard, learning how to play it on the bass can help you gain an understanding of different genres and develop your skills as a musician.


Final words

With so many different bass guitars on the market, it can be difficult to decide which one is the best for your needs. The five bass guitars listed here have all been noted as great instruments for live and studio use. From the affordable Squier Affinity Jazz Bass to the Fender American Professional Precision bass, there’s something for everyone.

If you’re looking for an instrument to really define your sound, consider the custom built luthier-made bass from Umpqua River Guitars. Whichever you choose, make sure to take into account your budget and playing style when selecting a bass guitar. Then let your hands create beautiful music!

No matter which instrument you choose, each of these remarkable instruments will provide years of great playing pleasure. With a little bit of research, you can find the right bass guitar that meets all of your needs and has enough features to last through years of practice and performance.


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