logo
  • Home
  • Main Categories
    • Accessories
    • Amplifiers
    • Band & Orchestra
    • Bass
    • DJ & Karaoke
    • Drums & Percussion
    • Guitars
    • Keyboards & Synthesizers
    • Live Sound & Lighting
    • Microphones
    • Studio & Recording Equipment
    • Traditional Instruments
  • About
  • Contact
  • Home
  • Bass
Last updated: 12 Nov 2021

Get one of these Cheap Bass Guitars

Best Overall
logo
Ibanez GSRM 4 String Bass Guitar
Shop now
Most Durable
logo
GLARRY Bass Guitar
Shop now
Most Portable
logo
Costzon Bass Guitar
Shop now
Best Finishing
logo
Goplus Electric Bass Guitar
Shop now
Most Attractive
logo
Fender Affinity Series Bass Guitar
Shop now
Jack Stoneybrook
By Jack Stoneybrook
Published 2:07 pm
Show contents
  • 1 Ibanez GSRM 4 String Bass Guitar
  • 2 GLARRY Bass Guitar
  • 3 Costzon Bass Guitar
  • 4 Goplus Electric Bass Guitar
  • 5 Fender Affinity Series Bass Guitar

There are plenty of factors to consider when choosing the best cheap bass guitar, including its build quality, the material used, design/structure, ease of use, appearance, and personal preference, among other factors. While some guitars are built to last with a durable body, others produce impeccable sounds that truly elevate the quality of your performance. 

The following bass guitars have been chosen by our team for their brilliant sound quality, ergonomic shape that’s easy to hold, and smooth finish that gives them an attractive look and a comfortable feel. Some also come with a carrying bag that makes them very portable. Check out the options below and get one of these cheap bass guitars.

Looking for other great instruments to add to your collection? Get one of these cheap Bass guitars.

Best Cheap Bass Guitar

1

Ibanez GSRM 4 String Bass Guitar

– Best Overall
img
Check Latest Price
THE SCOOP

A smooth-sounding bass guitar with easy-to-play short scale design.

Key Features

The slender neck on this bass guitar offers an exceptionally comfortable hold, making it very easy to wrap your hands around it. Also, the guitar has excellent-sounding pick-ups, resulting in high-quality smooth audio so you can play like a true professional.

Pros
  • Has a short scale design that makes it very easy to play, perfectly suitable for beginners
  • Comes with all the necessary tools required for tuning and setting up the guitar, can be used right out of the box
Cons
  • Strings have a slightly metallic sound due to its round wound setup
2

GLARRY Bass Guitar

– Most Durable
img
Check Latest Price
THE SCOOP

 A durable bass guitar with a lightweight easy-to-handle body for regular use.

Key Features

Both the premium-quality wooden material and stylish yet ergonomic shape of this bass guitar makes it feel very comfortable in your hands. Also, the strings on the guitar are fortified to provide long-lasting durability without compromising sound quality, making this bass guitar perfect for regular use.

Pros
  • Has a two-way adjustable neck for easy operation
  • Lightweight guitar with an impressive look, has chrome hardware that gives it a unique personality
Cons
  • Requires considerable time to set up
3

Costzon Bass Guitar

– Most Portable
img
Check Latest Price
THE SCOOP

An easy-carrying bass guitar with solid body and smooth finishing, and accessories.

Key Features

This bass guitar has a solid and durable wooden body that ensures it retains its sound quality, mechanical shape and form, and gorgeous appearance for a long time. Also, the ergonomic shape and smooth finishing of the guitar makes it feel very comfortable in your hands, allowing you to play for long hours without fatigue.

Pros
  • Comes with a strapped waterproof carry bag that features zip closures, so you can carry your guitar and accessories in a secure and convenient manner
  • Includes all the accessories you need, such as amp cord, shoulder strap, and bass pick, to name a few
Cons
  • Some users might require a matching amplifier to boost sound
4

Goplus Electric Bass Guitar

– Best Finishing
img
Check Latest Price
THE SCOOP

A premium-quality bass guitar complete with all necessary accessories and carry bag.

Key Features

The durable wooden body of this bass guitar allows it to be rigorously used without incurring much wear and tear, if any. The polished surface of the guitar provides impeccable smoothness that feels very comfortable to hold, and its high-quality material and brilliant shape result in amazing tones that elevate the quality of your performance. 

Pros
  • Comes with an easy-carrying guitar cover with a shoulder strap, so you can easily and securely carry your guitar
  • Includes all necessary accessories and components, so you have everything you need to play
Cons
  • Carrying bag does not have any padding to protect the guitar against impact damage
5

Fender Affinity Series Bass Guitar

– Most Attractive
img
Check Latest Price
THE SCOOP

A top-quality bass guitar with easy-tuning app and e-learning platform.

Key Features

In addition to its attractive look, this bass guitar also has a smooth finishing so you feel very comfortable holding it and can produce an excellent sound that easily matches higher-end bass guitars available in the market.

Pros
  • Comes with an online platform that’s great for learning new skills, making it perfect for beginners, also provides a free tuning app
  • Has a satin neck rather than the usual lacquered one, allowing easy movement up/down the neck without feeling sticky
Cons
  • Does not include accessories that commonly accompany bass guitars

Best Bass Guitar Buying Guide

If you’re trying to channel your inner John Paul Jones, having the right bass guitar can make all the difference. We know that finding the right bass guitar might not be the easiest, so we’ve created a guide to help you understand everything you need to know.

What are the types of bass guitars?

There are three main types of bass guitars: acoustic, electric, and acoustic-electric hybrid.

Acoustic

Acoustic bass guitars have large hollow bodies and a sound hole, which is where the vibrating air comes out. The strings are typically made out of metal, which makes them heavier and a little more difficult to play, but they create a solid vibration and a clear, rich sound.

Electric

The electric bass guitar is the most common and popular bass guitar used. It has a solid body that is normally a little thinner and slimmer than an acoustic bass guitar. The strings are easier to play and there is more versatility when it comes to the type of sound you can produce. Because it is electric, you’ll need a power source in order to be able to hear it.

Acoustic-Electric Hybrid

An acoustic-electric hybrid bass guitar is a combination of the acoustic and electric bass guitar. It has a hollow body like an acoustic bass guitar, but it comes with built-in pickups, meaning it can be plugged into an amp just like an electric bass guitar.

There are a few different bass guitar necks to consider.

There are three main types of bass guitar necks: bolt-on necks, set necks, and thru-body necks.

  • Bolt-on: This is the most common type of neck. A bolt-on neck is one where, like the name suggests, the neck is bolted on to the body of the bass guitar. The bolts keep the neck stable and easy for you to control. The amount of overlap there is between the neck and the body of the guitar can also make a difference. Greater overlap will provide better string vibration transfer, enhanced sustain, and greater stability.
  • Set necks: Rather than being bolted down, some necks can be attached to the body through a dovetail joint. This might make it a little more difficult to adjust, but you’ll receive better sustain and resonance because of h35”ow the neck is connected to the body.
  • Thru-body: This type of neck is more likely to be found on more expensive bass guitars. What makes it different from the other two types of necks is that the neck is not a separate piece. Instead, the neck is one continuous piece through the body. The response and sustain from thru-body necks are even better than that of set necks because there is no joint at all inhibiting any vibrations.

There are three main types of scale lengths on a bass guitar.

Scale length is the distance between the nut and bridge.

  • 34 inch: This is the most common bass scale length you will encounter. It’s easy and suitable for most adults to play with, making it the standard size.
  • 30 inch: There are bass guitars out there that feature scale lengths that are shorter than 34”, most commonly at 30”. These are ideal for younger or smaller guitarists who might have smaller hands and therefore have trouble playing the standard-sized scale.
  • 35 inch: While one inch might not seem like a big difference, a long-scale neck usually clocks in at 35”. Even with just that one extra inch, you get a few extra frets to play with. This length is most typical with five- or six-string bass guitars, as it decreases the floppiness and increases the string tension on the lower strings.

How many strings are there on a bass guitar?

  • Four-String: Four-string bass guitars are best for beginners. The fewer number of strings makes it easy to learn how to play on. Plus, four-string bass guitars tend to have smaller necks, which ultimately makes them easier to handle and learn how to play with.
  • Five-String: The five-string bass guitar adds one more string to the instrument, a lower B string, which gives it a deeper range than the four-string bass guitar. Because of the additional string, the neck is a little wider, which can make it a little more difficult to handle and play.
  • Six-String: Six-string bass guitars not only come with a low B string but a high C string as well. Six-string bass guitars are ideal for more advanced players, seeing as the added strings provide greater range and more room for creativity. Just like with the five-string guitar, the extra strings make the neck even wider, which can make it difficult to play for less skilled or younger players.

That’s all the main types of bass guitars and bass guitar features that you need to know about.

What is the price range of bass guitars?

Prices can and will vary for bass guitars depending on a number of factors. For a classic, four-string bass guitar, you can expect to spend between 100 and 200 dollars. This won’t give you the fanciest bass guitar out there, but you’ll still receive a good-quality guitar. Acoustic bass guitars, on the other hand, are a little more expensive. A basic model will set you back nearly 300 dollars. These are both not unreasonable prices for beginners, but intermediate and more-advanced players should expect to shell out even more money for bass guitars that are of a higher quality.

For those purchasing an electric bass guitar, you’ll also need to factor in the cost of a bass amplifier. These can range anywhere from 40 to 200 dollars depending on the quality you want. You should also think about other additional items you might want for your bass guitar, such as picks, a strap, or a carrying case.

Before you make any final decisions, the best thing you can do is know and understand your budget.

Jack Stoneybrook
By Jack Stoneybrook
Jack has been a touring guitarist for almost 20 years, playing in a number of country music and rock bands. Jack loves the road and defines himself as a never-ending student of the guitar and other important instruments or tools that make a musician.
You May Also Like
img
Learn to Play Piano with one of these Cheap Keyboards
img
Best Jazz Bass on Amazon
img
Best Bass Pickups for Beginners
  • Contact
  • About
logo
Copyright American Songwriter © 2022
  • Privacy Policy