Best Electric Bass Guitars in 2022

Last update: December 16, 2022

Can a bass guitar be electric?

Yes, a bass guitar can be electric. In fact, most bass guitars are electric. Electric bass guitars are easier to play than acoustic bass guitars and are often used in rock and pop bands.

Can I teach myself bass guitar?

It is certainly possible to teach yourself bass guitar, and many people have done so successfully. However, it is important to keep in mind that bass guitar is a complex instrument, and it can be difficult to learn all the necessary skills without some guidance. The best way to learn bass guitar is to find a good method book or online course, and then supplement your learning with video lessons or private lessons from a qualified instructor. With hard work and dedication, you can certainly teach yourself bass guitar and become a proficient player.

Do bassists play chords?

Bassists typically don't play chords because the role of the bass is to provide a foundation for the harmony, not to play harmony itself. However, there are exceptions to this rule. For example, some bassists might play chords in a jazz context to contribute to the overall harmony of a piece. Additionally, some bassists might double as keyboardists and play chords on a bass synth or keyboard bass.

Do you need an amp to play bass?

No, you don't need an amp to play bass. You can play bass unplugged, using an acoustic bass or a Bass VI.


Ibanez 5 String Bass Guitar, Right Handed, Black (GSR205BK) Review:


I'll start by saying I'm not musical and I can't play.For her 15th birthday, my daughter wished for this. She adores the color and the five strings on it. She decided to try playing bass since she already plays the guitar and piano.She tried numerous other 5 string basses, but this one was a little lighter (she's a small thing). It is simple to tune, easy to tune, easy to adjust the neck and bridge, and it sounds excellent.We did upgrade to flat wound slinky strings (don't ask me why; I'm just dictating this review!)This bass was of good quality and a fair price. fantastic for a novice. She is happy, and so are we!



Squier by Fender Bronco Bass, Black with Maple Fingerboard Review:


With this buy, I'm quite pleased. I've always wanted to learn how to play, so after exploring my alternatives on a tight budget, I eventually made the purchase of this bass. Although it is inexpensive, this bass is a superb entry-level bass and is not "cheap crap."This bass' tone is excellent and far better than I had anticipated. I did swap out the old strings for some "Rotosound Flatwound Jazz Bass 77" ones right away.Before starting, I also correctly adjusted and set up the bass. For proper sound, this is a requirement. You can either handle this yourself with some simple tools and study, or you may hire a specialist to handle it for you.Anyone who has always desired to study the guitar but lacks the $1,000 for their ideal Fender American Standard Jazz Bass should consider purchasing this instrument, in my opinion.



Squier by Fender Bronco Bass, Torino Red with Maple Fingerboard Review:


With this buy, I'm quite pleased. I've always wanted to learn how to play, so after exploring my alternatives on a tight budget, I eventually made the purchase of this bass. Although it is inexpensive, this bass is a superb entry-level bass and is not "cheap crap."This bass' tone is excellent and far better than I had anticipated. I did swap out the old strings for some "Rotosound Flatwound Jazz Bass 77" ones right away.Before starting, I also correctly adjusted and set up the bass. For proper sound, this is a requirement. You can either handle this yourself with some simple tools and study, or you may hire a specialist to handle it for you.Anyone who has always desired to study the guitar but lacks the $1,000 for their ideal Fender American Standard Jazz Bass should consider purchasing this instrument, in my opinion.



Squier by Fender Affinity Series Precision Beginnger Electric Bass - PJ - Olympic White Review:


With this buy, I'm quite pleased. I've always wanted to learn how to play, so after exploring my alternatives on a tight budget, I eventually made the purchase of this bass. Although it is inexpensive, this bass is a superb entry-level bass and is not "cheap crap."This bass' tone is excellent and far better than I had anticipated. I did swap out the old strings for some "Rotosound Flatwound Jazz Bass 77" ones right away.Before starting, I also correctly adjusted and set up the bass. For proper sound, this is a requirement. You can either handle this yourself with some simple tools and study, or you may hire a specialist to handle it for you.Anyone who has always desired to study the guitar but lacks the $1,000 for their ideal Fender American Standard Jazz Bass should consider purchasing this instrument, in my opinion.



Squier by Fender Affinity Series Precision Beginnger Electric Bass - PJ - Black Review:


With this buy, I'm quite pleased. I've always wanted to learn how to play, so after researching my options on a tight budget, I finally made the purchase of this bass. Although it is inexpensive, this bass is a superb entry-level bass and is not "cheap crap."This bass' tone is excellent and far better than I had anticipated. I did swap out the old strings for some "Rotosound Flatwound Jazz Bass 77" ones right away.Before starting, I also correctly adjusted and set up the bass. For proper sound, this is a requirement. You can either handle this yourself with some simple tools and study, or you may hire a specialist to handle it for you.Anyone who has always wanted to learn the guitar but lacks the $1,000 for their ideal Fender American Standard Jazz Bass should consider purchasing this instrument, in my opinion.



Gator Cases Lightweight Polyfoam Guitar Case for Electric Bass Guitars (GL-BASS) Review:


Unfortunately, I was about to return my Gator case even though, aside from size, it was just what I needed. I hoped that by sufficiently compressing the foam at each end of the case, I could make it fit my guitar. When the instrument was placed in the case to determine how much to compress it, it fit perfectly. What took place? This time, I insert the headstock first. At least according to what I think is happening, the foam is hollowing out further at that end close to the case's bottom. The headstock does not fit at the other end if I insert the bottom neck strap pin first into the hole that has been hollowed out for it. Needs to be inserted about another inch. Everything lines up better and the fit is VERY tight if I insert the headstock end first. Since I'm assessing the case and NOT the packing, I'm raising my rating from 2 to 5. No longer returning, joyful once more. It's critical to know that Gator cared about my comment and that she responded to it. Your results may vary, however in this instance, it works for me.Original assessmentAccording to the description, it can accommodate guitars up to 39.5" long and 19" in length. I have a guitar that size (I measured before buying). Overall length is an inch too short and body length is roughly 1/2" too short. Even though my guitar fits the specified size, it doesn't fit. Schecter Omen 6 extreme guitar. I'm quite dissatisfied with the description because it's so inaccurate (or because they can't control their sizes, or because cost-cutting measures were taken). The inconvenience of returning it and choosing a new case is now required. I selected this scenario in part because the description included the measurements. The same measurements are given on other websites, therefore the issue is not with Amazon. I won't trust Gator again.The case appeared to be well-made and was exactly what I needed: it was light and durable, with compartments inside for pedals, a tuner, slides, picks, and a recorder, among other things, and an exterior pocket for music books and notepaper. Also looks fantastic. This can be a great option if your guitar is smaller.Poor packaging. It arrived in a very large package that was not taped shut to keep the flaps closed during shipping. Because the case was so loose, it might have easily fallen out of the box and scratched the cardboard box in the process. I'll never understand why they bothered to put a single crumpled piece of paper in the box; perhaps there were more that fell out.



Hofner IGNITIONSB Electric Violin Bass Guitar - Rosewood Fingerboard, Sunburst Finish Review:


This bass is excellent, especially for the price. Despite relatively shoddy packaging, it came without any shipping damage. Frets were level, and the instrument had perfect intonation. The bevels on the frets are comfortable; they don't bite or sprout. Along the side of the fingerboard where it connects the body, I noticed a minor nick in the finish. Additionally, I didn't see the E string sliding off the indented bridge insert while playing; I only saw it after checking the bridge. This happens every time I play. On this instrument, an improved bridge would make a big difference. Some people complain that the instrument seems cheap, but it is likely merely a result of its minimal weight, which is typical of this hollow-body construction. Round-wound strings that came with the bass are best replaced with light flatwounds, such as those made especially for it by La Bella, the "Beatle Bass" offerings. Overall, a good product for the money, but not a tank. It's not as strong as more recent, solid-body designs, so use caution.



Glarry Electric Bass Guitar Full Size 4 String Rosewood Basswood Fire Style Exquisite Burning Bass (White) Review:


Since 1965, I've been a guitarist and bassist for the majority of that time. I decided to spend $63.95 on a cheap knock-around bass that I could bring to outdoor activities like camps. I received a very pleasant surprise.I ordered the bass late on October 29, and it is not Prime, so shipping was listed as free, but not 2 days. I was informed that it would arrive "between Nov. 5 and Nov. 12." I actually received it November 1! Wow. Great shipping.The bass came packed in a cardboard box with styrofoam reinforcements and arrived in perfect shape. It came with a cheap cable and the Allen wrenches needed for truss rod and and saddle adjustments. The body is a very pretty off-white and the paint is perfect. The bass's body is basswood, and feels a bit light but sustain is good and I'll probably be thankful for the lightness. But it does make it a little neck-heavy. The bolt-on neck could have used an additional buffing for smoothness, but is certainly no problem to play. Hey, it only cost a little over $65. The rosewood fretboard is nice (a little lemon oil brings out the grain) and the frets are smooth with no sharp edges. Nowhere on the outside of the bass is there a serial number or even a country of origin, and there is no brand at all on the Fender-copy head, which I prefer to some hokey off-brand label. I will probably stain the head to give it some color. The tuning machines look substantial and work smoothly. We will see how they last.The pickguard was protected with plastic film which was a pain to remove around the pots. The pots themselves are smooth to operate, with great gradual change of volume and tone and work quietly (we will see how they last) and the knobs look good but feel a bit light, with less "meat" than a real Fender.Setup was OK. I'll need to do a little work with the truss rod and saddles to get it perfect, but it's certainly useable right out of the box. Plugged it in and started to play.The volume is slightly lower than my Washburn at any given amp setting, and the fact that there is only one set of pickups means it's less versatile. That being said, the tone is great. Even set on treble so there is more slap and picking sound, the bottom end is good and strong. It will cut through a mix just fine and, hey, $63.95.Make no mistake. This is absolutely a beginner's bass. That being said, it is a very good one, and one I'd not feel bad about taking as an emergency fall-back bass on a gig, or to a place where damage was possible. Highly recommend.



Goplus Electric Bass Guitar Full Size 4 String with Strap Guitar Bag Amp Cord (Blue Bass 4 Straps) Review:


I anticipated this would require some adjusting to have it perform well based on the previous assessment. Every note you played had fret buzz since the truss rod nut was fully tightened out of the box, giving the neck some considerable back bow. Using the supplied allen wrench, I backed off the truss rod to provide it with the necessary relief. To get the proper neck angle, the neck needs to be shimmered as well. This instrument now performs better than most $200 basses after only requiring two modifications that together took approximately ten minutes.Similar to the prior review, this one is feather light and well balanced—no neck dive here. The included extras are merely adequate, but that is to be expected with any "package deal," in reality. At the absolute least, they will get you started with everything that is offered.Although the factory pickup is fine, I think I'll soon update it because this bass plays so nicely. I simply want to hear it with some Seymour Duncan pickups. Definitely a wonderful backup bass for individuals who already own their primary bass and are seeking for something affordable but not rubbish, provided you or someone you know understands how to set it up properly.ADVANCED 11/14/16I thus placed an order for a set of Seymour Duncan Quarter Pound P-Bass pickups at the following link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002GKYZI/ref=oh aui detailpage o02 s00?ie=UTF8



Goplus Electric Bass Guitar Full Size 4 String with Strap Guitar Bag Amp Cord (Black Bass 4 Straps) Review:


I anticipated this would require some adjusting to have it perform well based on the previous assessment. Every note you played had fret buzz since the truss rod nut was fully tightened out of the box, giving the neck some considerable back bow. Using the supplied allen wrench, I backed off the truss rod to provide it with the necessary relief. To get the proper neck angle, the neck needs to be shimmered as well. This instrument now performs better than most $200 basses after only requiring two modifications that together took approximately ten minutes.Similar to the prior review, this one is feather light and well balanced—no neck dive here. The included extras are merely adequate, but that is to be expected with any "package deal," in reality. At the absolute least, they will get you started with everything that is offered.Although the factory pickup is fine, I think I'll soon update it because this bass plays so nicely. I simply want to hear it with some Seymour Duncan pickups. Definitely a wonderful backup bass for individuals who already own their primary bass and are seeking for something affordable but not rubbish, provided you or someone you know understands how to set it up properly.ADVANCED 11/14/16I thus placed an order for a set of Seymour Duncan Quarter Pound P-Bass pickups at the following link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002GKYZI/ref=oh aui detailpage o02 s00?ie=UTF8


How long will it take to learn bass guitar?

There is no one answer to this question as it depends on the person and how much time they are willing to dedicate to learning. However, it generally takes most people several months to a year to learn the basics of bass guitar. Those who are naturally talented or have prior experience with another instrument may be able to learn faster, while complete beginners may need more time. The best way to find out is to simply start practicing and see how quickly you progress.

How much is a good electric bass guitar?

There isn't really a definitive answer to this question since what makes a good electric bass guitar is subjective. However, you can expect to pay anywhere from $200 to $2000 for a quality instrument. The price will depend on factors such as the brand, materials, and features. Ultimately, it is up to the individual to decide how much they are willing to spend on an electric bass guitar.

How much should a beginner spend on a bass guitar?

There is no definitive answer when it comes to how much a beginner should spend on a bass guitar. However, it is important to keep in mind that a higher price does not necessarily mean a better quality instrument. With that said, it is generally recommended that beginners start off with an entry-level or mid-range bass guitar that is within their budget. Doing so will allow them to get a feel for the instrument without breaking the bank.

How often should you practice bass guitar?

If you want to improve your skills on the bass guitar, you need to practice regularly. But how often should you practice? Ideally, you should practice at least four times a week for thirty minutes to an hour each session. This may seem like a lot, but if you break it down into smaller chunks of time, it’s manageable. And the more you practice, the better you’ll get. Of course, life can sometimes get in the way of your practice schedule. If you can’t practice as often as you’d

Is bass guitar easier than electric?

Bass guitar is often seen as an easier instrument to learn than electric guitar. This is because the bass only has four strings, compared to the six strings of a standard guitar. Bass guitars also tend to have a larger neck, which can make them easier to hold and play.

Is it OK to use a guitar amp for bass?

No, it is not okay to use a guitar amp for bass. Guitar amps are not designed to reproduce the low frequencies of a bass guitar and will not provide the necessary power or tone. Additionally, the speakers in a guitar amp are not designed to handle the low frequencies produced by a bass guitar and can be damaged by the high volume levels required to properly amplify a bass guitar.