best cheap bass guitars

Many people wish to play music but do not have much money to buy a new bass guitar. The Bass guitar is one of the most popular instruments in the world. These are great choices whether you are a beginner or a serious musician. Buying a cheap bass guitar can seem like a difficult task due to the many options and ways to go about finding one. There are hundreds of different options when it comes to bass guitars. 

If you don’t want to go through all the troubles and choose the best affordable bass guitars, in this article, we’ll be looking at the top 6 bass guitars in 2022.

Before we move forward If you don’t know which is the right bass guitar for you then you must first take a look at Different Types of Bass Guitars: Which One is Right for You? If you are confused about scale size, check out our article on Short Scale vs Long Scale Bass: What’s the Difference?

Cheap Bass Guitar vs An Expensive One

Buying a bass guitar is one big decision regarding your preference. An expensive guitar will cost you more, but it has better sound quality, wood, and so on. Cheap Bass Guitar showcases the things you get for not much money, like how durable and well made it is, how fantastic its sound is at a low price, etc.

The first noticeable difference is the sound of each guitar. If you are looking to buy a guitar, it likely means you want to play a limited set of chords and songs by your favorite artists. Most cheap bass guitars are designed to produce good sound quality, while some expensive ones have more exotic settings.

If you want to learn the guitar, you may want to start with an expensive one. But if you decide not to play for a long time and want to save money, the cheap bass guitar can suit you. You can expect all the ranges of notes, timbres, and different feel of expensive basses when playing on a cheap instrument; the only difference is that you will not get a modern-day look with it.

Top 6 Best Cheap Bass Guitars: The Hot List!

We all know that bass is one of the essential parts of your music production. The key to a good bass tone is having the right equipment, or you may end up with dull, harsh, and often inaccurate sound. But the good thing is that there are different types of basses on the market today, but there are a few facts you need to understand before getting one.

So, if you’re looking for something even more affordable on a budget, here’s what we think are the best cheap bass guitars in 2022

1. Yamaha TRBX174

2. Ibanez GSR200TR

3. Squier by Fender Bronco Bass

4. Jackson Series Spectra JS2

5. Ibanez Talman TMB100

6. Sterling by Music Man SUB Ray4

1) Yamaha’s TRBX174

Yamaha’s TRBX174 is a fantastic value for the modern bassist. It is one of Yamaha’s most popular basses, and it will be hard to find better for a low price on a new one. Equipped with a solid maple top, bolt-on maple neck, and rosewood fingerboard, this bass is designed for players who want something that sounds great and looks even better.

The TRBX174 features a master volume/bass cut/mid-cut control setup and knobs for tone and volume for each pickup. It also features a 3-position pickup selector switch that can be switched between bridge, neck, or both.

Pros

  • Playability
  •  Durability
  • Lovely design

Cons

  • Not an actual bass
  • At first, the motion is pretty intense
Yamaha TRBX174 is the best cheap bass guitar for beginners

2) Ibanez GSR200

The Ibanez GSR200 4-String Bass is a hot little bass with excellent balance and feels for an amicable price. This compact-sized bass guitar is lightweight and great for any stage or gig. It features an all-laminate construction and comes with 22 frets on a rosewood fingerboard and chrome hardware. 

The GSR200 bass is an affordable and durable super bass that delivers a big punch. It’s got a great feel, balance, and playability, plus its gorgeous transparent see-through finish makes it one of the most attractive entry-level models in the Ibanez bass lineup.

Pros

  • A bass guitar with extreme versatility for all styles.
  • Optimum playability.

Cons

  • Low Power
  • Not a bass fit for professional use or gigs
Ibanez GSR200 cheap bass guitar review

3) Squier by Fender Bronco Bass

The Squier Bronco Bass is the most popular bass guitar because of its ability to play European Jazz, Rock, and standing up to a beating. It is a great starter instrument for younger beginners, small players, or those who want to add a bass to an existing collection. The durable finish and classic style make it ideal for musical expression away from the stage.

Pros

  • Lightweight
  • Reasonable price

Cons

  • Comparatively tiny bass
  • Unpleasant playability
Squier Bronco Bass guitar Demo For Beginners

4) Jackson Series Spectra JS2

The Jackson Guitars JS Series Spectra bass guitars are comfortable and lightweight with a distinctive appearance, delivering all the tone you’d expect from a Jackson. The JS2 Spectrum models feature a set neck design, enhanced with the new, airy tone chamber that decreases the size of the center-neck area, adding to the comfort level of these models.

While it looks ready to take on the road and hit your next gig with style, these light, and affordable Spectras will be your go-to basses for entertaining in any environment besides noisy clubs where amplification is prohibited!

Pros

  • Versatile fashion.
  • Ideal balancing designed for relaxing play

Cons

  • Unable to control volume.
  • A lousy experience to use
JS2 Spectra Bass guitar Demo

5) Ibanez Talman TMB100

The Ibanez Talman TMB100 Wireless Bass Guitar features a lightweight bass body, easy-to-playing neck, and durable, sealed electronics designed for extended wear. With more than 40 years of electrical engineering experience, Ibanez is always looking at ways to increase the durability and reliability of its instruments.

Pros

  • Very compact 
  • Inexpensive

Cons

  • Heavy 
  • Frets are sharp
Ibanez Talman TMB100 Bass guitar Review!

6) Sterling by Music Man SUB Ray4

The Ray4 bass from Music Man is a no-compromise one ready for anything you can throw. From its P90 single-coil pickups and active preamp through to its maple neck and ebony fingerboard and on to its 10-inch-wide body, the Ray4 has everything you need in a no-nonsense bass sounds big.

Pros

  • Versatile
  • Less price range

Cons

  • Not exceptionally comfortable for extended sessions
Sterling by Musicman Sub Ray 4 review and demo

The Ultimate Cheap Bass Guitar Buying Guide

Choosing a bass guitar is essential for anyone who wants to play the instrument. Luckily, there is a massive range of affordable bass guitars, and it can be tricky to choose the right one for you. To help you out, we have compiled this ultimate guide to cheap bass guitars.

The best cheap bass guitars will sound good. As a guitar player, you want to know you can get good quality without breaking the bank. Choosing an economical bass guitar from the wide selection available can be challenging.

Finding the right bass guitar is a lot easier than you might think. There are several factors to consider: what kind of player are you? What style of music do you play? How much do you want to spend?

The following factors you need to consider while buying a cheap bass guitar for yourself or others.

Sound effect

Bass has a different sound, feel and look than an electric guitar. It’s not crucial if you’re playing with an electric bass guitar, but it’ll certainly enhance your tone and make you sound better.

Price

It can be tempting to pick the cheapest bass guitar, especially if you’re just starting out. After all, what’s the worst that can happen? It might break after a few weeks of regular use! If you invest in a decent instrument, there are virtually no downsides to buying a good quality instrument. 

The great thing about cheap bass guitars is that they aren’t really affordable – they don’t have any extra features. The best budget bass guitars will still sound great after years of use, while models that are only marginally better often come with the added expense or additional features that make them worth paying more for! 

Size of a guitar scale

Short-scale basses are great for beginners with smaller hands, while extended-scale models are better suited to those with larger hands. Acoustic basses can be fun if you want to try something out of the ordinary, but if you want a traditional instrument that’s safe to gig with, then an electric or semi-acoustic bass might be better.

Quality

A good quality budget bass will also be built to a good standard; it wants to be sturdy enough to last you for years and withstand being taken out to gigs regularly. Along with this comes the most critical aspect – its build quality. Again, find a manufacturer you trust who builds instruments with a passion for delivering excellent customer service.

The low-end of the instrument is a fundamental part of the overall sound and effect it produces, so you must pick the right bass for you.

Conclusion

Buying cheap bass guitars is a great way to save money. At Guitar Surfer Lab, we understand that most musicians choose only the best for their instruments and practice! Some musicians are passionate about bass guitars.

If you are going to play the bass or have a student who plays, buying cheap bass guitars can save you some money in the long run that can be well invested in learning how to use a guitar and become a pro guitarist, Good luck.

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