It’s no secret that Sweetwater has an incredibly large selection of bass guitars to choose from — and it’s also no secret that price tags can be the most frightening factor when searching for the right one! So, it’s always good to remember that a higher price tag doesn’t necessarily mean you’re getting a better bass. In fact, here at Sweetwater, we carry a surprisingly large number of high-quality basses for prices that will make you do a double-take! From acoustics to short scales, beginners to pros, let’s take a look at ten awesome examples of some bargain basses that will get you into the game without breaking the bank.
Squier Mini Precision Bass
The Squier Mini Precision Bass takes everything we love about the engineering of the classic P Bass and makes it available in an inexpensive and scaled-down package. This is a fantastic option for younger players looking to embark on their 4-string journey with a solid bass guitar that pays tribute to such a revered instrument! Squier’s split single-coil pickup and tone/volume contour controls give beginner bassists the sound and shaping options needed for developing an understanding of the fundamentals of the groove. The Mini Precision Bass’s short-scale neck takes about two inches off the length of a traditional neck and features a comfy classic “C”-shaped design with a satin urethane finish for effortless adaptation to the feel of bass guitar.
Cordoba Mini II Bass MH-E
Acoustic basses are becoming more and more popular, and the Cordoba Mini II Bass MH-E offers a solution that really proves less can be more! This model makes unplugged jam and practice sessions a breeze, featuring a shorter scale that’s perfect for small apartments, dorms, van jams, and much more! And on top of it being so perfectly portable, the Mini II MH-E is engineered for top-notch sound quality! Its fan-braced and all-mahogany construction supplies the round and resonant nature that you look for from an acoustic with the scooping and punchy tone and sustain that you want from a bass. Need to plug in? No problem! The onboard electronics sound great and even feature a 3-band EQ for instant tone shaping!
Epiphone SG E1
Get ready to channel the soul of an absolute classic with the shorter scale Epiphone SG E1! Based on the original Gibson EB-0 that’s been grandfathered-in to the world of rock ‘n’ roll by the likes of Bill Wyman and Jack Bruce, the SG E1 delivers the vintage charm and cutting tone bassists everywhere so fondly cherish. This is thanks in part to its classic Sidewinder humbucking neck pickup and short 30.5-inch neck combining for an enhanced vintage tone perfect for rock ‘n’ roll, but suitable for a large number of genres. Its tonally rich mahogany body supplies some serious power and sustain, and it comes finished in a beautiful cherry red, just like the original!
Ibanez Gio GSR206BWNF
Are four strings not enough for you? What about five? Six? That’s right, here’s your ticket for easy 6-string slapping with the Ibanez Gio GSR206BWNF. Featuring a compact mahogany body and slim neck profile, you’ll be amazed at how easy it can be to adapt to a 6-string bass — especially with this bass’s fast-playing jatoba fingerboard! Your tone will be just as fat and punchy as you require across every octave courtesy of a pair of DHX-6 neck and bridge humbuckers. And for those times when you need to add a little more stature to your sound, kick in the active Phat II bass boost and take your onstage presence to new heights. Comfort is key for bassists, and this Gio doesn’t disappoint!
Squier Classic Vibe ’70s Jazz
Paying tribute to a true legend, the Squire Classic Vibe ’70s Jazz Bass comes equipped with several features of the 1970s J Bass models which sought to capture the feel and response of an ever-expanding music scene. Its appearance is highlighted by its classic offset-waist body shape which proves just as comfy to play standing up onstage as it does in sitting down in your practice space. A maple fingerboard and slender, fast-action neck make this bass a breeze to run up and down, and a pair of single-coil Jazz Bass pickups provide that timeless Fender thump. From funk to country, blues to jazz, you won’t find a style that this Classic Vibe can’t handle. Now you’ve got direct access to the same funk machine that laid down so many song foundations back in the day, and for a great price!
Danelectro Longhorn
Bassists here at Sweetwater are overjoyed at the return of the Danelectro Longhorn! This classic short-scale bass offers a vintage tone that is packed with character and sure to have both picking and fingerstyle bassists falling head over heels. Its single-coil lipstick pickups and aluminum nut offer extreme sonic clarity while its enormous cutaways provide easy access to every fret on the pau ferro fingerboard. Tone balancing is true to the original with its stacked volume and tone knobs. But that’s not all! From its unique binding and clear pickguard to its skinny headstock and vintage-style tuning pegs, the Longhorn is a true time capsule injected with the performance reliability of a 21st century 4-string.
Taylor GS Mini-e Maple
The Taylor GS Mini-e Maple is Taylor’s compact version of their Grand Symphony guitar, but it’s still equipped to bring the best possible acoustic bass tone to any stage. That’s because of an ES-B pickup that features crucial elements of Taylor’s revered Expression System 2, supplying warm and crystal-clear amplification of this bass’s enviable maple and spruce tonewood combination. A tuner, tone roll-off, volume knob, and low-battery indicator complete the array of controls on this bass, making it a trustworthy choice for a range of performance venues, no matter the stakes! And smaller elements of this guitar, like its dual-prong bridge pins, reflect its quality in craftsmanship, allowing for ultra-secure string anchoring and thus better performance quality.
Squier Classic Vibe ’50s Precision
We’re going all the way back with this Squier Classic Vibe ’50s Precision Bass! Taking after the originals of the 1950s, this bass’s tone is absolutely wonderful thanks to a Fender-designed single-coil P Bass pickup for a little more power and cut in the midrange. The ’50s Precision really looks the part, too, sporting classic chrome hardware, ’50s style pickguard, and even a real bone nut! And when it comes to how it feels, you’ll be surprised at the level of comfort it provides. Armed with a more modern “C”-shaped neck, this bass feels great in hand and affords each player a big selection of genres to choose from. Vintage looks and sound meets modern playability — just the way we like it here at Sweetwater!
Jackson X Series Spectra SBX IV
For an extremely high-performing bass that won’t cost you an arm and a leg, the Jackson X Series Spectra SBX IV is a great place to turn! The balanced poplar body sounds incredible, and its graphite-reinforced through-body maple neck provides unparalleled sustain and performance stability for the price. And no matter what tone you choose to roll with, or roll off, the Hi-Mass hardtail bridge ensures undying support for this bass’s articulate and well-sustaining nature. Run with the full sound of its dual humbuckers or engage the 2-way split toggle and blend knob to take advantage of a myriad of creative tonal possibilities. Add in a 3-band EQ, and you have yourself the definition of “bang for your buck!”
Gretsch G2220 Junior Jet Bass II Short-Scale
The downsized nature of the Gretsch G2220 Junior Jet Bass II Short-Scale makes it a fantastic bass of choice for a variety of players. From younger bassists and beginners to experienced players who are just looking for an easier-playing axe, this bass is sure to accommodate. Its lighter basswood body prioritizes comfort, and the 12-inch radius laurel fingerboard feels great — perfect for responsive runs and quick fretwork! A pair of mini humbuckers add some depth to your tone, giving this bass a big warm sound that really overshadows its footprint. But don’t sleep on the appearance of this beauty! All guitarists know the familiar aesthetic of the Jet Bass, and no matter where you take it, it’ll be sure to turn some heads!
Which Bass Speaks to You?
As you can see, Sweetwater offers an excitingly diverse number of bass guitar solutions that prove that you don’t need an upscale price tag to achieve an upscale sound. What all of these basses share is a deep attention to tonal quality and playing comfort — two factors that play the biggest roles in your experience as a bassist. And these picks are merely a handful of some of the countless great offers we have on acoustic and electric basses here at Sweetwater! If you’d like to venture closer to the reality of owning one of these exciting axes, or if you’d just like some more information and guidance in your journey of tracking down the perfect bass, make sure to give your Sweetwater Sales Engineer a call at (800) 222-4700 and they will be here to help!
