Best Cheap Bass Guitars Worth Buying

A bass is one of the easiest instruments to buy on a budget, because a simple, well-made four-string with one good pickup covers most of what bass players actually do. A cheap bass guitar also makes sense far beyond the beginner stage: guitarists who want to record their own bass lines, a backup for gigs, a short-scale couch bass, or a five-string to try before committing. This guide covers eight affordable basses from established brands, explains the trade-offs at this price, and shows you what to check out of the box so a low-cost bass plays like a much more expensive one.

Brand new to the instrument? Our best bass guitars for beginners guide focuses on learning. This page is price-first and written for any player.

Where budget basses save money

Inexpensive basses use lighter or laminated body woods, simpler finishes, basic tuners and stock pickups. None of that stops a bass from sounding good in a mix. What matters most is a straight neck, level frets, a nut cut at the right height and tuners that hold. Heavy hardware and neck weight also matter more on bass than guitar: a body that is too light can cause neck dive, where the headstock sinks while you play. Those are the details that separate the good cheap basses from the frustrating ones.

The best cheap bass guitar picks

Squier Sonic Bronco Bass

The Squier Sonic Bronco Bass is a short-scale bass with a single pickup and a light body. Short scale means lower string tension and shorter reaches between frets, which suits smaller hands, guitarists who double on bass, and anyone who wants a compact bass for the sofa or a home studio.

Best for: guitarists recording bass lines and players who want a small, light bass.

• Pros: very affordable, light, easy to play, warm vintage-style tone.
• Cons: one pickup limits tonal range; short-scale strings are less widely stocked.

Squier Affinity Precision Bass

The Squier Affinity Precision Bass delivers the classic P-Bass formula: a full 34-inch scale, a split-coil pickup and simple volume and tone controls. The Precision sound is punchy and sits naturally in rock, soul, pop and country mixes, which makes it the safest single bass to own.

Best for: players who want one dependable bass for almost any style.

• Pros: proven design, huge parts support, a tone engineers know how to mix.
• Cons: the neck is chunkier than some modern basses; limited tonal variety.

Ibanez TMB100 Talman

The Ibanez TMB-100 Talman brings an offset, retro-modern body with P- and J-style pickups and active EQ. That combination gives you more tonal range than a classic single-pickup bass at a similar price, from round and thumpy to bright and growly.

Best for: players who want versatility and a slightly unusual look.

• Pros: P/J pickup flexibility, onboard EQ, comfortable body.
• Cons: active electronics need a battery; the styling is not for everyone.

Ibanez SR300E

The Ibanez SR300E is the top of the cheap band and a favourite among players who prefer a thin, fast neck. Its active electronics and EQ make it easy to dial in modern, articulate tones for rock, metal, fusion and slap.

Best for: modern styles and players who like a slim neck.

• Pros: fast neck, light and comfortable body, flexible active tone.
• Cons: a modern rather than vintage voice; costs more than most picks here.

Yamaha TRBX304

The Yamaha TRBX304 steps up from the TRBX174 on our beginner list with a solid mahogany body and active electronics with a preset EQ switch that jumps between voiced tones. Yamaha’s consistent factory quality makes it a low-risk buy online.

Best for: players who want reliable quality and quick tone presets.

• Pros: consistent build, versatile active EQ, balanced body.
• Cons: sits at the upper edge of the budget band; battery-powered electronics.

Jackson JS2 Concert Bass

The Jackson JS2 Concert Bass is aimed squarely at heavier music, with a slim neck, a satin finish and a voice built for aggressive, mid-forward tones that cut through distorted guitars.

Best for: metal and hard rock players on a tight budget.

• Pros: fast neck, cutting tone, strong value.
• Cons: less at home in vintage, soul or jazz settings.

Epiphone Thunderbird E1

The Epiphone Thunderbird E1 offers one of rock’s most recognisable shapes at a budget price, with two humbucking pickups for a thick, gritty sound. It looks great on stage and suits classic rock and punk.

Best for: rock players who want the look and a big, dirty tone.

• Pros: iconic design, thick humbucker tone, strong stage presence.
• Cons: prone to neck dive; a wide grippy strap helps.

Squier Affinity Jazz Bass V

The Squier Affinity Jazz Bass V is an affordable way to try a five-string. It adds a low B string for extended range and uses active electronics, while the Jazz Bass body and two-pickup layout give a brighter, more articulate sound than a P-Bass.

Best for: gospel, worship, modern pop and metal players who need low notes.

• Pros: low B string, versatile Jazz tone, cheap way to test five strings.
• Cons: wider neck takes adjustment; the low B on budget basses can sound less focused.

Comparison table

How to choose a cheap bass guitar

Short scale or long scale? Standard basses use a 34-inch scale. Short-scale basses (around 30 inches) are lighter and easier on the hands, with a warmer, rounder tone. If you mostly play guitar or have smaller hands, short scale is worth a look. If you plan to play in bands for years, a full-scale bass gives you the widest choice of strings and gear.

Four or five strings? Four strings cover the vast majority of music. A five-string adds a low B for modern pop, worship and metal, but the neck is wider and muting takes practice. Learn on four unless you already know you need the extra range.

Passive or active? Passive basses are simple, never need a battery and have a classic sound. Active basses add an onboard preamp and EQ for more tonal control and a hotter output, but a dead battery means no sound, so carry a spare.

Pickups. A P pickup is punchy and simple. Two J pickups are brighter and more varied. P/J combinations sit in between and are a strong all-round choice.

What to check on arrival

• Neck relief: fret the E string at the first fret and the last fret, then look at the gap around the middle. A small gap is normal; adjust the truss rod in small turns if needed.
• Action: bass action is usually higher than guitar, but notes should not take a fight to fret, and there should be no buzz on every fret.
• Intonation: compare the open string with the 12th-fret note on a tuner and move the saddle if they disagree.
• Fret ends and nut: check for sharp fret edges and strings sitting too high at the nut, which makes the first few frets hard to play.
• Electronics: try each pickup and knob, and on active basses confirm the battery is fresh.

A professional setup is a modest cost and often the best upgrade a budget bass can get. Pair your bass with something to plug into from our best bass amps guide, and if you can stretch further, compare tiers in best bass guitars at every budget. A clip-on tuner works on bass too.

FAQ

Is a cheap bass guitar good enough for recording?

Yes. Bass sits underneath the mix, and a well set-up budget bass with fresh strings records very well, especially through a DI or amp simulator. Clean technique and consistent dynamics make a bigger difference than the price of the instrument.

What about very cheap unbranded basses?

Unbranded kits from brands such as Glarry are the lowest-cost option, but quality control varies widely, hardware is basic and resale value is minimal. Treat one as a clearly budget experiment, buy from a seller with easy returns and plan on a setup. A known brand at a slightly higher price is usually better value.

Should I buy a cheap bass with an amp bundle?

Bundles are convenient, but the included amp is usually very small. If you already have headphones and an audio interface, you can skip the amp and record or practise through software. Otherwise, a separate small bass amp tends to sound better than bundled ones.