10 Reviews: Best Bass Guitar for Advanced Players (Sep 2023)

Ibanez’s guitar does a great job with the crucial things. It’s not for producing a huge song or dancing music; instead, it’s for getting out of the way and allowing you to play as you choose. This is ideal for individuals just getting started on the 5-string bass, whether they are complete beginners or players converting from 4 – 5 strings. The GSR205 may not be the perfect bass, but it does crucial tasks that give it a complete financial value. Any instrument in this price category may not provide the best performance, but what matters more is that this bass looks and sounds fantastic.

"This is a professional bass by any standards. It has great action and sounds amazing. Rocks like a cat 5 hurricane."

by Colonel

Yamaha’s BB Series is one of the most well-known bass lines, and the BB734A is well-deserving of its time in the limelight. Moreover, the two YGD Custom V7 pickups, which come with a range of tone settings, including 3-band EQ and the ability to swap between active and passive circuits for a variety of sounds, are primarily responsible for this tonal versatility. With a highly comfortable and attractive alder/maple body and a smooth five-piece maple/mahogany neck, the construction, fit, and finish are equally remarkable.

"This is my third MIJ Yamaha guitar/bass, and I have to say that I think the MIJ Yamahas are the best value for the money in guitars and basses, bar none. All three of mine have absolutely impeccable craftsmanship, the fit and finish is perfect, and the instruments play and sound amazing."

by Mark

The Yamaha TRBX304 4-string bass has a well-contoured double-cutaway body crafted of solid mahogany and painted in a variety of vivid colors, as seen throughout the whole TRBX series. This model comes with two M3 ceramic humbuckers with an active circuit for powerful, punchy contemporary tones, but it’s also incredibly adaptable in terms of sound sculpting because of the multiplicity of settings. Hence, this guitar is also recommended for advanced players.

"This is considered an entry level bass in the TRBX series. However this bass definitely stands above the rest in its price range. Even at this level this a a very nice feeling and sounding bass."

by Pablo Molina

The StingRay from The Music Man is a real bass legend. With a comfortable double-cutaway basswood body finished in a range of color options and the characteristic oval pickguard, this licensed replica pays homage to the original. Because of the simplicity of the solitary humbucker at the bridge position, it’s a wonderful bass for beginners, however, it doesn’t scrimp on tone or variety, thanks to the 2-band active EQ.

"It sounds good both regular play and slapping for this price. It feels very light and it came securely packed. I just wish it came with a gig bag or something but everything else i strongly recommend"

by Red

The Yamaha BB234 BB-Series continues to be a superb bass in terms of style, playability, and sound, making it ideal for both beginners and experienced bassists wishing to expand their tone palette. Several changes have been made to this model, including a new smaller body size for a more pleasant playing experience. The body is still built of solid alder and retains the well-known and relaxing BB body form, with a bolt-on maple neck with a new slimmer profile.

"Great quality, had to set up saddles, intonation and pickup height which is typical of any new guitar or bass. Sounds great and I can hear the pickup upgrade versus 234 model which I have owned for a couple years."

by David

The Talman bass series, which is based on a vintage Ibanez body type, has a stylish retro aesthetic and a tone that will inspire players of all ages. The TMB100 goes back to basics and packs a one-two punch with a passive P/J pickup setup and a classic Ibanez body design for a bass that looks and sounds great. For that rich, vintage sound, the electronics include an Ibanez DXP neck pickup and a DXJ bridge pickup, as well as a bespoke 2-band Active EQ for more tonal options.

"This guitar could be used for beginners and for pros. It have very good quality. Very pretty guitar. I love it."

by Jaxin Walker

With a lovely sub-$200 price tag, the Bronco offers terrific playability, acceptable tone, and authentic Fender flair at an affordable price. The combination of being a short-scale bass and having a traditional C-shaped maple neck makes this bass a comfortable and enjoyable ride. This bass is a wonderful option for beginners even advanced players since it just has one single-coil pickup. Furthermore, since the bronco has a basic design, it is also recommended for beginners. The tone is highly impressive for its simplicity, so experienced bassists will love it just as much.

"Great bass overall, also I am only 5'2, and my other bass has a longer neck, making it harder to reach the frets, this however, has a shorter neck, which is easier to play"

by sicdoll

For beginners and entry-level instruments, Squier has traditionally been a go-to brand. Their popularity stems in part from the fact that they are permitted to imitate the style and look of Fender’s vintage models, which will always be in great demand. In this sector of the market, the Squier by Fender Affinity P/J is one of their best bass guitars. This guitar offers a superb mix of build quality and performance at a cheap price, making it one of the most beginner-friendly models available.

"This is a very good bass guitar. It sounds and feels great and the finish is excellent."

by Bill Michaels

The ESP LTD B-204SM fretless bass is a marvel of true beauty. This is without a doubt one of the most visually appealing basses on the market! All of this is owing to the lovely spalted maple top, which has a rustic texture and a natural finish. It’s more than a gorgeous face, however. This bass comes with two good SB-4 pickups and an active 3-band EQ for a loud, powerful tone with a lot of flexibility. Furthermore, for the price, the playability and comfort are equally excellent.

"The space is very comfortable and plays extremely well for the price. Quality made and sounds great! Definitely an entry pro level"

by Valley Dude!

The Schecter Stiletto Studio-5 5-string bass is worth checking out if you’re searching for 5-string bass with a design that will halt folks in their tracks. This gorgeous mid-range bass has a seductive double-cutaway body with all the appropriate curves. It’s built of mahogany and has a beautiful Bubinga top that comes in two different colors. The maple/walnut neck, on the other hand, has excellent playability, and it’s voiced by two passive EMG HZ pickups that create a clean, strong sound with great versatility.

"The set up on this bass is good enough to play a variety of styles including slap and pick straight out of the box. The bass sounds great in standard and badass downtuned. The finish is beautiful."

by Zev