If you’re at least somewhat into music, you’ll know that there are always those cliche jokes about bass players being irrelevant in every band. But this couldn’t be further from the truth. A good bass player can contribute way more to the band’s overall output than a lead guitar player. Every bassist is actually a glue that keeps things together and helps every band sound tight. And just like with any other instrument, bass guitar players also search for the best brand and best bass model for their needs. This, however, may not always be the easiest task.
And the whole process of choosing the right instrument may even be more complicated if you’re looking for an acoustic bass. The problem here is that the instrument is not as common as, let’s say, a regular 6-string acoustic guitar. For this reason, it becomes increasingly difficult for an average bassist to find a proper acoustic bass for their needs. In order to help everyone out, we decided to do some research and find the best acoustic bass guitars that money can buy. There was a lot of consideration here, including the overall build quality, tone, and other features. In the end, this is the list that we came up with.
Fender CB-60SCE
And is there even a better way to kick things off than with the good old Fender? Similar to some of their lower or mid-priced 6-string acoustic guitars, CB-60SCE brings good tone, good build quality, and simplicity while staying within some relatively modest budget limits. This 4-string bass has a body made of solid spruce and mahogany. At the same time, we also have a standard mahogany neck, which feels pretty great for a bass of this price level. It also comes with a walnut fretboard with 22 frets, which is kind of a positive surprise for this price level. In the end, it’s all rounded up with Fishman Classic Design electronics and piezo pickup. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced player who just needs something reliable for an acoustic set, then this bass comes as one of the simplest solutions.
Ovation Mod TX B778TX-5
In case you’re looking for something more professional that’s in the high-end area, then we’d suggest Ovation’s Mod TX series and the B778TX-5 acoustic bass. But while the designated name might seem a little complicated, like something that a low-end instrument might have, this is a fully professional bass. Just like with their 6-string acoustic guitars, it features the classic body design with that round-shaped fiberglass composite back and a spruce top. Additionally, this 4-string is equipped with Ovation’s amazing OP Pro preamp and pickup system. You just can’t go wrong with this one.
Dean EAB
While they sometimes might go under the radar, especially when it comes to basses, Dean still remains as one of the best manufacturers of all time. For this list, we have Dean’s EAB bass, where the abbreviation stands for “Electro-Acoustic Bass.” Just like with many acoustic basses in this price category, it comes with a spruce top, mahogany sides, and a mahogany neck. Aside from a great design, it also comes with a piezo pickup, although it’s a passive one. Nonetheless, this bass works pretty well and deserves to be on a list like this one.
Oscar Schmidt OB100
While we’re at underrated brands in the world of guitars and basses, Oscar Schmidt also comes to mind. For this purpose, we’re checking out their OB100 acoustic bass. Although a relatively cheaper one, the company still paid attention to the overall aesthetic features while also keeping it all simple and “to the point.” It’s a medium-scale instrument, so it can be a little more practical for transport. Its amazing spruce and mahogany body resonates pretty well, and the tones from its piezo pickup are also great. Although within the affordable budget level, you just can’t go wrong with this one, and it certainly deserves to be mentioned here.
Michael Kelly Dragonfly 4
In case you’re looking for a unique yet stylish acoustic bass, there’s Dragonfly 4 by Michael Kelly that’s worth checking out. Its best visual features are evident from the very first glance, with some very detailed inlays as well as its great finish and color pattern. What’s more, the binding also looks pretty great and fits the guitar’s overall image. As opposed to most of the basses here, it comes with a quilt maple top and sides. Combined with a mahogany neck, the resulting tones and feel are astounding. It also comes with an amazing Fishman preamp and Fishman’s Sonicore piezo pickup.
Ibanez PCBE12
When there’s a talk about any kind of basses or guitars these days, it’s hard to avoid mentioning Ibanez. For this list, we have their PCBE12 acoustic bass. The body features the “grand concert” shape and is made of spruce top and sapele sides and back. It also has a maple neck, which gives a different feel compared to a mahogany one that’s often a standard for acoustic basses of its price level. Although very simple, it also comes with Ibanez’s own AEQ-2T preamp with an onboard tuner. The tone is picked up using Ibanez’s standard undersaddle piezo. Overall, it’s one of the best deals for the price.
