Best Electric Bass Guitar Reviews 2018

It is quite complicated to determine the actual price range of electric basses, but we did our best and came up with some numbers for you to take into account. For example, a good electric bass guitar will typically cost between $200 and $500, give or take a few bucks. The actual price is determined by the brand, the number of strings and controls the guitar has, the materials from which it’s made, and its design. A high-end guitar made by a professional manufacturer from some of the finest woods will definitely cost more, but it is money well spent.

We want to take a moment to also advise you to stay away from cheap electric bass guitars which entice you every now and then. If you're serious about music, even if you play as a hobby, why not go for a quality product which will serve you for years instead of settling for a mediocre guitar, badly put together? When it comes to musical instruments, saving money is not a good idea.

You probably already know the main characteristics of an electric bass guitar, but let's talk about them once more, just to be sure we're on the same page here.

• Number of Strings - Most basses come with 4 strings, while others have 5. If you're an experienced player and you think you can handle 5 strings, go for it; otherwise, stick with 4 until you master those.
• Materials - There are many options here such as maple for the top, mahogany for the body, rosewood for the fretboard, metallic hardware, and more.
• Color/Design - This is the most exciting part! Electric basses come in numerous shapes and sizes, so go for one which is congruent with your style and personality.
• Controls - Some guitars have built-in 3-band equalizers which can be controlled using a few knobs. Other controls include adjusting the volume, balance, tone, and more.

It is worth mentioning that professional manufacturers usually give you lots of options and deals when buying. For example, you have the option of buying an electric bass together with a powerful amplifier (we feel sorry for your neighbors if you do), a hard-shell case, and other useful accessories. Take a look at those bundles and decide if you need to expand your musical gear or if you need just the guitar.

Each electric bass guitar is built relatively similarly across the market, but all guitars sound different. As you probably already guessed, Fender has a different "recipe" than Gibson, and so on. Therefore, most electric basses feature a mahogany body, rosewood fretboard, and maybe a maple top. Other materials include agathis wood, basswood, and more. At the same time, each guitar is usually decorated differently and might include black chromed hardware or vintage-style knobs.

We already mentioned the available controls you can play with and we'd like to add that some guitars even have a jack for your headphones, which is rather useful if your neighbors start complaining about you playing too loud. The number of frets ranges from 20 to 28 in most cases, and the guitar can be fretted or fretless, depending on your preferences. When it comes to humbucker pickups, bridge, and tuners, these vary from guitar to guitar, contributing to that unique sound each electric bass has.

As for color options and visual appeal, you can have your guitar in almost any color, with a glossy or matte finish. Some guitars have sharper edges, others feature a rounder design; but at the end of the day, we think no electric bass guitar is actually unappealing from an aesthetic point of view. There are many models which come in a beautiful vintage-style design if that’s what you want! Lastly, remember that high-end electric basses can be available for left-handed or right-handed people, so dig deeper until you find the model you need.

Today's electric bass guitars are so cleverly designed and built that they can be used to play a wide range of musical genres, from rock to jazz and many others. Make sure that you tune your guitar correctly and use online guitar lessons or the teachings of a professional musician, and in no time, you'll master the strings and create beautiful compositions on your own!

By the way, your precious musical instrument also comes with a warranty which can be for a lifetime in some cases. Make sure you get information about this aspect too, because it is good to know that you're covered by a reputable brand in case of manufacturing defects.