The best electric bass in the UK 2023

The electric bass, better known by its simplified name of bass, is a plucked string instrument with a lower range than the classic electric guitar. Inspired by the double bass, it is generally used as an accompaniment in various styles of music such as country, rock'n'roll or jazz. The first electric bass model was created by Paul Tutmarc in 1933.

Fender SQ CV 70s 1
8/10

Best value for your money

Fender SQ CV 70s

Best electric bass

The Fender SQ CV 70s electric bass brings you the true sound, look and feel of the classic Fender bass. Plus, it's a great value for the money. Despite its affordable price, it offers more than you'd expect, including a real bone saddle and single-coil pickups.

254 £ on Thomann

The maple body of the Fender SQ CV 70s electric bass has a "natural" finish. Fender offers us a 4 string electric bass with a screwed maple neck and a 20 fret maple fingerboard with a high/narrow layout! The black block inlays and black fingerboard binding are a real treat for the eyes. But that's not all! The rounded, detailed sound of this electric bass powers two powerful Alnico single coils; while there's a neck pickup volume control, a bridge pickup volume control and a tone control. All of this allows you to shape your sound to suit your preferred style of music.

Harley Benton PB-Shorty BK Standard Series 2
7/10

Best value for your money

Harley Benton PB-Shorty BK Standard Series

Best entry-level electric bass

The PB-Shorty BK Standard Serie is an ultra-short scale electric bass designed for easy use and portability. In fact, Harley Benton calls it a "bass classic".

59,83 £ on Thomann

If you think a regular 864mm scale length is overkill, you should really appreciate Harley Benton's PB-Shorty BK Standard Series with its 762mm scale length. Sporting a sleek black finish, the PB-Shorty is extremely playable on all 19 frets, and the 4-string sound comes close to that of its 5-string big brother. No wonder. The PB-Shorty has an extremely light poplar body and a maple neck. A classic split-coil pickup, a volume control and a tone control guarantee an excellent feeling without any unpleasant surprises.

Marcus Miller V7 Swamp Ash-5 NT 2nd Gen 3
8/10

Best value for your money

Marcus Miller V7 Swamp Ash-5 NT 2nd Gen

Best high-end electric bass

A true top-of-the-line model, the Marcus Miller V7 Swamp Ash-5 second generation features exquisite craftsmanship. This electric bass is designed for all styles. Its ergonomic neck and 3-band EQ offer great sound and playability.

523 £ on Thomann

Like Marcus Miller's 1977 Fender Jazz, the second generation V7 Swamp Ash-5 made by Sire exudes timeless style. The body of this 5-string electric bass is carved from swamp ash, dressed in a beautiful tobacco-sunburst finish and topped with a pearl ivory pickguard that adds a decorative touch. The one-piece hard maple neck supports a maple fingerboard with pearl block inlays and a natural bone nut. The Sire V7's electronics package combines tradition and modernity. There are no less than five tone controls, including individual controls for treble, midrange and bass.

ESP LTD B206 4
7/10

Excellent

ESP LTD B206

Best 6-string electric bass

There are many excellent six string electric basses on the market today. However, the ESP LTD B206 stands out from the crowd with its exceptional quality and incredible tone. This electric bass stands out first and foremost for its versatility.

402 £ on Thomann

The ESP LTD B206 features an ash body with a flamed maple top with a clear black satin finish. The neck is wide, yet slim, and allows access, even for small hands, to the entire fingerboard. The 6-piece neck is made of maple and walnut with a rosewood fingerboard of 24 XJ frets. The XJ frets allow you to play faster without using a lot of effort, allowing for a lighter touch and more tone. There are two ESP SB-6 passive pickups here. The 3-band EQ is active with controls for volume, balance, bass, midrange, treble and 9V power.

Buying guide • November 2023

Best electric bass

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Best electric bass

Best entry-level electric bass

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Comparison table of the best electric bass

TOP OF THE LINE CHEAP TOP OF THE LINE EXCELLENT
Fender SQ CV 70s 5
8/10
Harley Benton PB-Shorty BK Standard Series 6
7/10
Marcus Miller V7 Swamp Ash-5 NT 2nd Gen 7
8/10
ESP LTD B206 8
7/10
OUR SELECTION
Fender SQ CV 70s
Harley Benton PB-Shorty BK Standard Series
Marcus Miller V7 Swamp Ash-5 NT 2nd Gen
ESP LTD B206
The Fender SQ CV 70s electric bass brings you the true sound, look and feel of the classic Fender bass. Plus, it's a great value for the money. Despite its affordable price, it offers more than you'd expect, including a real bone saddle and single-coil pickups.
The PB-Shorty BK Standard Serie is an ultra-short scale electric bass designed for easy use and portability. In fact, Harley Benton calls it a "bass classic".
A true top-of-the-line model, the Marcus Miller V7 Swamp Ash-5 second generation features exquisite craftsmanship. This electric bass is designed for all styles. Its ergonomic neck and 3-band EQ offer great sound and playability.
There are many excellent six string electric basses on the market today. However, the ESP LTD B206 stands out from the crowd with its exceptional quality and incredible tone. This electric bass stands out first and foremost for its versatility.
Excellent value for money
762 mm tuning fork
Solid swamp ash body
3-band active equalizer
20 frets
Lightweight body
Miniature active/passive switch
2 ESP SB-6 microphones
2 volume controls and 1 tone control
Classical split-coil microphone
5 sound settings
Volume and balance control

Help us improve this table:
Report an error, request the addition of a feature to the table, or suggest another product. Thank you for your kindness!

Buying guide - electric bass

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How to choose your electric bass

Choosing an electric bass requires observing a few criteria that will help you find an instrument with a good sound that you can play for hours.

#1 - The number of strings

Basses, whether electric or not, can have different numbers of strings. Obviously, this affects the range and sound of the music.

  • The 4-string electric bass remains the standard model. It is like the "chameleon" of basses in that it adapts to all types of music.
  • The 5-string electric bass is used in the world of rock and metal. It emits a heavier sound thanks to its high B and low E strings.
  • The 6-string electric bass offers more musical richness, it is the fetish of professionals.

#2 - The body of the bass

The body of the electric bass refers to the assembly of wood that makes up its structure: the back that sticks against the bassist, the table where the pickups sit, the sides or contours. Generally speaking, the wood used for the body of the bass defines its range.

Entry-level electric basses are made with basswood or pine. Moving up a level, we find alder, ash or poplar. High-end electric basses, on the other hand, usually have a mahogany body.

#3 - The handle

Generally, it's by looking at the neck of an electric bass that you would decide whether to adopt it or not. First of all, you should know that it is composed of 4 elements: the back where you will put your palm and your thumb (if this one is not comfortable, you might as well pass by), the fingerboard which is the part under the strings, the headstock where the tuners are put, and the nut where the strings are inserted.

There are at least two criteria you should observe when choosing the neck: its shape and its length. A slightly rounded back will make it easier to hold, but some musicians prefer a flat back. For the length of the fingerboard, which is measured in inches: the longer it is, the better. Indeed, it means that you can play very low or very high notes.

#4 - The fittings

The hardware includes all the metal part of the bass: the strings and the machines. The latter come in many models, but you need to make sure of only one thing: that the tuning machines allow for easy, precise and fixed tuning. Check the locking system of these elements that guarantee the accuracy of the played note.

#5 - The microphones

The pickups refer to the buttons that are on the table of your bass. They determine the effect of the sound obtained.

  • A simple coil (one pickup) is recommended for apprentices and beginners. It offers a good precision of the high notes and a pinched sound in the mediums. Basically, it is correct, but not more.
  • A double coil, on the other hand, offers a cleaner sound by eliminating parasites such as whistling thanks to good isolation.

How to play the electric bass ?


Equipped with four strings, the electric bass is part of the rhythm section of a band. It provides the "groove" in a song. Moreover, you can have fun with this instrument and it is not difficult at all to learn. Here we will share with you the essentials you need to know about this instrument to learn it quickly.

The bass is an instrument with a low range. The bass lines accompany the drums rhythmically. The bass is divided into three main parts: the body, the neck and the head. On these different parts, there is a bridge, one or two pickups, tuning knobs, frets, a nut at the end of the neck through which the strings pass, and tuning machines that allow the strings to be tensioned or relaxed.

Among the many bass playing techniques that exist, the most common techniques are the finger technique and the pick technique. This refers to the way you use your hand to strum the strings. Specifically, you either simply use your fingers to attack and strum the strings or you use a pick.

Other than that, to tune your electric bass, all you need is a standard electronic tuner. You also need to check the correct tuning of each string. In general, this can be done very quickly and easily because the electric bass has only four strings, as mentioned above. If the note is too high, relax the string until you have the desired note. If it is low, just stretch the string.

There are of course various other playing methods you can explore.

Electric bass or electroacoustic bass?

Electric bass

The electric bass has 4 strings. It consists of a body, neck, pickups and hardware. The only real difference between the electric bass and other guitars is the availability of higher or lower notes on the instrument. An electric bass will also be easier to handle because of its light weight. In addition, the electric bass allows you to improvise and be active in creating a sound.

However, an electric bass does not have only advantages. To begin with, it tires the fingers more quickly than other bass guitars, because of its larger strings. Moreover, its neck is also very long, which makes it less comfortable for short musicians.

Electroacoustic bass

The strings of an electroacoustic bass are thicker and further away from the neck. This musical instrument is equipped with a preamp, a microphone and a 6.35 mm jack output. It has the same tone as the electronic bass guitars, but more amplified thanks to the microphone. An electroacoustic bass allows you to play alone, without connection to an amp. In addition, it is easier to hold the chords thanks to the narrower neck than those of the electric guitars.

The disadvantage of an electroacoustic bass is that it is not easy to find an excellent tone, especially for beginners. Also, even if you can play acoustic guitar, it doesn't mean you'll easily master an electroacoustic bass guitar! And you'll probably need to buy an amplifier to get a good sound.

Verdict

The choice between these two types of bass guitars will depend on the quality of sound you want to achieve. To play with less feedback, an electroacoustic bass is the best option. However, for a more optimized tone, choose an electric bass.

Why buy an electric bass?

To perfect the rhythm

The bass is everywhere! You can hear the bass in jazz, in rock, with slow and soft music as well as in blues. The electric bass allows to sublimate and give depth to all the sounds of the musical instruments. The bass is also at the heart of the song. It is an indispensable guitar model, which can be easily tuned with the other instruments.

To learn simply

Playing the bass guitar is not easy, but it is relatively simple. Indeed, playing this instrument simply requires concentration on rhythm and tempo. You don't need to learn many notes and scales such as the major scale, the basic chords, the pentatonic scale or the barred chords. It is also a way to learn to be precise in everything you do since you have to place your fingers correctly to play a good note.

To replace the drums

The bass and the drums complement each other. The duo forms the base of a song and confirms the rhythm. But the electric bass can also stand alone. Moreover, the bass guitar is simply played with the hands. It is much easier to master.

To be part of a band

The number of bass players is still considerably lower than the number of guitar players. You can more easily find a band that will need your talent at different concerts.

Not to get in the way

If you love drums, you need to have a fairly spacious studio. With the bass, you can store it in the corner of the room or in a box. Also, the electric bass is much quieter than the drums. Of course, nothing beats full instruments to get good melodies, but the electric bass is a good alternative to move light.

The best brands of electric bass

In our opinion, the best brands of electric bass in 2022 are :

Fender
Harley Benton
Marcus Miller
Ibanez
Traveler Guitar

An American icon, Fender was founded in Southern California and has established a global influence that extends from the studio to the stage and beyond. Everyone from first-time performers to the world's most renowned artists have used Fender instruments, amps and gear, making the company not only a revered industry leader, but a cultural icon that resonates around the world.

Harley Benton is a brand that offers a range of musical instruments and equipment for students. Its products are made by equipment manufacturers from China and other Far Eastern countries. The brand is famous in the art world and is among the most sought after by beginners and students.

Marcus Miller is an emblematic brand in the artistic field, especially the guitar. It is one of the most prestigious brands in this field. The brand offers products of great performance and reliability.

Ibanez is an excellent guitar brand with a solid reputation in the industry. It designs, produces and distributes quality guitars and basses for beginners, high-end instruments for professional players, and everything in between. Along the way, it has become one of the best guitar brands for metal and hard rock.

Since 1992, Traveler Guitar has been the leading innovator in the design and manufacture of large-scale travel guitars. Since its inception, it has always focused on the same goal: to provide high-quality portable solutions for mobile musicians.

What is the price electric bass

The diagram below will help you to get an idea of the typical prices for each price range (entry-level, mid-range and high-end).

However, more expensive does not necessarily mean better.

We therefore advise you to always consult our ranking before deciding, rather than blindly relying on price ranges.

Entry-level
70 £ to 300 £
Mid-range
300 £ to 500 £
High-end
more than 500 £
Price range diagram

Tips

Play for the song.

Play to get the song heard, don't play to show off your technique. Solid bass playing requires you to show restraint and subtlety.

Lock with the beater.

In a rhythm section, part of the bass guitar's role is to serve as a liaison between the drums and the rest of the band. In most cases, it is necessary for the bass and drums to sound like one entity. To achieve this, try to create bass lines that fit like a glove with the drummer's kick and snare.

Use a metronome.

Someone has to keep the tempo steady, and if the drummer can't, then the bassist has to. So learn to be your own metronome.

You can use a pick.

Many

bassists think it's almost a sin to use a pick, but they don't know that some of their favorite musicians use them often. David Ellefson, Paul McCartney, and Chris Squire have all used a pick. Even John Paul Jones and John Entwistle occasionally used a pick, depending on the style and mood of a song.

Learn with classical music.

The best technical music to hone your skills is a mixture of classical music (Beethoven, Vivaldi, Bach, etc.), progressive metal and traditional Irish music. These three genres are so rich that they will help you with finger strength, accuracy, octave changes, learning major and minor keys and how to switch between them, as well as changing time signatures.

FAQ

What is an electric bass?

The electric bass guitar is a fundamental instrument in most musical genres and bands. They can take on many different roles, but the key to a good bass player is consistency and timing. The main function of a bass is to keep the low end in the mix and keep the band playing in a tight rhythmic pattern. Basses come in many shapes and sizes, but they are usually a larger, longer version of an electric guitar with four or five thick strings.

How does an electric bass work?

The bass works like any other plucked instrument with an electronic circuit, i.e. it doesn't need a soundboard like guitars or acoustic basses. But there are genres like Jazz or Funk where this dynamic changes. If you want to know more, we talk in this buying guide about the function of the bass in music.

How do I know if the electric bass is active or passive?

Active basses have a circuit powered by an internal battery. So if your bass uses a 9V battery, usually located under a cover on the back of the body, it is active. However, there are models that also have a battery, but are passive. So, another way to check if your bass is active or passive is to remove the battery and see if it plays in the amp. If with the battery removed it works, then it is a passive bass.

Is there an age to learn electric bass guitar?

No, you can never be too old to start something new. Learning a new instrument is a very rewarding experience. The electric bass guitar is a big instrument and so may be more suitable for adults, but short scale basses are available. One point is that playing bass guitar requires finger dexterity, so if you have arthritis in your hands, see if you can play the guitar first before committing to it to see if it hurts.

Sources

Note: Below are some of the sources we have consulted in writing this article. Links to other sites are not continuously updated. It is therefore possible that a link may not be found. Please use a search engine to find the desired information.
  1. , bestreviews.com
  2. , guitarworld.com
  3. , mesreviews.com
  4. , stars-music.fr
  5. , bax-shop.fr
  6. , bassandbeatbox.com
  7. , audiofanzine.com
  8. , thomann.de
  9. , guit-art.style
  10. , sweetwater.com
  11. , musiciansfriend.com
  12. , thomann.de
  13. , woodbrass.com
  14. , pourlesmusiciens.com
  15. , musicstore.com
  16. , bax-shop.fr
  17. , stars-music.fr
  18. , sonovente.com
  19. , woodbrass.com
  20. , michenaud.com
  21. , fr.audiofanzine.com
  22. , fr.wikipedia.org
  23. , fnac.com
  24. , basse-electrique.fr
  25. , algam-webstore.fr
  26. , julie-gagne.com
  27. , instrumentdemusique.org
  28. , darty.com
  29. , cdiscount.com
  30. , musik-produktiv.fr
  31. , musiquegagne.com
  32. , hellowatt.fr
  33. , hurricanemusic.fr
  34. , fr.audiofanzine.com
  35. , thomann.de
  36. , amazon.co.uk
See more

Updates

March 2022 : Translation of this buying guide from our partner meilleurtest.fr

See more
Our selection
Fender SQ CV 70s 9
Fender SQ CV 70s
Harley Benton PB-Shorty BK Standard Series 10
Harley Benton PB-Shorty BK Standard Series
Marcus Miller V7 Swamp Ash-5 NT 2nd Gen 11
Marcus Miller V7 Swamp Ash-5 NT 2nd Gen
ESP LTD B206 12
ESP LTD B206

Lecteurs

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