Top Best High End Bass Guitars
The bass guitar is an incredible musical instrument that leaves no one indifferent who starts playing it. Thousands of people around the world every year start their journey in the world of music and choose bass guitars. This instrument is famous for its incredible tone and sound. If you are a beginner, then it is probably easiest for you to get a cheaper model in order to work out the basic skills. However, if you are an experienced bass player or even a professional musician, then you will definitely need a high-end instrument.
So, if you’re a pro and want to add one of the best high end bass guitars to your collection, then our top of high end bass guitars is exactly what you need. Also, if you are just starting your musical journey, but your budget is not limited and you want to purchase a quality instrument in order to fully experience the tone, then our article will also answer all your questions.
How Do I Choose the Best High-End Bass Guitars?
It is almost impossible to answer this question unequivocally, since this will largely depend on your preferences, desires and needs. How many strings do you want – 4, 5 or maybe 6? Do you need a long-scale or short-scale guitar? Do you prefer active or passive bass? Do you need a vintage or modern guitar? What features are important to you? What design do you like? Only by answering all these questions, you will be able to choose the guitar that is perfect for you.
However, it is worth remembering that if you want to purchase a premium bass guitar, it will not be cheap. Most likely, you will need to spend quite an impressive amount in order to pick up a really good quality tool. However, with all the variety of excellent tools currently on the market, it is almost impossible to choose the right model on your own. Explore our top high end electric bass guitars and you will surely be able to choose the model that suits all your needs.
Top Best High End Bass Guitars
Here are our top picks:
1)Fender American Ultra Jazz Bass
Body: Alder
Neck: Maple
Neck joint: Bolt-on
Nut width: 38.1mm
Scale length: 34″
Strings: 4 (5 options available)
Fingerboard: Rosewood or maple
Frets: 21
Pickups: Ultra Noiseless Vintage x 2
Active:Yes
Controls: Master Volume, Pan Pot (Pickup Selector), Treble Boost/Cut, Midrange Boost/Cut, Bass Boost/Cut, Passive Tone, Active/Passive Mini Toggle
Hardware: HiMass toploaded bridge
Left Handed: Yes
Finish: Ultraburst, Cobra Blue, Texas Tea, Artic Pearl
Case: Hardshell case
If you are wondering what are the most popular high-end bass guitars, then you should definitely pay attention to such a model as the Fender American Ultra Jazz Bass. This model made it to our top due to its iconic design, excellent silent pickups and impeccable construction. The active electronics also make it one of the finest basses you can find on the market.
First of all, we would like to note that this model is best suited for professionals who spend a lot of time at the tool. This guitar is the most reliable and versatile, so it is suitable for long sessions and large-scale performances.
Also, its versatility allows you to experiment and play in different musical styles. The Fender American Ultra Jazz Bass offers you a huge selection of tones! Speaking about the sound of this model, it should be noted that the Fender American Ultra Jazz Bass offers a punchy sound with clear mids.
This version of the model is modified to make rehearsals as comfortable as possible. So if you are looking for one of the high end bass guitars from a famous brand that has great sound, then the Fender American Ultra Jazz Bass is your best choice.
2)Fodera Emperor 5 Standard Classic
Body: Alder or Ash
Neck: Maple
Neck joint: Bolt-on
Nut width: 47mm
Scale length: 34″
Strings: 5 (4 options available)
Fingerboard: Rosewood or maple
Frets: 24
Pickups: Seymour Duncan dual coil
Active:Yes
Controls: 1 x volume/tone (stacked), 1 x bass/treble (stacked), 1 x pan, 1 x midrange, active/passive switch, coil-tap switch
Hardware: High mass, adjustable bell-brass bridge
Left-handed: No
Finish: Vintage Sunburst, Olympic White, Fiesta Red, Black, Candy Apple Red, Charcoal Frost Metallic, Pelham Blue, Transparent Black, Transparent Cream
Case: Gig bag
If you are interested in the best custom bass guitars, then you have probably heard of a brand like Fodera at least once. Even 10 years ago, this company was engaged in the production of incredibly expensive hand-built bass guitars in a small workshop.
These basses were incredibly popular, but they were very hard to find. In 2011, Fodera introduced the world to its Standard line, which was more affordable and in many ways resembles the Fender and Squier models. However, even the standard series of Fodera guitars are not only expensive, but incredibly high quality.
The main distinguishing features of this model are dual-coil pups (designed in collaboration with Seymour Duncan), as well as a Pope three-band preamp.
Apart from that, you should also pay attention to the signature tone of this model, as it is sharp, punchy, and has a smooth upper midrange. Also, since the EQ options are virtually limitless, you can really get a huge sound palette.
Of course, if you want a custom and more custom model from Fodera, then you will need to pay a few thousand dollars more on top. However, if you’re just looking for one of the best handmade bass guitars that has all the features you need, then the Fodera Emperor 5 Standard Classic is perfect for you.
3) Ernie Ball Music Man StingRay Special 5 HH
Body: Ash
Neck: Roasted maple
Neck joint: Bolt-on
Nut width: 44.5mm
Scale length: 34″
Strings: 5 (4 options available)
Fingerboard: Ebony, maple or rosewood
Frets: 22
Pickups: Humbuckers x 2
Active:Yes
Controls: Volume, treble, mid, bass, 5-way pickup selector
Hardware: Music Man top loaded chrome-plated steel bridge
Left-handed: No
Finish: Amethyst Sparkle, Black, Harvest Orange, Speed Blue, Frost Green Pearl, Burnt Ends, Raspberry Burst, Smoked Chrome, Snowy Night
Case: Hardshell Case
Many of you know Leo Fender as the genius who introduced the Fender guitar to the world, but few know that he was also an innovator at G&L and also played a big role in the development of the StingRay bass guitar.
This model was the first bass with active electronics in the shape of a 9V preamp and two-band EQ, so it certainly deserves a place in our top of the best high-end bass guitars.
Ernie Ball Music Man StingRay Special 5 HH is a model that features two Neodymium Humbuckers and a potent 18v preamp with three-band EQ. Thus, StingRay combines everything that both a novice guitarist and a professional musician can only dream of.
In addition, this guitar is loved all over the world thanks to its punchy sound, which is ideal for heavy musical styles.
As such, the StingRay 5 Special covers a huge sound after and has an excellent build quality that will not leave you indifferent. So, if you’re looking for one of the top end bass guitars, we definitely recommend the Ernie Ball Music Man StingRay Special 5 HH.
4)Warwick Masterbuilt Streamer Stage 1 4
Body: Ash
Neck: Wenge neck with Ekanga veneer stripes
Neck joint: Through body
Nut width: Not specified
Scale length: 34″
Strings: 4 (5 option available)
Fingerboard: Wenge
Frets: 24
Pickups: MEC P/J
Active: Yes
Controls: Volume P/P / Balance / Mid / Treble and Bass stacked
Hardware: Gold-plated brass Warwick bridge
Left-handed: No
Finish: Various
Case: Leather gigbag
Another of the best high end bass guitars that we want to introduce you to is the Warwick Masterbuilt Streamer Stage 1 4. This is an incredible musical instrument that can’t help but amaze you with both its build quality and the sound it produces.
First of all, we’d like to point out the AAA flamed maple top of this model, which is mated to a thin, three-piece wenge neck. This guitar also features a wenge fingerboard with 24 highly polished, jumbo bronze frets.
Speaking of the guitar’s electronics, it’s definitely worth checking out the Active MEC P/J pickups and three-way EQ, which gives you incredible tone and versatility. So no matter what genre you prefer, the Warwick Masterbuilt Streamer Stage 1 4 can play whatever you want.
Another distinctive feature of this model is its design. The guitar is made from maple, which makes the bass as light as possible and also adds clarity in the mid-range and highs.
This way you can get the sharpest and purest possible tone! So, Warwick Masterbuilt Streamer Stage 1 4 is a guitar with incredible design, great build quality and unique tone that is sure to handle all your needs.
