Top Best Bass Guitars For Metal
If you are a fan of the metal style of music, you probably know that there are a huge number of sub-genres, each with its own requirements. However, they all have one thing in common – incredible guitars. More often than not, most metal bass guitars share the same traits as having high power pickups (usually humbuckers) for quality guitar tone as well as the ability to handle high gain. What’s more, whether you’re looking for deathcore bass guitars or thrash metal bass guitars, they’ll all have a distinct look.
However, how do you choose the best bass guitars for metal? Pay attention to the characteristics of the rinks? How many strings to choose? Which form is preferred? If all these questions haunt you for a long time, then our top best metal bass guitars will be the best solution for you. We have studied a huge number of different options that are on the market at the moment, and paid attention to all their distinctive features. Our top metal bass guitars will surely help you find what you are looking for.
Top Best Bass Guitars For Metal
Here are our top picks:
1)Ibanez Standard RGA42FM
Body: Meranti with flame maple top
Neck: Maple, bolt-on
Scale: 25.5″
Fingerboard: Jatoba
Frets: 24
Pickups: 2x Ibanez Quantum humbuckers (neck and bridge)
Controls: 1 x master volume, 1 x master tone, 5-way blade pickup switch
Hardware: F106 hard-tail bridge
Left Handed: Yes
Finish: Transparent Gray Flat, Dragon Eye Burst Flat, Blue Lagoon Burst Flat
If you have already browsed the tops of good bass guitars for metal, most likely you have come across a brand like Ibanez at least once. This company is famous for making high-quality and durable musical instruments, and the Ibanez Standard RGA42FM is no exception.
The RG series was launched by the brand back in 1987 and featured sharp horns, an interesting and thoughtful body contour, and a super-svelte Wizard neck Profile. At the moment, you can find the RG series at almost any price, but this model is both quality and affordable. This model also has a Wizard III maple neck that is only 19mm thick at the first fret and only 21mm at the 12th.
It should also be noted that the Ibanez Standard RGA42FM will be the best option for shredding. So, if you want to get one of the best heavy metal bass guitars, the Ibanez Standard RGA42FM is exactly what you need.
2)ESP LTD EC-1000
Body: Mahogany
Neck: Mahogany, set-thru
Scale: 24.75″
Fingerboard: Ebony w/pearloid flag inlay
Frets: 24
Pickups: 2x Fishman Fluence Modern humbuckers in bridge and neck
Controls: 2 x volume, 1 x master tone (push/pull coil-split), 3-way toggle pickup switch
Hardware: TonePros Locking Tune-O-Matic Bridge with Stopbar Tailpiece
Left-handed: No
Finish: Violet Andromeda
If you are looking for a model that has the ability to play metal from all eras, then you should definitely purchase the ESP LTD EC-1000. It features Fishman’s Modern Fluence humbuckers and ESP/LTD’s flagship single cut making it versatile and one of the best extreme metal bass guitars.
It should also be noted that in this model all the switching is very modern as it has ush/pull coil-split for single-coil tones and also provides enough firepower for your riffs.
If you are familiar with the Tune-O-Matic bridge, then you probably know that it offers the most comfortable performance and also gives a lot of sustain. Another feature of the ESP LTD EC-1000 that makes it one of the best heavy metal bass guitars is the thin U-shaped neck.
What’s more, the extra-jumbo frets and 13.8” radius allow guitarists to easily reach the top of the neck. Even professional musicians refer this model to the top 10 best bass guitars for metal, and we tend to agree with them.
3) Harley Benton EX-84 Modern EMG
Body: Mahogany
Neck: Mahogany, set
Scale: 24.72”
Fingerboard: Ebony
Frets: 22
Pickups: Active EMG81 (bridge) and EMG60 (neck)
Controls: 1 x master volume, 1 x master tone, 3-way pickup switch
Hardware: WSC Tune-O-Matic bridge, Jinho JN-03 machine heads
Left Handed: Yes
Finish: Black, White
Harley Benton EX-84 Modern EMG can be called one of the classic bass guitars to play metal thanks to its pointy body shape and white and black colors available. It should also be noted that this model is equipped with pickups that have been popular for many years – EMG.
Speaking of this model, it has a classic bridge pickup EMG81 which offers sharp and crisp tones that just sound great when combined with distortion.
Also the Harley Benton EX-84 Modern EMG has the EMG61 in the neck position which is softer and great for both clean tones and solos.
Thus, if you are looking for bass guitars best tonplay metal, then Harley Benton EX-84 Modern EMG will be the perfect solution.
Speaking about the controls, it is worth noting that they are as simple as possible and will not interfere with you during practice – one volume and one tone controls.
It should also be noted that the Harley Benton brand is known for its excellent value for money, and this model is no exception.
The Harley Benton EX-84 Modern EMG is one of the best affordable heavy metal bass guitars you can find on the market.
4)Fender Jim Root Jazzmaster V4
Body: Mahogany
Neck: Maple
Scale: 25.5″
Fingerboard: Ebony
Frets: 24
Pickups: 2x EMG Jim Root Signature Daemonum Open-coil Active Humbuckers (neck and bridge)
Controls: 1 x master volume, 3-way blade pickup switch
Hardware: 6-saddle string-through hard-tail
Left-handed: No
Finish: Polar White
The Fender Jim Root Jazzmaster V4 is a unique musical instrument and often found on the top of bass guitars for heavy metal. First of all, we would like to note the non-traditional weighted mahogany body, which we have not seen before.
Also a distinctive feature of this model is that the controls have been reduced and only the essentials remain – a three way blade switch, and also volume and tone.
Thus, it is a guitar with a more solid low end and retro-profiled offset, which has been and remains one of the most beloved instruments of many musicians around the world.
Speaking of the sound of the Fender Jim Root Jazzmaster V4, we couldn’t help but notice that it is especially distinguished by its bright mids and low frequencies that will not leave you indifferent.
What’s more, if you’re looking for the coolest looking bass guitars in metal, you won’t find anything better than the Fender Jim Root Jazzmaster V4.
5) Epiphone Prophecy Flying V
Body: Mahogany w/ AAA flame maple veneer
Neck: Mahogany, set
Scale: 24.72″
Fingerboard: Ebony
Frets: 22
Pickups: 2x Fluence custom voiced humbuckers
Controls: 1 x volume w/ push-pull, 1 x master tone w/ push-pull, 3-way toggle
Hardware: Lock
Tone Tune-O-Matic Bridge with LockTone stop bar, Grover Rotomatic locking tuners
Left-handed: No
Finish: Yellow Tiger Aged Gloss, Black Aged Gloss
If you are looking for a model that will tell you with all its appearance that it is one of the best bass guitars for metalcore, then the Epiphone Prophecy Flying V will be your best option.
It should be noted that the Epiphone Prophecy line of guitars specializes in classic defiant and flashy guitar designs, and Flying V is no exception. Even in terms of appearance, the Epiphone Prophecy Flying V is a real monster, and its performance and high-quality accessories make it simply indispensable.
From the asymmetrical neck profile to the sophisticated Fishman Fluence custom-voiced humbuckers, this model is everything you could ask for.
The distinguishing feature of this model is that the push-pull volume and tone pots don’t have the standard ‘coil-split’ function found on most guitars. This is due to the fact that the Fluence humbuckers are much smarter than most and can switch between a high-output modern humbucker and a classic Burstbucker/PAF-style voicing.
Speaking of metal, this model can cover just about any style of music you’re interested in, and it’s also capable of producing incredibly clear sounds that are perfect for your solos. So if you are looking for good metal bass guitars that impress both with their sound and appearance, then the Epiphone Prophecy Flying V is the guitar you should choose.
Bottom line
Whether you’re looking for light bass guitars for metal or the best affordable thrash metal bass guitars, with so many options available, choosing can be tricky. Pay attention to the main characteristics that you need, and this will help you find the top bass guitars metal you are looking for.
