By finding and using the best bass guitars under $300, guitarists can get more of their playing experience, practice, and performance.
It’s a different story for those who won’t be able to find the right one for them.
It is the exact same reason you have to select and use the best bass guitar especially if you’re a beginner who’s not yet ready to invest in an expensive instrument.
Let us help! Use this guide and discover what factors to look into when finding a bass guitar on a budget.
Here, we’ve also highlighted the top-rated products that you can compare and choose from later.
Contents
Here are our top picks for the best bass guitars under $300
- Squier Mini Precision Bass Guitar
- Squier Affinity Jaguar Bass H
- Ibanez Gio GSR200BK
- Ibanez GSR4 Bass Guitar
- Kala Wanderer U-Bass
- Ibanez GSR205BWNF Electric Bass
- Sterling StingRay Ray4 Bass Guitar
Runner Up | Editor's Choice | Also Great |
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Squier Mini Precision Bass Guitar
The Squier Mini Precision Bass Guitar is for you if you’re looking for that rich sound from a traditional bass guitar. It has the performance and sound that you will love.
This guitar also features dual-brand-designed pickups along with a C-shaped neck, which makes it easier to play. For its aesthetics, you will like its vintage-tint gloss finish, which gives it that superb appeal.
The Squier Mini Precision Bass Guitar is one of those with superior value and performance to expect from a Squier. It also features a rosewood fingerboard that has 20 medium frets.
Overall, the Squier is an excellent starter bass guitar for the serious musician that wants to explore his playing style and practice with ease.
It is a great instrument for the beginner who wants to start in the music world without spending too much cash.
Pros
- Jazz bass tones that has single-coil pickups
- Superior sound performance for the modern musician
Cons
- Not as durable as the other featured products
- Not the best sounding bass guitar
Squier Affinity Jaguar Bass H
If you’re looking for more value for your money, you should not miss the Squier Affinity Jaguar Bass H, offering you both jazz and precision.
This guitar offers you a tonally versatile combination of a split single-coil middle pickup along with jazz bass bridge pickup, offering a growling punch.
You’ll also like the Squier by Fender bass guitar because it offers both superior feel and sound for every musician. It also has a rich presentation and looks through its tinted gloss neck which makes it a great-looking guitar.
This bass guitar also has easy-to-access control knobs for the master tone, middle pickup volume, and bridge pickup volume.
Pros
- Offers both jazz and precision for the serious musician
- Delivers a rich tonal characteristic
Cons
- Color might be off for some users
- Might not be for the advanced player looking for more innovative features
Ibanez Gio GSR200BK
When it comes to looks, playability, and affordability, you might want to take a second look at the Ibanez Gio GSR200BK. It can offer you stunning looks while also giving you a punchy tone.
The Ibanez Gio GSR200BK can offer you amazing playability, which is ideal especially if you’re a beginner who’s not ready to invest in a very expensive bass guitar.
The bass guitar boasts a slim neck and solid mahogany body that delivers playing speed and comfort. It also features the Phat II bass, offering an added strength to the guitar’s sound.
Overall, it is not a very expensive guitar but it does sound good for its price. So if you’re looking for an affordable package that won’t compromise your playing style and sound, I suggest checking this out.
Pros
- Durable and high-quality maple neck
- Playing style and comfort for its slim neck profile
Cons
- Onboard tuner can be sometimes inaccurate
- Strings rattle a bit
Ibanez GSR4 Bass Guitar
The 4-String Electric Bass Guitar is a lightweight and affordable bass guitar for the serious new player. It offers you a powerful bass along with a maple top that improves durability.
The Ibanez GSR200SM also offers an easier playing ability to new guitarists because it only has four strings for better control and ease of play. In addition, the bass guitar is one of the affordable options yet delivers a superb sound.
This guitar is sure to excite you no matter your music playing style. It also has a lightweight body and smooth neck for that comfortable playing experience.
Pros
- Offers portability for it is lightweight to carry anywhere
- Fast and smooth neck for more comfort playing
Cons
- Not the best looking bass guitar on the market
- Strings tend to rattle against the fret slightly
Kala Wanderer U-Bass
If you’re looking for a combo bass guitar that you can also conveniently place on an overhead compartment when traveling with your guitar, then you might want to take a look at the Kala Wanderer U-Bass acoustic-electric guitar.
It is one of the most portable acoustic-electric bass guitars from the brand that you will like for its compact size. Despite its small size, it does not fail in performance for delivering a booming low-end sound.
I also liked that the Wanderer is featuring an all-mahogany body construction for that full and rich low tone, which all over the world has become iconic because it sounds like an upright double bass guitar.
Overall, the special guitar with u-bass strings is great sounding for delivering a rich and expressive acoustic bass tone that your audience will love. It is one of those that can deliver U-bass musical quality without breaking your bank.
Pros
- Includes a padded gig bag to protect the instrument
- Rich and expressive acoustic-bass tonal characteristics
Cons
- Built-in tuner is sometimes inaccurate
- Gig bag feels flimsy
Ibanez GSR205BWNF Electric Bass
Offering both playability and affordability, the Ibanez GSR205BWNF is one of the top-selling electric bass guitars on the market. It is for you if you’re looking for a punchy tone that does not miss on the playability.
For beginners that want to explore their musicality and practice with more comfort, they love this affordable and comfortable play guitar because it is an inexpensive guitar that beats other products in the same price range.
It is one of the members of the Sound Gear Series, which fits the bill but offers a superb music experience. Another thing I liked about the Ibanez GSR205BWNF is its playing speed and comfort offered.
I would also like to mention that the Phat II bass boost is providing more strength to the sound that the bass guitar is producing. Definitely, this GSR205B Bass will keep the audience and the band grooving for periods of hours.
Pros
- Offers an impressive sustain for its B10 bridge
- Delivers an active bass boost for its Phat II EQ
Cons
- Can be a bit bulkier than others in the same category
- Requires tune work from time to time
Sterling StingRay Ray4 Bass Guitar
The body and neck are somehow similar to the Sting Ray. Its tonewood is basswood, which is overall a good choice.
It has a maple neck along with block inlays and a maple fretboard. The overall build is great, especially for beginners that don’t have to adjust anything out of the box aside from an initial tuning.
The hardware is made of four adjustable saddles. Then, there are four die-cast tuning machines on the strings’ other end. Overall, the hardware is excellent to perform consistently in your practices and performances.
In terms of the sound, you can expect a host of shaping options and definitions for precision each time.
Pros
- Offers a good tone for people on a budget
- Great build and construction
- No adjustment needed
Cons
- Not the best looking bass guitar
- Might not be as durable as others on the market
A Few Tips in Finding the Best Bass Guitars under $300
What do you have to consider finding the best bass guitar in this price range? Check out some pro tips below.
Number of strings
More strings mean more strings to control and keep track of especially for beginners. The same source reveals that you’ll have to keep the strings quiet aside from ringing out the right notes.
In short, the more strings also mean the more of them to silence.
String distance
The distance between strings also influences playing styles. The closer they are, the trickier it will be to play slap bass, for instance.
Plus, the neck can be wider. The wider it is also means more stretching and reaching on it.
But whichever way you go, you should put in much practice and work.
Budget
You might not want to drop much cash if you’re unsure if you’re sticking with your instrument. But you don’t also want a cheap guitar – poor construction and hard to play.
Or else, it will just make you feel frustrated, as it can make the practice and learning process harder.
Body style
If you’re a newbie, you don’t have to worry much about body style. You can go for whatever body style you like.
However, you have to make sure you can use it comfortably even while sitting down. So by saying this, stay away from those with a crazy shape. Just leave it for a little later when you’ve improved your skills.
Also Read: 10 Best Bass Guitars in 2024 (Reviews): Great for All Styles & Budget
What Bass Amp Should I Get?
I totally understand your concern. I mean, how can you play a bass guitar without an amp, right? If you’re looking for a high-quality yet cheap bass amp, we recommend getting the Fender Rumble 15. You don’t have to take my word for it, but there have been a lot of positive reviews from verified owners here.
Editor’s Choice
The Squier Mini Precision Bass Guitar is our top choice for the best bass guitars under $300 for its host of features and performance. This bass guitar can deliver that classic bass tone for its single-coil pickups.
We also liked its sleek and elegant presentation and superior sound for modern bassists. Overall, the Precision Bass Guitar is a decent choice, especially for beginners looking for a superb-sounding bass guitar.