Best Acoustic Bass Guitar 2024 - The Ultimate Guide
Get expert advice on finding your best acoustic bass guitar right here. Click to save yourself time and money. You will love our selections.
Martin BC-16E
A nice blend of comfort and projection in a body shape that provides excellent playability and versatility.
Fender Kingman V2
Distinctive Fender-style build, outstanding tone, and easy playing feel.
Takamine GB72CE Jumbo
A huge body with a huge sound that can easily fill a room.
Taylor GS Mini-e Koa
Made with Hawaiian Koa wood for a rich tone that can withstand humidity changes.
Guild B-240EF Fretless
An upright bass feel with an easy-to-navigate fretless fingerboard.
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Acoustic bass guitars, much like regular bass guitars, are responsible for keeping the rhythm of your music.
But what sets it apart from electric bass guitars is its hollow body, similar to an acoustic guitar. This body allows for unplugged projection of the lows that this instrument produces.
This also results in a distinct tone that sits somewhere between stand up bass and an electric bass.
In a band setting the best acoustic bass guitar works just as well as a regular bass, maintaining the beat along with the percussion, providing a nice groove to the song.
Note: The following list focuses mainly on acoustic bass guitars.
Acoustic basses include upright basses, ukubass like the Kala U-Bass, and others.
The Best Acoustic Bass Guitars
Martin BC-16E Acoustic Bass Guitar
Best Acoustic
Bass Guitar – Overall
Martin BC-16E Acoustic Bass Guitar
Guitarsite Expert Opinion
The Martin BC-16E has an M-14 fret cutaway body shape, which provides a nice blend of comfort and projection.
Manufacturer: Martin
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The BC-16E’s body shape allows easier access to the top frets, increasing its playability and versatility. The cutaway design allows for seamless fretboard navigation and effortless execution, suitable for complicated bass lines or soloing in the higher frets.
This bass features an onboard Fishman Matrix VT, delivering an adaptable and high-quality amplified sound. This innovative pickup mechanism provides extensive tonal settings. It has functions such as comprehensive EQ adjustments and phase control to prevent feedback.
As a result, you get outstanding sound quality during live performances or recording sessions, minus the unwanted feedback.
Aesthetically, the BC-16E has a striking herringbone rosette with a multi-stripe design. This improves the bass’ visual appeal and adds an element of refinement to the instrument.
The complex rosette pattern demonstrates Martin’s dedication to craftsmanship and attention to detail. This distinguishes the BC-16E visually apart from other acoustic bass guitars.
Pros:
- Enhanced playability
- High-Quality Amplified Sound
- Premium Build Quality
Cons:
- Hefty Price
Specifications: | |
|---|---|
Body Size: M-14 Fret Cutaway (0000-14 Fret Cutaway)
| Top: Spruce
|
Back and Sides: East Indian Rosewood
| Finish: Gloss (Top) & Satin (Back and Sides)
|
Bridge: Ebony
| Neck: Select Hardwood
|
Neck Taper: Standard Taper
| Fingerboard: Ebony
|
Fingerboard Radius: 16″
| Number of Frets: 23
|
Frets to Body: 17
| Scale Length: 34”
|
Nut Width: 1.58 | |
Takamine GB72CE Jumbo Acoustic Bass Guitar
Best Acoustic Bass Guitar -Jumbo Body Size
Takamine GB72CE Jumbo Acoustic Bass Guitar
Guitarsite Expert Opinion
Takamine GB72CE’s jumbo body type consists of a solid spruce top and flame maple back and sides. This combination produces a strong, big bass sound with deep resonance.
Manufacturer: Takamine
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The solid wood-top construction offers excellent tone quality and projection. This makes the GB72CE stand out in both acoustic and amplified settings.
It features Takamine’s own TK-40B preamp system. This system is made of quality electronics and provides variable tone shaping for improved overall performance.
Its preamp system provides a lot of essentials that make this guitar more convenient. It’s got the usual built-in tuner, a basic three-band EQ, and gain controls.
In addition to that, it’s got a mid-shift control, bass boost switch, and EQ bypass switch, giving you complete control over your sound. Whether live on stage or in the studio, the TK-40B preamp system delivers remarkable sound quality and versatility.
The Takamine GB72CE has premium aesthetic elements such as abalone rosette, pearl dot fingerboard inlays, and gold die-cast tuners, adding to its visual appeal and aesthetic charm.
The gloss finish adds refinement to the bass guitar, although it can be less desirable if you have sweaty hands or prefer a satin finish.
Overall, this is a beautiful, resonant instrument that provides extensive onboard sound control. Its large body makes this guitar ideal for playing in larger areas, as its sound can easily fill the room.
Pros:
- Rich and Full Sound
- Quality Electronics and Preamp System
- Nice Aesthetics
Cons:
- Bulky
Specifications: | |
|---|---|
Body Shape:
| Top: Solid Spruce
|
Back and Sides: Flame Maple
| Finish: Gloss
|
Bridge: Synthetic Bone
| Neck: Maple
|
Neck Profile: Mahogany
| Fingerboard: Laurel
|
Fingerboard Radius: 16″
| Number of Frets: 21
|
Frets to Body: 15
| Scale Length: 34″
|
Nut Width: 1.77″ (45 mm) | |
Fender Kingman V2 Acoustic Bass Guitar
Best Acoustic Bass Guitar – Versatile Sound
Fender Kingman V2 Acoustic Bass Guitar
Guitarsite Expert Opinion
Famous Fender electric basses influenced the Kingman Bass design. It features a trademark Fender body form and a 4-in-line headstock. Its high-quality construction utilizes components such as a solid spruce top and a walnut fingerboard and bridge. These contribute to the bass guitar’s distinctive style, outstanding tone, and easy playability.
Manufacturer: Fender
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The Fender Kingman Bass has a solid Sitka spruce top and sapele back and sides. This produces a deep, punchy, and articulate tone ideal for a variety of musical styles.
You’ll also find this more comfortable because of its auditorium body shape. It has a bound nato neck with a slim “C”-shaped Jazz Bass profile, a nut width, and a scale length for easy playability.
The Fishman Presys preamp system includes powerful tonal settings. It lets you fine-tune the EQ and change phase control to combat feedback.
Additionally, the onboard tuner is a handy feature, providing easy changes on the fly. This makes the Kingman Bass ideal for live performances and recording sessions.
Pros:
- High-quality construction
- Comfortable playing
- Onboard Preamp, EQ, and tuner
Cons:
- Wider Body (Bottom)
Specifications: | |
|---|---|
Body Shape: Auditorium
| Top: Solid Sitka Spruce
|
Back and Sides: Sapele
| Finish: Gloss Poly (Body) and Satin Urethane (Neck)
|
Bridge: Modern Viking
| Neck: Nato
|
Neck Profile: Slim “C”
| Fingerboard: Walnut
|
Fingerboard Radius: 12″ (305 mm)
| Number of Frets: 20
|
Frets to Body: 15
| Scale Length: 30.3″ (770 mm)
|
Nut Width: 1.5″ (38.1 mm) | |
Ibanez PCBE12MH Acoustic-Electric Bass
Open Pore Natural
Ibanez PCBE12MH Acoustic-Electric Bass
Guitarsite Expert Opinion
As you play the Ibanez PCBE12MH, you’ll notice its dynamic high-mids with clear projection. It’s a flexible instrument used in various musical genres and styles.
Manufacturer: Ibanez
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It comes with the Ibanez AEQ-2T preamp, which features Ibanez’s patented circuitry and an internal tuner for easy tuning. This preamp supports bass and treble frequency adjustments, giving you added control over your sound and allowing for tone-shaping possibilities.
With its Okoume back and sides, this bass has a woody, warm tone whether you play bass with your fingers or with a pick. Its maple neck gives it a solid and bright tonal character, while the laurel fretboard produces a rich and warm tone.
All these qualities improve the instrument’s overall acoustic characteristics, resulting in a nice sound quality and playing experience. The Ibanez PCBE12MH is also the cheapest bass guitar on this list, which makes it a good value for your buck.
Pros:
- Dynamic Sound and Clear Projection
- Versatile Preamp
- Warm and Balanced Tone
Cons:
- Open Pore Finish (Not for everyone)
Specifications: | |
|---|---|
Body Shape: Grand Concert body
| Top: Okoume
|
Back and Sides: Okoume
| Finish: Open Pore
|
Bridge: Laurel
| Neck: PCBEMaple
|
Fingerboard: Laurel
| Fingerboard Radius:
|
Number of Frets: 20
| Frets to Body: 15
|
Scale Length: 32″(810mm)
| Nut Width: 43mm |
Taylor GS Mini-e Koa Acoustic Bass Guitar
Best Mini Acoustic Bass
Taylor GS Mini-e Koa Acoustic Bass Guitar
Guitarsite Expert Opinion
The Taylor GS Mini-e Koa has a sturdy Hawaiian koa top. This gives this guitar a bright and focused tone that is immediately noticeable.
Manufacturer: Taylor
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Over time, the koa top of this Taylor GS mini will develop an even warmer, richer, and more pleasant sound. It’s coupled with a nice overtone “bloom” that is more noticeable in the midrange.
Hawaiian koa is prized for its exquisite grain patterns and sonic properties, which make it an ideal tonewood for acoustic instruments such as the GS Mini-e.
Like its top, the Taylor GS Mini-e Koa has a layered Koa back and sides. This provides an appealing look and a warm, snappy sound. The layered construction has three layers of wood, including a poplar core with koa veneer on each side. It also features a select hardwood fingerboard material, ebony to be exact.
This construction style provides longevity and climatic resilience to this mini acoustic bass. It also produces a visually pleasing and tonally enjoyable instrument.
With onboard electronics, it comes with Taylor’s ES-B acoustic electronics. This includes Expression System® 2 piezo design features.
The inbuilt preamp of the Taylor acoustic bass features a digital chromatic tuner and active tone-shaping EQ control. The preamp/tuner unit also has an LED display for tuning, a battery indicator, volume control, and a three-band equalizer.
The ES-B system is powered by a 9V battery and has a battery life of over 500 playing hours. This ensures consistent performance over a long period of time.
Pros:
- Bright and Focused Tone
- Sturdy and Climate Resilient Koa
- Versatile Preamp
Cons:
- Not That Loud Acoustic
Specifications: | |
|---|---|
Body Shape:
| Top: Hawaiian Koa
|
Back and Sides: Layered, 2-Piece Koa
| Finish: Matte
|
Bridge: Ebony
| Neck: Tropical Mahogany
|
Neck Profile: Standard
| Fingerboard: Ebony
|
Fingerboard Radius: 15″
| Number of Frets: 20
|
Frets to Body: 14
| Scale Length: 23-1/2″
|
Guild B-240EF Fretless Acoustic-Electric Bass Guitar
Best Fretless Acoustic Bass Guitar
Guild B-240EF Fretless Acoustic-Electric Bass Guitar
Guitarsite Expert Opinion
The Guild B-240EF has a fretless Pau Ferro fingerboard with a maple fret line to guide your finger positioning. Having markers makes it easier to navigate while retaining the fretless fingerboard feel. This is an excellent addition since acoustic bass guitars are naturally longer and, therefore, cover more ground.
Manufacturer: Guild Guitars
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This fretless design allows for smooth glissando and improved expressiveness. This is comparable to a double bass. This makes it a fantastic choice if you’re looking for a versatile and expressive acoustic bass with an upright bass feel.
It has a solid Sitka spruce top over an arched mahogany back and sides. This produces an exceptionally powerful tone with superb projection and sustain.
The blend of tonewoods gives a warm, resonant sound that can hold its own in most acoustic jam sessions. Furthermore, the arched mahogany back deepens and enriches the bass guitar’s tone, improving its overall sonic qualities. It truly sounds amazing regardless of venue.
The B-240EF is equipped with an onboard Fishman Electronics BT-1 Pickup System. This allows for easy amplification for live performances or recording sessions. It includes volume and tone controls that let you fine-tune the amplified sound to your liking. Whether performing acoustically or plugged into an amplifier, the B-240EF produces a clean and organic sound.
Overall, the Guild B-240EF will give you a wide range of sounds. It can cover the soft upright bass vibe to more bright and growly jazz fusion tones.
Pros:
- Fretless design with visible markers
- Exceptional tone and projection
- Multi-functional electronics
Cons:
- Tuning peg can be tight for .65 Gauge+
Specifications: | |
|---|---|
Body Shape: B – Jumbo Bass
| Top: Solid Sitka Spruce
|
Back: Arched Mahogany
| Sides: Mahogany
|
Finish: Satin Polyurethane
| Bridge: Pau Ferro
|
Neck: Mahogany
| Neck Shape: C Shape
|
Fingerboard: Pau Ferro
| Fingerboard Radius: 16″ (406mm)
|
Number of Frets: 23
| Frets to Body: 19
|
Scale Length: 30 3/4″ (781mm)
| Nut Width: 1 5/8″ (41mm) |
Things To Consider When Choosing The Best Acoustic Basses
Tone and Sound Quality
When looking for an acoustic bass guitar, understand that obtaining the proper tone is critical.
Different wood and body designs (including body depth and shape) can significantly influence the sound of the instrument.
Different types of strings and gauges can also impact tone. Bronze strings and nickel strings are crowd favorites.
Generally speaking, although your playing style may differ, you want a bass guitar that produces a balanced sound with a clear low end, nice mids, and crisp treble notes.
Try to find the one that perfectly matches your style of play and your other personal preferences as a bass player.
Playability & Comfort
Comfort is essential while I’m playing for hours on end. Bass guitars also require more force because of their bigger strings and longer scale. So, concentrate on how the neck feels in your palm and the width of the fretboard. Based on its body shape, identify how the entire instrument will sit against you. A bass guitar with a smooth neck, a fretboard that feels nice, and just the correct action makes playing easier.
Build Quality and Durability:
You want your bass guitar to last a lifetime, so, build quality is very important. Search for strong wood and durable hardware that can withstand the wear and tear of daily play. Consider where you play bass as well. Different woods respond differently to temperature changes. A soft gig bag won’t cut it if you want optimal protection.
Onboard Electronics
Acoustic bass guitars occupy the lower frequencies. Because of this, the instrument will usually need to be plugged.
This is where acoustic-electric bass guitars like the Fender CB 60SCE come in, with their built-in pickups.
For live performances, onboard electronics are useful. Basic ones will have volume control or basic EQ settings. While more complex ones will have effects providing more tone-shaping options.
Selecting the best acoustic bass guitar is an important choice. It’s essential to take into account the tone, feel, and features of the instrument. A perfect acoustic bass guitar should meet your specific requirements, which are both practical and personal.
Take the time to choose the right acoustic bass guitar for you. This way, you’ll be able to enjoy playing it for years to come.
Alexander Briones
Lead Author
Jerome Arcon
Contributor: Research and Supplemental Writing
Related:
This is the Highest Rated Acoustic Guitar Under $200. It comes with a solid okoume mahogany top, fast action, and full dreadnought size – in fact | wouldn’t be surprised if they raise the price above $200 at some future time
2 thoughts on “Best Acoustic Bass Guitar 2024 – The Ultimate Guide”
Same with guitars, Godin is king in the acoustics field
Love the sound of this bass guitar!!
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