AudioFu Chart · November 2026
Best Bass Ukuleles 2026
The top pick is Kala Journeyman U-Bass with F-Holes and Electronics 2018 ($481). Harley Benton UkeBass OPNT gives you the most for the money at $190. Ranked by the AudioFu Index from 27 models across 6 brands, prices checked every night.
Last updated: November 11, 2026
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All Bass UkulelesTop 10
Full detail for the 10 highest AudioFu Index scores. Every other model is listed below.
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Kala Journeyman U-Bass with F-Holes and Electronics 2018
U-Bass Journeyman NT · Kala
22 for sale on Reverb2 finishes at Thomann
- Scale530 mm (20.87")
- Frets16 frets
- FingerboardRosewood fingerboard
This is a bass ukulele with a built-in pickup, so you can plug it into an amp. It is made of mahogany with a rosewood fingerboard and a natural satin finish. It suits you if you want a small bass that is easy to carry, and it comes with a bag to keep it protected.
Pros
- Mahogany top, sides, back and neck give it a consistent all-wood build
- Kala UK-500B electronics are built in, so it plugs straight into an amp
- Graph Tech TUSQ nut and phenol saddle support clean string contact
81AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$481 now$481€429 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Nut width45 mm (1.77")
- Scale530 mm (20.87")
- Frets24 frets
- FingerboardJatoba fingerboard
You get a solid-body bass ukulele with an active Piezo pickup, so it is built to plug into an amp. The swamp ash body, maple neck and jatoba fingerboard make up a sturdy build. It suits you if you want an electric bass ukulele with simple volume, treble and bass controls.
Pros
- Solid-body American swamp ash body gives a sturdy build
- Active Piezo pickup system delivers an electric signal for amplification
- Three-piece maple neck with okume stripes for a stable, layered neck
Cons
- Only volume, treble and bass controls, with no other tone options
58AudioFu
Index↓ 10.6%since Aug 17 · lowest so far$212 · Aug 17$190 now$190€169 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Nut width45 mm (1.77")
- Scale514.4 mm (20.25")
- Frets18 frets
- Fingerboard radius406.4 mm (16")
- Neck profileC-shape neck
The Fullerton PBass Uke is a bass ukulele with a spruce top and okoume back and sides. You get a Fender preamp with volume and tone controls, plus a built-in tuner, so it is easy to plug in and get going. It suits you if you want a bass ukulele with simple controls and a high-gloss Olympic White finish.
Pros
- Spruce top with okoume back and sides
- Maple neck with a walnut fingerboard and walnut bridge
- Fender preamp with volume and tone controls
Cons
- The built-in tuner and preamp run on battery, so keep spares on hand
54AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$268 now$268€239 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
Kala U-Bass Striped Ebony Fretless Ukulele Bass Natural
U-Bass Ebony Fretless · Kala
4 for sale on Reverb1 finish at Thomann
- Scale517 mm (20.35")
- FingerboardRosewood fingerboard
If you want a bass ukulele with a striking look, this one is worth a close look. It has a striped ebony top, back and sides, a Fishman U-Bass EQ pickup, and a fretless neck with fret lines to guide your fingers. It suits players who like the feel of a fretless neck and want a built-in pickup for playing through an amp.
Pros
- Striped ebony top, back and sides give it a distinctive look
- Fishman U-Bass EQ pickup system is built in for amplified playing
- Fretless neck with 16 fret lines marked on the rosewood fingerboard
Cons
- Fretless neck takes practice to play in tune, unlike a fretted bass
54AudioFu
Index↓ 1.3%since Aug 17 · lowest so far$672 · Aug 17$663 now$663€591 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Scale597 mm (23.5")
- Frets22 frets
- Strings4-string
- BodyOkoume body
- FingerboardLaurel fingerboard
This is an electric bass ukulele with an Okoume body, a bolt-on maple neck, and a split coil pickup. You get a volume knob and a tone knob, plus 22 nickel silver frets to play up the neck. It suits you if you want a compact electric bass that plugs in, and you don't mind the longer 23.5-inch scale.
Pros
- Solid body made from Okoume wood, a lightweight tonewood choice for a compact bass
- Bolt-on maple neck paired with a laurel fingerboard
- Split coil pickup with separate volume and tone controls
Cons
- Scale of 597 mm (23.5 inches) is longer than a standard ukulele, so it may feel large for small hands
52AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$335 now$335€299 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Scale597 mm (23.5")
- Strings5-string
- BodyOkoume body
- FingerboardLaurel fingerboard
This five-string fretless bass ukulele suits you if you want a compact bass with no frets to press. It has an okoume body, a maple neck, and one Kala humbucker with volume and tone controls. It comes with a gig bag and round wound strings, so you can start playing right away.
Pros
- Solid okoume body keeps the instrument lightweight and easy to carry
- Maple bolt-on neck paired with a laurel fingerboard
- Single Kala humbucker with its own volume and tone controls
Cons
- Only one pickup and two controls, so there is no switching between pickup sounds
52AudioFu
Index↓ 4.8%since Aug 17 · lowest so far$470 · Aug 17$447 now$447€399 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Scale597 mm (23.5")
- Frets22 frets
- Strings5-string
- BodyOkoume body
- FingerboardLaurel fingerboard
This is a five-string electric bass ukulele with a solid okoume body, a single Kala humbucker, and volume and tone knobs. It has a short 23.5 inch scale and comes with a gig bag, so it is easy to carry. It suits you if you want a small, portable electric bass for playing around, or if you like the idea of a bass that fits in a bag.
Pros
- Solid body made of okoume wood, which suits a plugged-in bass
- Single Kala humbucker pickup gives a full electric bass setup
- 22 nickel silver frets and a laurel fingerboard for a playable neck
Cons
- Only one volume and one tone control for shaping the sound
- Short 597 mm scale, so it feels different from a full-size bass
52AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$447 now$447€399 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Scale597 mm (23.5")
- Frets22 frets
- BodyOkoume body
- FingerboardLaurel fingerboard
This is a solid body electric bass ukulele in a small size. If you want a compact bass with a simple setup, you will like its okoume body, maple neck, and split coil pickup. It also comes with a gig bag, so you can carry it to practice or to a gig right away.
Pros
- Solid body built with okoume body wood for a sturdy electric feel
- Maple bolt-on neck paired with a laurel fingerboard
- Kala split coil pickup with volume and tone controls on the body
Cons
- Short 597 mm scale may feel different if you are used to a full-size bass
49AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$335 now$335€299 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Scale597 mm (23.5")
- Frets22 frets
- BodyOkoume body
- FingerboardLaurel fingerboard
This left-handed Kala U-Bass is a fun, affordable entry point into the world of bass ukulele. The solid body construction gives it a surprisingly robust tone, and the split coil pickup delivers a respectable low-end. It's a great option for ukulele players wanting to explore bass lines or for someone needing a compact, portable bass for practice or smaller gigs.
Pros
- Okoume body offers a warm, resonant tone with surprising sustain.
- Bolt-on maple neck provides a snappy, responsive feel for quick playing.
- Split coil pickup delivers a focused, punchy low-end with less hum.
Cons
- Okoume can be prone to dents and scratches; finish needs care.
- 597mm scale can feel cramped for bassists accustomed to longer scales.
49AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$335 now$335€299 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Scale597 mm (23.5")
- Strings4-string
- BodyOkoume body
- FingerboardLaurel fingerboard
This is a small electric bass in the ukulele style. It has an Okoume body, a maple bolt-on neck, and split coil pickups with simple volume and tone knobs. It suits you if you want a compact bass that is easy to carry, and it comes with a gig bag.
Pros
- Solid body made of Okoume wood for a compact electric bass build
- Maple bolt-on neck paired with a laurel fingerboard
- 22 nickel-silver frets give a long playing surface
Cons
- Only one volume and one tone control, with no extra tone options
49AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$335 now$335€299 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗
All 27 bass ukuleles
Same index, same nightly prices — compact. Colour options of one model share a row. Tap a photo to zoom.
- 11
Kala U-Bass Teak FrettedKala47Stable$335€299$335€299Check ↗
- 12
Kala U-Bass Solid Body Jet BlackKala47Stable$335€299$335€299Check ↗
- 13
Kala U-Bass 4 Fret Paisley OrangeKala47Stable$380€339$380€339Check ↗
- 14
Harley Benton Solid UkeBass SunburstHarley Benton45Stable$133€119$133€119Check ↗
- 15
Harley Benton Solid U-Bass Sunburst w/BagHarley Benton45Stable$145€129$145€129Check ↗
- 16
Harley Benton UkeBass Spalted MapleHarley Benton45Stable$167€149$167€149Check ↗
- 17
Kala U-BASS Hutch Hutchinson Sign.Kala45↑ 4.2%$700€624$700€624Check ↗
- 18
Flight Mini Bass Lite BKFlight44Stable$234€209$234€209Check ↗
- 19
Kala U-Bass Nomad 4 NTKala44Stable$313€279$313€279Check ↗
- 20
Kala U-Bass Scout Fretless 4 NTKala44Stable$358€319$358€319Check ↗
- 21
Flight Mini JB Bass SBFlight44Stable$437€390$437€390Check ↗
- 22
Ortega RUNAB-UBOrtega41Stable$331€295$331€295Check ↗
- 23
Ortega Lizzy Pro Bass UkuleleOrtega41Stable$481€429$481€429Check ↗
- 24
Harley Benton Kahuna CLU-Bass Ukulele BundleHarley Benton · 3 finishes38↓ 5.9%$178€159$178€159Check ↗
- 25
Flight DUBS Bass UkuleleFlight37Stable$290€259$290€259Check ↗
- 26
Harley Benton Solid U-Bass Sunburst BundleHarley Benton29Stable$297€265$297€265Check ↗
- 27
Cascha Bass Ukulele SetCascha21↑ 15.9%$238€212$238€212Check ↗
Bass Ukuleles by the numbers
Measured across all 32 models we track, not a sample.
Median $335 — half of all bass ukuleles here cost less.
median of 16 models · 38.1 mm (1.5")–45 mm (1.77")
median of 23 models · 16–22
most common · 19 models
median of 29 models · 510 mm (20.08")–597 mm (23.5")
How to choose the best bass ukuleles
Scale Length
This is the defining factor. Most bass ukes are around 15-17 inches, which means shorter sustain and a different feel than a standard bass. It's a trade-off; the compact size is the appeal, but be prepared for a less resonant low-end.
Pickup Voicing
Cheap pickups can sound brittle and ice-picky, especially when you roll back the tone. Higher-end models, often with ceramic or custom-wound pickups, will have a warmer, more rounded tone that's actually usable in a band setting - think less 'ice pick' and more 'smooth rumble'.
Body Wood & Construction
Solid wood bodies (like mahogany or koa) will generally give you more sustain and a richer tone than laminate. But budget dictates, and a well-built laminate instrument can still be decent, just don't expect that warm, complex midrange you'd get from solid wood.
Neck Profile & Action
A comfortable neck is critical. A thick, unwieldy neck will make playing a chore. Action (string height) also matters-too high, and it's a struggle; too low, and you'll get fret buzz. This is something to check out in person if possible.
Tuning Stability
Cheaper instruments often use lower-quality tuners that slip easily. This is a nightmare live or in the studio. Look for geared tuners, and be prepared to upgrade if needed - a little investment here saves headaches later.
Buying guide
So, you're thinking about a bass ukulele? Smart move. They're surprisingly versatile - great for adding a subtle low-end thump to your acoustic folk setup, or even surprisingly capable in a rock band when amplified. But they're not just miniature basses; they have their own quirks and limitations. Let's cut through the noise and figure out what you need to know before dropping your cash.
Bass ukuleles are a niche instrument, so you're often paying a premium for the novelty. Don't expect the same level of craftsmanship or component quality as you'd find on a full-size bass. If you're primarily playing acoustic, wood choice is more important.
If you plan on gigging, prioritize pickups and tuners - a decent preamp can make a world of difference in getting that low-end thump to cut through the mix.
How the AudioFu Index works
Five measured signals and nothing else — no stars from strangers, no “tested by experts” we didn’t do. The weights are fixed and public. We don’t play these instruments; we measure the market around them.
This chart covers 32 bass ukuleles from the Thomann catalogue. Before you buy, read hands-on reviews and, where you can, play it. Full methodology.
AudioFu earns a commission when you buy through our Thomann links. It never changes the order — the index does.
- Demand40%
How many of this exact model are for sale on Reverb right now — what musicians actually buy and resell.
- Lineup20%
How many finishes Thomann stocks — makers expand the models that sell.
- Price15%
Where the price has moved since we started tracking in August.
- Specs15%
How completely the maker documents it.
- Maker10%
How deep the brand’s range is in this category.
Questions
Can a bass ukulele replace a bass guitar?
No, not really. It's a different beast entirely. It's great for adding a unique texture, but it lacks the headroom and low-end authority of a standard bass. Think of it as an alternative, not a replacement.
What's the difference between a bass ukulele and a baritone ukulele?
A baritone ukulele is tuned like the highest four strings of a guitar (DGBE). A bass ukulele is tuned an octave lower (EADG), like a bass guitar, but on a smaller scale.
Are bass ukuleles hard to play?
They're generally easier to hold than a full-size bass, but the shorter scale can take some getting used to. Fingerstyle is common, but you can definitely use a pick if that's your preference.
What kind of amp should I use?
A bass amp is ideal, but a full-range PA speaker will also work. Avoid guitar amps, as they often don't handle low frequencies well and can sound harsh.
Are all bass ukuleles four-string?
Almost all are. You might occasionally find a five-string version, but they're extremely rare and cater to a very specific niche.





