Best Basses Under $800 2026
Affordable basses under $800 - great value without compromising quality
Last updated: January 14, 2026 • Next update: January 21, 2026
GENRES & STYLES:
For Folk
For Unplugged
For Acoustic Sessions
For Singer-Songwriter
For Jazz
For World Music
BRANDS:
Höfner
#1
⭐
4.4/5
(45 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Sterling by Music Man CT30CHSS Daphne Blue
Funk
Pop
Country
Key Feature:
• Versatile 5-way pickup switching
✓ PROS
- • Excellent sustain and playability
- • Comfortable body contours
✗ CONS
- • Requires quality amplifier
- • String bending can cause tuning issues
Sterling by Music Man CT30CHSS Daphne BlueElectric GuitarBody: PoplarBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: MapleFingerboard...
⭐
4.4/5
(45 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 609731
$549
#2
⭐
4.9/5
(54 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Sterling by Music Man CT30CHSS Sherwood Green
Indie
Country
Rock
Key Feature:
• Comfortable body contours
✓ PROS
- • Great for clean and overdriven tones
- • Versatile 5-way pickup switching
✗ CONS
- • String bending can cause tuning issues
- • Requires quality amplifier
Sterling by Music Man CT30CHSS Sherwood GreenElectric GuitarBody: PoplarBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard:...
⭐
4.9/5
(54 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 609735
$549
#3
⭐
4.9/5
(27 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Sterling by Music Man S.U.B. Sting Ray 4 WS
Unique Designs
Alternative Styles
Distinctive Sound
Key Feature:
• Standard four-string configuration
✓ PROS
- • Perfect for most musical styles
- • Wide variety of pickup configurations
✗ CONS
- • Limited low-end extension vs 5-string
- • Standard tuning limitations
Sterling by Music Man S.U.B. Sting Ray 4 WSElectric BassBody: BasswoodNeck: MapleFretboard: Jatoba21 FretsNut width: 38...
⭐
4.9/5
(27 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 435006
$516
#4
⭐
5.0/5
(43 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Sterling by Music Man S.U.B Sting Ray4 HH ST BLK
Specialty Applications
Experimental Music
Unique Designs
Key Feature:
• Wide variety of pickup configurations
✓ PROS
- • Standard four-string configuration
- • Wide variety of pickup configurations
✗ CONS
- • Standard tuning limitations
- • Less range than extended scale basses
Sterling by Music Man S.U.B Sting Ray4 HH ST BLKElectric BassBody: JabonNeck: Bolt-on mapleFingerboard:...
⭐
5.0/5
(43 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 585157
$659
#5
⭐
4.9/5
(31 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Sterling by Music Man S.U.B. Sting Ray5 CH Blue LH
Extended Range
Left-Handed Bass Players
Professional Performance
Key Feature:
• Correct string and control positioning
✓ PROS
- • Correct string and control positioning
- • Professional capability
✗ CONS
- • Often require special ordering
- • Lower resale value
Sterling by Music Man S.U.B. Sting Ray5 CH Blue LH5 String Electric BassLeft-handed modelBody: JabonBolt-on neck:...
⭐
4.9/5
(31 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 585171
$637
#6
⭐
5.0/5
(23 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Collision Devices Tars DLX
Musical Expression
Live Performance
Tone Shaping
Key Feature:
• Great for live performance enhancement
✓ PROS
- • Professional recording applications
- • Essential for electric guitar expression
✗ CONS
- • Learning curve for optimal use
- • Power supply and connectivity considerations
Collision Devices Tars DLXEffect Pedal for Electric GuitarFuzzWith two analogue filtersinspired by the MS-20True...
⭐
5.0/5
(23 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 607362
$527
#7
⭐
4.8/5
(48 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Sterling by Music Man S.U.B. Sting Ray4 Pueblo Pink
Custom Features
Distinctive Sound
Alternative Styles
Key Feature:
• Standard four-string configuration
✓ PROS
- • Standard four-string configuration
- • Versatile tonal range
✗ CONS
- • Limited low-end extension vs 5-string
- • Less range than extended scale basses
Sterling by Music Man S.U.B. Sting Ray4 Pueblo PinkElectric BassBody: JabonNeck: Bolt-on mapleFingerboard:...
⭐
4.8/5
(48 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 585137
$505
#8
⭐
4.5/5
(32 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Sheeran by Lowden W03
Acoustic Pop
Fingerpicking
Classical Crossover
Key Feature:
• Clear note separation
✓ PROS
- • Easy to handle and transport
- • Balanced tone across frequencies
✗ CONS
- • May lack power for heavy strumming
- • Not ideal for band situations
Sheeran by Lowden W03Steel-String Guitar with PickupDeveloped in cooperation with Ed Sheeran and Lowden GuitarsBased on...
⭐
4.5/5
(32 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 564120
$688
#9
⭐
4.6/5
(32 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Sterling by Music Man S.U.B Sting Ray5 HH Cobra Blue
Alternative Styles
Unique Designs
Custom Features
Key Feature:
• Professional versatility
✓ PROS
- • Professional versatility
- • Modern extended range capabilities
✗ CONS
- • String spacing may feel cramped
- • May need specialized strings and setup
Sterling by Music Man S.U.B Sting Ray5 HH Cobra Blue5-String Electric BassBody: JabonBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard:...
⭐
4.6/5
(32 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 585176
$659
#10
⭐
4.5/5
(35 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
NEO Instruments Ventilator II
Live Performance
Recording
Electric Guitar
Key Feature:
• Professional recording applications
✓ PROS
- • Great for live performance enhancement
- • Creative tone shaping possibilities
✗ CONS
- • Can be overwhelming with too many options
- • Power supply and connectivity considerations
NEO Instruments Ventilator IIEffect PedalEffect unit to emulate the Leslie Model 122 rotary speakerIndependent...
⭐
4.5/5
(35 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 577789
$516
#11
⭐
4.5/5
(3 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Sterling by Music Man S.U.B. Sting Ray4 Chopper Blue
Experimental Music
Specialty Applications
Unique Designs
Key Feature:
• Perfect for most musical styles
✓ PROS
- • Versatile tonal range
- • Perfect for most musical styles
✗ CONS
- • Limited low-end extension vs 5-string
- • Less range than extended scale basses
Sterling by Music Man S.U.B. Sting Ray4 Chopper BlueElectric BassBody: BasswoodNeck: MapleFingerboard: MapleScale:...
⭐
4.5/5
(3 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 585133
$504
#12
⭐
4.6/5
(9 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Kramer Guitars Nightswan Jet Black MetallicLH
Optimal Performance
Left-Handed Players
Comfort
Key Feature:
• Optimal sound and performance
✓ PROS
- • Proper ergonomics and comfort
- • Optimal sound and performance
✗ CONS
- • Limited model selection
- • May have longer delivery times
Kramer Guitars Nightswan Jet Black Metallic LHElectric GuitarLeft-handed modelBody: Mahogany3-Piece neck:...
⭐
4.6/5
(9 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 512659
$769
#13
⭐
4.8/5
(22 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Electro Harmonix POG3 Octaver
Recording
Tone Shaping
Live Performance
Key Feature:
• Essential for electric guitar expression
✓ PROS
- • Professional recording applications
- • Creative tone shaping possibilities
✗ CONS
- • Can be overwhelming with too many options
- • May color your natural guitar tone
Electro Harmonix POG3 OctaverEffect Pedal for Electric GuitarOctaverFast tracking and optimum polyphony over four...
⭐
4.8/5
(22 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 598132
$659
#14
⭐
5.0/5
(6 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Kramer Guitars Pacer Emerald Green
Indie
Blues
Pop
Key Feature:
• Excellent sustain and playability
✓ PROS
- • Classic single-coil brightness
- • Great for clean and overdriven tones
✗ CONS
- • Single-coils can pick up interference
- • Electronics may need shielding
Kramer Guitars Pacer Emerald GreenElectric GuitarBody: MapleBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: MapleFingerboard inlays:...
⭐
5.0/5
(6 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 606483
$659
#15
⭐
4.7/5
(32 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Seymour Duncan Antiquity ST Texas Hot Set
Blues
Clean Tones
Country
Key Feature:
• Bright, clear tone character
✓ PROS
- • Bright, clear tone character
- • Responsive to playing dynamics
✗ CONS
- • Can be too bright for some styles
- • May need noise reduction
Seymour Duncan Antiquity ST Texas Hot SetSingle coil pickup setANT-STH on the neckANT-STH RW / RP in the middle and...
⭐
4.7/5
(32 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 377141
$637
How to Choose the Best Basses
Budget Planning
- • Under $200: Entry-level
- • $200-$500: Intermediate
- • $500-$1000: Advanced
- • $1000+: Professional
Quality Check
- • Sound clarity & tone
- • Build materials & finish
- • Hardware durability
- • Overall craftsmanship
Key Features
- • Your musical style
- • Skill level match
- • Intended use case
- • Brand reputation
Frequently Asked Questions
Key factors include build quality, sound characteristics, playability, brand reputation, warranty coverage, and value for money. Consider your musical style, skill level, and intended use to find the best match.
Budget depends on your needs and experience level. Beginners can find quality options for $200-500, intermediate players should consider $500-1500 range, while professionals often invest $1500+ for premium features.
Higher-priced basses typically offer better materials, craftsmanship, and performance. They're worth it if you're serious about music, perform regularly, or need professional-grade features.
Top brands combine quality, innovation, and reliability. We evaluate brands based on build quality, sound performance, durability, and customer satisfaction to recommend the best options for different budgets.
Both have advantages. Online offers better prices and selection, while stores allow hands-on testing. We recommend researching online first, then testing in stores if possible. Many online retailers offer excellent return policies.
