Best Basses Under $800 2026
Affordable basses under $800 - great value without compromising quality
Last updated: February 4, 2026 • Next update: February 11, 2026
GENRES & STYLES:
For Folk
For Unplugged
For Acoustic Sessions
For Singer-Songwriter
For Jazz
For World Music
BRANDS:
Höfner
#1
⭐
4.7/5
(26 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Sterling by Music Man S.U.B. Axis AX3 Trans Black
Unique Style
Distinctive Look
Innovation
Key Feature:
• Unique visual appeal
✓ PROS
- • Often improved ergonomics
- • Conversation starter
✗ CONS
- • Limited mainstream appeal
- • May not suit traditional players
Sterling by Music Man S.U.B. Axis AX3 Trans BlackElectric GuitarBody: JabonTop: flamed maple veneerNeck: Bolt-on...
⭐
4.7/5
(26 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 585163
$582
#2
⭐
4.7/5
(16 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Journey Instruments OE990CB Travel El. Guitar CB
Travel
Camping
Backup Guitar
Key Feature:
• Perfect for travel and camping
✓ PROS
- • Usually more affordable
- • Extremely portable and compact
✗ CONS
- • Limited volume and projection
- • Compromised tone quality
Journey Instruments OE990CB Travel El. Guitar CBElectric Travel GuitarCollapsibleBody: PoplarTop: flamed...
⭐
4.7/5
(16 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 556601
$549
#3
⭐
4.6/5
(42 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Sterling by Music Man CT30CHSS Olympic White
Blues
Country
Pop
Key Feature:
• Comfortable body contours
✓ PROS
- • Comfortable body contours
- • Excellent sustain and playability
✗ CONS
- • May be too bright for heavy metal
- • Single-coils can pick up interference
Sterling by Music Man CT30CHSS Olympic WhiteElectric GuitarBody: PoplarBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard:...
⭐
4.6/5
(42 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 609734
$549
#4
⭐
4.4/5
(15 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Journey Instruments OEB990B Travel Bass BP
Convenient Playing
Camping
Backup Guitar
Key Feature:
• Extremely portable and compact
✓ PROS
- • Extremely portable and compact
- • Convenient for small living spaces
✗ CONS
- • May have tuning stability issues
- • Limited volume and projection
Journey Instruments OEB990B Travel Bass BPElectric BassBody: PoplarNeck: MapleFingerboard: RosewoodFingerboard radius:...
⭐
4.4/5
(15 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 592839
$582
#5
⭐
4.9/5
(46 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Empress Effects ZOIA
Bass Players
Studio Recording
Bass-Specific Effects
Key Feature:
• Wide range of bass-specific effects
✓ PROS
- • Professional bass tone shaping
- • Essential for serious bass players
✗ CONS
- • Requires bass-specific knowledge
- • Takes up pedalboard space
Empress Effects ZOIAEffect PedalModular synthesiserProvides the necessary modules to recreate your own custom...
⭐
4.9/5
(46 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 463334
$592
#6
⭐
4.7/5
(42 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
EarthQuaker Devices Pyramids Stereo Flanging
New Wave
Ambient
Clean Tones
Key Feature:
• Adds width and movement to sound
✓ PROS
- • Great for clean guitar tones
- • Creates ethereal, flowing effects
✗ CONS
- • Requires careful adjustment
- • Can make sound feel artificial
EarthQuaker Devices Pyramids Stereo FlangingEffects PedalFlangerTrue stereo operation possibleDigital operationFully...
⭐
4.7/5
(42 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 439245
$516
#7
⭐
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
#8
⭐
4.5/5
(43 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Electro Harmonix Oceans Abyss Reverb
Experimental
Post-Rock
Ambient
Key Feature:
• Simulates different room sizes
✓ PROS
- • Simulates different room sizes
- • Great for lead guitar solos
✗ CONS
- • Requires EQ adjustment with amp
- • May mask note clarity
Electro Harmonix Oceans Abyss ReverbEffect Pedal for Electric GuitarReverbAdvanced dual stereo reverb with up to eight...
⭐
4.5/5
(43 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 618374
$549
#9
⭐
5.0/5
(50 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Journey Instruments OE990BK Travel El. Guitar BK
Travel
Convenient Playing
Camping
Key Feature:
• Convenient for small living spaces
✓ PROS
- • Extremely portable and compact
- • Usually more affordable
✗ CONS
- • Limited volume and projection
- • May feel different from full-size
Journey Instruments OE990BK Travel El. Guitar BKElectric Travel GuitarCollapsibleBody: PoplarTop: flamed...
⭐
5.0/5
(50 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 556598
$549
#10
⭐
4.4/5
(25 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Seymour Duncan Signat. Lari Basilio Pickup CH
Hard Rock
Blues
Jazz
Key Feature:
• Cancels electrical interference
✓ PROS
- • Versatile for many genres
- • High output for distortion
✗ CONS
- • Less vintage character
- • May lack brightness of single-coils
Seymour Duncan Signat. Lari Basilio Pickup CHPickup Set for Electric GuitarLari Basilio Signature Set1 Trembucker -...
⭐
4.4/5
(25 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 563602
$549
#11
⭐
4.7/5
(42 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Seymour Duncan Antiquity P90 Dogear Set
Pop
Blues
Vintage Rock
Key Feature:
• Classic vintage sound
✓ PROS
- • Great note definition
- • Responsive to playing dynamics
✗ CONS
- • Limited output compared to humbuckers
- • May need noise reduction
Seymour Duncan Antiquity P90 Dogear SetSet of Pickups for Electric GuitarAntiquity Model2 Single coilsDelivers the raw...
⭐
4.7/5
(42 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 554331
$505
#12
⭐
4.9/5
(26 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Traveler Guitar Escape Mark III Steel BK Satin
Backup Guitar
Camping
Small Spaces
Key Feature:
• Extremely portable and compact
✓ PROS
- • Great practice instrument
- • Convenient for small living spaces
✗ CONS
- • Compromised tone quality
- • Not suitable for performance
Traveler Guitar Escape Mark III Steel BK SatinAcoustic Electric Travel GuitarBody: MahoganyBolt-on neck:...
⭐
4.9/5
(26 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 587251
$505
#13
⭐
4.7/5
(19 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Martin Guitar 0X1EL-01 LH
Left-Handed Players
Optimal Performance
Correct Technique
Key Feature:
• Optimal sound projection
✓ PROS
- • Better technique development
- • Proper ergonomics for left-handed players
✗ CONS
- • Fewer options in each price range
- • Resale value can be lower
Martin Guitar 0X1EL-01 LHWestern Guitar with PickupLefthand / left-handed modelStyle: Concertback and sides: figured...
⭐
4.7/5
(19 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 559831
$758
#14
⭐
4.9/5
(6 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Larry Carlton I5T Candy Apple Red
Classic Rock
Metal
Blues
Key Feature:
• Excellent upper fret access
✓ PROS
- • Excellent upper fret access
- • Rich midrange presence
✗ CONS
- • Higher price point typically
- • May lack brightness for some styles
Larry Carlton I5T Candy Apple RedElectric GuitarBody: AshBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: MapleBlack abalone block...
⭐
4.9/5
(6 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 610950
$714
#15
⭐
4.7/5
(40 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Marcus Miller V6-4 Sandblasted 3TS
Session Work
Pop
R&B
Key Feature:
• Versatile pickup blending
✓ PROS
- • Excellent note definition
- • Bright, punchy single-coil tone
✗ CONS
- • Requires EQ adjustment for optimal tone
- • Single-coils can be noisy
Marcus Miller V6 Sandblasted 4 3TSElectric BassBody: MahoganyTop: Swamp ashBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: MapleDot...
⭐
4.7/5
(40 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 610771
$714
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.
