Best Multi-scale Basses 2026
Top-rated multi-scale basses 2026 - expert picks for every budget and skill level
Last updated: January 7, 2026 • Next update: January 14, 2026
#1
⭐
4.5/5
(31 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Strandberg Boden Bass Standard 5 CH
by
Strandberg
Modern Design
Ergonomic Playing
Technical Performance
Key Feature:
• Enhanced ergonomics
✓ PROS
- • Enhanced ergonomics
- • Modern innovative construction
✗ CONS
- • More expensive than traditional basses
- • Not traditional bass design
Strandberg Boden Bass Standard 5 CH5-String Electric BassBody: BasswoodTop: Flamed maple veneerBolt-on neck:...
⭐
4.5/5
(31 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 605781
$2,749
#2
⭐
4.5/5
(15 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Dingwall John Taylor Signature 4 BK
by
Dingwall
Modern Design
Professional Use
Ergonomic Playing
Key Feature:
• Better intonation across all strings
✓ PROS
- • Enhanced ergonomics
- • Great for extended range basses
✗ CONS
- • May feel unusual initially
- • Limited availability
Dingwall John Taylor Signature 4 BKElectric BassJohn Taylor (Duran Duran) Signature BassPreamplifier developed and...
⭐
4.5/5
(15 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 586483
$3,574
#3
⭐
4.5/5
(23 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Dingwall CB3 Combustion 4 Indigo Burst
by
Dingwall
Extended Range
Progressive Music
Technical Performance
Key Feature:
• Modern innovative construction
✓ PROS
- • Modern innovative construction
- • Better intonation across all strings
✗ CONS
- • More expensive than traditional basses
- • Requires adjustment period
Dingwall CB3 Combustion 4 Indigo BurstMultiscale Electric BassBody: Swamp AshTop: flamed mapleBolt-on neck:...
⭐
4.5/5
(23 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 535503
$2,969
#4
⭐
5.0/5
(32 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Dingwall SP1 5 Bass VB
by
Dingwall
Progressive Music
Extended Range
Technical Performance
Key Feature:
• Great for extended range basses
✓ PROS
- • Great for extended range basses
- • Improved string tension balance
✗ CONS
- • Not traditional bass design
- • May feel unusual initially
Dingwall SP1 5 Bass VBMulti-Scale Electric BassBody: AlderBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: RosewoodNeck profile:...
⭐
5.0/5
(32 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 606032
$2,804
#5
⭐
4.9/5
(16 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Dingwall D-Roc Std 5 Blue to Purple
by
Dingwall
Extended Range
Ergonomic Playing
Modern Design
Key Feature:
• Improved string tension balance
✓ PROS
- • Enhanced ergonomics
- • Improved string tension balance
✗ CONS
- • Limited availability
- • Not traditional bass design
Dingwall D-Roc Std 5 Blue to Purple5-String Multi-Scale Electric BassBody: MahoganyBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: Pau...
⭐
4.9/5
(16 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 523053
$2,694
#6
⭐
4.6/5
(48 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Dingwall D-Roc Standard 5 Aquamarine
by
Dingwall
Ergonomic Playing
Modern Design
Professional Use
Key Feature:
• Enhanced ergonomics
✓ PROS
- • Great for extended range basses
- • Better intonation across all strings
✗ CONS
- • Limited availability
- • Not traditional bass design
Dingwall D-Roc Standard 5 Aquamarine5-String Multiscale Electric BassBody: MahoganyBolt-on neck: MapleFretboard: Pau...
⭐
4.6/5
(48 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 523052
$2,694
#7
⭐
4.6/5
(51 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Spector NS Dimension HP 5 Plum Crazy
by
Spector
Ergonomic Playing
Professional Use
Technical Performance
Key Feature:
• Modern innovative construction
✓ PROS
- • Great for extended range basses
- • Better intonation across all strings
✗ CONS
- • More expensive than traditional basses
- • Requires adjustment period
Spector NS Dimension HP 5 Plum Crazy5-String Electric BassAlder Body3-Piece neck-thru-body: MapleEbony...
⭐
4.6/5
(51 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 575128
$2,199
#8
⭐
4.5/5
(50 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Spector NS Dimension MS 5 Black&Blue
by
Spector
Ergonomic Playing
Modern Design
Professional Use
Key Feature:
• Enhanced ergonomics
✓ PROS
- • Better intonation across all strings
- • Enhanced ergonomics
✗ CONS
- • Requires adjustment period
- • Not traditional bass design
Spector NS Dimension MS 5 Black&Blue5-String Electric BassBody: AshTop: Burl poplar5-String neck-thru: Wenge /...
⭐
4.5/5
(50 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 547831
$1,979
#9
⭐
4.8/5
(7 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Spector NS Dimension MS 4 Black & Blue
by
Spector
Modern Design
Progressive Music
Ergonomic Playing
Key Feature:
• Modern innovative construction
✓ PROS
- • Improved string tension balance
- • Modern innovative construction
✗ CONS
- • Limited availability
- • More expensive than traditional basses
Spector NS Dimension MS 4 Black & BlueElectric BassBody: AshTop: Poplar burl5-Piece through-neck: Wenge /...
⭐
4.8/5
(7 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 547849
$1,649
#10
⭐
5.0/5
(2 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Spector NS Dimension HP 4 Black Gloss
by
Spector
Technical Performance
Modern Design
Extended Range
Key Feature:
• Improved string tension balance
✓ PROS
- • Better intonation across all strings
- • Modern innovative construction
✗ CONS
- • Not traditional bass design
- • Limited availability
Spector NS Dimension HP 4 Black GlossElectric BassBody: Alder3-Piece neck-thru-body: MapleFingerboard: EbonyScale:...
⭐
5.0/5
(2 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 574892
$1,759
#11
⭐
4.4/5
(19 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Ibanez BTB805MS-TGF
by
Ibanez
Technical Performance
Progressive Music
Ergonomic Playing
Key Feature:
• Modern innovative construction
✓ PROS
- • Improved string tension balance
- • Great for extended range basses
✗ CONS
- • More expensive than traditional basses
- • Requires adjustment period
Ibanez BTB805MS-TGF5-String Multiscale Electric BassBass Workshop seriesBody: Ash / OkoumeTop: Poplar5-String...
⭐
4.4/5
(19 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 533826
$1,473
#12
⭐
4.5/5
(22 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Dingwall SP1 5 Bass DCG
by
Dingwall
Progressive Music
Extended Range
Modern Design
Key Feature:
• Improved string tension balance
✓ PROS
- • Great for extended range basses
- • Better intonation across all strings
✗ CONS
- • Limited availability
- • Requires adjustment period
Dingwall SP1 5 Bass DCGMulti-Scale Electric BassBody: AlderBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: RosewoodNeck profile:...
⭐
4.5/5
(22 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 606025
$2,804
#13
⭐
4.8/5
(3 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Dingwall SP1 5 Bass BK
by
Dingwall
Modern Design
Extended Range
Technical Performance
Key Feature:
• Improved string tension balance
✓ PROS
- • Modern innovative construction
- • Enhanced ergonomics
✗ CONS
- • More expensive than traditional basses
- • Limited availability
Dingwall SP1 5 Bass BKMulti-Scale Electric BassBody: AlderBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: RosewoodNeck profile:...
⭐
4.8/5
(3 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 606023
$2,804
#14
⭐
4.5/5
(33 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Dingwall SP1 4 Bass VB
by
Dingwall
Progressive Music
Extended Range
Technical Performance
Key Feature:
• Great for extended range basses
✓ PROS
- • Great for extended range basses
- • Improved string tension balance
✗ CONS
- • Requires adjustment period
- • Limited availability
Dingwall SP1 4 Bass VBMulti-Scale Electric BassBody: AlderBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: RosewoodNeck profile:...
⭐
4.5/5
(33 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 606022
$2,694
#15
⭐
4.4/5
(18 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Spector NS Dimension MS 5 Haunted Moss
by
Spector
Progressive Music
Professional Use
Ergonomic Playing
Key Feature:
• Great for extended range basses
✓ PROS
- • Enhanced ergonomics
- • Great for extended range basses
✗ CONS
- • Not traditional bass design
- • Limited availability
Spector NS Dimension MS 5 Haunted Moss5-String Electric BassBody: AshTop: Burl poplarNeck-thru 5-piece neck: Wenge /...
⭐
4.4/5
(18 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 512153
$2,309
How to Choose the Best Multi-scale 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 multi-scale 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.
