Best Multi-scale Basses for Progressive Music 2026

Perfect multi-scale basses for progressive-music - easy to play and learn on

Last updated: January 14, 2026 • Next update: January 21, 2026

Dingwall CB3 Combustion 5 BK Burst MN - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Dingwall CB3 Combustion 5 BK Burst MN

Modern Design Extended Range Ergonomic Playing
Key Feature:
• Better intonation across all strings
✓ PROS
  • • Improved string tension balance
  • • Enhanced ergonomics
✗ CONS
  • • Not traditional bass design
  • • More expensive than traditional basses

Dingwall CB3 Combustion 5 Black Burst5-String Multi-Scale Electric BassBody: Swamp ashTop: Quilted mapleNeck:...

4.8/5 (18 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Dingwall CB3 Combustion 4 Indigo Burst - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Dingwall CB3 Combustion 4 Indigo Burst

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
Dingwall NG3 Nolly 4 Laguna Seca Blue - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Dingwall NG3 Nolly 4 Laguna Seca Blue

Progressive Music Professional Use Extended Range
Key Feature:
• Improved string tension balance
✓ PROS
  • • Improved string tension balance
  • • Enhanced ergonomics
✗ CONS
  • • Limited availability
  • • Not traditional bass design

Dingwall NG3 Nolly 4 Laguna Seca BlueMulti-Scale Electric BassAdam "Nolly" Getgood (Periphery) Signature...

4.5/5 (39 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Spector NS Dimension HP 5 Plum Crazy - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Spector NS Dimension HP 5 Plum Crazy

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
Dingwall John Taylor Signature 4 SFG - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Dingwall John Taylor Signature 4 SFG

Ergonomic Playing Professional Use Progressive Music
Key Feature:
• Enhanced ergonomics
✓ PROS
  • • Better intonation across all strings
  • • Great for extended range basses
✗ CONS
  • • Requires adjustment period
  • • Limited availability

Dingwall John Taylor Signature 4 SFGElectric BassJohn Taylor (Duran Duran) Signature BassPreamplifier developed and...

4.4/5 (56 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Dingwall D-Roc Standard Black Matte - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Dingwall D-Roc Standard Black Matte

Ergonomic Playing Professional Use Extended Range
Key Feature:
• Great for extended range basses
✓ PROS
  • • Modern innovative construction
  • • Enhanced ergonomics
✗ CONS
  • • Not traditional bass design
  • • Requires adjustment period

Dingwall D-Roc Standard Black MatteMulti-Scale Electric BassBody: MahoganyBolt-on neck: MapleFretboard: Pau FerroNeck...

4.5/5 (28 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Spector NS Dimension MS 5 Black&Blue - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Spector NS Dimension MS 5 Black&Blue

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
Spector NS Dimension HP 4 Plum Crazy - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Spector NS Dimension HP 4 Plum Crazy

Progressive Music Modern Design Technical Performance
Key Feature:
• Improved string tension balance
✓ PROS
  • • Improved string tension balance
  • • Modern innovative construction
✗ CONS
  • • May feel unusual initially
  • • Requires adjustment period

Spector NS Dimension HP 4 Plum CrazyMultiscale Electric BassBody: Alder3-Piece neck-thru-body: MapleFingerboard:...

4.6/5 (21 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Dingwall John Taylor Signature 5 BK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Dingwall John Taylor Signature 5 BK

Extended Range Ergonomic Playing Technical Performance
Key Feature:
• Great for extended range basses
✓ PROS
  • • Better intonation across all strings
  • • Modern innovative construction
✗ CONS
  • • Limited availability
  • • Not traditional bass design

Dingwall John Taylor Signature 5 BK5-String Electric BassJohn Taylor (Duran Duran) Signature BassPreamplifier developed...

4.5/5 (11 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Dingwall NG3 Nolly Sig.6 Ferrari Green - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Dingwall NG3 Nolly Sig.6 Ferrari Green

Professional Use Technical Performance Ergonomic Playing
Key Feature:
• Enhanced ergonomics
✓ PROS
  • • Great for extended range basses
  • • Modern innovative construction
✗ CONS
  • • Requires adjustment period
  • • May feel unusual initially

Dingwall NG3 Nolly Sig.6 Ferrari Green6-String Multi-Scale Electric BassAdam "Nolly" Getgood (Periphery)...

4.5/5 (12 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Strandberg Boden Bass Standard 4 CH - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Strandberg Boden Bass Standard 4 CH

Professional Use Extended Range Ergonomic Playing
Key Feature:
• Modern innovative construction
✓ PROS
  • • Improved string tension balance
  • • Modern innovative construction
✗ CONS
  • • May feel unusual initially
  • • More expensive than traditional basses

Strandberg Boden Bass Standard 4 CHHeadless Electric BassBody: BasswoodTop: Flamed maple veneerBolt-on neck:...

4.6/5 (34 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Spector NS Dimension MS 5 Inferno Red - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Spector NS Dimension MS 5 Inferno Red

Professional Use Modern Design Technical Performance
Key Feature:
• Improved string tension balance
✓ PROS
  • • Enhanced ergonomics
  • • Better intonation across all strings
✗ CONS
  • • Not traditional bass design
  • • Limited availability

Spector NS Dimension MS 5 Inferno Red5-String BassBody: AshTop: Burl poplar5-String neck-thru-body: Wenge /...

4.6/5 (51 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Ibanez SRMS720-BCM - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Ibanez SRMS720-BCM

Extended Range Ergonomic Playing Professional Use
Key Feature:
• Better intonation across all strings
✓ PROS
  • • Enhanced ergonomics
  • • Improved string tension balance
✗ CONS
  • • More expensive than traditional basses
  • • Not traditional bass design

Ibanez SRMS720-BCMElectric BassSRMS SeriesBody: Okoume5-Piece bolt-on neck: Maple/walnutFingerboard: Panga...

4.8/5 (9 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Spector NS Dimension MS 5 Haunted Moss - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Spector NS Dimension MS 5 Haunted Moss

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
Ibanez SRMS725-BCM - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Ibanez SRMS725-BCM

Progressive Music Ergonomic Playing Technical Performance
Key Feature:
• Better intonation across all strings
✓ PROS
  • • Better intonation across all strings
  • • Improved string tension balance
✗ CONS
  • • May feel unusual initially
  • • Limited availability

Ibanez SRMS725-BCM5-String Electric BassSRMS SeriesBody: Okoume5-Piece bolt-on neck: Maple/walnutFingerboard: Panga...

4.8/5 (2 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10

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.

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