AudioFu

Best Short Scale Basses Under $2,000 2025

Affordable short scale basses under $2,000 - great value without compromising quality

Last updated: October 22, 2025 • Next update: October 29, 2025

PRICE RANGES: Under $200 Under $300 Under $500 Under $800 Under $1,000 Under $2,000 Under $5,000
SKILL LEVELS: For Beginner For Intermediate For Professional For Advanced
GENRES & STYLES: For Pop For Indie For Alternative For Studio Work For Comfortable Playing For Vintage Tones
BRANDS: Squier Sandberg Ibanez Fender Höfner Gretsch
Sandberg California VS Lionel NT - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Sandberg California VS Lionel NT

by Sandberg
Pop Alternative Vintage Tones
Key Feature:
• Great for extended playing
✓ PROS
  • • Lower string tension
  • • Unique tonal character
✗ CONS
  • • May lack power for some styles
  • • Not traditional bass sound

Sandberg California VS Lionel NTElectric BassBody: AshBolt-on neck: mapleFretboard: EbonyWhitepearl block fretboard...

⭐ 4.7/5 (44 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 517929
$1,979
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sandberg California VS Lionel RW BKB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Sandberg California VS Lionel RW BKB

by Sandberg
Vintage Tones Comfortable Playing Indie
Key Feature:
• Comfortable neck reach
✓ PROS
  • • Easier playing for smaller hands
  • • Comfortable neck reach
✗ CONS
  • • Limited string gauge options
  • • Less low-end extension

Sandberg California VS Lionel RW BKBElectric BassP-StyleBody: AshNeck: MapleNeck attachment: Bolt-onFretboard:...

⭐ 4.6/5 (25 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 501084
$1,869
Buy at Thomann View Details
Fender Vintera II 70s Mustang Bass CB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Fender Vintera II 70s Mustang Bass CB

by Fender
Vintage Tones Pop Indie
Key Feature:
• Comfortable neck reach
✓ PROS
  • • Easier playing for smaller hands
  • • Unique tonal character
✗ CONS
  • • May lack power for some styles
  • • Different string spacing

Fender Vintera II 70s Mustang CBElectric BassVintera II SeriesBody: AlderNeck: MapleNeck profile: early '60s...

⭐ 4.5/5 (55 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 571492
$1,264
Buy at Thomann View Details
Gibson SG Bass HC - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Gibson SG Bass HC

by Gibson
Alternative Vintage Tones Pop
Key Feature:
• Great for extended playing
✓ PROS
  • • Comfortable neck reach
  • • Easier playing for smaller hands
✗ CONS
  • • May lack power for some styles
  • • Less low-end extension

Gibson SG Bass HCElectric BassBody: Mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla -- Origin: India / Indonesia)Neck: Mahogany...

⭐ 5.0/5 (39 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 444565
$1,833
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sandberg California VS Lionel PF BK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Sandberg California VS Lionel PF BK

by Sandberg
Vintage Tones Studio Work Pop
Key Feature:
• Comfortable neck reach
✓ PROS
  • • Great for extended playing
  • • Comfortable neck reach
✗ CONS
  • • May lack power for some styles
  • • Less low-end extension

Sandberg California VS Lionel PF BKElectric BassP-StyleBody: AlderNeck: MapleNeck attachment: Bolt-onFretboard: Pau...

⭐ 4.9/5 (5 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 500513
$1,979
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sandberg Florence 4 RW RR - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Sandberg Florence 4 RW RR

by Sandberg
Studio Work Vintage Tones Indie
Key Feature:
• Comfortable neck reach
✓ PROS
  • • Great for extended playing
  • • Comfortable neck reach
✗ CONS
  • • May lack power for some styles
  • • Less low-end extension

Sandberg Florence 4 RW RRElectric BassBody: AlderNeck: MapleFingerboard: RosewoodWhite dots fingerboard inlaysScale:...

⭐ 4.8/5 (26 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 563049
$1,891
Buy at Thomann View Details
Reverend Lil LinhBacker Bass - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Reverend Lil LinhBacker Bass

by Reverend
Indie Comfortable Playing Pop
Key Feature:
• Unique tonal character
✓ PROS
  • • Great for extended playing
  • • Easier playing for smaller hands
✗ CONS
  • • Not traditional bass sound
  • • Different string spacing

Reverend Lil LinhBacker BassElectric BassThis semi-hollow bass with a short scale produces a fatdeep sound with...

⭐ 5.0/5 (2 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 605622
$1,319
Buy at Thomann View Details
Gibson SG Bass Ebony - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Gibson SG Bass Ebony

by Gibson
Comfortable Playing Alternative Studio Work
Key Feature:
• Easier playing for smaller hands
✓ PROS
  • • Great for extended playing
  • • Comfortable neck reach
✗ CONS
  • • Limited string gauge options
  • • Not traditional bass sound

Gibson SG Bass EbonyElectric BassBody: Mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla)Neck: Mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla)Fretboard:...

⭐ 4.8/5 (22 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 444563
$1,978
Buy at Thomann View Details
Warwick RB Corvette B 4 BK Short Scale - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Warwick RB Corvette B 4 BK Short Scale

by Warwick
Pop Vintage Tones Studio Work
Key Feature:
• Lower string tension
✓ PROS
  • • Comfortable neck reach
  • • Unique tonal character
✗ CONS
  • • Different string spacing
  • • Limited string gauge options

Warwick RB Corvette B 4 BK Short ScaleElectric BassAlder bodyBolt-on 3-piece laminated maple neck with Ekanga veneer...

⭐ 4.8/5 (49 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 442711
$1,044
Buy at Thomann View Details
Fender JMJ Mustang Bass R.Worn RW BK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Fender JMJ Mustang Bass R.Worn RW BK

by Fender
Studio Work Comfortable Playing Alternative
Key Feature:
• Great for extended playing
✓ PROS
  • • Great for extended playing
  • • Comfortable neck reach
✗ CONS
  • • Different string spacing
  • • Not traditional bass sound

Fender JMJ Mustang Bass R.Worn RW BKElectric BassArtist series - Justin Meldal Johnsen modelBody: AlderNeck:...

⭐ 4.7/5 (38 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 482678
$1,594
Buy at Thomann View Details

How to Choose the Best Short 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 short 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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