Best Signature Basses for Intermediate 2026
Perfect signature basses for intermediate - easy to play and learn on
Last updated: February 4, 2026 • Next update: February 11, 2026
#1
⭐
4.8/5
(5 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Sterling by Music Man Pete Wentz Signature Bass
Specific Genres
Artist Emulation
Tribute Performance
Key Feature:
• High-quality construction
✓ PROS
- • Exact specifications of famous players
- • High-quality construction
✗ CONS
- • Limited availability
- • May not suit all players
Sterling by Music Man Pete Wentz Signature BassElectric BassPete Wentz (Fall Out Boy) Signature ModelSting Ray Artist...
⭐
4.8/5
(5 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 578884
$956
#2
⭐
5.0/5
(20 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Sterling by Music Man Pete Wentz Signature Bass FR
Tribute Performance
Artist Emulation
Collection
Key Feature:
• Unique features and appointments
✓ PROS
- • Exact specifications of famous players
- • Unique features and appointments
✗ CONS
- • Can be overhyped
- • Limited availability
Sterling by Music Man Pete Wentz Signature Bass FRElectric BassPete Wentz (Fall Out Boy) Signature ModelSting Ray...
⭐
5.0/5
(20 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 583715
$956
#3
⭐
5.0/5
(28 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Sandberg Custom 5 Yolanda Charles Sig
by
Sandberg
Studio Recording
Artist Emulation
Tribute Performance
Key Feature:
• High-quality construction
✓ PROS
- • High-quality construction
- • Exact specifications of famous players
✗ CONS
- • May not suit all players
- • Limited availability
Sandberg Custom 5 Yolanda Charles Sig5-String Electric BassYolanda Charles Signature modelBody: AshBolt-on neck:...
⭐
5.0/5
(28 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 616093
$2,749
#4
⭐
4.5/5
(13 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Fender JMJ Mustang Bass R.Worn RW DB
by
Fender
Tribute Performance
Studio Recording
Professional Playing
Key Feature:
• Exact specifications of famous players
✓ PROS
- • Unique features and appointments
- • Collectible value
✗ CONS
- • Can be overhyped
- • Limited availability
Fender JMJ Mustang Bass R.Worn RW DBElectric BassJustin Meldal-Johnsen Artist Serie Signature ModelBody: AlderNeck:...
⭐
4.5/5
(13 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 417342
$1,583
#5
⭐
4.7/5
(38 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Ibanez GWB205-TQF
by
Ibanez
Artist Emulation
Tribute Performance
Professional Playing
Key Feature:
• Unique features and appointments
✓ PROS
- • Collectible value
- • High-quality construction
✗ CONS
- • Premium pricing
- • Limited availability
Ibanez GWB205-TQF5-String Electric BassFretlessGary Willis (Tribal Tech) Signature ModelBody: AshBolted neck:...
⭐
4.7/5
(38 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 484743
$1,759
#6
⭐
4.9/5
(24 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Sadowsky MetroExp22 Will Lee 5 CAR
by
Sadowsky
Collection
Studio Recording
Artist Emulation
Key Feature:
• Exact specifications of famous players
✓ PROS
- • Collectible value
- • High-quality construction
✗ CONS
- • Premium pricing
- • Can be overhyped
Sadowsky MetroExp22 Will Lee 5 CAR5-String Electric BassWill Lee Artist Line ModelBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted...
⭐
4.9/5
(24 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 599291
$1,484
#7
⭐
4.9/5
(50 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Lakland Skyline Hutch Hutchinson 4 3TS
by
Lakland
Collection
Professional Playing
Studio Recording
Key Feature:
• High-quality construction
✓ PROS
- • High-quality construction
- • Unique features and appointments
✗ CONS
- • May be too specific for general use
- • May not suit all players
Lakland Skyline Hutch Hutchinson 4 3TSElectric BassHutch Hutchinson Signature ModelBolt-on neck: MapleBody:...
⭐
4.9/5
(50 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 599581
$2,254
#8
⭐
4.4/5
(31 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Sadowsky MetroExp21 Verdine White 4 OWH
by
Sadowsky
Artist Emulation
Studio Recording
Tribute Performance
Key Feature:
• Collectible value
✓ PROS
- • Exact specifications of famous players
- • Collectible value
✗ CONS
- • May be too specific for general use
- • Premium pricing
Sadowsky MetroExp21 Verdine White 4 OWHElectric BassVerdine White Artist Line ModellBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted...
⭐
4.4/5
(31 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 599288
$1,209
#9
⭐
4.5/5
(40 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Spector NC-4 Frank Bello
by
Spector
Collection
Tribute Performance
Artist Emulation
Key Feature:
• Professional performance capability
✓ PROS
- • Unique features and appointments
- • High-quality construction
✗ CONS
- • Limited availability
- • May be too specific for general use
Spector NC-4 Frank BelloElectric BassBody: AlderBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: MaplePurple acrylic block fingerboard...
⭐
4.5/5
(40 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 620810
$1,264
#10
⭐
5.0/5
(6 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Sandberg California II TM4 Ida Nielsen
by
Sandberg
Specific Genres
Studio Recording
Professional Playing
Key Feature:
• Exact specifications of famous players
✓ PROS
- • High-quality construction
- • Unique features and appointments
✗ CONS
- • Premium pricing
- • May be too specific for general use
Sandberg California II TM4 Ida NielsenElectric BassIda Nielsen Signature ModelBody: AlderNeck: MapleFretboard: Birdseye...
⭐
5.0/5
(6 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 392816
$2,969
#11
⭐
4.8/5
(19 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Fender Mark Hoppus Jag Bass RW 3TSB
by
Fender
Studio Recording
Tribute Performance
Artist Emulation
Key Feature:
• High-quality construction
✓ PROS
- • Collectible value
- • Professional performance capability
✗ CONS
- • May be too specific for general use
- • May not suit all players
Fender Mark Hoppus Jag Bass RW 3TSBElectric BassMark Hoppus (Blink-182) Signature ModelBody: AlderNeck:...
⭐
4.8/5
(19 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 595746
$1,539
#12
⭐
4.5/5
(9 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Yamaha BBNE2 Nathan East Black
by
Yamaha
Professional Playing
Specific Genres
Tribute Performance
Key Feature:
• Collectible value
✓ PROS
- • Unique features and appointments
- • Collectible value
✗ CONS
- • Premium pricing
- • May be too specific for general use
Yamaha BBNE2 Nathan East Black5-String Electric BassBody: AlderTop: MapleNeck-through-body neck:...
⭐
4.5/5
(9 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 536211
$4,949
#13
⭐
4.8/5
(41 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Sandberg Forty Eight 5 BK Victor Brandt
by
Sandberg
Collection
Specific Genres
Tribute Performance
Key Feature:
• Professional performance capability
✓ PROS
- • Collectible value
- • High-quality construction
✗ CONS
- • Limited availability
- • May be too specific for general use
Sandberg Forty Eight 5 BK Victor Brandt5 String Electric BassBody: AlderBolt-on neck: Maplecompletely blackFingerboard:...
⭐
4.8/5
(41 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 573909
$3,134
#14
⭐
4.8/5
(26 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Sandberg Basic Ken Taylor 4 RW TSB
by
Sandberg
Tribute Performance
Artist Emulation
Professional Playing
Key Feature:
• Exact specifications of famous players
✓ PROS
- • Professional performance capability
- • High-quality construction
✗ CONS
- • Limited availability
- • Can be overhyped
Sandberg Basic Ken Taylor 4 RW TSBElectric BassBody: AshNeck: MapleFingerboard: RosewoodScale: 34"Pickups: 2...
⭐
4.8/5
(26 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 586537
$1,924
#15
⭐
4.9/5
(13 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
ESP LTD TA-204 FRX
by
ESP
Collection
Professional Playing
Artist Emulation
Key Feature:
• High-quality construction
✓ PROS
- • High-quality construction
- • Collectible value
✗ CONS
- • May not suit all players
- • Limited availability
ESP LTD TA-204 FRXElectric BassTom Araya (Slayer) Signature ModelBody: LimeBolted neck: MapleFretboard: Roasted...
⭐
4.9/5
(13 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 385502
$768
How to Choose the Best Signature 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 signature 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.
