Everything requires an upgrade after a period of time. Likewise, if you are a guitarist and wanted to upgrade your music with decent bass guitar, then 1000$ should be a decent budget to grab a great bass guitar. While there are hundreds of best bass guitar under 1000, we did the research to shortlist the best of the best. We did 20+ hours of research to find a perfect bass guitar to rock the stage.
In the list below, we have listed the 10 best bass guitar under 1000. The list is filled with some classics, some conventional models, some quirky unconventional models, some powerful metal ones, some that cover a whole lot of ground on the features department and so forth. If you wanted all these models and specs in an affordable range? Then check low profile bass guitars to match your requirement.
BEST BASS GUITAR UNDER 1000 DOLLARS
1) YAMAHA TRBX605 - BEST PROFESSIONAL BASS GUITAR
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Yamaha TRBX series has been at the top of its game since its release especially the 605 which is built for the stage with its design, gig-ready electronics and playability putting at the top of my chart. Moving on to its hardware, it has the classic Yamaha thin C shaped body giving an ode to the history of craftsmanship.
It is made up of a sculpted body with alder and maple laminate and matte amber design which are lightweight and also aid in equal weight distribution.
The neck also mahogany laminated has a 5-piece contraption to stabilize and make overall playing comfortable. These models also come with the clean and powerful YGD pickup and an active and passive control feature which allows you to control your tone and ensure stability throughout.
Without just the classic tone, this powerful versatile piece offers several tones that are bold perfect for jazz or rock, a steal at this price.
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2) ESP LTD B-206SM - BEST BUDGET BASS GUITAR
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Can you go wrong with this 6-string ESP masterpiece? The answer is no, never. If you can get a best bass guitar under 1000 with superior quality then nothing beats LTD which is one of the widely used bass guitar models.
One of the main reasons for its popularity is its versatility as they can be used for punk, jazz, metal, pop, Latin, reggae, pop among many others. In many comparisons online, you will find no match for the LTD.
Speaking of the 206 SM model, this affordable piece has an ash body with spalted maple and unique grain patterns giving it a retro feel, smooth rosewood neck, and a natural satin finish.
On the electronics front, it comes with a passive pickup with an active three-band EQ with volume, bal, and ABQ controls.
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3) SCHECTER STILETTO EXTREME-4 - BEST 4 STRING BASS UNDER 1000
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Schecter is pretty much the king of metal guitars so if you are looking for a bass for metal then this one is a winner. If you looking for that Schecter jaw-dropping sound coupled with luxurious aesthetics then this classic cutaway model can be the best choice.
With powerful humbucker pickups and an active EQ, this not only gives you full control but tonal stability too. Other than its full-bodied sound it also comes with an inbuilt Schecter tuner, Ernie ball strings and frets inlays for the novice players so you can rest assured about the quality.
In fact, many musicians would pay twice the amount that this goes for, as this model is targeted more at those who want that Schecter metal sound with best bass guitar under 1000.
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4) WASHBURN T24NMK TAURUS 4-STRING - BEST BEGINNER BASS GUITAR
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There is no doubt about the fact that a Taurus bass will constantly surprise you especially the T24 which is an award-winning, top-rated model for its features and craftsmanship. These professional pieces are in no way for beginners as they are built for the road and designed specially for gigs.
On the hardware front, it has a laminated wood body with a fine wood finish that looks and feels high quality.
With smooth rosewood fretboard and mahogany neck, it is built for your comfort. Coming to the sound, it is vibrant, sharp with a passive pickup system that gives you the range between mellow to distorted easily.
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5) FENDER PLAYER PRECISION ELECTRIC BASS GUITAR - MAPLE FINGERBOARD
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A fender is a staple on any list of guitars. You will never regret spending your money on a fender and you need this beautiful single-coil precision bass in your collection.
There is nothing like listening to that timeless classic Fender sound and this booming device maintains its tone from the loudest to the quietest that is resonant and balanced with a brilliant sharp attack.
Speaking of hardware, the c shaped neck is comfortable and playable and smooth fret surface that helps to chord. The body is made of Alder wood that has been used for jazz and precision basses for years for its pronounced tone, perfect upper mid-range, and excellent sustain.
This is not just any ordinary guitar and it is highly recommended for professional guitarists.
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6) TAYLOR GS MINI-E - BEST ACOUSTIC BASS GUITAR
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Have you researched for best bass guitar under 1000? Looking for something that looks a little less intimidating? Perhaps a tad smaller or easier to hold and play? Something that can be easily carried around that has the same powerful sound as a full-sized guitar? If yes, then check out the Taylor GS Mini.
This affordable Taylor, yes, you read it right, comes with a resounding punchy sound, Taylor dual prong bridge, D'Addario strings and built-in GS tuner with pleasant bass notes which overall works towards making the idea of Acoustic bass fun and accessible to all irrespective of whether they are beginners or seasoned artists.
On the hardware front, it has a tone wood body for resonance and Sitka spruce top wood for improving elasticity and sound stabilizing.
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7) STERLING RAY2CA - BEST BASS GUITAR FOR METAL
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This stage-ready beauty was inspired by the extremely popular Stingray series by Ernie ball music man which is considered a solid testament in musical history. Each component of this piece is synonymous and is an ode to vintage design and it is the heavy-duty adjustable bridge that highlights the tone.
It’s 3+1 revolutionary tuning key arrangement that is an instant tuner, the 2- band active pre amp which allows tonal shaping with high, low, boost, cut, and individual volume controls.
It has a bolt neck which has been the trademark stingray design for the past 40 years which improves the overall stability and weight distribution of the device.
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8) GOLD-TONE PBB RESONATOR - BEST BASS GUITAR FOR THE MONEY
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Are you looking for an alternative bass with a great punchy warm tone that acts as a resonator and sounds a lot similar to an upright bass?
This gold-tone PBB hit all the right checkboxes especially with its stand out the design by Paul beard that has the humbucker pickup configuration, on a 32-inch scale with both volume and tonal controls.
The highlight of this best bass guitar under 1000 model is the convenient up the neck playing due to its careful assembling of the cone and spider set up which allows the lowest possible string action for maximum quickness. This model not only looks the part but is built for the road and comes with a gig carry hard case that is durable for the road.
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9) IBANEZ BTB745 5-STRING ELECTRIC BASS GUITAR LOW GLOSS NATURAL
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As a brand, Ibanez is what you pick up as a novice. Although they make professional models for professionals, they are better known for their top-tier affordable guitars with high playability that is accessible to a wider audience.
It has a classic Ibanez body made of tonewood for maximum tonal versatility, a 35'' scale and a very deep cutaway confirmed to increase convenience and withstanding ability.
The maple top and the ash body works towards a stable low end while the Bartolini pickup works towards a full-bodied smooth mid-range. Lastly, the high-quality Neutrik line out jack helps provide safe and secure connections to avoid shock or unnecessary vibration.
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10) TAKAMINE G SERIES GB30CE-BLK JUMBO ACOUSTIC-ELECTRIC BASS GUITAR
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Finally I am ending the best bass guitar under 1000 list with another brilliant example of Japanese craftsmanship with this classic G series Venetian style cutaway series that may look simple and clean-cut but is a powerful beast.
Let me talk about the sound, this model features Takamine electronics known for their superior wide-ranging sound, made of mahogany back, spruce top that aid in resonance and that rich sound you look for in a Takamine.
On the comfort front, the 16’’ fingerboard and slip neck aides in overall playability and agility. Now with the boost, gain, mid-shift, and the EQ bypass, you will be able to easily shape your tone without compromising on quality.
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CONCLUSION
As you have seen from the list, most top tier models are from well-known brands with a wide variety to choose from. Whether you are looking for a metal bass, something specifically for gigging, recording or practicing, there is a bass out there for you. Although they are top-tier, most of the models mentioned above are extremely affordable.
At the end of the day, do your research and if you have a bigger budget, go for one of the legendary established brands as you will definitely not regret it. Simply put one would rather spend on a fender than a brand they know nothing about.
Greetings, I am Scott Shetler, a Senior Instrument expert, and Guitarist. My hobby and passion are all about music, and I like to explore new gadgets and instruments available in the market. From my experience, I reviewed and showcase the best products on our site to ensure the worth of readers’ expectations and money.