In this article, we will explore some of the best Fender bass guitars currently available on the market. Fender is a father of all bass guitars, as this brand created the first mass-produced electric bass guitar.
With the introduction of the first Fender Precision Bass guitar, Fender company single-handedly changed the musical market, creating a new standard for all bass guitars in the process.
I am a professional musician with several years of experience doing rock, folk, and metal music with several bands. I played the bass guitar in many live shows and records, and it is still one of my favorite instruments. The bass adds a groovy nature and helps to polish the rough edges left by electric guitars and the drums.
Quick-Look: Best Fender Bass Guitars
★ #1 Best Fender Bass Guitar Overall: Fender American Professional II Precision Bass ★
- Best Cheap Fender Bass Guitar: Fender Special Edition Mustang PJ
- Best Fender Bass Guitar Under $1,000: Fender Player Precision
- Best Fender Bass Guitar Under $500: Fender FA-450CE Acoustic
- Best Fender Precision Bass Guitar: Fender American Professional II
- Best Fender Jazz Bass Guitar: Fender American Original ’70s Jazz
If played correctly, the bass guitar can certainly add some flavor to any song or musical style. Join me as we explore some of the most interesting bass models made by Fender.
About Fender Bass Guitars
Fender is probably one of the most important and famous musical instruments companies. This brand created the first mass-produced electric guitar, Telecaster, as well as the first mass-produced bass guitar, the famous Fender Precision Bass.
Fender Precision Bass was born when the upright bass became almost obsolete, as the new types of music require bigger volume from the instruments. The shape and form of the first Precision Bass guitar are quite similar to the Telecaster, as it was used as a foundation for this iconic model.
The name Precision Bass comes from the newly fretted neck, which provided extra precision in your intonation. This term could also refer to more precise factory production methods applied to this new model, as the older double and upright basses were mostly made by luthiers by hand.
The next big step in the evolution of Fender bass guitars is the Fender Jazz Bass. This model was born in the 1960s and was actually the second bass guitar designed by Leo Fender. This bass borrowed many design ideas from the new Jazzmaster guitar, which was becoming quite popular.
Fender Jazz Bass is a versatile instrument that features a narrow and rounded neck, perfect for fast progression so common in Jazz music. This bass guitar is very popular to this day, being used by artists like Flea, Marcus Miller, Jaco Pastorius, Geddy Lee, and Mark Hoppus.
In the 70s Fender created the Mustang series, which offered a high-quality vintage build for a modest price. This series was marketed to young students and beginners, as it has a slim short-scale neck, which helps a lot when you are learning.
The last big series of bass guitars introduced by Fender is Jaguar. This series is a modern blend of Precision and Jazz bass hardware and electronics. This versatile bass guitar offers a balanced tone of the Jazz bass and the punchy deep sound of the Precision.
Things To Consider When Choosing a Fender Bass Guitars
Fender bass guitars offer the highest levels of quality but choosing the right one for you will require some investigation into each feature. Size, tone, and price are some of the most important ones to consider.
Size
Most Fender bass guitars have similar body shapes and sizes. But you can find some tiny variations on each model and series. Most of them stick to that classic Precision Bass body type, as it provides better sustain and intonation.
The Overall Tone & Sound
The overall tone for most Fender bass guitars is deep and rich, but it really depends on each model. Precision Bass has that iconic classic bass guitar sound, deep and smooth. The Jazz Bass has more versatile tonality, as it brings more definition on mid and high tones.
The Mustang and Jaguar will offer a blend of the P-Bass and J-bass tones, as these bass guitars are marketed as affordable and versatile instruments for beginners and intermediate players.
Price
The most expensive and professional Fender bass guitars are from the Precision and Jazz Bass series. But if you are low on funds, you can try their Jaguar and Mustang models, as they offer a great quality-price ratio.
As with most bass guitars, the overall price of Fender instruments can go from a few hundred to several thousand dollars, depending on the model.
Types of Fender Bass Guitars
There are four main series of Fender bass guitars currently on the market. This includes Precision Bass, Jazz Bass, Mustang, and Jaguar series.
Let’s take a closer look at the features and history behind each of them.
Fender Precision Bass Guitars
First released in 1951, Fender Precision Bass is the first-ever mass-produced bass guitar that created a standard for any other basses to follow. This iconic instrument has that signature Fender deep and punchy tone, which every other company tried to reproduce with their models.
Precision bass comes with a split single-coil pickup with simple volume and tone control. This simplicity is often praised by many musicians, as it delivers a great tonality without complicated controls or EQ systems.
The body is slightly inspired by the classic Fender Telecaster guitar but with the overall bigger build and heavier weight. The Precision bass guitars have a wide neck and a big body compared to other Fender models. This is why this model might require some experience to play, as you will need considerable strength to make it sound.
Fender Jazz Bass Guitars
Released in 1960, Fender Jazz Bass was a modernized version of the iconic Precision Bass. This model features a versatile sound and tone, which is provided by the two single-coil pickups with volume and tone control each. This bass guitar brings us a smooth and warm sound that is quite popular in Funk, Soul, RnB, and Jazz.
Fender Jazz Bass is very popular to this day and used by many famous musicians around the world.
Fender Mustang Bass Guitars
Fender Mustang bass was released in 1966 and was marketed as a budget-friendly model for students and beginners. Thanks to its short-scale neck and small dimension this model is very comfortable to play with and does not require much experience. This model uses a mix of the two pickup types we can see in P-Bass and J-Bass, which gives it the necessary versatility for any beginner.
Fender Jaguar Bass Guitars
Released in 2005, this model is the youngest member of the Fender bass family. This modern hybrid has a blend of P-Bass and J-bass neck types, which provides great comfort and faster play speeds.
The pickups are also hugely inspired by those two models, as this bass features the P-bass split single-coil in the middle and the standard J-Bass single coil on the bridge. This configuration gives this bass a versatility of Jass bass and the punchy deep tones of the Precision Bass guitars.
10 Best Fender Bass Guitars
Now let’s dive deeper into each model. Here we will explore the best bass guitars from each series, including Precision Bass, Jazz Bass, Jaguar, Mustang, and some Fender acoustic basses.
Fender Player Precision Electric Bass Guitar
- Size: 49.5 x 15 x 4.5 inches
- Weight: 11 pounds
- Material & Finish: Alder body, maple neck, Gloss Buttercream finish
- Sound: Deep and punchy
- Best For: Intermediate and professional
Fender Player Precision Electric Bass Guitar – Maple Fingerboard – Buttercream is an iconic P-Bass from the budget-friendly Player series. With an alder body and modern C shape neck, this bass has an outstanding intonation and is very comfortable to play. This bass guitar offers the same high levels of quality as most Precision bass guitars for a reasonable price tag.
✅ High-quality build
✅ Great sustain
✅ Iconic design
✅ Outstanding tonality
❌ Requires set up
Why I Recommend It
I highly recommend this famous classic, as I personally played it several times and I can guarantee that you won’t find any better-sounding bass guitar.
Fender Player Jazz Electric Bass Guitar
- Size: 45 x 15 x 5 inches
- Weight: 11 pounds
- Material & Finish: Alder body, Gloss Polar White finish
- Sound: Balanced and clean
- Best For: Intermediate and professional
Fender Player Jazz Electric Bass Guitar – Maple LH Fingerboard – Polar White is another classic in the Fender catalog. Similar to the previous bass guitar, this model is from the Player series, which offers a high-quality build for a decent price. Fender Jazz Bass is famous for its versatility and customizable tonality.
✅ Versatile tone
✅ High-grade materials
✅ Durable construction
✅ Professional finish
❌ Requires set up
Why I Recommend It
This model comes with a thin neck, which offers a faster speed and great comfort for any player. The unique balanced tone of this bass is perfect for Soul, RnB, and Jazz music.
Fender Player Jaguar Electric Bass Guitar
- Size: 48.3 x 15.1 x 4.5 inches
- Weight: 11.9 pounds
- Material & Finish: Alder body, Tidepool finish
- Sound: Balanced tone
- Best For: Intermediate
Fender Player Jaguar Electric Bass Guitar – Maple Fingerboard – Tidepool offers a blend of P-bass and J-bass sound types, as its electronics and pickups are actually from those two models. Fender Jaguar Bass is a logical evolution in the decade-long traditions and methods used by Fender for their unique instruments.
✅ Unique vintage design
✅ Great tonality
✅ Versatile
✅ High-quality construction
❌ Low-quality strings
Why I Recommend It
I tried this bass once and it has a very interesting shape and tone. If you are looking for something special and different but with that signature Fender quality, this bass guitar is a perfect match for you.
Fender American Original ’70s Jazz Bass
- Size: 47 x 18 x 6 inches
- Weight: 11 pounds
- Material & Finish: Alder body, maple neck, Natural finish
- Sound: Balanced
- Best For: Professionals
Fender American Original ’70s Jazz Bass (Natural) is vintage bass guitar inspired by the first models of Jazz Bass ever produced. This unique model brings us an old-school vintage pickup from the 70s and a punchy vintage tone. With a natural finish and high-quality construction, this bass will satisfy even the most demanding players.
✅ Great tonality
✅ High-grade materials
✅ Professional finish
✅ Comfortable to play
❌ Requires set up
Why I Recommend It
Although a little expensive, this bass is a high-tier powerhouse with outstanding performance and fast action all around the spectrum. If you are looking for a taste of the classic vintage Fender bass guitars, this model is perfect for you.
Fender Special Edition Mustang PJ Bass
- Size: 50 x 5 x 15 inches
- Weight: 11 pounds
- Material & Finish: Alder body, maple neck, Surf Green finish
- Sound: Balanced tone
- Best For: Beginners
Fender Special Edition Mustang PJ Bass – Surf Green with Pau Ferro Fingerboard – Sweetwater USA Exclusive is a great option for beginners or even intermediate players, as this bass guitar offers a comfortable short-scale with a slim neck.
Most Mustang bass guitars are designed with students and beginners in mind, which can be seen on almost every design decision on this unique model.
✅ Short-scale
✅ Easy to play
✅ Durable construction
✅ Versatile tonality
❌ Low-quality strings
Why I Recommend It
If you are looking for a decent bass guitar to start learning to play, this model will satisfy all your needs in spades, as this bass guitar has nothing to envy to its high-tier brothers.
Fender Geddy Lee Signature Jazz Bass Guitar
- Size: 45 x 5 x 15 inches
- Weight: 15 pounds
- Material & Finish: Alder body, maple neck, Black finish
- Sound: Clean and balanced
- Best For: Professionals
Fender Geddy Lee Signature Jazz Bass Guitar, Maple Fretboard, Black is a signature model created to satisfy the needs of the famous bassist Geddy Lee. This musician is known for playing the bass, keyboard, and vocals with the band Rush.
His unique style owes a lot to the signature sound of the Jazz Bass models, as the balanced tone of the J-Bass makes possible this wide range of progressive ideas and melodies, which made this band so popular.
❌ Requires set up
Why I Recommend It
If you are a fan of Rush or just looking for a versatile high-tier instrument, this model will fit right in, as the professional high-grade materials and outstanding tone will surely satisfy your needs.
Fender American Professional II Precision Bass
- Size: 16 x 6 x 42 inches
- Weight: 22 pounds
- Material & Finish: Basswood back, Rosewood fretboard, Mercury finish
- Sound: Deep and punchy
- Best For: Professionals
Fender American Professional II Precision Bass (Mercury, Rosewood Fretboard) is a high-tier Precision bass guitar from the Professional II series. This model is one of the most professional and top-notch models made by Fender, therefore the highly expensive price tag. But with this elevated price, you will get an amazing instrument that cannot be outmatched by any other bass guitars on the market.
✅ Unique finish
✅ Comfortable to play
✅ Professional design
✅ Powerful deep tone
❌ Requires set up
Why I Recommend It
I highly recommend this bass guitar for any professionals, as you won’t find any better bass guitar out there. This old classic still shines with its powerful sound and iconic design and will continue so for years to come.
Fender Flea Signature Series Road Worn Jazz Bass
- Size: 35 x 13 x 3 inches
- Weight: 10 pounds
- Material & Finish: Alder body, maple neck, Shell Pink finish
- Sound: Deep and punchy
- Best For: Intermediate and professionals
Fender Flea Signature Series Road Worn Jazz Bass – Rosewood Fingerboard – Shell Pink is a signature model used by the famous bass player Flea. This artist is considered the best bassist in the world, as his complex and beautiful bass progression helped the Red Hot Chili Peppers achieve worldwide notoriety and fame.
This professional model offers fast action and a very comfortable neck with a versatile tonality, typical of most Jazz bass guitars.
✅ Lightweight
✅ Comfortable to play
✅ Professional sound
✅ Signature model
❌ Requires set up
Why I Recommend It
If you are looking for a top-notch bass guitar with a unique funky flavor, this elite bass guitar is your best option. The lightweight construction is also a great addition to this well-balanced model.
Fender CB-60SCE Acoustic Bass Guitar
- Size: 45.5 x 17.75 x 7 inches
- Weight: 11 pounds
- Material & Finish: Mahogany body, mahogany neck, Black finish
- Sound: Balanced tone
- Best For: Beginners
Fender CB-60SCE Acoustic Bass Guitar – Black is a decent acoustic bass guitar that was created with students and beginners in mind. This bass guitar has a mahogany back and side and a solid spruce top, which gives it a better sustain and precise intonation. This acoustic bass is perfect for learning or playing in a jam without any amplifiers.
✅ Easy to play
✅ Affordable
✅ Durable construction
❌ Tends to lose tuning
Why I Recommend It
This model has a quite compact body and really reasonable price tag. I played it a few times and it’s a really good-sounding bass with a surprisingly loud volume. Overall, this bass is a highly recommendable budget-friendly acoustic bass guitar, perfect for beginners or students.
Fender FA-450CE Acoustic Bass Guitar
- Size: 45.1 x 18.5 x 7.4 inches
- Weight: 10 pounds
- Material & Finish: Mahogany body, maple top, 3-Color Sunburst finish
- Sound: Warm and rich
- Best For: Beginners and intermediate
Fender FA-450CE Acoustic Bass Guitar -3-Color Sunburst – Laurel Fingerboard is a mid-range acoustic bass guitar made by Fender. This model offers a powerful internal preamp, which can be used with most amplifiers to get that boost volume you might need. With a rich and warm tonality, this acoustic bass guitar is a great option for any intermediate and beginner players.
✅ High-quality build
✅ Great tonality
✅ Comfortable
❌ Low-quality strings
Why I Recommend It
I personally really like the unique design and finish of this bass, as it gives this model that elegant but simple look. With a slightly higher price compared to the other Fender acoustic bass on this list, this model provides great quality and the aforementioned preamp, which is very useful for live shows and record sessions.
Fender Bass Guitars Aesthetics & Build
Most Fender bass guitars come in quite classical design and finish, with small changes in each model.
This popular formula was refined throughout many decades, always evolving and adapting to new technologies and methods of construction.
Material
The main type of wood uswed in most Fender bass guitars is Alder or Mahogany for the body and maple for the neck. This configuration always provided great results for Fender, as these types of wood offer better tonality and sustain.
Alder wood offers a very balanced tone, that is why it is often used with the soft tonality of maple in some bass guitar’s bodies and necks.
Mahogany is a little heavier but adds the necessary low tones to your bass guitar. Many models might have a blend of alder and mahogany to add more versatility to the overall intonation.
Finish
The most common types of finish used in most Fender bass guitars are nitrocellulose, polyurethane, and polyester types.
Nitrocellulose tends to crack and lose color with time, but it offers a thin layer of protection that will not interfere with the sound of your bass guitar. This type of finish was originally used by Fender in the 50s and 60s, as you can find numerous vintage guitars with this finish.
Polyurethane was introduced in the late 60s and it offered better protection with minimal interference with the tone. The Polyurethane does age well, as it won’t form any cracks or lose color. This finish also has this unique glossy tone that you can find on many modern instruments.
Polyester was first used in the 70s and provided extremely good protection but also was able to maintain the natural tone of the instrument. This finish type is the most durable of the three, as it gives rock-hard protection that will age as well as a Polyurethane finish.
Color
Fender instruments feature a huge variety of colors and color schemes. You can choose from Vintage Natural, Mystic Black, White Blonde, Arizona Sun, Blue Sparkle, Navy Blue Metallic, Hot Rod Red, Amber Sunburst, and many more.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How Reliable are Fender Bass Guitars?
Fender bass guitars are one of the most durable and reliable instruments in the world. You can 100% trust this brand, as their instruments always get the same quality control no matter what series or model.
But it’s common knowledge nowadays that some modern Fender bass guitars do not have the same quality as the original 60s and 70s models.
What Artists Use Fender Bass Guitars?
Fender brand is widely used by many famous and elite musicians around the world. Some of them are Paul Macarthy, Jaco Pastorius, Flea, Marcus Miller, John Paul Jones, Adam Clayton, Steve Harris, Geddy Lee, Jeff Beck, Greg Lake, Josh Homme, Robert Trujillo, and Joe Strummer among many others.
Why are Fender Bass Guitars So Popular?
The unique signature tonality made by Fender engineers is highly valued by any well-respected musician, as it adds that necessary professional bass sound to any song or performance.
When Do I Need To Change My Strings?
This is really a question of personal preference, as each player has different playstyles and time invested in this instrument. The common tip is to change your string every 3-5 months, as the bass strings are much more expensive than their guitar counterparts and can withstand more abuse.
Do I Need To Know Music Theory To Play the Bass?
Not really. I personally learned to play jamming with my friends and reading the TABS, which I highly recommend using when you are learning to play, as they are very easy to grasp and use. Music theory is not necessary for most instruments, but it can certainly help you evolve as a musician later on.
Is Bass More Difficult Than The Guitar?
Yes and no. Bass is easier sometimes because you only use four strings, but normally play one or two, as there are rarely any chords.
This gives you a simpler sonic view of the song, letting you improvise and add new variations to the groove without changing the harmony of the track.
But the bass guitars are also somehow more difficult to play compared to the guitar, as you will need to apply considerable strength to the heavier strings of your bass. Add this to the heavyweight construction of the most bass guitars, and you get a really physically demanding instrument.
Finger or Pick?
This is certainly a question of personal preference, as each technique adds a different sound to the mix.
The pick is used in the same way as with the guitar, and if you are a guitarist this method will be quite easy to grasp. It is very recommendable to use bigger triangle pick types for the bass guitar, as with these picks you will get better precision on your big strings. The pick is recommended for beginners and intermediate players.
The Finger technique on the other hand is recommended for more experienced players, as it will create some blisters on your fingers in the first few months of playing. This technique creates a warm and smooth tone, which is preferred by many professional bass players.
Short or Long Scale Bass?
This is also a question of personal preference, as each one has its own pros and cons.
The short-scale bass guitars are quite easy to play, as there is much less tension on the strings. This type of bass guitars is recommended for beginners or people struggling with long-scale instruments.
The longs scale bass is the standard type of bass guitar, widely used by most bassists around the world. This type requires more strength but has that thick and punchy sound associated with the classic bass guitar.
How To Tune Your Bass Guitar?
The standard tuning for the bass is E A D G, which is the same last four thick strings of the guitar. In most songs bass guitar follows the guitar chord progressions, playing only the lowest note of that chord.
You can also find some basses with 5 or 6 strings. These models add a thicker string tuned in C, or in B for the 6th one. This type of string configuration is normally used in metal and doom music styles, as they require deeper tones with a great definition of low tones.
How Much Do Fender Bass Guitars Cost?
Nowadays, Fender features a huge gamma of instruments for every entry-level. If you look enough you can certainly find a perfect fit for your playstyle.
Entry-level Fender bass guitars can cost around $300 – $600, as mid-range bass models can cost from $600 to $800.
But if we are looking for the top-tier Fender instruments, get ready to spend at least a thousand dollars, if not more.
What Are The Best Fender Bass Guitars?
Let’s take a look back and review some of the best Fender bass guitars we presented in this guide.
Each model will be presented in its own level entry category.
Fender Special Edition Mustang PJ Bass – Surf Green with Pau Ferro Fingerboard – Sweetwater USA Exclusive – Best for Beginners
Fender Mustang series is a great option for beginners and students, as it offers Fender high-quality for a reasonable price. This bass guitar has a vintage body shape and a very balanced and versatile tone.
Fender Player Precision Electric Bass Guitar – Maple Fingerboard – Buttercream – Best for Intermediate
Fender Precision Bass from the Player series is an affordable high-grade instrument that has nothing to envy to more expensive Fender bass guitars. This model offers that signature deep and punchy P-Bass sound that is highly praised all around the world.
Fender American Original ’70s Jazz Bass (Natural) – Best for Professionals
Fender American Original ’70s Jazz Bass is a unique model is a modernized version of the first models of the famous Jazz Bass series. This high-tier instrument has a balanced tone and a thin neck, which gives this bass an incredibly fast action and great comfort.
If you are looking for an elite instrument with a high-grade build and top-notch sound, look no further as this model will satisfy all your needs.
Where Are Fender Bass Guitars Made?
Nowadays most Fender bass guitars are made in four different countries such as the US, Mexico, China, and Japan. American Professional, American Special, and American Elite are some of the series only produced in the United States.
What is The Best Sounding Fender Bass Guitars?
The best-sounding Fender bass is probably the Fender American Professional II Precision Bass, but I honestly really like the sound of the Fender American Original ’70s Jazz Bass (Natural), as it perfectly blends the versatile sound of the first J-bass guitars with a new modern punchy tone.
Where To Buy Fender Bass Guitars?
Fender instruments are currently sold at many different music stores and retailers. But some retailers might have exclusive offers like Sweetwater, where you can find certain Fender models that are only available on this site.
Amazon
Amazon is a world leader in online retail, as their huge selection of products and fast delivery made this company indispensable for many people in the world. Amazon not only offers detailed product descriptions, but also very useful customer reviews, which can provide essential information about your future instrument.
Online Music Retailers
There are several other online music retailers that offer solid prices and high-quality instruments. Here at Into Strings we highly recommend Fiddlershop.com, Sweetwater.com, and GuitarCenter.com, as they offer the biggest selection of instruments from famous brands like Fender, Ibanez, Music Man, and Yamaha.
Your Local Music Store
In your local music store, there is probably a limited selection of instruments. But you can surely try out any model and figure out if you really like it or not. This is normally a decisive factor, as only by playing the instruments you can see how it feels and sounds in your hands.
And let’s not forget the useful advice from the salesman, that often happens to be a fellow musician that can really help you find the perfect instrument for you.
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In Conclusion
After our journey through some of the best Fender Bass guitars, I hope we learned a thing or two about this iconic brand.
70 years ago, Leo Fender created the holy grail of electric bass guitars and called it Precision Bass. This instrument is the founder of all modern bass guitars, and to this day is considered an undisputed king of the bass kingdom, or Bassdom if you will.
I hope you enjoyed this article, and if you really did, feel free to share or leave a comment.
Stay safe, have fun, and long live the king of Badassdom!
