In this guide, we’ll explore some of the best bass guitars for metal. The metal genre might require a comfortable neck for those fast basslines and probably a 5th or 6th string for added punch and definition on low tones. There are hundreds of different models, so I’ll go through many different options for each level.
I’m an experienced bass player with numerous live shows and recordings under my belt. I’ve played many different bass guitar models, and each one has its own pros and cons.
Quick Look: Best Bass Guitars for Metal
★ #1 Best Bass Guitar for Metal Overall: Ibanez SR500E ★
- Best Beginner Bass Guitar for Metal: Yamaha TRBX204 GRM
- Best Intermediate Bass Guitar for Metal: ESP LTD B-204SM Spalted
- Best Professional Bass Guitar for Metal: Fender Steve Harris
- Best Cheap Bass Guitar for Metal: Jackson JS Series Concert
- Best Bass Guitar for Metal Under $1,000: Yamaha TRBX204 GRM
- Best Bass Guitar for Metal Under $500: ESP LTD B-204SM Spalted
- Best 5-string Bass Guitar for Metal: Schecter 5 String Stiletto
Sometimes it might be a little tricky to find the right model for a particular genre or playing style, but fear not, as I’ll go through some of the best bass guitars that can be used for metal music.
About Bass Guitars for Metal
The metal genre is characterized by fast progressions with very low and deep tones, which is why you might need to look for a specific type of bass to fit this musical style. A comfortable and small neck is a must, as it will help you have a faster action for those complex metal progressions.
You’ll also find many bass models with five or six strings. These are quite popular in metal music because they add a thicker string that can be tuned to C or B tunings, which are some of the most popular tunings for metal music.
About Metal Music
Metal music was born in the early ’70s when bands like Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin dialed up the overdrive on their amplifiers. This unique distortion and heavy sound was the origin of this musical genre.
Metal music is made of fast and aggressive guitar riffs blended with loud and complex drums, creating a dark and powerful soundscape in the process.
Types of Bass Guitars for Metal
For metal music, you can use almost any bass guitar, but some models are better suited for this music, as they offer fast action and robust construction.
Here we’ll take a look into different types of bass guitars, such as 5-strings and 6-strings, and their features.
4-string
The 4-string configuration is the most common type of bass guitar you’ll find out there. In this category, you’ll find iconic models like Precision, Jazz Bass, and many others. The 4-string bass guitars are the most comfortable to play because of their slim necks. They’re the most accessible compared to other types.
5-string
5-strings bass guitars add one more string to the instrument. This string is normally tuned to a C or B, which provides an extra boost for the low tones. This lower string gives you more range and definition on those aforementioned low tones, which are very common in metal.
6-string
6-string bass guitars have one more extra string, which is also tuned to a C or B. This configuration is recommended for more experienced players, as the wider neck and so many strings can get confusing for many players.
Fretless
Fretless bass guitars are more common for genres like jazz, but there are some metal bands that use the fretless bass guitar, as it provides extra tonalities and more versatility for the bassist. This type is quite demanding and is recommended for the most professional players.
Top 10 Best Bass Guitars for Metal
Here I’ll dive deeper into each bass guitar model and the brands behind them. In this section, I’ll go through a mixed bag of bass guitars, each one with its own different features and sound qualities.
1. Ibanez SR500E Bass Guitar
- Size: 44 x 19 x 5 inches
- Weight: 8.14 pounds
- Material & finish: Okoume body, jatoba/walnut neck, brown mahogany finish
- Sound: Deep and smooth
- Best for: Intermediate
The Ibanez SR500E bass guitar is a robust and highly professional model made by Ibanez. This bass guitar is a favorite of many rock and metal artists, and it has a comfortable neck and a high-quality deep tone.
✅ Durable construction
✅ Lightweight
✅ High-grade electronics
✅ Versatile
❌ Case not included
Why I Recommend It
This model is just perfect for any loud genre of music. The Ibanez SR500E is a high-grade instrument for any well-respected bassist.
2. ESP LTD B-204SM Spalted Maple Bass Guitar
- Size: 54 x 19 x 5 inches
- Weight: 11.66 pounds
- Material & finish: Ash body, maple/jatoba neck, see thru black satin finish
- Sound: Warm and smooth
- Best for: Intermediate
The ESP LTD B-204SM Spalted Maple bass guitar is an affordable model with some features that could be compared to the most professional bass guitars out there. The ESP brand is quite famous for creating great instruments for metal and rock, and their models are used by many famous musicians.
✅ Easy to play
✅ Versatile sound
✅ Professional finish
✅ High-quality pickups
❌ Requires some setup
Why I Recommend It
With a slim neck and a very beautiful design and finish, this bass guitar offers high standards for a reasonable price tag.
3. Fender Steve Harris Precision Bass
- Size: 52 x 15 x 5 inches
- Weight: 16 pounds
- Material & finish: Maple body, maple neck, Olympic white with stripe finish
- Sound: Deep and punchy
- Best for: Professionals
The Fender Steve Harris Precision Bass is one of the best bass guitars for metal currently on the market. This signature model of Steve Harris, a famous bassist and member of Iron Maiden, is a great mix of a compact body, a slim neck, and a deep, powerful tone.
❌ Requires some setup
Why I Recommend It
With a clear and punchy tone, this model has its own unique sound that will be a perfect match for any metal song.
4. Schecter 5 String Stiletto Studio-5 FF
- Size: 44 x 19 x 5 inches
- Weight: 15.17 pounds
- Material & finish: Mahogany body, maple neck, honey satin finish
- Sound: Deep and rich
- Best for: Intermediate players and professionals
The Schecter 5 String Stiletto Studio-5 FF is a 5-string model that will fit perfectly in progressive metal, among other styles. The versatile tone of this bass can be also used for fusion, jazz, or blues.
✅ Balanced sound
✅ Professional finish
✅ Comfortable neck
❌ Requires some setup
Why I Recommend It
With high-grade wood and a very comfortable neck, this affordable bass will satisfy any player, no matter their level.
5. Yamaha TRBX204 GRM 4-String Bass Guitar
- Size: 47.8 x 17.9 x 3.7 inches
- Weight: 11.58 pounds
- Material & finish: Basswood body, maple neck, gray metallic finish
- Sound: Balanced
- Best for: Beginners and intermediate
The Yamaha TRBX204 GRM 4-String bass guitar is a well-balanced and easy-to-use instrument made by Yamaha. Although one of the cheapest instruments on this list, this model offers great sound quality and a robust build.
✅ Versatile sound
✅ Easy to play
✅ High-quality build
❌ Requires setup
Why I Recommend It
Like many other bass guitars made by Yamaha, this model has a great price-quality ratio and is very comfortable to play.
6. Gibson Thunderbird Bass Guitar
- Size: 20 x 13 x 1 5/8 inches
- Weight: 8 pounds
- Material & finish: Mahogany body, mahogany/walnut neck, tobacco burst
- Sound: Deep and punchy
- Best for: Intermediate players and professionals
The Gibson Thunderbird bass guitar is a rock and metal powerhouse with a very unique and distinctive design. With a great sustain and powerful deep tone, this bass is used by many famous bands like System of a Down, Nirvana, Aerosmith, Sonic Youth, Kiss, and Jethro Tull.
✅ Powerful rock sound
✅ Beautiful design
✅ Easy to play
✅ High-grade wood and electronics
❌ Unbalanced neck weight
Why I Recommend It
I own one of these, and this unique design never gets old. Add this to a powerful rocker sound, and you get a really interesting bass guitar.
7. Spector Legend 5 Standard Bass Guitar
- Size: 62.2 x 4.5 x 22 inches
- Weight: 12.5 pounds
- Material & finish: Nato wood body, maple neck, tobacco sunburst gloss finish
- Sound: Warm and round
- Best for: Intermediate players
The Spector Legend 5 Standard bass guitar is a very versatile 5-string model made by Brooklyn-based company Spector Guitars. Spector bass guitars are very popular in rock and metal music, and they’re used by numerous famous artists like Dethklok, Steve Vai, Bush, Judas Priest, and Cannibal Corpse.
✅ High-quality construction
✅ Active 2-band EQ
✅ Comfortable to play
✅ Versatile sound
❌ Requires setup
Why I Recommend It
This model is one of the best 5-string bass guitars I have on this list. This model is certainly a solid choice, as it offers a high-quality sound for a reasonable price.
8. Sterling by Music Man StingRay Ray4 Bass Guitar
- Size: 45 x 1.5 x 13.5 inches
- Weight: 9 pounds
- Material & finish: Basswood body, maple neck, black finish
- Sound: Balanced tone
- Best for: Intermediate
The Sterling by Music Man StingRay Ray4 bass guitar is a well-balanced bass guitar that offers high-quality tonality for a surprisingly low price. With fast action and a deep punchy tone, this bass can fit any style, including metal.
✅ Robust construction
✅ Versatile tone
✅ Easy to play
❌ Requires some setup
Why I Recommend It
Music Man bass guitars are my personal favorite, as they perfectly blend a unique design with a deep and powerful tone. If you’re looking to initiate yourself with Music Man bass guitars, this model is a great starting point.
9. Rockbass Streamer Standard Electric Bass Guitar
- Size: 46.5 x 18.1 x 3.5 inches
- Weight: 10 pounds
- Material & finish: Mahogany body, maple neck, red finish
- Sound: Smooth and deep
- Best for: Intermediate players
The Warwick Rockbass Streamer Standard Electric bass guitar is the most popular model made by Warwick. Warwick bass guitars are very popular in metal music and are used by many artists such as Robert Trujillo from Metallica, Davey Rimmer from Uriah Heep, Dick Lovgren from Meshuggah, and Mike Inez from Alice in Chains.
✅ Comfortable to play
✅ High-quality construction
✅ Fast action
✅ Punchy and deep tone
❌ Unfit for some music styles
Why I Recommend It
This model is a solid choice for any metal musician, as it brings a unique and punchy tone with a fast action all around the spectrum.
10. Jackson JS Series Concert Bass JS2 Bass Guitar
- Size: 50 x 19.9 x 5.8 inches
- Weight: 16 pounds
- Material & finish: Poplar body, maple neck, Snow White finish
- Sound: Bright and punchy
- Best for: Beginners
The Jackson JS Series Concert Bass JS2 bass guitar is a budget-friendly model from the Jackson brand. Jackson guitars have their own followers, and they offer very decent instruments that are as comfortable as some electric guitars.
✅ Powerful tonality
✅ Easy to play
✅ Fast action
❌ Case not included
Why I Recommend It
The Jackson JS Series Concert Bass JS2 is a great option for any beginner or student, as it offers great comfort for a very low price.
Best Bass Guitars Brands for Metal
Now, let’s take a look at the best brands that produce the best bass guitars for metal music. Here you’ll see some well-known brands like Fender and Ibanez along with some companies that are quite popular with metal music artists like ESP, Warwick, and Jackson.
Ibanez
Ibanez is a Japanese company that takes pride in its attention to detail and great quality-price ratio. Most instruments made by Ibanez are perfect for beginners and intermediate players, as they offer very durable models that are quite easy to use.
ESP
ESP is another Japanese brand that specializes in metal guitars and bass guitars. Their models have a unique professional polish to them and are used by some of the most famous artists in the world including Deftones, Anthrax, Anti-Flag, Soulfly, and Metallica, among many others.
Fender
Fender Guitar company was founded by the legendary Leo Fender in the ’50s. The Fender brand is responsible for bringing the electric bass to the spotlight, as they introduced the first electric bass guitar model and continued to innovate throughout the next few decades.
Two of their most popular models, P-Bass and J-Bass, are considered the standard for how a modern electric bass guitar should look and sound.
Warwick
Warwick was created in Germany in the 1980s by Hans-Peter Wilfer, a Bavarian luthier with years of experience with acoustic instruments. This brand is quite famous in metal, as they offer a comfortable instrument with fast action and a unique distinctive punchy sound that fits perfectly in this loud and aggressive genre.
Jackson
Jackson bass guitars look like they’re born to do metal, as they offer a pointy design with a really easy-to-play neck and body. Most of the models made by Jackson are comparable to any electric guitar for their fast action and the low tension on the strings.
Things to Consider When Choosing a Bass Guitar for Metal
If you’re looking for a really good instrument, you might consider the price, materials used, and the level of experience you have. This will determine what type of bass guitar will fit better for your playing style.
Level of Experience
Your level of experience will determine how many complicated features you’ll need on your bass guitar. I recommend sticking to the simpler classic 4-string bass guitar when you’re starting to learn to play. Let’s take a look at some of the levels and their differences.
Beginner Bass Guitars for Metal
The best beginner bass guitar is a simple instrument with a robust construction. It will give you hours of entertainment for a good price. Here I’m talking about classic 4-string bass guitars with a few simple extras and features.
Intermediate Bass Guitars for Metal
Intermediate bass guitars offer a better build and an overall higher sound quality. Most mid-range bass guitars might require some setup, but soon after that, they transform into reliable tools for any well-respected musician.
Pro Bass Guitars for Metal
The most professional bass guitars include some of the most iconic models like the Precision Bass and Jazz Bass by Fender. At this price range, you’ll get a highly professional instrument with a clean and powerful sound that can fit almost any genre or style.
Size
The overall size for most bass guitars is quite similar. The biggest models are the Precision Bass and Jazz Bass, and they maintain a classic design with a great sustain and wide neck.
Material
For the wood, each brand uses its own blends of wood types. The most common types are mahogany, maple, basswood, and alder, as they have the necessary density to produce those powerful deep tones.
Finish
There are several types of varnish used in most bass guitars. The most common ones are polyurethane, nitrocellulose, acrylic, and oil varnish.
Color
There are as many color types as you can find with electric guitars. You’ll find a huge variety from the sunburst variation to pure colors like red, black, or green.
The Overall Tone & Sound
You’ll find numerous tonalities and sound types for each bass model. From the balanced tone of Music Man to the deep and punchy sound of Fender bass guitars, there is a spectrum of options for you to choose from.
Price
The price tag will certainly determine which bass guitar you can afford and which you can’t. This is the most important factor for many musicians.
Budget Bass Guitars for Metal
Most budget-friendly bass guitars will cost you from $200 to around $400, which makes them very affordable even for a young teenager.
Midrange Bass Guitars for Metal
Mid-range bass guitars cost from $400 to around $800, and they offer a great tonality and some extras for you to use.
Top-End Bass Guitars for Metal
The most professional bass guitars cost from $800 to several thousands of dollars, depending on the model. Here you’ll get a top-notch instrument with an impeccable tonality and fast action all around the spectrum.
What Are the Best Bass Guitars for Metal Music?
Let’s review some of the best bass models for metal, which I presented on this list.
Yamaha TRBX204 GRM 4-String Bass Guitar: Best for Beginners
The Yamaha company offers the best beginner instruments on the market. The Yamaha TRBX204 GRM model is no different, as it offers a robust body with a decent tone, all for a very low price.
ESP LTD B-204SM Spalted Maple Bass Guitar: Best for Intermediate
ESP is a leader in creating unique and powerful tools for metal musicians. The ESP LTD B-204SM bass guitar will satisfy any musician with its high-grade electronics and great tone.
Fender Steve Harris Precision Bass: Best for Professionals
What better than a signature model made to satisfy the needs of the legendary bassist Steve Harris from Iron Maiden? The Fender Steve Harris Precision bass model made by Fender is probably one of the best bass guitars for metal currently on the market.
What Is the Best Sounding Bass Guitar for Metal?
I think this is a matter of personal choice. I personally recommend the Steve Harris model or some of the Warwick bass guitars, as they have that punchy deep bass tone to them that will certainly fit into metal.
Where to Buy Bass Guitars for Metal
Nowadays there are numerous options to choose from when it comes to buying a new instrument. Let’s take a look at some of the most important and reliable options.
Amazon
Amazon is an indispensable tool in the modern age. Their competitive prices and fast delivery make this company so popular. The most useful feature is the customer reviews, as they offer an honest view of the product, which makes your decision so much easier.
Online Music Retailers
But nowadays there are several alternatives to Amazon that offer an exclusive selection of instruments at a great price. Here at Into Strings we highly recommend Sweetwater.com, Fiddlershop.com, and Guitarcenter.com.
Your Local Music Store
In your local music store, you might not find the biggest selection of instruments, but you can certainly count on the useful advice from the salesperson and the possibility of trying out any instrument they have in stock.
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In Conclusion
I hope you enjoyed this read about the best bass guitars for metal. Here we explored some interesting models with comfortable necks and bodies that are quite useful for this complex and technical style.
If you really liked this article, feel free to share or leave a comment about your favorite bass models for metal.
Stay safe and as always, good luck with your sonic adventures!
