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QUICK HIT: Rounding up bass guitars from Fender, Epiphone along with other manufacturers, all under a $1000 retail price tag.

QUICK HIT: Rounding up bass guitars from Fender, Epiphone and other manufacturers, all under a $1000 retail price. Sometimes we link to products from companies we partner with. However, this does not impact our evaluations or recommendation process. All opinions are our own.

The highest-value bass guitars aren't always the most expensive. Although it?s true they could have the most money placed into them, that doesn?t indicate they?re exactly what you will need. And that?s what people often find scary about investing in a guitar.

It feels like you may be paying for features or quality that you won?t really use. If you can afford a $2500 bass guitar, that?s awesome and I envy you.

But, for most of us, we need a guitar that? https://blip.fm/bestreviewstips s both affordable and valuable to us, in our specific situations.?

In this list, I?ve pulled together 14 bass guitars which are both inexpensive (less than $1000) and ideal for probably the most common musical scenarios. By focusing on these guitars, I?ll cover basses that are ideal for all skill levels, from beginners right up to the semi-pro gigging and recording artist.

By focusing on the highest value, this list will allow you to avoid spending money on features or ?great features? that you don?t actually need.


Hand and hand, they look virtually identical.

So, so what can the Squier bass actually offer?

Here are several of its highlight features:

Block inlays and black binding on the neck really add to the ?70s vibe of the bass, and complete the appearance of the guitar.

The body is made of a soft Maple, which gets you from the density and punch of harder Maple tonewoods, leaving you with a much smoother, bass-friendly tone.

<img width="358" src="https://www.martperguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/DSC_0158.jpg" />

The neck and fretboard are also Maple, with a slim C-profile design that feels thin and plays fast, with room to support smaller hands and fingers.

The Jazz pickups certainly are a Fender stock job, though they do put out a warm tone that sounds great from the box without the tinkering or tricky volume adjustments.

Comparing to the Fender Jazz bass

The initial difference you?ll notice between the two guitars is that the Fender version uses an Alder tonewood, while the Squier is really a soft Maple.

Alder has a lot of vintage interest the Fender enthusiast, since Leo Fender used the wood almost exclusively during the ?50s and ?60s. Moreover, it?s a popular tonewood choice for bass guitars in general, regardless of brand, because the resonance is strong with plenty of thick low end.

However, the Maple in the Squier isn't what I would look at a steep downgrade.


It still sounds really nice and isn?t low-quality. The Gibson Les Paul?s manufactured in the 1950s had a carved Maple top, and are still probably the most sought-after guitars in existence.

In other words, Maple isn't necessarily a ?cheap? ingredient.?

The second factor is in the hardware used at the bridge and for the tuners.

Fender?s Jazz bass gets the American Vintage bridge treatment, alongside Fender brand ?70s vintage-style tuners.

On the Squier, both those parts are stock.?

But again, like the difference between Maple and Alder tonewood, these features aren?t deal breakers one way or the other.


And that?s not saying that it wouldn?t be nice to have the improvements that come with the Fender Jazz bass, since it?s certainly the higher product for those who have no budget to worry about.

But, from a value perspective, the Squier version offers you a lot of guitar, and a lot of exactly the same guitar as Fender, for a lot less money.


Affordability is definitely Squier?s primary attraction, as almost all of their guitars are priced in the sub-$400 range. The ?70s Jazz bass is actually closer to that mark than most, hanging out $350 retail these days.

At that price, it?s an excellent option for beginner bass players, and can even hold its as a primary or backup gigging bass.

For home jamming and the fundamentals, it?s the most effective bargains available.


I?ve come to think that when buying guitars (bass or otherwise) the $500 to $1000 range is really a pretty good target.

Going much higher results in you?re spending a lot more than you need to, at least for the casual or semi-professional musician.

So if you want to save money and that works for you, go for it. I?m not saying it?s a waste of money.

On the other hand, if you want to buy a bit cheaper, nevertheless, you?re not sure which basses are going to give you the best value, this list is a great list to start with.


What else should I look for in a bass?

Getting good value is often what people don?t trust themselves with.

Buying a bass guitar is really a big investment, so most of the time people worry about the return, whether they?re creating a ?wise purchase? or ending up with a lemon.

Obtaining the best bass guitars for everything you?re paying is essential when you?re pricing anything on the $300.

But, what else in the event you look for?

You know you need value, but after you have a direction to go in, what in the event you focus on?


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