Let’s imagine this scenario – you’ve been playing on a bass for a while and you just know that it’s time to get a guitar from the highest shelf. But what exactly should you buy?
In today’s article, we’re going to have a look at 10 best high-end bass guitars that are available on the market right now. Think of all the posh Fenders, Gibsons and Sterlings – it’s all on that list.
I can’t guarantee that your next bass is on that list, but hopefully this post will help you get some inspiration for your choosing our next axe. It’s all totally subjective, but I can promise you that this is top level stuff.
10 Best High-End Bass Guitars – List
| Fender American Professional II JB | See on Amazon | See on Thomann |
| Gibson Thunderbird Bass | – | See on Thomann |
| Fender American Professional II PB | See on Amazon | See on Thomann |
| Schecter Stiletto Studio 4 | See on Amazon | – |
| Fender Flea Signature Jazz Bass | See on Amazon | – |
| Fender Duff McKagan Deluxe PB | See on Amazon | See on Thomann |
| Guild Starfire Bass II | See on Amazon | See on Thomann |
| Ibanez SR4FMDX | See on Amazon | See on Thomann |
| Fender Player Plus Meteora Bass | See on Amazon | See on Thomann |
| Sterling by Music Man RAY35 | See on Amazon | See on Thomann |
Fender American Professional II Jazz Bass
Fender American Professional II Jazz Bass is one of the best and most popular bass guitars recommended for intermediate and professional bass players. This model has absolutely everything that you need from a high-end bass.
What makes it so special? Well, the guitar features an alder body, a comfortable maple neck and an easy-playing rosewood fingerboard which guarantees a superb playing experience. What’s important, Fender equipped this model with two V-Mod II single-coil pickups which offer a lot versatility and punch.
Undoubtedly, this is one of the best Jazz Bass guitars that are currently made by Fender. It’s perfect for studio use and it works particularly well during live performances. If you’re a working musician, you’ll absolutely love it!
I have no hesitation in recommending the Fender American Professional II Jazz Bass to all bassists who are looking for the best high-end bass guitars available on the market. This model exceeds all the expectations!
Here’s the sound demo – feel free to check it out.
Gibson Thunderbird Bass
Gibson Thunderbird Bass is an another fantastic high-end model designed for the most demanding guitarists out there. This is a really iconic model which has a really characteristic bass tone.
The guitar features a a solid mahogany body, a 9-ply mahogany/walnut neck with the rounded ’60s profile and a rosewood fingerboard which feels really smooth. The neck is a big advantage of that model, because it allows you to play for several hours without getting tired.
What’s important, the Thunderbird is equipped with a pair of really powerful and versatile humbuckers which are perfect for rock and metal music. Additionally, the guitar has a nitrocellulose lacquer finish which adds a little bit of vintage character to that axe.
You can love or hate Gibson guitars, but the truth is that this Thunderbird model is one of the best basses that are currently made by this brand. Surely, it’s one of the best high-end basses that you can find on the market right now.
Here’s the demo.
Fender American Professional II Precision Bass
Fender American Professional II Precision Bass is an another high-end guitar manufactured by this legendary brand. Just like the Jazz Bass mentioned earlier, this Precision Bass exceeds all the expectations.
The guitar features an alder body, a comfortable maple neck and an easy-playing rosewood fingerboard. The neck is a big advantage of that guitar, mainly because of the ’63 C-profile neck which is really easy on the fingers.
What’s important, Fender equipped this model with the V-Mod II Precision Bass split-coil pickup which gives you access to a lot of fantastic tones. Whether you’re looking for a lot of punch, growl or balance – this bass can do it all. It sounds awesome in any live environment and it cuts perfectly through the mix.
Just like all other guitars from the American Professional II Series, this guitar isn’t that cheap. But despite of the high price, it’s still one of the best high-end bass guitars that you can currently find on the market. That’s for sure!
Here’s the demo.
Schecter Stiletto Studio 4
Schecter Stiletto Studio 4 is one of the most affordable 4-string bass guitars on today’s list. Some people may not consider it as a high-end bass, but in my opinion it looks, sounds and feels like a bass from the higher shelf.
The guitar features a mahogany body with the Bubinga (African hardwood) top. There’s also a very comfortable maple/walnut neck with an easy-playing rosewood fingerboard. This interesting mix of woods results with a really nice and balanced tone that can be used in a lot of different styles of music.
Schecter equipped this model with a pair of EMG-35hz humbuckers which offer a lot of versatility when it comes to tone. Whether you’re an amateur or a professional guitar player, you will definitely appreciate the high quality of that instrument.
In my opinion, Schecter Stiletto Studio 4 will be a perfect choice for all bassists who are looking for a great sounding and reliable 4-string bass. It’s a fantastic guitar which is actually surprisingly affordable.
Here’s the demo.
Fender Flea Signature Jazz Bass
Fender Flea Signature Series Road Worn Jazz Bass is an another high-end model recommended for passionate bass players. Whether you’re a fan of Flea (RHCP) or not, you will definitely appreciate the uniqueness of his signature axe!
This particular model is mostly based around the original ’61 Fender Jazz Bass used by Flea throughout his career. It has an alder body, a comfortable C-shaped maple neck and an easy-playing rosewood fingerboard. On top of that, the road worn finish makes it look really vintage.
The manufacturer decided to equip that model with a pair of Pure Vintage ’64 pickups which sound absolutely amazing. Whether you’re into rock, blues, jazz or grunge, you can be sure that this tone won’t let you down.
Although it’s not a cheap guitar, it’s definitely worth checking out. In my opinion, it’s one of the best signature high-end bass guitars that you can currently find on the market. And if you’re a lover of Red Hot Chili Peppers and Flea, you’ll immediately fall in love with it!
Here’s the demo.
Fender Duff McKagan Deluxe Precision Bass
Fender Duff McKagan Deluxe Precision Bass is an another fantastic high-end bass recommended for both amateur and more advanced bass players. This is an another signature model, but in comparison with Flea’s Jazz Bass, this Precision Bass is a bit more affordable.
The guitar features an alder body, a comfortable maple neck and a rosewood fingerboard which guarantees a comfortable and enjoyable playing experience. It also has a killer look with black hardware and a black matching headstock.
But most importantly, this bass guitar guarantees a superb tone. Fender equipped this model with two really good pickups: Seymour Duncan Jazz Bass pickup and a vintage-style Precision Bass pickup. Both of these pickups are very versatile and they give you access to a lot of interesting tones.
Undoubtedly, this is one of the best premium bass guitars that you can potentially add to your own gear collection. You don’t even have to be a fan of Duff McKagan – you will definitely notice the uniqueness of that model!
Here’s the sound demo.
Guild Starfire Bass II
Guild Starfire Bass II is a fantastic semi-hollow body bass guitar designed for the most demanding guitarists out there. In my opinion, this is one of the best high-end basses of this type that you can currently find on the market.
What makes it so good? Well, the guitar features a laminated mahogany body with laminated back and sides. There’s also a really comfortable 3-piece maple/mahogany neck and an easy-playing rosewood fingerboard.
When it comes to sound, the Starfire Bass II has the classic woody thump of a hollow body bass guitar. But at the same time, it feels like a regular bass guitar, so it’s extremely easy and comfortable to play. This is a huge advantage, especially for all the advanced and professional musicians.
Although not everyone likes that kind of look and sound, the truth is that Guild Starfire Bass II exceeds all the expectations. I have no hesitation in recommending this model to all bassists who are looking for a high quality and reliable semi-hollow bass guitar.
Here’s the demo.
Ibanez SR4FMDX
Ibanez SR4FMDX is an another high-end bass guitar recommended for intermediate and professional bassists. This guitar has everything you potentially need from a premium bass – the looks, the feel and the sound.
The SR4FMDX model is made of a really interesting combination of woods. It has an ash/maple/Bubinga body with the maple/Bubinga top. There’s also a 5-piece Panga Panga/Purpleheart neck with an easy-playing maple fretboard which guarantees a comfortable playing experience.
Ibanez decided to equip that model with a pair of Nordstrand Big Break single-coils which offer a lot of versatility when it comes to tone. Whether you’re into rock, metal, grunge, blues or country – this bass won’t disappoint you.
What’s interesting, it also has an onboard EQ with 3-way midrange switch which gives you even more control over your tone. This is a really interesting feature which is not that common in bass guitars!
Undoubtedly, Ibanez SR4FMDX is one of the best high-end bass guitars that you can find on the market right now. I’m sure that a lot of you will absolutely love it!
Here’s the demo.
Fender Player Plus Meteora Bass
Fender Player Plus Meteora Bass is not necessarily considered as a premium bass, but it definitely deserves a lot of attention. This is a pretty new model, so not everyone is aware that it exists yet.
The Meteora Bass features a really interesting offset body made of alder. There’s also a comfortable maple neck with a smooth Pau Ferro fretboard. This is a big advantage of that model, because it allows you to practice for many hours without getting tired.
Fender equipped that model with a pair of Fireball Humbuckers which offer a lot of versatility and punch when it comes to tone. Whether you’re into blues, rock, grunge or metal, you will definitely appreciate their sound. Moreover, the Meteora bass is also equipped with an active 3-band EQ.
Undoubtedly, this is one of the most interesting bass guitars on today’s list. It’s not overly expensive and it offers a really good quality – isn’t it all that really matters in the end? That’s why I highly recommend checking it out!
Here’s the sound demo.
Sterling by Music Man StingRay RAY35
Sterling by Music Man StingRay RAY35 is an another amazing bass guitar recommended for both amateur and more advanced bass players. It has absolutely everything that you need from a high-level 5-string bass guitar – the looks, the tone and the feel.
The guitar features a Nyatoh body with a comfortable roasted maple neck and an easy-playing rosewood fingerboard. The quality of these woods is really high, so playing on that model is a fantastic experience.
What’s important, the RAY35 model is equipped with an active 3-band preamp and a humbucker pickup which offers a lot of versatility when it comes to tone. No matter what kind of music you want to play, the versatile tone of that axe will pleasantly surprise you.
Undoubtedly, Sterlin by Music Man StingRay RAY35 is one of the best high-end bass guitars for the money. It’s not as expensive as some of the other models mentioned on today’s list and it offers an exceptional quality. That’s why I love it!
Here’s the demo.
Summary
As you can see, there are a lot of fantastic high-end bass guitars out there. Although some of them are really expensive, they definitely deserve a lot of attention. I’m sure that if you’re searching for a premium bass guitar, choosing one of the basses mentioned above will be a really good idea.
What do you think of these guitars? Do you think that they’re worth it? Leave a comment down below and let me know what you think, I’m really interested to hear your thoughts!
Thanks for checking out today’s review, hopefully it was helpful and you found what you were hoping to find. If you enjoyed this article and you’re searching for more bass recommendations, you may also like:
