Best Acoustic Basses of 2026

"I was a bit skeptical at first because of the price, but honestly, this bass has really surprised me. For what I paid, the value is amazing. The frets came in great shape with no rough edges, and after swapping out the factory strings for Ernie Balls, the sound quality really opened up. Needed a quick neck tweak, but that’s normal for online buys. It’s become my go-to living room bass—super convenient and stress-free!"

"As a guitarist who just wanted to dabble in bass without spending much, I’m genuinely impressed by the quality at this price point. The finish color is bold but not a deal-breaker, and I honestly can’t spot many differences between this and much pricier acoustic basses I’ve seen in stores. It sounds good both unplugged and through my amp, and the fretwork really surprised me."

"I bought this for my home studio recordings so I could experiment with adding bass to my tracks. The size and scale are perfect for my setup, and it’s easy to play. Plugged directly into the board, it sounds great, though I did get some hum that I couldn’t fully resolve. For the money, it’s a solid tool for home recording, but if you need flawless electronics, you may want to upgrade."

"As someone looking for an affordable beginner's bass, I was pleasantly surprised by the quality and build of this instrument. The bass came securely packaged, and after a quick tune-up, it played nicely. Plus, the included amp and accessories made it feel like a great deal. I noticed I need to retune it every so often, but for the price, that’s a small trade-off."

"I’ve played several bass guitars, and I can say this is the best-made budget bass I’ve owned. After a simple neck adjustment, it played cleanly with no fret buzz. I’d definitely recommend it to others looking for an inexpensive but solid instrument."

"As a musician who needed a bass for a trip, I found this package to be practically perfect for travel and casual use. The setup was decent, and the sound quality impressed me. The included amp, tuner, extra strings, and gig bag made it even more convenient. For the price, it’s hard to beat."

"I was searching for a compact bass to enhance my recordings, and the Kala U-Bass fit the bill perfectly. The short scale is comfortable, the satin Sapele finish looks fantastic, and the tone is warm and woody—very reminiscent of an upright bass. I'm also a fan of the rubber strings, which were easy to adapt to. Shipping was prompt and the 30-day return policy gave me peace of mind, though I have no intention of returning it."

"This instrument really surprised me! Despite its small size, the U-Bass delivers a deep, robust sound when plugged in—easily suitable for gigs or recording. It's also super easy to carry around, which makes it a great addition to my collection. I didn't expect such a powerful tone from something so portable."

"I love how portable and fun this bass is. It's incredibly lightweight, and the unique feel of the rubber strings adds a different dimension to my playing. The sound is deep and almost upright-like, which makes practicing more enjoyable. Only downside is the frequent need to retune, but the overall experience is totally worth it."

"I'm thoroughly impressed by the overall quality and playability of this bass. As someone with smaller hands, the size and scale are perfect for me. The mahogany finish looks gorgeous, and the edge binding and smooth frets add a premium touch. It's louder acoustically than similar models, but I still use a small amp when playing with others. For its price, it's an exceptional value and a true joy to play."

"For me, this bass outshines my much pricier electric bass. It’s lightweight, portable, and the short neck never gets in the way. The built-in tuner and volume knob are super convenient. While the tuning knobs can be a little sensitive, once set, it stays in tune nicely. Perfect for beginners or anyone looking for a fun, easy-to-play instrument—I just can’t put it down!"

"I picked this up as a fun, travel-friendly bass for camping trips and it’s been perfect. The bouncy, soft strings are easy on my fingers and the sound is surprisingly good, especially when plugged in. While the fretwork could use a little more finishing, I think the quality is great for the price, and it’s just an incredibly enjoyable instrument to play anywhere."

"After playing several acoustic basses over the years, I can honestly say this one stands out as a keeper for its deep, woody tone and effortless playability. Plugged in, it maintains an impressive acoustic sound with minimal finger noise. The built-in tuner works flawlessly, and at this price, the value can’t be beat. Honestly, if you’re on the fence, I’d say just go for it."

"As a bass hobbyist with decades of experience, I was looking for an instrument that could be played without an amp and didn’t break the bank. This bass is well intonated, feels comfortable in hand, and looks simple yet quality-built. It’s perfect for beginners or anyone wanting a practice instrument that doesn’t require plugging in. I’m really enjoying it!"

"I bought this acoustic bass mainly for casual playing outdoors and street performances, and I’m having a blast with it. The upright bass-like sound is fantastic, and it’s affordable enough that I don’t mind taking it camping. The only minor gripe is the fretboard being a bit wide, but overall, I’m really happy with my purchase."

"As a lefty, I’m thrilled to finally find an instrument that’s both affordable and crafted with top-notch workmanship. I couldn’t be happier with my purchase!"

"I’ve spent over a thousand dollars on an acoustic bass before, but honestly, the Tario blows it away. It’s much louder, easier to play, and I’m even considering getting a second one just to keep it in my car."

"This bass has a solid adult-sized build, feels comfortable, and tuning is a breeze thanks to the built-in tuner. The only downside was that the strings looked a bit used, but overall, I’m very pleased with the quality for the price."

"I’m genuinely amazed by the balance and feel of this neck-through bass. The fretwork and inlays are beautiful, and after a minor truss rod adjustment, it plays perfectly. I was surprised by the quality of the pickups—they’re Belcats and sound good enough that I’m leaving them in. For the price, this is an absolute steal, and the fit and finish rival far more expensive instruments. Shipping was impressively fast, arriving a day early even during the holiday rush. I’m excited to add this to my collection and think Leo Jaymz is really stepping up in the affordable guitar market."

"I picked up this bass mainly for practice and was drawn to the roasted maple neck at such a low price, especially given my region’s harsh climate. The sound is decent, the finish is nice, and the neck feels stable and easy to play. If I had to nitpick, there’s a little neck dive and the pickups seem pretty cheap, but overall it’s a solid bass for the price."

"After less than a day of owning this bass, I can honestly say it’s exceeded my expectations. The packaging was excellent and it even came with a few useful accessories. The strings are comfortable and the neck is smooth, making it really enjoyable to play. The pickups sound surprisingly good with no need for immediate upgrades. My only minor issues are that the output isn’t as loud as I’d like and the action needed some adjustment out of the box. Still, this is definitely one of the best values I’ve found online."

"I'm really impressed with this bass—the quality is top-notch and it's beautifully made. The neck feels similar to my jazz bass, which makes playing and practicing a pleasure. It's exactly what I was looking for."

"Living in an apartment, I appreciate that I can play quietly without an amp or plug in with headphones for practice. The construction feels solid, and it's perfect for acoustic gigs or intimate coffee shop performances."

"This is a fantastic acoustic bass, perfect for playing at home and plugged in. It works especially well for solo parts or with just one guitar, though it gets hard to hear unplugged with bigger groups. Still, I'm very happy with it!"

"I'm a professional musician, and I recently picked up this bass for my acoustic bluegrass trio. The craftsmanship is top-notch, and the short scale neck is perfect for my shorter arms. It sounds great both unplugged and through an amp—although there was a little buzz on the E string, which my tech easily fixed. The built-in tuner is super handy, and it’s ideal for jamming, small gigs, or just playing on the porch. I couldn't be happier for the price, and I definitely recommend it."

"As a beginner, I found this bass to be a great value and very enjoyable to play. The built-in tuner made getting started a breeze, and the sound is impressive for such a compact instrument. The neck is a bit shorter than I expected, and there's no cutaway, so it's a bit of a reach past the 12th fret. Still, the playability and tone make it an excellent choice for new players."

"I was looking for a portable acoustic bass and this Ibanez exceeded my expectations. The mahogany body is beautiful, the sustain is incredible, and the action is comfortable right out of the box. The sound is loud for its size and works well for fingerstyle. Just remember the gig bag isn't included, but for anyone wanting a unique addition to their collection or a travel-friendly bass, this instrument is a gem."

"I'm really impressed by the superb finish and the amazing sound quality. I'm absolutely delighted with my purchase!"