Finding the best bass guitars under $200 is quite tricky, especially when you have no clue where to start. However, did you know that some affordable bass guitars can improve both your confidence and skills?
The best bass guitars under $200 in 2020 will also ensure you can create music, explore your style, and get inspiration. What you need to achieve this, is a good quality bass guitar at an affordable price.
This review has put together a comprehensive list of the top 6 bass guitars in 2020 for under $200.
Use this review and comparison to compare the different options available to you and pick the most suitable.
Understand that you need a bass guitar that matches your style and compliments your music. Well, let’s get started on this transformative journey.
The six best bass guitars under $200 in 2020 Reviewed & Compared
1. Yamaha TRBX174 OVS
If you are looking for a bass guitar to boost your confidence, the Yamaha TRBX174 OVS is an excellent choice. You get an affordable piece that delivers nothing but top-notch performance.
Yamaha has undoubtedly earned their worth with its high-end craftsmanship and years of experience.
The Yamaha TRBX174 OVS features a Mahogany body construction with an exotic Flamed Mango top.
The gloss polyurethane finish and maple neck give you a perfect touch and gorgeous look. Understand that this bass guitar comes with 24 total frets and a 34-inch scale length, making it an excellent beginner’s choice.
The Yamaha TRBX174 OVS gives you two picks; a single-coil at the bridge or a ceramic split-coil right at the neck. However, note that this bass guitar doesn’t have a pickup selector switch.
The good news is that you get a master tone and dedicated volume control.
Pros
- Gorgeous design and simplistic finish
- All the electronics onboard are of excellent quality
- Value for your money
- The neck features an ergonomic design that feels good
Cons
- The left-handed version is unavailable
- Plastic knobs can easily break
2. Ibanez Talman TMB100 TFB 2015
The Ibanez Talman TMB100 TFB 2015 offers a beautiful tone for an affordable bass that won’t have you breaking the bank. You get a sub $200 model with a vintage double-cutaway mahogany body and a cool retro finish.
The neck features a 34-inch scale length that feels fast and smooth. The 22 medium frets give you an impressive guitar with good sound quality. However, understand that the setup may seem a bit tricky, but you will get the hang of it after a while.
You get two pickups with the Ibanez Talman TMB100 TFB 2015; the Dynamix J at the bridge and Dynamix P at the neck. There are two separate control knobs for master volume and master tone that give you more control and flexibility.
The 2+2 configuration of the chrome tuners gets you a solid feel at an affordable price. Note that the sound of this bass guitar is strong, fat, and extremely versatile. It is an excellent choice if you want a decent bass guitar for punk and metal rock.
The simple controls satin finish makes it easy to use, especially for beginners.
Pros
- The satin finish gives you impressive playability
- Many tonal options
- Great pickups
- Great value for your money
Cons
- Setup is tricky
- Loose knobs
Features of the Ibanez Talman TMB100 TFB 2015
- Mahogany body
- Medium frets
- Acrylic block inlay
- TMB4 Maple neck
- Rosewood fingerboard
3. Peavey Rockmaster Bass Guitar
The Peavey Rockmaster Bass Guitar has a fantastic playing feel that gets you great value for your money. The stamped steel bridge ensures that you get a solid feel when working on your music style.
It is an excellent choice if you are looking for high-end performance at an affordable price.
This bass guitar features a dual expanding truss rod and die-cast chrome tuners. The short-scale neck gives you more flexibility since you can quickly move up and down while playing.
The master volume and tone controls are conveniently located to provide you with more accuracy.
What I found interesting about the Peavey Rockmaster Bass Guitar is the legendary Peavey reliability. You get a bass guitar model that won’t disappoint you while guaranteeing long-lasting services. It is an excellent purchase for beginners who need a bass guitar that offer quality sound and quality construction.
Pros
- Reliable and easy to use design
- Amazing playing feel
- Sturdy hardware
- Tone and master volume controls
Cons
- Low-quality knobs
4. New Maxam Electric Bass
The New Maxam Electric Bass is an excellent choice with a down-low fat sound with clear tones.
Users get a tremendous response when fingering, picking, or slapping. The neck is highly sanded, thus ensuring that your hands can slide like butter.
Understand that you get a reliable and lightweight construction that looks and feels professional. It is a 43-inch electric bass guitar that also doubles as a 4-string guitar.
The design is flawless with two Allen wrenches, strap buttons, and an amp cord.
However, note that this bass guitar also comes with 2 tone controls that give you more flexibility.
The input jack and volume control are conveniently located to ensure you can quickly make adjustments. This bass guitar will get you to value for your money.
Pros
- 43-inch electric guitar
- Two Allen wrenches
- 2 tone controls
- Sturdy design
Cons
- Tuners are rather stiff
5. Affinity Series Precision Bass PJ
The Affinity Series Precision Bass PJ is an entry-level bass guitar that produces good quality sound. Note that this impressive model follows the Precision Bass that was released back in 1951.
The good news is that it is a cost-effective model that doesn’t compromise on quality.
The Alder body construction with a bolt-on maple neck gives you a sturdy model that provides long-lasting services.
The Affinity Series Precision Bass PJ has a scale length of 34-inches and a fingerboard radius of 9.5-inches.
Understand that this bass guitar also features 20 medium jumbo frets paired beautifully with a middle and bridge pickup.
What I particularly love about this model is the lightweight construction that ensures you can keep playing for hours.
To wrap it all up, the Affinity Series Precision Bass PJ is an excellent purchase when you need a versatile bass guitar at a budget-friendly price.
The good news is that you get three separate controls for more flexibility: Volume 1, Master Tone, and Volume 2.
Pros
- Perfect for beginners
- Good quality sound
- Great value for money
Cons
- A few noise and hum issues
6. Squier by Fender Affinity Jazz
The Squier by Fender Affinity Jazz offers a richer tone that is consistent and solid. The neck nicely tampers with sturdy construction that makes it easy to play. You also get a rosewood fretboard that ensures a well-balanced experience.
The double-cutaway body lets you entirely access your entire fretboard. The 34-inch Squier by Fender Affinity Jazz is a joy to use since its extremely playable. The pickguard features a three-ply guard that gives you long-lasting services.
Understand that this bass guitar features a small tone knob and two large volume knobs. The volume knobs are easy to adjust and get to different tonal varieties to suit your music style. Because the tone affects the entire sound output, you get more precise tones.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Very comfortable feels
- Affordable price
- Fantastic quality
Cons
- A bit challenging to stay in tune
How to choose the best bass guitar in 2020 for under $200
1. Neck
You have to consider the neck of a bass guitar before making any purchases. Whether it is thinner on the bass or treble side, it would help if you found a bass guitar that is comfortable for you. Note that the neck can be somewhat wider on a 6- or 5- string bass.
2. Scale length
Measure the scale length from the nut to the saddle. Understand that the frets need to be set out in a specific ration according to the length of the scale. This means that a bass guitar with a longer scale length will have a farther distance between the different frets.
3. Tonewood
The tonewood implies the wood material used in the construction of your bass guitar. Understand that the tonewood will affect both the sound and tone of your bass guitar.
Hardwoods have a bright and snappy sound, which gives you an excellent percussive tonal characteristic.
Great examples of hardwoods include rosewood, rock maple, and ebony. Softer wood is ideal because of its mellow and warm tone. Aider and basswood are great examples of softwood used in bass guitar construction.
Conclusion
The Ibanez Talman TMB100 TFB 2015 is an excellent choice that provides high-end prices at an affordable price. This guitar is sleek, lightweight, and easy to use.
This comprehensive review will come in handy if you are looking for a bass guitar to suit your music style in 2020.
Ensure that you look at customer reviews to get a clear picture of the different bass guitars for under $200 in 2020.
Understand that you need a bass guitar that can provide long-lasting services and solid sound.
