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"I recommend zZounds to everyone all the time, not just friends. The payment plans are a blessing & help to to many up n coming young musicians needing/wanting good gear & the Play as you Pay will help them grow faster & better."
February 22, 2024
Find the bass that fits your style

Bass Buying Guide

Bridging the gap between harmony and rhythm, bassists have the power to shake the room and define a band's groove. With so many options out there, finding the right bass can be a challenge. Need a fretless 5-string bass to lay down smooth lines that sit right in the pocket? Or do you just need a 4-string workhorse to pound away at some overdriven rock 'n' roll?

Since there are just as many types of basses as there are players, our Bass Buying Guide is here to show you zZounds' bass selection at a glance. Whatever you play, we know we have the bass that fits your style and budget -- and our interest-free payment plans and fast, free shipping will get it into your hands in no time.

Questions? Talk to one of our gear experts: 1-800-996-8637.
4-String Electric Basses
Whether you're brand-new to the instrument or an old pro, you can't go wrong with a 4-string bass. The phrase "4-string" itself is synonymous with the bass guitar. Starting with Leo Fender's first game-changing Precision Bass in 1951, this style of workhorse bass has remained the standard. From the E string to the G string, you'll find everything you need to build your music's foundation. Here are a few of our favorite 4-string electric basses:
See all 4-String Electric Bass Guitars »

Fender Vintera II '50s Precision Electric Bass, Maple Fingerboard (with Gig Bag)

$1,149.99
  • 12 x  
    $95.83
  • 8 x  
    $143.75
  • No Credit Check
    6 x  
    $191.66
  • No Credit Check
    4 x  
    $287.50
Used $984.95
BACK IN STOCK

Epiphone Thunderbird Vintage Pro Electric Bass

$749.00
  • 12 x  
    $62.42
  • 8 x  
    $93.63
  • No Credit Check
    6 x  
    $124.83
  • No Credit Check
    4 x  
    $187.25
Used $636.95
BACK IN STOCK

Sterling by Music Man StingRay Ray25 Classic Electric Bass

$599.99
  • 12 x  
    $50.00
  • 8 x  
    $75.00
  • No Credit Check
    6 x  
    $100.00
  • No Credit Check
    4 x  
    $150.00
ONLY 3 LEFT

Fender Mustang PJ Pau Ferro Electric Bass

$849.99
  • 12 x  
    $70.83
  • 8 x  
    $106.25
  • No Credit Check
    6 x  
    $141.66
  • No Credit Check
    4 x  
    $212.50

Gibson SG Standard Electric Bass (with Case)

$1,999.00
  • 18 x  
    $111.05
  • 12 x  
    $166.58
  • 8 x  
    $249.88
Used $1,339.00
LAST ONE

Ernie Ball Music Man StingRay Special HH Electric Bass (with Case)

$2,599.00
  • 18 x  
  • 12 x  
    $216.58
  • 8 x  
    $324.88
Used $2,394.00

Warwick RockBass Corvette Double Buck Electric Bass

$1,230.00
  • 12 x  
    $102.50
  • 8 x  
    $153.75
  • No Credit Check
    6 x  
    $205.00
  • No Credit Check
    4 x  
    $307.50

Yamaha BB734A Electric Bass Guitar (with Gig Bag)

$749.99
  • 12 x  
    $62.50
  • 8 x  
    $93.75
  • No Credit Check
    6 x  
    $125.00
  • No Credit Check
    4 x  
    $187.50
5-String & 6-String Electric Basses
The 5-string bass continues to grow in popularity, and is now a must-have in the arsenal of many modern bassists. The extended range of 5 strings is heard more and more in contemporary progressive music, so gigging bass players often find themselves thrown into diverse situations at a moment's notice. This means hitting deep in the range of the instrument, and bringing out those extended low tones to cover a wide range of genres. From hip-hop to metal, push the low end with that B string, and be prepared to lay down whatever the track needs. If you need extended range on the upper end, pick up a 6-string bass with its extra C string! Here you'll find our picks for 5 & 6-string basses:
See all 5- & 6-String Electric Bass Guitars »

Yamaha BB735A Electric Bass Guitar, 5-String (with Gig Bag)

$799.99
  • 12 x  
    $66.67
  • 8 x  
    $100.00
  • No Credit Check
    6 x  
    $133.33
  • No Credit Check
    4 x  
    $200.00
Customer Return $679.95
ONLY 2 LEFT

Ibanez SR605E Electric Bass, 5-String

$849.99
  • 12 x  
    $70.83
  • 8 x  
    $106.25
  • No Credit Check
    6 x  
    $141.66
  • No Credit Check
    4 x  
    $212.50
Used $719.95

Ibanez SRMS805 Bass Workshop Multi-Scale Electric Bass, 5-String

$1,049.99
  • 18 x  
  • 12 x  
    $87.50
  • 8 x  
    $131.25
  • No Credit Check
    6 x  
    $175.00
  • No Credit Check
    4 x  
    $262.50
Fretless Basses
When playing melodic bass lines, nothing beats the feeling of a fretless bass. Its growl is unique, and depending on your style of playing, it can go from a delicate purr to a ferocious roar. On a fretless, you can fine-tune specific notes to ring out even sweeter -- and do all sorts of unique fills, slides and embellishments that would be impossible on a fretted instrument. Take a look at some of our go-to fretless basses:
See all Fretless Electric Bass Guitars »
ONLY 2 LEFT

Ibanez SRF700 Portamento Fretless Electric Bass

$999.99
  • 18 x  
  • 12 x  
    $83.33
  • 8 x  
    $125.00
  • No Credit Check
    6 x  
    $166.66
  • No Credit Check
    4 x  
    $250.00

ESP LTD B-205SM Fretless Electric Bass, 5-String

$649.00
  • 12 x  
    $54.08
  • 8 x  
    $81.13
  • No Credit Check
    6 x  
    $108.17
  • No Credit Check
    4 x  
    $162.25

MTD Kingston Z6 Fretless Electric Bass, 6-String

$1,499.00
  • 12 x  
    $124.92
  • 8 x  
    $187.38

Fender American Pro II Jazz Bass Fretless Bass Guitar (with Case)

$1,899.99
  • 12 x  
    $158.33
  • 8 x  
    $237.50
Hollowbody Basses
Hollow-bodied and semi-hollow basses deliver an open sound with rich resonance and a large dynamic footprint. Although hollowbodies are often associated with the jazz and country worlds, when played with a pick and/or palm-muted, they deliver a classic rock sound that forms the foundation of countless tracks. Here are our top picks for nailing that hollowbody bass sound:
See all hollowbody basses »

Ibanez AFB200 Artcore Hollowbody Electric Bass

$599.99
  • 12 x  
    $50.00
  • 8 x  
    $75.00
  • No Credit Check
    6 x  
    $100.00
  • No Credit Check
    4 x  
    $150.00
Used $499.95

Ibanez AGB200 Artcore Semi-Hollow Electric Bass

$599.99
  • 12 x  
    $50.00
  • 8 x  
    $75.00
  • No Credit Check
    6 x  
    $100.00
  • No Credit Check
    4 x  
    $150.00

Epiphone Viola Electric Bass

$449.00
  • 8 x  
    $56.13
  • No Credit Check
    6 x  
    $74.83
  • No Credit Check
    4 x  
    $112.25

Hofner Ignition Pro Edition Violin Bass Guitar

$449.99
  • 8 x  
    $56.25
  • No Credit Check
    6 x  
    $75.00
  • No Credit Check
    4 x  
    $112.50
Acoustic-Electric Basses
There is no substitute for the natural, full-bodied sound of strings vibrating against an acoustic instrument. Acoustic-electric basses offer a warm, earthy tone that can't be found anywhere else. When unplugged, they're perfect for practicing around the house, or for performing at a small venue. When amplified, acoustic-electric basses can fill large spaces with a natural tone, while keeping your flourishes from being lost in the mix. Most acoustic-electric basses have onboard preamps with EQ controls that allow you to shape the instrument's high, low, and midrange response for plugged-in gigs. Take a look at some of our favorite acoustic-electric basses:
See all Acoustic and Acoustic-Electric Bass Guitars »

Ibanez PCBE14MH Performance Acoustic-Electric Bass

$329.99
  • 8 x  
    $41.25
  • No Credit Check
    6 x  
    $55.00
  • No Credit Check
    4 x  
    $82.50
ONLY 2 LEFT

Michael Kelly Dragonfly 4 Fretless Acoustic-Electric Bass Guitar, Pau Ferro

$699.99
  • 12 x  
    $58.33
  • 8 x  
    $87.50
  • No Credit Check
    6 x  
    $116.66
  • No Credit Check
    4 x  
    $175.00

Fender FA450CE Acoustic-Electric Bass

$479.99
  • No Credit Check
    6 x  
    $80.00
  • No Credit Check
    4 x  
    $120.00