Sometimes you just need the full, natural sound of an acoustic bass guitar to complete a song. Acoustic basses aren't quite as commonplace as electric bass guitars, but they're ideal for bluegrass, folk, and other acoustic genres. In this article, we've gathered together our pics for the best acoustic bass guitar.
Our Top 12 Picks for Best Acoustic Bass Guitar
Best High End
Martin BC-16E
Best All Around
Breedlove Solo Jumbo Bass CE
Best Short Scale Bass
Taylor GS Mini-e Maple Bass
Fender Kingman Bass V2 -- Best Unusual Design
Important Features
Pros & Cons
Pros
Cons
Brief Review & Star Rating
Review
You've heard of Fender's legendary electric basses, but the Kingman bass is a great way to get Fender bass tone in an acoustic package. The first thing you'll notice about this bass is its unique color -- like many of Fender's California Series guitars, this one has a Strat-style headstock, and it's finished in striking black with a contrasting gold pickguard.
The body style is similar to that of a grand concert guitar, and the Venetian cutaway gives you easy fret access. The slim, jazz-bass style neck is slim enough to be comfortably playable, and the onboard Fishman Presys+ preamp system gives you a great amplified tone.
Our Star Rating
We think this is the best acoustic-electric bass when it comes to alternative designs, and we give it four out of five stars.
Ibanez PCBE12MH -- Best Budget Option
Important Features
Pros & Cons
Pros
Cons
Brief Review & Star Rating
Review
Ibanez is fairly well known manufacturer for some of the best acoustic and electric guitars for beginners. This budget-minded acoustic-electric bass is ideal for new players or for experienced players who want to play a little bass in their spare time. The body is all laminated sapele, but laminated wood is pretty much what you'd expect in this price range. However, it has a beautiful and rustic-looking open-pore natural finish.
It also comes with an Ibanez AEQ202T preamp with an undersaddle pickup. The onboard preamp has a two-band EQ with bass and treble controls, and it also has an onboard tuner, which is a great convenience feature. An abalone rosette is a surprising high-end touch.
Our Star Rating
We think this acoustic-electric bass is the best budget option on the list. We give it 3.5 out of five stars.
Taylor GS Mini-e Maple Bass -- Best Short-Scale Bass
Important Features
Pros & Cons
Pros
Cons
Brief Review & Star Rating
Review
For some players, the best acoustic bass is also travel-ready. This beautiful little bass guitar is the bass version of Taylor's GS Mini-E. And with a scale length of just 23.5", it's more manageable for smaller players. The top is solid Sitka spruce, and the back and sides are made of eye-catching layered figured maple.
The Taylor GS Mini-E acoustic bass is also stage-ready. It comes with Taylor's remarkable ES-B electronics. This system uses a behind-the-saddle pickup as opposed to an undersaddle one. Since the pickup isn't compressed, you get a live sound that's much more authentic.
Remarkably, the Taylor GS Mini-E comes with D'Addario strings that were custom-designed for it. They feature a nylon core wrapped with phosphor bronze. A slick, beautiful ebony fingerboard and ebony bridge make the Taylor GS Mini-E stand out if you're looking for a high-quality acoustic bass.
Our Star Rating
We think the Taylor GS Mini-E is the best short-scale. We give it five out of five stars.
Breedlove Solo Jumbo Bass CE -- Best All-Around
Important Features
Pros & Cons
Pros
Cons
Brief Review & Star Rating
Review
Sometimes, you come across an acoustic bass guitar that incorporates truly remarkable design elements. This jumbo acoustic bass from Breedlove has a side monitor soundhole, a crucial feature if you play in groups or ensembles. The side monitor soundhole is essentially a second, smaller soundhole on the side of the bass. It directs some sound to your ears, acting like an all-acoustic monitor. And if you want to play plugged in, simply cover it with the included cover.
The Solo Jumbo Bass CE has a solid red cedar top for a great balance of warmth and sparkle. And the rosewood-like tonal elegance of ovangkol makes it one of the best acoustic bass guitars for just about any genre. Plus, it comes with some of the best available electronics -- the LR Baggs EAS VTC system.
Our Star Rating
We think this is the best all-around acoustic bass on the list. We give it five out of five stars.
Guild B-140E -- Best Value All-Solid Acoustic Bass
Important Features
Pros & Cons
Pros
Cons
Brief Review & Star Rating
Review
If you think all solid acoustic bass guitars are prohibitively expensive, you'll be pleasantly surprised by the Guild B-140E. This concert-body acoustic bass has classic good looks and a classic tone to match. With a solid spruce top and solid mahogany back and sides, it delivers a perfectly balanced tone with just enough punch. The rosewood fingerboard is beautiful and playable, and the mahogany neck warms up the tone even further.
If you want to plug in and play, this acoustic-electric bass guitar comes with the Fishman Sonitone BT-1 system. Rather than having an onboard preamp that's easily visible on the side of the guitar, this system has rotary controls for volume and tone for easy, quick tone shaping. And a unique bracing pattern makes it exceptionally resonant -- it features Guild's OX bracing on top and scalloped bracing on the back.
Our Star Rating
We think this one is the best value acoustic bass made of all solid wood on the list. We give it four out of five stars.
Martin BC-16E -- Best High-End Model
Important Features
Pros & Cons
Pros
Cons
Brief Review & Star Rating
Review
Martin's legendary acoustic guitars are known for their pronounced bottom end, so you might imagine that a Martin acoustic bass would be exceptional. The Martin BC-16E certainly is. The acoustic bass guitar is made of the classic combination of solid Sitka spruce and solid East Indian rosewood.
This is a combination that gives you the tight low-end rosewood is known for along with the incredible responsiveness of Sitka spruce. And like most high-end Martins, it comes with an ebony fingerboard and bridge.
Some of Martin's best acoustic guitars come without electronics, but this acoustic bass comes with some of the best in the business -- the Fishman Matrix VT Enhance system. This way, you get high-fidelity plugged-in sound. But even when playing unplugged, the forward-shifted X bracing gives you an even more pronounced bass response.
Our Star Rating
We think this acoustic bass is the best high-end option on the list, and we give it five out of five stars.
Ibanez AVNB2E -- Best Parlor-Style Bass
Important Features
Pros & Cons
Pros
Cons
Brief Review & Star Rating
Review
You've heard of parlor guitars, but you might be surprised to see this parlor-style acoustic bass guitar. A smaller bass like this one has all the sonic benefits of a parlor acoustic guitar, too -- its projection is excellent, and its focused sound can really cut through a mix. Plus, its smaller body is comfortable for kids and smaller adults to play with.
It comes with a solid spruce top whose tone only improves with time, and the laminated mahogany back and sides add just enough punch. X-bracing strikes the perfect balance between resonance and soundboard stability.
A slim, playable mahogany neck is topped with a beautiful ovangkol fingerboard, and there's an ovangkol bridge to match. The bone nut and saddle help create a quality, vintage-inspired tone. And if you want to play live, the Fishman Sonicore preamp system makes it easy to do so.
Our Star Rating
We think this is the best acoustic bass with a parlor body shape on the list. We give it four out of five stars.
Cordoba Mini II Bass EB-E -- Best for Kids
Important Features
Pros & Cons
Pros
Cons
Brief Review & Star Rating
Review
The longer scale length of an acoustic bass guitar can make it difficult for kids and smaller adults to play. This mini acoustic bass from Cordoba has a scale length of just under 23", making it an excellent option if your child wants to learn the bass guitar. This one is unique in that it's made with traditional Spanish fan bracing, which is often used on classical guitars. This pattern supports both resonance and responsiveness.
Even though it's a small acoustic bass guitar, the Mini II has an excellent build quality. The top is solid spruce, and the back and sides are made of beautiful striped ebony. A beautiful abalone rosette is another nice visual touch. And Cordoba onboard electronics come with a three-band EQ and an onboard tuner.
Our Star Rating
We think this is one of the best acoustic bass guitars for kids, and we give it four out of five stars.
Guild Jumbo Junior -- Most Like an Upright Bass
Important Features
Pros & Cons
Pros
Cons
Brief Review & Star Rating
Review
When it comes to tone, some players think the best acoustic bass guitars are the ones that sound the most like upright bass. And while you can't get that exact sound out of an acoustic bass guitar, the Guild Jumbo Junior gets pretty close.
Part of that is due to the fact that this mini-jumbo bass has a maple back and sides like many upright basses. It has a highly responsive solid spruce top. While the sides and back are laminated, the Jumbo Junior has an arched back that really makes a difference when it comes to low-end thump.
And while this acoustic bass guitar sounds great unplugged, it also comes with the Guild AP-1 active electronics system. A maple neck and ebony fingerboard make it incredibly playable, too.
Our Star Rating
We think this is one of the best acoustic bass guitars if you're looking for something that sounds like an upright bass. We give it 4.5 out of five stars.
Traveler Guitar Redlands Concert Acoustic -- Most Comfortable to Play
Important Features
Pros & Cons
Pros
Cons
Brief Review & Star Rating
Review
This one is one of the best acoustic bass guitars if you travel frequently. Its 23.25" scale makes it easy to take along. But even though it has a compact body, this little acoustic bass delivers a remarkably full tone. Part of that is thanks to the included Shadow electronics, which are engineered to further enhance the instrument's low end.
The Redlands is made of all laminated woods -- a koa top and mahogany sides and back. The all-laminate construction means it resists temperature and humidity changes, making it a great instrument for travel. Its beveled cutaway and beveled shoulder make it incredibly comfortable to play, too.
Our Star Rating
We think this is one of the best acoustic bass guitars when it comes to playing comfort. We give it three and a half out of five stars.
Fender CB-60SCE -- Best Playability
Important Features
Pros & Cons
Pros
Cons
Brief Review & Star Rating
Review
Fender makes some of the best acoustic bass guitars for beginners, and many of these affordable models are still incredibly playable. The Fender CB-60SCE has rolled walnut fretboard edges that make playing especially easy for new bassists. The mahogany neck also has a slim-taper profile that helps reduce hand fatigue, and a Venetian cutaway offers easy fret access.
Even though the CB-60SCE is one of the more affordable acoustic bass guitars on the list, it has remarkably good build quality. The solid spruce top is incredibly responsive, and it will sound better with age. The laminated mahogany back and sides add more warmth to its tone. Scalloped X bracing increases resonance and Fishman Classic Design electronics let you plug in and play if needed.
Our Star Rating
We think this is one of the best acoustic bass guitars when it comes to playability, and we give it 3.5 out of five stars.
ESP LTD TL-5SM -- Best Exotic Wood Bass Guitar
Important Features
Pros & Cons
Pros
Cons
Brief Review & Star Rating
Review
ESP guitars are often visual standouts, and this is one of the best acoustic bass guitars when it comes to looks that we've found. This one has a semi-hollow, chambered mahogany body for exceptional resonance. The spalted maple top gives it a stunning aesthetic, and it also adds a definite crispness to its tone.
This acoustic bass has a thin U-shaped mahogany neck with a smoothly playable jatoba fretboard. The onboard Fishman Sonicore pickup makes it a stage-ready instrument, too.
Our Star Rating
We think this is one of the best acoustic bass guitars made with exotic wood. We give it 3.5 out of five stars.
Buying Guide: What Should You Look for in an Acoustic Bass?
Acoustic or Acoustic-Electric?
Unlike an electric bass guitar, you don't need to plug an acoustic bass into an amp. And if you don't intend to perform, you may not need electronics. If you do want to perform, you may find that it's easier to play with an acoustic-electric bass. However, it is possible to play an all-acoustic bass into a microphone, too.
Tonewood Selection
Tonewoods are a vital part of the build of any acoustic guitar or bass. When thinking of what tonewoods you prefer in acoustic basses, the selection process is just about the same. Here are a few common tonewoods and how they can impact the tone of a bass guitar:
Choosing a Body Style
Just like with acoustic guitars, acoustic basses come in different body styles (although dreadnoughts are not common). Many of these basses are made using the jumbo body style. This larger body produces remarkably loud sound and offers excellent projection.
You can even find acoustic basses with a parlor body shape. This smaller body is ideal for smaller players or for any bassist who prefers a tight, focused sound. Similarly, the smaller grand concert body basses also offer focused, controlled sound with just enough overtones.
In Conclusion
We think any of the acoustic basses we've discussed would be an outstanding instrument to own. But our top bass guitar choice is the Breedlove Solo Jumbo Bass CE. This one isn't just a beautiful instrument -- its innovative side monitor soundhole makes it easy to hear yourself even in large groups, and its top-notch electronics make it an incredible performance instrument. Plus, its solid cedar top gives you a warm sound with a defined bottom end.
We think the Taylor GS Mini-E Maple bass guitar is a worthy runner-up. Its spruce and maple build delivers excellent projection, and Taylor's Expression System Baby electronics make it a great choice for gigging musicians. And lastly, if you have more to spend, the outstanding Martin BC-16E bass guitar offers incredible tone thanks to its all-solid spruce and rosewood build and world-class electronics.