No one could have imagined the pace at which bass ukuleles have enamored and taken over the primary market. You surely must have seen a ukulele being played in your vicinity or on social media, where it has become the go-to instrument for so many professionals, influencers, and hobbyists alike.
What makes ukuleles so popular is their small and compact design. On top of that, they are very easy to learn how to play. Bass ukuleles are a smaller version of the electric ukuleles and can only be heard with a pickup. This gives their sound a much deeper baritone and funk.
If you’re thinking about buying a bass ukulele for yourself or gifting it to your loved ones and can’t decide which one to pick. Do not worry, we’ve got you covered with our list of Top 3 best bass ukuleles. So without further ado, let’s get to them.
Best Bass ukuleles – Top 3
#1. Donner Dub – 1
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07KW6VM9X/?tag=primesoundorg-20
We begin our best bass ukuleles review with a product that is simply mind-blowing. It is a limited edition ukulele and includes a bass equalizer. The ukulele comes with a preamp that is perfect for amplifying and controlling the bass, volume, middle, and treble.
The ukulele is made of Mahogany and the strings used in it are Aquila Nylgut that give it a very distinct, clear sound and provide tuning stability.
It has 18 fret bars with fret markings at the 5th, 7th, 10th, and 12th frets. Making it very easy to learn and play for everyone.
The Key features include:-
- Electric-acoustic type of instrument.
- It stands at 30 inches in height.
- Made up entirely of mahogany and has a rosewood fretboard.
- It has a Satin finish.
#2. Caramel CUB402
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LXDPWGD/?tag=primesoundorg-20
The next ukulele in our best bass ukuleles list is the Caramel CUB402. It has features and sounds that are similar to any standard electric bass guitar.
The sound when it is played is extraordinary, and not only that, the Aquila strings and Rosewood fretboard with 16 frets make it easily playable as well.
It comes with a preamp equalizer that can control the volume, bass, treble, and middle. And also has an inbuilt tuner to make the tuning process easier.
The key features are:-
- Acoustic-electric instrument.
- The body is made of Mahogany with a Rosewood fretboard.
- 30 inches in size and weighs only 2.2 pounds.
- It has a Varnish finish.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BGBYYDG/?tag=primesoundorg-20
The last product on our best bass ukuleles list but not in any way inferior is the Kala Ubass Wanderer FS. It is one of the basic and the best performing ukuleles.
The ukulele is made up of Mahogany on top, back, sides, and even the neck. It has 16 frets which are mounted by Aquila Thundergut strings. The fretboard comes with fret markings to make the fret-play smoother and easier.
The ukulele has a built-in preamp equalizer as well to control the volume, bass, treble, and middle and comes with a built-in tuner.
The key features are:-
- Acoustic-electric instrument.
- Mahogany top, back, sides, and neck.
- The size is 29 inches and weighs 4 pounds.
- It has a Satin finish.
Best bass ukuleles – Buying guide
While looking to purchase a bass ukulele for yourself or as a gift, there are a few things that should be kept in mind before making the decision. We are here to tell you all about them to help you choose the best bass ukuleles. The following list includes all the considerations:
Type of Ukulele
It is very important to know what type of bass ukulele you are interested in buying. It can depend on the type of music and sound you love and want to play. There are three types of bass ukuleles, namely-
- Electric – These have a solid body like an electric guitar and aren’t audible without an amp. The electric ukuleles sound like an electric bass guitar.
- Acoustic – This type of ukulele is reminiscent of an acoustic bass guitar and sounds like it as well.
- Acoustic-electric – This type of bass ukuleles are the most popular as they allow you to play both, acoustic and electric sounds.
Body Material
The sound of the ukulele is very closely related to the material that is used in the body. Apart from the sound, the looks and durability need a good quality body material. The most common types of woods used in ukuleles are mahogany, koa, maple, and rosewood with mahogany the most widely used wood type. This is because mahogany wood sounds better with age and it produces a soft and mellow sound.
The material used for Fretboard and neck
Apart from the body material, the material used on the fretboard and neck also has a huge impact on the sound quality and aesthetic of the ukulele. The most commonly used materials for fretboards and neck are:-
- Rosewood – it gives the ukulele a deep and warm sound.
- Ebony – it is a dense and tough material and improves sound clarity if used.
- Maple – it enhances the clarity and crispiness of the sound of the ukulele.
Finishing on the ukulele
Finishing on any instrument is paramount as it defines the overall aesthetics of the instrument and also protects the instrument from wear and tear. The most commonly used finishes for ukuleles are:-
- Gloss – it gives the ukulele a glossy mirror-like appearance.
- Satin – this finish makes the ukulele appear naturally matte.
- Painted – Not very attractive but preferred by some buyers.
- Lacquer/Varnish – it is mostly a protective coating on the ukulele surface.
Frets
Usually experienced bass ukulele players prefer unfretted instruments, while fretted ones are much easier to learn and play for beginners. It comes down to your choice about whether to buy a fretted or unfretted one.
Weight
Most of the bass ukuleles are built to be lightweight and compact, which is part of the reason why they are so popular.
Strings
The better the quality of strings used in the ukulele, the better its sound will be and the difficulty in playing the instrument is also dependent on the strings and fretboard.
Price and Warranty
The last but not the least things to consider are the price and the warranty offered on the instrument.