9 Best Bass Guitars for Reggae Music 2023

The Marcus Miller V3 TS 2nd Gen has rich tones and offers good performance in its price range.

Marcus Miller is one of the pioneers of the music we listen to today; he revolutionized the way we perceive fusion, jazz, and more through his style and the charisma he expresses through his music. In 2015 came this collaboration between Sire Guitars and him, which aimed to understand the needs of modern musicians and offer very good-quality instruments, but at a low price (at least most of them).

The Marcus Miller V3 TS 2nd Gen is exactly what the company set out to do; this instrument has great performance at a not-so-high price. It’s bass with a rosewood fretboard with some rolled edges that offer the feel that Marcus Miller wants from an instrument in terms of playability.

The tones are rich and punchy thanks to the Marcus Miller Standard J-Revolution pickups and a preamp system that can run either passive or active, offering a wide range of tones.

The most important part of it is the way you interact with the instrument and how the multitude of tone options helps you find your sound easily:

The preamp’s Passive/Active switch offers an opportunity to choose between two types of tones. If you choose the passive mode, you’ll have control over the master volume and master tone and pickup blend control to choose the perfect balance between guitar tones.
If you choose active mode, however, you’ll get a three-band eq with a sweepable midrange that will make it easy to find your place in any mix. This feature is more than welcome in the reggae genre as it allows you to choose between a punchy and modern tone and between vintage and warm in a very short time.
Thanks to the jazz-bass pickup style configuration, the reggae genre has much to benefit from as this dual single-coil configuration captures the essence of the deep and resonant tones of the basslines while maintaining the clarity and definition of any note.
The built-in active 3-band EQ on the V3 TS 2nd Gen offers precise control over the bass’s tonal spectrum. The sweepable midrange adds another versatility, letting reggae bassists sculpt their sound precisely to sit perfectly in the mix.
A subtle yet important detail, the rolled fingerboard edges enhance comfort during prolonged playing sessions. For reggae bassists, who often lay down hypnotic basslines for extended periods, this feature reduces fatigue and ensures smooth transitions across the fretboard.
Thanks to components such as steel bridge and real bone nut, this bass increases the major competition in the bass class because these are premium components (which is a bit unusual in this category). The bone transmits vibration much better than plastic nuts; with it, you will get more defined notes and a better attack.
Also, thanks to the all-steel bridge, you’ll benefit from two ways to mount your strings: bridge-through or body-through string loading, allowing you to have a sharper or warmer tone.
The high-mass bridge design gives you much more sustenance and resonance; they contribute to the cool reggae genre by providing rich, full-bodied tones. This feature ensures every note has the right bloom and sustain, enriching the sound tapestry.

The Marcus Miller V3 TS 2nd Gen is a bass that deserves praise and finds its place in any musician’s studio, whether reggae, jazz, rock, or metal. It offers almost unbelievable tones and features for its price range but interesting playability that offers comfort to any hand.

If you’re a musician who wants a comfortable bass that lets you play even the most complex parts possible, with tones that move easily across any genre and find their place in any mix, but also at a mid-range price, this might be the right option.

When buying the instrument, it would be good to see if your hand can easily reach the upper register of the frets (after frets 15-17). Some hands may not fit in that cut of the body.

2. Squier Classic Vibe ’70s Jazz Bass

Squier Classic Vibe ’70s Jazz Bass offers 70s vibes and modern tones.

It was first introduced in 1960 and is one of the longest-lasting series that has stood the test of time and has become the most used solution whether you are an old-school or modern musician.

This line has had to change due to the evolution of strings constantly, but also the needs of musicians to have a much brighter sound, eventually reaching this form, which notably introduced maple fingerboards and repositioning the back pickup, which was moved closer to the bridge.

The Squier Classic Vibe ’70s Jazz Bass is a bass that crosses a very funky vibe at a very low price. It gives you a body with as authentic a shape as you can get, a neck that gives you great comfort, and you can take the low-string action and two single-coil pickups. It’s a very comfortable bass and allows you to easily play the most complex parts while delivering those legendary tones that only Jazz Bass dozes can provide.

The most notable aspect of this bass is the legendary tones it gives you and the fact that it comes at a great price:

The bass’s design captures the aesthetic of an iconic era, featuring an elegant body with a delicate waist, stylish block inlays, and a gloss finish that’s quite nostalgic. These elements find their place in the hands of any bassist, be it a reggae, jazz, or metal player.
It is equipped with two Fender single-coil pickups known for their warm yet rich tones. These docks have a wide magnetic field, offer a much wider sound spectrum, and let you get deep and resonant lows while punchy mids find their place in any mix.
The neck has a slim C-shaped profile that offers comfortable playability and lets you play bass lines and riffs with an easy execution regarding the amount of energy you apply. It’s a welcome feature to any musician who spends hours in jam sessions or has +1 hour gigs because you’ll get minimal strain on your hands and fingers.
This bass has a vintage-style bridge that boosts sustain and resonance and contributes to a smooth sound necessary in reggae rhythm patterns. It also adds a classic touch of elegance that enhances the overall appearance.

Squier Classic Vibe ’70s Jazz Bass is a harmonious option for reggae bassists who want to balance vintage charm and modern performance. Thanks to Fender’s pickups, this bass offers plenty of tones; from deep thumping lows to articulate highs, it has it all. The slim neck profile also offers comfort you can only find in Fender basses; it’s good for rehearsals and long gigs.

If you need a bass that delivers vintage tones, is easy to set up, and your connection is as deep as you can get, all at a great price, Squier Classic Vibe ’70s Jazz Bass is a good option. But if you want a slightly more premium-sounding bass, we recommend you look at Fender’s top-of-the-range; we present some options here, too.

3. Steinberger Guitars Spirit XT-2

With a long history in the Reggae scene, the Steinberger Spirit XT-25 is present in the choices of those who want good stability and a distinctive stage presence.

The folks at Steinberger have been in this industry for a long time; they have always managed to cover a pretty sought-after range of headless guitars world. Throughout the history of the Reggae scene, they have been chosen by renowned musicians such as Family Man, Flabby Holt, and even Robbie Shakespeare, who, in combination with some standard flat-wound strings, achieved a deep tone with these basses.

The Steinberger Spirit XT-25 is certainly special because of its shape but also because of its weight. They were designed for those who want high-tuning stability, using a patented bridge method called the Double-ball tuning system. It is a 38.5” instrument that can be an excellent solution for traveling musicians.

Probably the most notable aspect that this instrument has is that although it is a headless instrument that doesn’t have much wood in the composition, it can deliver very deep tones due to the pickups it uses:

The design of this instrument is highly regarded in the guitar world, which has given the market a lot of ideas about where the market should be heading. This extremely compact body and its design allow musicians to carry their guitars anywhere without the hassle of storing them.
This bass has a neck-through design that can transfer string vibrations well and increase its stability (the Steinberger folks call it ”virtually indestructible”).
All the string changing and tuning is done in the bridge part of the bass. The ratio of this bridge direct-to-pull is 40:1, which means you’ll be able to tune easily. The benefit of this design is that there is no winding in the tuner post, making the string slip or stretch out of tune not present.
Because of the size of the bass, it makes the instrument travel-friendly. This size represents the total of the instrument and has a full scale. This compact design makes the instrument fit in any overhead compartment, which means you can travel by plane and have the instrument near you.
The Steinberger humbucker bass pickups are meant to complement the lack of wood tone and highlight its qualities. With their help, you’ll get deep, intimate tones that make the notes sound articulate and bright, making the bass easily fit into any musical genre, especially Reggae.

History has spoken and has shown that this bass fits very well in the hands of those who like to play Reggae. Still, there are also other genres. The Steinberger Spirit XT-25 is a bass that molds to any need, whether it comes to its playability or transport, sound, and stability.

If you’re looking for an instrument that won’t give you a lot of hassle from any aspect, such as setup, sound, or size, but also be sure to deliver reggae tones, the Steinberger Spirit XT-25 might be a good solution.

4. Rickenbacker 4003 FG

The Rickenbacker 4003 FG has an attitude that suits any musical genre.

The Rickenbacker 4003 FG is one of those vintage instruments that will never be replaced by anything in the modern world. Even though it was intended to offer elegance and innovation when launched, it has remained relevant all these years, and most modern and traditional musicians remain captivated daily.

Since its launch in the 60s, the series has undergone a series of minute transformations to suit the modern day. But these have not affected that vintage sound we know from old-school records. These basses become easily recognizable because they have a maple body, neck through body design, a rosewood fingerboard, and High Gain pickups with a present attitude and sound.

The coolest part of this bass is the combination of the pickups and the output that it has, but also the feeling that the bass offers:

This bass features some of what are called ”High Gain Pickups”. These are meant to provide crisp, clear, but also rich tones, giving a very light cat mix sound. Whether you play fingerstyle or use a pick, they can capture every nuance of your singing.
The Rickenbacker 4003 FG has a very different body shape than what’s on the market, and this one, even though very showy, is designed exactly to counterbalance the weight distribution. This means that the bass will sit comfortably on you as you play from your feet (either in rehearsal or live); it can reduce fatigue and offer much greater mobility.
The neck-through-body construction helps a lot with sustain and resonance. It promotes consistent and even vibration throughout the instrument, producing a much fuller sound than bolt-on instruments.
When it comes to connectivity, the Rickenbakers offer everything you could want. In this bass, you get stereo and mono possibilities in terms of bass output, which means that when you’re in the studio or live, you can couple the bass to different effects or rotate it in the PA in much more detail than with single output instruments.
The Rickenbacker 4003 FG offers vintage-style tone controls, including treble and bass knobs, to ensure you can make your bass sound exactly how you want it to. They offer major flexibility and allow you to get tones from punchy, tight lows to the most articulate highs.

Certainly, the Rickenbacker 4003 FG is an extremely present bass, whether we’re talking about its timeless design that is hard to replicate or the sound it delivers. It offers a sound with a wide range of tonal options, as the combination of high-gain pickups with vintage tone controls moves very well into any playing style.

On top of that, this is a very easy instrument to play, as it has an ergonomic body design, and the neck construction makes the bass no hassle for a longer playing time so that you won’t experience strain or discomfort.

If you’re looking for a durable bass that will be with you for many years, has a sound up to any challenge, and looks cool, this might be the right option. However, if you’re looking at a cheaper option or don’t want a heavy bass, you should consider another option.

5. Ibanez SR1300SB-MGL

The SR1300SB-MGL carries forward a tradition of innovation and performance.

Over the years, Ibanez’s SR range in the bass world has continued to offer increasingly complex and innovative options. The same has happened with this SR1300SB-MGL, which has been built to meet the ever-evolving needs of contemporary musicians, introducing advanced elements in terms of ergonomics and electronics.

We can all agree that the SR1300SB-MGL has a pleasing design. Still, it embodies a harmonious fusion of form and function, as the cut in the body offers easy access to the high note register. The neck profile offers very good playability, among the best on the market.

Also, the Ibanez folks understood the musicians’ need for low action; with this bass, you’ll have a very playable action, while the Nordstrand Big Break pickups capture the sound you produce in every way.

Among its numerous attributes, the most remarkable feature of the Ibanez SR1300SB-MGL is its ability to deliver good tones, all within a package that offers great value:

The SR1300SB-MGL has a Neck-Thru-Body design that greatly helps sustain and resonate. This design can give those with small hands much easier access to the higher fret register, allowing them to play the notes more clearly.
This Nordstrand Big Break Pickups bass offers wide tones (especially in the reggae genre), specifically from punchy lows to the most articulate and clear highs.
Thanks to the bass’s active EQ system, you’ll have complete control over the final sound. Also, having a mid-freq switch allows you to shape the bass to any singing style, be it picking, fingering, or slapping.
The Mono-Rail V Bridge minimizes string crosstalk; more specifically, it enhances the articulation and sustain of each note. It simplifies string changes, making maintenance a breeze.
It has an eye-catching Mahogany and Poplar Burl Top, a mahogany with a very attractive design, and the Poplar Burl top not only contributes to the bass’s aesthetics but also provides much better resonance and tonal depth.

The SR1300SB-MGL is a good choice when you’re looking for a modern bass with a large sound palette. The combination of the bass and the active EQ system makes this bass very easy to adapt to your needs.

It has a very well-designed build quality, so you can be sure that the bass will last for many years. However, in terms of playability, the bass is one of the most comfortable on the market, thanks to the neck profile and the cut in the bass body.

If you’re looking for a modern bass that is present on stage (either visually or in terms of sound), this might be a good fit for you. But if you’re looking for a slightly cheaper option, this bass comes at quite a high price, and for beginners, it might be unnecessary to invest that much in the beginning days.

6. Fender Player Plus Active Precision Bass

Featuring a PJ pickup configuration, the Fender Player Plus Active Precision Bass delivers tones with the authentic grow and punch of a Fender bass.

This Player Plus series from Fenerder is designed to deliver the authentic tones and configurations of the vintage Player Plus but with modern components and craftsmanship. Lately, more and more bassists tend to choose this series because it molds to any pocket and needs (whether you’re a modern bassist or one who keeps giving away classic tones).

In this case, it is no exception; The Fender Player Plus Active Precision Bass has everything modern days apply regarding how the instrument is made and the components used, so you are vintage but have modern options. This bass can give you ”The best of both Worlds” thanks to the possibility of changing the pickup architecture; more specifically, you can switch between active and passive.

On release, this series aims to offer the authentic feel of a Fender bass and enhance playability by having a 12” radius neck. Still, a modern ”C” shaped neck also offers high playability. On top of that, it has a bridge that gives you perfect intonation and good resonance but also major sustain, making the Fender Player Plus Active Precision Bass an option that molds to any need.

The most important part of the Fender Player Plus Active Precision Bass is that it has all the components and craftsmanship of their premium range but at a price more to everyone’s taste:

Its design meets Fender’s standards on the market, with a body that molds very well to the musician. It comes in several colors, from red to green to gray, each with a gloss that scratches very hard and is of good quality.
It has a Player Plus pickups configuration that can function as active or passive. They also have a split-coil that provides a thundering and punchy low-end tone, and the Noiseless Jazz Bass pickups offer crystal clear clarity but also growl. This adds major versatility to the bass, as they offer very easy classic tones and mold well into either reggae or rock, but also metal.
In the electronics part, the Fender Player Plus Active Precision Bass has an 18-volt active preamp that provides boost/cut for bass and mid but also treble frets so you can EQ directly from the bass. It also has a mini toggle switch that helps musicians switch between passive and active modes in an easy-to-reach area. Issa, if you want to change the battery, you can do it quickly on the back of the bass.
Adding a major plus in terms of resonance and sustain, the Fender Player Plus Active Precision Bass has a Himass bridge, a top-load bridge with a plate that adds these qualities. At the same time, the four beefed saddles sit in slots to provide much better comfort in terms of setup, intonation, and stability.
The neck has a fingerboard with a comfortable 12” radius that is flatter, which improves speed and dexterity. It also has the rolled edges smoothie conversions of the keyboard, making interaction with the instrument much more comfortable and personal. Also, the ”C” neck profile is a pretty good solution between thin and thick, so it molds to all tastes.

The Fender Player Plus Active Precision Bass is more than suitable for the Reggae genre and others. The neck profile and the radius offer very good comfort; whether you want to play fast parts or play very expressive notes, the instrument has good stability from every aspect, whether we talk about intonation, tuning, nut, and tuning pads and the sound you get is soft and warm but can easily be aggressive and punchy.

If you’re looking for a bass in the mid-price range that offers all the modern solutions in terms of electronics and general components and has a sound that can easily mold to any preference, this could be the solution for you. However, if you’re looking for a bass with a wider radius and shape, and the frets are also a little further apart, it might not be for you, as this bass is very finely tuned.

The pickups and electronics consume a lot of battery capacity, so changing the battery once every 1-2 weeks would be advisable.

7. Squier Classic Vibe ’60s Precision Bass

The Squier Classic Vibe ’60s Precision Bass is a timeless icon reimagined.

Stepping into the world of the Squier Classic Vibe ’60s Precision Bass is like embarking on a journey through the annals of musical history. This series was born in 1960 and has endured the test of time, and over time, it has served all the needs of traditionalists and modern musicians.

In an ever-evolving musical landscape, the Classic Vibe ’60s Precision Bass has adapted not only to changing string technologies but also to the evolving tastes of musicians craving brighter, more distinct tones. This evolution led to the introduction of key features, such as maple fingerboards and a repositioned back pickup, thoughtfully moved closer to the bridge.

What sets the Squier Classic Vibe ’60s Precision Bass apart is its ability to marry that detailed ’60s flair with affordability:

It is equipped with an Alnico split-coil pickup; this bass produces warm, deep tones reminiscent of the classic ’60s P Bass sound. The pickup design minimizes interference for a clean and pure sound.
The comfortable C-shaped neck profile makes extended playing sessions a breeze, reducing fatigue and enabling smoother finger movement across the fretboard.
The top-loaded vintage-style bridge enhances sustain and resonance, ensuring every note rings out clearly and also allows for precise intonation adjustments.
The Classic Vibe ’60s Precision Bass pays homage to the iconic basses of the 60s. It captures the essence in terms of sound, shape, and configuration, and those looking for a bass with a classic look will surely find the right solution.
It has narrow, tall frets on the maple fingerboard, provides excellent playability, is suitable for easy bending, and ensures accurate intonation up and down the neck.

The Classic Vibe ’60s Precision Bass is a bass that offers a lot for the price, and the fact that it’s affordable for musicians on a budget is something to appreciate. It features Alnico split-coil cans that deliver rich and versatile tones suitable for genres from funk and reggae to metal.

It is very comfortable to play with thanks to its neck profile and narrow tall frets, which offer a smooth experience and are ideal for long gigs or recording sessions. It also has very good tuning stability thanks to vintage-style tuning machines that are very well built.

8. Sterling by Music Man Sting Ray 4

Sterling by Music Man Sting Ray 4 is a budget solution that offers a premium tone and feel.

Music Man is one of the most popular brands in the guitar industry, be it basses or guitars. Their Sterling series allows bassists to play iconic instruments with the same sound quality, playability, feel, and performance. Many well-known bassists will use this series because it works well in the studio or live. These include Rex Brown from Pantera, Flea from RHCP, and Simon Gallup from The Cure.

The Sterling by Music Man Sting Ray Ray 4 bass is a full-size bass with a 34-inch body. It has an egg-shaped double-cutaway body design containing basswood (a common option in this price category). In terms of electronics, it has a humbucker cartridge with an active 3-band EQ that allows you to easily alter the full range of frequencies that the bass has.

What truly sets the Sting Ray 4 apart is its active 3-band EQ, allowing musicians to craft their signature sound in no time:

This humbucker pickup on the Sterling Sting Ray 4 offers rich tones in frequencies and a full-bodied tone. That means it’s ready to deliver what the reggae style needs, from punchy and clear to deep and growling bass sounds.
It benefits from a 3-band EQ system that allows musicians to sculpt the sound in any way they want, whether they want to adapt it to other genres, not just reggae or different live contexts.
The Sterling Sting Ray 4 has a roasted maple neck that is stable and durable. It contributes slightly to the resonance and sustains the tone. Still, more than that, it copes easily with changes in temperature and humidity, making the bass one suitable for those on the road constantly.
The bass has a contoured body design that provides comfort on long gigs. It promotes much easier access to the fretboard’s upper register while minimizing fatigue to help bassists focus more on their technique while playing.

Surely, Music Man has provided the perfect combination of versatile sound and comfortable playability. The combination of the humbucker dose and that 3-band EQ system makes the bass as modern as can be but also good sounding. Besides that, the comfort that the neck has, but also that cutway in the body makes the instrument give you a special connection when playing it.

If you’re looking for a bass with a good tone, is durable in temperature and humidity, gives you quality comfort, and doesn’t spend too much money on it, this might be for you. Music Man is a brand known for these things, and they have proven that their instruments are among the best and best on the market.

We recommend giving more time to that 3-band EQ system as it has many options, from the softest to the most aggressive.

9. Fender American Professional II Jazz Bass