Bass ukuleles have grown in popularity alongside the regular ukulele.
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BEST BUDGET
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BEST FRETLESS
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BEST FULL BASS UKULELE PACKAGE
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While a bass guitar is just the lowest four strings of a standard guitar tuned down an octave, the bass ukulele is a different instrument than the higher tuned ukes most folks are familiar with.
Our Top Picks for Bass Ukulele
Bass ukulele size is smaller than an upright or electric bass, which appeals to those with a newfound interest in the bass.
Think one of these instruments might be right for you? Curious to learn more? Read on to hear about our top picks for a wide range of styles and applications.
Best Budget: Caramel CUB402 Electric 3Ukulele Bass
Star rating: 4/5
Value: Great
Sound Quality: Good, considering the price
Features: Built-in EQ (bass, middle, treble), good quality strings included, accessories like a gig bag, strap, and wall mount
Performance: Not top of the line, but a great bang for your buck
Pros: The price is hard to beat, and accessories are a bonus
Cons: There are many better options but at a higher price point
Best Fretless: AKLOT Electric Bass Ukulele
Star rating: 4/5
Value: Good
Sound Quality: Advanced players will enjoy the freedom of a fretless neck
Features: EQ equipped, fretless neck with markers, case, and other accessories
Performance: A great sounding intro to the fretless universe, unplugged or amplified
Pros: A great beginner fretless with plenty of features
Cons: Some of its high-end competitors offer more
Best Full Bass Uke Package: Kala U-Bass Ukulele Bundle
Star rating: 3/5
Value: Good
Sound Quality: Average but more than adequate for a beginner looking for a complete setup
Features: Piezo pickup, mahogany body, everything you need to get started
Performance: Moderate but a very complete package
Pros: Great pickup, especially for a value uke
Cons: Quality trumps quantity
Best Acoustic/Electric: Donner DUB-110 30 Inch Acoustic Electric Bass Ukulele
Star rating: 4/5
Value: Great
Sound Quality: Great plugged in or acoustic!
Features: Quality wood, making for an excellent acoustic sound. Pickup for when the volume needs to increase
Performance: Excellent sound in electric and acoustic contexts
Pros: Versatility, at arguably the best price for a bass ukulele from Amazon
Cons: More advanced players may want something more robust at a higher price point
Best Sound: Oscar Schmidt Comfort Series Bass Ukulele
Star rating: 4.5/5
Value: Excellent
Sound Quality: Great when plugged in or acoustic
Features: Comfortable body, built-in pickup, and preamp. High-quality strings included
Performance: Very functional and has a lush tone
Pros: Quality strings included and tones remarkably similar to those of an upright bass
Cons: Pickup and preamp require batteries
Best Overall : Kmise Electric Acoustic Bass Ukulele
Star rating: 4.5/5
Value: Excellent
Sound Quality: Great-sounding instrument, and the EQ works out any missing frequencies
Features: Built-in EQ, picks/strap/case included
Performance: The best all-around combination of sound quality, build quality, decent electronics, and accessories
Pros: Well rounded, and good quality for the price
Cons: Nothing to complain about here. For overall value meeting quality, this is your bass uke!
Best Acoustic Sound from a Bass Uke: Kala Spalted Maple Acoustic-Electric U•BASS
Star rating: 4/5
Value: Good
Sound Quality: Excellent
Features: Spalted maple gives the tone a brightness that cuts the low-end frequencies and balances the tone acoustically. This shines through when plugged in as well!
Performance: Kala Bass Ukuleles are known for their quality and consistent sound. This is no exception!
Pros: Comes with a gig bag and maple coloring makes for a great appearance
Cons: You pay a little extra for this higher quality wood, and it may not be a discernable enough difference for beginners
Best Gig Bag for Bass or Contrabass Ukulele: 26 Inch Ukulele Case Gig Bag
Star rating: 5/5
Value: Great
Sound Quality: N/A
Features: Comes with picks and ample storage
Performance: 5 out of 5 stars, but this is easier to achieve with a case than with an instrument itself. This features a sturdy design which will protect your instrument
Pros: Reasonably priced and not an overly complicated design, so it will last
Cons: Make sure you buy the right size. This is a robust case, but will not stretch if you buy a small one. If you buy a size too large, your instrument will still fit, but not be as well protected
Differences Between Ukuleles and Bass Ukuleles
A bass ukulele is the same shape and aesthetic as a regular ukulele but tuned like a bass (E, A, D, G).
A bass ukulele neck is roughly the same size and shape as a conventional uke, so it is easier to get one’s bearings on than that of an upright or electric bass.
Should You Buy a Bass Ukulele?
If you’re curious about the bass but prefer the aesthetic of a ukulele, this is the choice for you.
They are also favorites amongst recording musicians since you can approximate sounds of electric and acoustic bass without the bulkiness of those instruments.
Learning the Bass Ukulele
Bass uke can be easier to learn, since bass ukulele chords tend to be smaller due to the lower pitches offered on these instruments.
Single note basslines will be easier to learn than a series of complex chords, but not everyone has the ear for this either.
Final Thoughts
A bass ukulele is a great tool to have in your music room, offering a lot of fun for novice and advanced musicians alike.
If you have the budget, you can find very high-quality instruments in a variety of shapes and sizes. Looking to save a few pennies?
Several of the options above are great starter instruments, to have you playing along to your favorite basslines in no time!
