12 Best Ibanez Acoustic Basses in 2024 – Reviewed & Buying Guide

Are you a music lover and would you like to start playing an instrument? Today we offer you one that could be right for you: the acoustic bass. Listening to your favourite songs, you will certainly have noticed that rounded and rhythmic sound that surrounds the rest of the instruments giving originality and movement to the song.

If your desire is to buy one of the best acoustic basses, you are in the right place. The acoustic bass is, in fact, an excellent tool to start taking your first steps towards the world of music.

Here we had selected the best quality of Ibanez acoustic basses that are given below.

Buyer Guide to Choose the Best Ibanez Acoustic Basses

What Is an Acoustic Bass?

The acoustic bass is a string instrument like the guitar. It is used to give a solid rhythmic structure, together with the drums, within a piece. The acoustic bass differs from the traditional bass in that it has a harmonic case, “the body”, which gives the instrument a classic sound with excellent volume even in the absence of an amplifier.

Essential within a musical group, the acoustic bass predominates in the sound compositions for its serious sound and for its dynamic “turns”. Thanks to the musical scale on the neck, you can reproduce the main rhythms of the most varied musical genres.

What Are the Components of An Acoustic Bass?

The acoustic bass, as you will see, consists of the assembly of several components. Depending on the construction material of some of them and the quality of others, the instrument may present one sound rather than another. The main components of an acoustic bass are:

• Body: In the acoustic bass it is usually also called “harmonic case”. it is the component with the largest dimensions in the whole instrument. Thanks to its particular structure, characterized by curvatures, rounded parts and a hole, usually obtained in its centre, it is possible to have a natural amplification of the sound. The volumes achieved are discreet.
• Handle: Usually obtained from several layers of compacted wood, it is fixed to the body with screws or glue and is lapped by ropes. Inside there is a long screw called “core” or “Truss rod”, essential to keep the strings at certain traction and avoid the curvature of the handle. The latter shows a musical scale, characterized by the presence of different “Keys”, some of which are marked with a mother-of-pearl dot. Each fret scans different notes based on the number of strings present.
• Paddle: it is the end part of the handle. The mechanics are inserted in the headstock, tools that allow you to tune and maintain them. They are made up of mechanisms which, by rotating the keys, allow you to select the tone of each individual string.
• Bridge: it is the second end where the ropes are fixed and is located in the body. It allows you to adjust the distance of the strings from the neck, in order to find the right grip and sensitivity while playing it.
• Strings: Tensioned by the mechanics on the blade and by the fixing of the bridge, they are the main sound element. Through their vibration, in conjunction with the pressure of the keys of the neck, it is possible to reproduce the notes in different scales. The thickness of the bass strings, much greater than that of guitar strings, allows you to have the serious sound that characterizes it.
• Pickups: usually mounted on the body, they are present only in the electro-acoustic versions. The pickups, in turn, are connected to a jack connection which allows the connection of the acoustic bass with an amplifier or speaker.

What Is the Difference Between an Acoustic Bass and A Guitar?

The acoustic bass differs from the guitar in the number of strings and in the structure. The former gives the two instruments a different and unique sound. The bass can have 4 or 5 strings, depending on the musical scales you need to be able to play your favourite songs or compose.

The acoustic bass strings are thicker than the guitar strings. They allow you to reach anything but high-pitched sounds. In the case of the structure, the acoustic bass has larger dimensions than the guitar. They differ in body, handle and headstock. Having thicker strings, the structure is more massive and the sound more rounded, rhythmic and with low tones.

How to Choose an Acoustic Bass?

Based on your musical experience, choosing one of the best acoustic basses can be more or less immediate. On the market, there are products that differ a lot in the price.

Starting from the basic models, ideal for beginners and with very low prices, we move on to custom editions of the greatest musicians, with very high prices but with exceptional materials, mechanics and sounds.

Between these two price ranges, there are many acoustic basses with an excellent compromise between quality and price. By doing your research well and considering the fundamental aspects, you can get to have a valid and performing tool, which will accompany you in your passion.

You will be able to mature over time which is the best acoustic bass for you and in turn make a more targeted purchase. If you already have experience but don’t have a big budget, we recommend choosing between mid-range acoustic basses. They are built with quality woods and with some subsequent tricks you can improve their sound.

Why Choose an Electroacoustic Model?

There is an acoustic bass variant that will allow you to play by connecting to an amplifier or speaker. This instrument, commonly called electroacoustic bass, is characterized by the presence of a jack connector, pickups, and potentiometers to adjust the sound when you make the connection.

It is an excellent choice, as you can play, both in the Unplugged version and with the amplification. In this way you will have no limits on any kind of performance.

Usually, the electroacoustic version is powered by a battery, placed in a special compartment. Some models also have an analogue or digital tuner integrated, which will facilitate the intonation of the instrument.

Things to Consider Before Purchasing

Before proceeding with the purchase of the best acoustic bass, you need to consider some characteristics, which can prove to be decisive in choosing one model over another. If you want to have an excellent acoustic bass in your hands, you should not underestimate any aspect.

Many times you can be fascinated by the design of a product, but this is not the only criterion that determines the quality of your instrument. We show you what to consider:

• Sound and material body, neck, keyboard
• Meccaniche
• Keyboard and musical scales
• Use
• At and design

Sound and Material Body, Neck, Keyboard

The acoustic bass is a musical instrument usually built in wood.  it is precisely the material that determines this characteristic. If you happen to try different acoustic basses you will be able to notice this difference from one model to another.

Since sound is one of the main selection criteria for the purchase of one acoustic bass model over another, therefore also pay attention to which wood they use.

The types are varied: from rosewood to mahogany, from poplar to fir, from maple to walnut. If your idea is to buy a mid-range bass, choose one with resistant materials that have an excellent sound at the same time.

Meccaniche

The mechanics are the fundamental parts that will allow you to keep the strings of your electric bass in traction, therefore to maintain the tuning of your instrument. The mechanics are usually mounted in the headstock and have a mechanism, which through the rotation of a key, will allow you to obtain the correct intonation of each single string.

Having excellent mechanics on your acoustic bass will avoid annoying tuning problems. As you play a song, the strings are subjected to continuous vibrations and shocks.

If your instrument has poor quality mechanics, you run the risk of having a change in your tuning as you play. Usually, in the cheaper and mid-range basses, you will find standard mechanics that sin in maintaining the tuning.

This flaw, which you will find in your instrument, although it may have an excellent sound, can be resolved by replacing the factory mechanics with the branded and high-quality ones. Make sure the mechanics you choose are compatible with your model.

Keyboard and Musical Scales

On the neck of the acoustic bass, there is a musical scale, in the form of a keyboard. The keys on the neck can vary in number, thus increasing the musical scale in order to compose your songs.

Usually, there are 20 keys, but there are versions that also have 22 or 24 keys. You can also find the scale measurements in inches, which indicate the distance from the nut to the bridge.

Some acoustic bass models feature a keyboard designed specifically for left-handed musicians. This looks like the mirror reversal of the right-handed tool. the type of wood of the keyboard that will affect the sound of the instrument must also be taken into consideration.

Uses

Depending on the use you want to make of your bass you can choose between two distinct choices. If your interest is only in having an instrument to practice or to play in the company and always carry with you to the sea, lake or mountain, we recommend the classic acoustic version.

In its purely mechanical structure, you can play without needing any amplifier. If you want your bass to have a double value, we recommend purchasing the electroacoustic version.

This model is presented in all respects as the classic version but the difference is given by the presence of a jack connection, pickups and potentiometers. These will allow you to amplify the sound of your acoustic bass by not limiting you in any direction. it is an ideal solution for unplugged concerts.

At and Design

Price and design are two aspects that influence your choice. There are different models of acoustic bass on the market. Based on the materials used and the mechanics installed, prices range from a few hundred euros to thousands.

If you are a beginner we recommend basic models with a low economic cost. These acoustic basses, with some improvements, can become excellent tools. If you are already a veteran we advise you to evaluate more professional models.

Design is the aspect that strikes you at first glance. The shapes and colours of the acoustic basses on the market are varied. Choosing the right type of paint will also contribute to the sound of your instrument.

Some types of paints, or lacquers, are not recommended because they deteriorate the construction materials and consequently decrease the sound quality.

Choosing an acoustic bass model just for the design can prove to be the wrong idea. Previously we showed you the main important parameters that determine the sound of your instrument. Design is one of these, but not the only one.