What are the best active bass guitars for studio recording?
This page compares 4 active bass guitars with verified specifications and prices. Top options include Squier by Fender Classic Vibe 70s Jazz Bass Active, Sandberg California TM2 SL MN Blackburst Session Edition, Sterling by Music Man StingRay 5 RAY35HH. Prices range from £368 to £1,771. All data is sourced from manufacturer documentation and specialist retailers.
| Product ⇅ | Price ⇅ | Number of Strings ⇅ | Scale Length (inches) ⇅ | Nut Width (inches) ⇅ | Active Electronics ⇅ | Pickup Configuration ⇅ | Tuner Type ⇅ |
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Squier by Fender Classic Vibe 70s Jazz Bass Active
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£368.41 ≈ | 4 | 34 in | 1.5 in | ✓ | SS | Vintage-Style |
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The Classic Vibe 70s Jazz Bass Active is a four-string bass with a 34 in scale, dual Fender Designed alnico Noiseless single-coil pickups, and a 9V active/passive preamp. Its hum-free Jazz Bass tones and flexible EQ suit players recording funk, rock, soul, and other styles who want vintage looks with modern control. ★ Ideal forIt suits studio recording because the dual alnico Noiseless pickups reduce hum while the 9V preamp, active/passive switching, and treble/bass boost provide precise tone shaping for different tracks.
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Sandberg California TM2 SL MN Blackburst Session Edition
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£1623.50 ≈ | 4 | 34 in | 39.5 mm | ✓ | 2x Delano MC4FE humbuckers | Sandberg tuners |
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This lightweight four-string bass has a Paulownia body, maple neck and fretboard, two split-capable Delano MC4FE humbuckers, and active/passive electronics. Its comfortable long-scale design and flexible tones suit studio players who need clean articulation and broad sound-shaping options. ★ Ideal forIt suits studio recording because its active/passive electronics, 2-band EQ, blend control, and two split-capable Delano MC4FE humbuckers provide flexible, record-ready tones from full humbucker sounds to more focused single-coil-style textures.
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Sterling by Music Man StingRay 5 RAY35HH
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£811.38 ≈ | 5 | 34 in | 1.77 in | ✓ | HH | Open gear |
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The StingRay 5 RAY35HH is a five-string bass with dual Alnico humbuckers, a 5-way pickup selector, and a 3-band active preamp for broad tonal control. Its roasted maple neck and 34 in scale suit players who want punchy StingRay tones and extended low range for modern styles and recording. ★ Ideal forIt suits studio recording because the dual Alnico HH pickups, 5-way selector, and 3-band active preamp provide flexible, mix-ready tones while the five-string design adds a low B for expanded arrangements.
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Sandberg California TM-4 RW CR HG
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£1771.15 ≈ | 4 | 34 in | 39.5 mm | ✓ | H-S (1x humbucker, 1x single coil) | Sandberg machine heads |
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The Sandberg California TM-4 RW CR HG is a German-made 4-string bass with an alder body, rosewood fingerboard, Delano pickups, 2-band EQ, active/passive switching, and coil-split functionality. Its versatile tones and comfortable long-scale design suit players who need both classic and modern bass sounds. ★ Ideal forIt suits studio recording because its Delano H-S pickup configuration, coil-split, and 2-band active EQ provide flexible, mix-ready tones ranging from articulate single-coil sounds to powerful humbucker tones.
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