Best Lightweight Bass Guitar (2026): 3 Picks Compared

Updated Oct 24, 2026 · By Jonah Mercer · Ranked from listed specifications · How we rank

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The Ibanez GSR200 leads this list for players who want a 4-string bass with Active Bass Boost: an Agathis body and 2 single-coil pickups. If you want a 5-string bass, the Ibanez MiKro answers with 22 frets and a fixed bridge at 7 lb.

The picks at a glance

Which one should you buy?

• Players who want an Agathis body with Active Bass Boost: Ibanez Gio GSR200JB Bass Guitar See pick 1
• Players who want P/J pickups with split-coil and single: Yamaha TRBX174 DBM Agathis Body See pick 2
• Players who want 5 strings with 22 frets: Ibanez GSRM25BK MiKro See pick 3More picks: Best 5 String Bass Guitar

Want the full range? Best Bass Guitar ranks the top bass guitars for every buyer, or browse all 33 guides.

The 3 picks, ranked

1Best Overall

Ibanez Gio GSR200JB Bass Guitar

• Strings: 4
• Pickup layout: Single-Coil
• 1-year warranty stated

9.8Spec score View on Amazon

Best Overall goes to this bass for an Agathis body, 2 single-coil pickups, and Active Bass Boost.

Who it suits

• Players who want an Agathis body with Active Bass Boost
• Buyers who want a Jatoba fretboard and maple neck

Skip it if

• You want a bass with more than 4 strings
• You want a bass under 7.7 lb

It has a 4-string Agathis body with 2 single-coil pickups, a Jatoba fretboard, and a maple neck. It has Active Bass Boost and a Jewel Blue color. It weighs 7.7 lb and carries a 1-year warranty.

2Runner-Up

Yamaha TRBX174 DBM Agathis Body

• Strings: 4
• Pickup layout: Split-Coil
• 1 year warranty stated

9.5Spec score View on Amazon

Runner-Up goes to this bass for P/J pickups, a maple neck, and a sonokeling fingerboard.

Who it suits

• Players who want P/J pickups with split-coil and single
• Buyers who want a bolt-on maple neck for a bass

Skip it if

• You want a bass with more than 4 strings
• You want a 5-string bass

It has P/J pickups with a split-coil and a single pickup, a bolt-on maple neck, and a sonokeling fingerboard. It has 4 strings and a dark blue metallic finish. It carries a 1 year warranty.

3Also Great

Ibanez GSRM25BK MiKro

• Frets: 22
• Strings: 5
• Pickup layout: Single-Coil
• 1-year warranty stated

9.0Spec score View on Amazon

Also Great goes to this bass for 5 strings, 22 frets, and 2 single-coil pickups.

Who it suits

• Players who want 5 strings with 22 frets
• Buyers who want a Jatoba fingerboard and maple neck

Skip it if

• You want a 4-string bass
• You want a bass under 7 lb

It has a 5-string bass with 2 single-coil pickups, a Jatoba fingerboard, and a maple neck. It has 22 frets and a fixed bridge. It weighs 7 lb and carries a 1-year warranty.

Side by side

How we ranked these bass guitars

Every pick has at least 100 customer ratings on Amazon and a listing with real specifications. The order mixes two things: how each model compares on the specs below (higher share of the best value in this group scores more), and how widely it is bought. The spec score runs from 9.0 to 9.8 and only compares these picks with each other. A spec the listing does not state is left out and the other specs are re-weighted; a listing with fewer than 2 stated specs is scored at half. We do not test gear in person. Full method.

• Amp included weight 2
• Frets weight 1
• Case or gig bag included weight 1

Buying advice: lightweight bass guitar

Count strings before you choose

String count changes the range a bass covers: the Ibanez GSR200 and the Yamaha have 4 strings, while the Ibanez MiKro has 5 strings. A 5-string bass adds one string to the standard 4-string layout, so check whether your music uses that extra string. Compare the string count with the pickup layout before ordering.

Compare pickups and neck woods

Pickups and neck woods shape the choice: the Ibanez GSR200 uses 2 single-coil pickups with a maple neck, the Yamaha uses P/J pickups with a bolt-on maple neck, and the Ibanez MiKro uses 2 single-coil pickups with a maple neck. All three use maple necks, so compare the pickup layout and the fretboard wood next. The GSR200 and the MiKro use Jatoba fretboards, while the Yamaha uses a sonokeling fingerboard.

Check weight and warranty terms

Weight and warranty are worth comparing: the Ibanez GSR200 weighs 7.7 lb and the Ibanez MiKro weighs 7 lb, and each bass here carries a 1-year warranty. With warranties equal, weight and string count decide between the models. Compare the weight with the string count before ordering.

Frequently asked questions

How many strings do these basses have?

The Ibanez GSR200 and the Yamaha have 4 strings each, and the Ibanez MiKro has 5 strings. All three are right-handed basses.

What is Active Bass Boost?

Active Bass Boost is a feature on the Ibanez GSR200 for boosting bass output. The GSR200 pairs it with an Agathis body and 2 single-coil pickups.

How much does the MiKro weigh?

The Ibanez MiKro weighs 7 lb with 5 strings, 22 frets, and a fixed bridge. The Ibanez GSR200 weighs 7.7 lb.

Which bass has P/J pickups?

The Yamaha TRBX174 has P/J pickups with a split-coil and a single pickup. It has a bolt-on maple neck and a sonokeling fingerboard.

Gear that goes with it

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Specifications and availability come from each Amazon listing on Oct 24, 2026 and can change. Check the listing before you buy.