It can truly be a case of information overload when searching for the best left handed bass guitars for your specific situation. So how about we try and make your decision that little bit easier – sound good?
In this mammoth guide, we’ll dive into my current top 7 lefty bass models from ultra-affordable all-in-one packages, to some more premium options that intermediate and even professional bassists can consider.
I really didn’t want to overload you with options, so I have carefully curated this list to make sure that every instrument has its place depending on your budget and musical tastes. As a result, I am confident that there is a solid choice for all players.
Although this guide is mainly aimed at beginners and intermediate players, more advanced bassists will also find some higher-end instruments towards the end of the list.
Afterward, we will also lay out some important buying advice, and answer some crucial questions that beginner left handed bass players might have. Such as…
- Should you choose a 4 or 5-string bass?
- Short scale vs long scale pros and cons
- Active or passive electronics?
- Precision bass vs Jazz bass
- How much should you spend?
Shorter left handed people or those with smaller hands may also like to check out my guide to the best ¾ sized left handed guitars and basses.
What Is The Best Left Handed Bass Guitar?
In the remainder of this article, I have detailed my list of the 7 best left handed bass guitars for beginner to intermediate and professional players. I have carefully ordered the instruments from the cheapest to the most expensive so that you can quickly select some fantastic choices depending on your budget and/or musical tastes.
Disclosure: If you decide to purchase a guitar using the links in this article I will earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you!
In a rush? Why not use the links below to be taken directly to the bass reviews that you are interested in? But make sure to also stick around to the end of the guide where I will offer a ton of buying advice and answer some common beginner questions.
- Davison 235LH Package
- Sawtooth EP ST-PB
- Ibanez GSR200BL
- Squier Classic Vibe 60s Precision Bass
- Squier Classic Vibe 70s Jazz Bass
- Fender Player Precision Bass
- Fender Player Jazz Bass
1. Davison 235LH
Best Left Handed Bass Starter Package
As a complete beginner, it is totally understandable to want to dive into the instrument as quickly as possible. In this scenario, the best left handed bass starter package is probably what you’re looking for.
The good news is that the budget-friendly Davison 235LH bundle will offer everything you’ll need to get started without having to painstakingly research and piece together your own bass rig.
Cheaper kits are available, but I would highly recommend avoiding those as you are veering into instruments that can only really be considered toys at that point. Purchasing an inferior quality instrument could immediately put the brakes on your new hobby.
Davison has managed to bundle together a solid kit here for a still very affordable price. It will be at least good enough to see you through your first year with the instrument.
The guitar itself is a classic full-sized precision bass style model, which is one of the most popular bass designs of all time. With its single pickup and straightforward controls, a p-bass is absolutely ideal for a new player thanks to its simplicity and powerful versatility.
Psst… Not sure what a pickup is? Check out my guide to the different parts of the bass guitar.
The bass’s body is constructed from solid wood for a powerful and resonant tone. The lower weight of the Davison will also be perfect for beginner players that won’t yet be used to standing (or even sitting) with a bass for long periods.
Other main features include a comfortable maple neck with a 22 fret maple fingerboard, single volume, and tone controls to sculpt your sound, a stable chrome bridge, and heavy-duty elephant-ear style tuners.
Looking at the bundled accessories, Davison has included nearly all of the bits and pieces required to immediately get started with the instrument. Inside the kit, you’ll find a padded gig bag, a 15-watt bass amp with headphone input for quiet practice, a shoulder strap, a cable, and a selection of picks!
There’s plenty to like about this left handed bass starter package, but are there any negatives? Well, the only real downside to this kit is that the little amp will be limited in its usefulness. There’s very little in the way of controls, and it will be too quiet to use if you want to jam with friends. It will be perfectly adequate to get you up and running but will likely be the first piece of gear that you’ll upgrade a few months down the line.
If you’d prefer to put together your own kit and pick up a higher-quality amp, Davison does also offer the bass on its own. You can check that out here.
It’s also a little disappointing that Davison has not included a tuner in the bundle, as most beginner packages do include one of these. But not to worry as you’ll be able to pick one up for less than $10. Check out my guide to guitar tuners, or you can also try your luck with a free online guitar tuner.
Key Features:
- Body: Lightweight Poplar
- Neck: Canadian Maple w/ 22 Fret Purpleheart Fingerboard
- Pickups: P-Style
- Controls: Single Volume/Tone Controls
- Gig Bag: Yes
- Accessories: Amplifier, Cable, Strap, Picks.
What I Like/Dislike About The Davison Package
Like:
- Includes almost everything you’ll need to get started with bass.
- Good quality and features for a low price
- Single pickup and simple controls are ideal for beginners
- Lightweight construction
Dislike:
- The amplifier will be too quiet to jam with friends in a band situation.
- Brand snobs may not approve.
- A handy tuner would have been a welcome addition to the package.
All in all, I can recommend the Davison 235LH as my top choice for the best left handed bass starter package. As a beginner southpaw bassist, you will struggle to find anything comparable for similar money.
It is a solid choice for students who would like to delve straight into the instrument without the hassle of researching and piecing together their own rig. Check it out at the links below!
2. Sawtooth EP ST-PB
Best Cheap Left Handed Bass Guitar
If you would prefer to piece together your own package then the best cheap left handed bass guitar in my opinion would be the Sawtooth EP ST-PB bass. Sawtooth is a brand well known for its range of affordable instruments that manage to punch above their accessible price points.
This EP series model is a precision bass style instrument, and is available left handed in an iconic sunburst finish or an eye-catching surf green color. It is fairly rare to be offered surf green guitars as a southpaw player, so I was really pleased to see Sawtooth offering this striking finish option – looks great, right?
The Sawtooth feels more robust and substantial when compared to the lightweight Davison above, largely thanks to its solid basswood body. This tonewood is known for its even response across bass, middle, and treble frequencies, giving a really balanced sound. As a result, the EP bass will be able to handle any genre of music relatively well.
Depending on which color you opt for, the body will be paired with a maple neck and either a rosewood or maple fretboard. In addition, you have a choice of a pearloid pickguard on the surf green or a tortoiseshell pickguard on the sunburst. The fretboard and pickguard options are the only differences between the two basses.
As a new player you are unlikely to be able to discern any major tonal differences between the two, so I would suggest picking whichever color you like the best!
Other key features include a standard 34” scale length, split pickups, classic elephant-ear style tuners, and single volume and tone controls. A nice bonus is that each bass receives a 24-point guitar setup inspection, so, in theory, your new instrument should play nicely straight out of the box.
The only slight downside to the left handed Sawtooth bass is that there are no additional bundled accessories. However, for a little extra money, there is also the option of an accessory pack. Here you will also get a gig bag, strap, cable, picks, and a clip-on headstock tuner. Check it out here. If you opt for this bundle, all you’ll need to source is an amplifier!
Key Features:
- Body: Basswood
- Neck: Maple w/ 20 Fret Maple or Rosewood Fingerboard
- Pickups: P-Style Ceramic Split Pickups
- Controls: Single Volume/Tone Controls
- Gig Bag: Optional
- Accessories: None. The optional accessory pack includes gig bag, strap, cable, picks, and clip-on headstock tuner.
What I Like/Dislike About The Sawtooth EP ST-PB
Like:
- Good quality and features for a low price.
- Single pickup and simple controls are ideal for beginners.
- Choice of colors.
- An optional accessory bundle includes everything but an amp.
Dislike:
- Brand snobs may not approve.
- The style may not be for everyone.
Overall, I can recommend the Sawtooth EP ST-PB as the best cheap left handed bass guitar. It is a lot of bass for not a lot of money and is thoroughly deserving of the 5-star ratings you’ll find at the link below.
The only question you have to ask yourself is – which color do you pick?!
3. Ibanez GSR200BL
Best Beginner Left Handed Bass Guitar
The trusty Ibanez GSR200BL was actually the first bass that I picked up probably 15 years ago. Although you guys are lucky because back then it was only available in a boring gloss black color, whereas now it comes in a gorgeous satin walnut finish.
It is an ideal choice for beginners thanks to its compact and lightweight nyatoh body and slim maple neck profile. Plus, the inclusion of both precision and jazz bass style pickups makes the GSR200BL a really versatile guitar, well suited to a wide variety of musical styles.
Of course, these features also make it a perfect bass for guitarists wanting to dip their toes into the world of bass. The guitar is solidly made, gives you plenty of punchy, fat tone, and is currently the most affordable left handed 4-string bass from a big name brand.
Other key features include a 22-fret jatoba fingerboard, an Ibanez B10 bridge for tons of juicy sustain, a master tone pot, plus separate volume knobs for each pickup. Ibanez has also included their Phat II EQ control which provides an active bass boost for additional low-end power.
It’s worth noting that a slide downside to having the Phat II active boost circuit is that it requires a 9V battery to operate. Without the battery (or if you let it go flat), the bass won’t make much sound at all. If you opt for this bass and notice that it sounds lifeless and muddy – check the battery before you send it back!
Here’s a quick video that will give some sound samples from the GSR200BL, plus a demonstration of the awesome Phat II EQ. Note that the left handed version is not available in this black finish.
There really aren’t many disadvantages to this bass considering its low price point. It would be nice if it came with a gig bag. That’s all I’ve got!
Key Features:
- Body: Nyatoh (Similar To Mahogany)
- Neck: Maple w/ 22 Fret Jatoba Fingerboard
- Pickups: Ibanez Dynamix P & J Style
- Controls: 2 Volume, Master Tone, Active Bass Boost
- Gig Bag: No
- Accessories: None
What I Like/Dislike About The Ibanez GSR200BL
Like:
- Ibanez quality and features for a low price.
- Huge range of tones.
- Active bass boost for additional power.
- Lightweight and comfortable.
Dislike:
- No gig bag included.
- 9V battery required.
- The style may not be for everyone.
Overall, I would rate the trusty Ibanez GSR200BL as being one of the best beginner left handed bass guitars. They’re super versatile, look fantastic, are comfortable to hold, and you get a big brand name on your headstock for not a lot of money.
It is also a solid choice for an affordable recording bass for guitarists, or a backup instrument for more advanced bassists.
4. Squier Classic Vibe 60s Precision Bass
Best Beginner Left Handed P Bass
Here at LeftyFretz, I keep no secrets about my love for the Squier Classic Vibe series. For the money, I just don’t believe that this Fender-designed collection can be beaten.
This range forms Squier’s flagship offering, and as such, these are instruments that can easily go toe to toe with some of their more expensive Fender cousins.
The good news is that there is not one, but two left handed Squier Classic Vibe basses currently available. These are the 60s left handed Precision bass and the 70s left handed Jazz bass (which we’ll look at afterward).
The Classic Vibe 60s left handed P Bass comes in that iconic Fender 3-color sunburst finish, paired with a classy rosewood fretboard. You’ll certainly win no prizes for guessing that this instrument is modeled after a classic 1960s-era Fender Precision bass!
The main features on this left handed bass include a lightweight poplar body, a slim and easy-to-play maple neck, plus period-correct features such as a 4-saddle vintage-style bridge, nickel-plated hardware, and 60s-style tuners.
The Fender-designed split P bass single-coil pickup provides tons of thick and punchy tones which will easily cut through any mix, while the single master tone and volume controls provide a straightforward method for sculpting your sound.
As far as downsides are concerned, the Precision bass has a thicker, wider neck versus a Jazz bass. Players with smaller hands may prefer to consider the Jazz bass model below with its slimmer, tapered neck shape.
If you’d like to hear what the CV left handed precision bass is capable of, check out the excellent demo video below.
What Is A P Bass Good For?
Compared to a Jazz bass, the Precision bass is the style to opt for if you require full-on power. It provides a huge, boomy sound which is perfect for those old-school tones that sit well in any mix.
Due to its powerful sound, many players in blues, classic rock, country, and punk tend to gravitate toward this model. It is also common to see guitarists using a pick to really extract all of the incredible grunt from these basses.
Key Features:
- Body: Poplar
- Neck: Maple w/ 20 Fret Indian Laurel Fingerboard
- Pickups: Fender Designed Alnico Split Single-Coil
- Controls: Master Volume, Master Tone
- Gig Bag: No
- Accessories: None
What I Like/Dislike About The Squier CV 60s P Bass
Like:
- Fender quality for a fraction of the price
- Powerful sound to cut through the mix.
- 2-year warranty included.
- Also a great option for intermediate players, or more advanced bassists looking for a solid backup instrument.
Dislike:
- No gig bag included.
- Only one color is available.
- Not the most versatile choice (one trick pony).
- The thicker neck may be uncomfortable for smaller hands.
There is no doubt that the left handed Squier p bass is an excellent instrument. The only decision you’ll have to make is whether to go for this one or the Jazz bass model below!
5. Squier Classic Vibe 70s Jazz Bass
Best Beginner Left Handed Jazz Bass
The Squier Classic Vibe 70s Left Handed Jazz Bass offers a slightly different flavor to the ’60s precision bass above for the exact same money. Modeled after a 1970s-era Fender Jazz Bass, it offers a comfortable offset body design and is an incredibly versatile instrument with a huge range of punchy tones available.
Like the P bass, it features a lightweight poplar body and maple neck, but adds a 20 fret maple fingerboard to help brighten up the tone. The chunky block fretboard inlays mesh well with the gloss black body for an overall classy look.
The neck is a slim, beginner-friendly profile that tapers down to just 1.5 inches wide at the nut. It is ideal for unleashing fast and technical basslines and is also perfect for players with smaller hands.
The Classic Vibe features two Fender-designed alnico single-coil pickups that serve up bags of the articulate and punchy tones that Jazz basses are famed for. Separate volume controls for each pickup let you precisely dial in a plethora of different sounds.
The main disadvantage to Jazz basses is that the single-coil pickups tend to exhibit a slight hum when played individually. However, this is just a standard trait of single-coil pickups and generally won’t be noticed when playing live in a band situation.
You can hear this bass in action in the video below. Note that the left handed model is not currently available in this sunburst finish.
What Is A Jazz Bass Good For?
Compared to the powerful grunt of a P bass, the Jazz bass offers more in the middle and treble frequencies. It is generally thought of as the more versatile model thanks to its dual single-coil pickups and separate volume controls.
It tends to be favored by fingerstyle or slap players, and is popular within genres such as jazz, funk, fusion, and prog metal. In saying that, the Jazz bass is known for its versatility and is widely used in virtually every genre of music.
Key Features:
- Body: Poplar
- Neck: Maple w/ 20 Fret Maple Fingerboard
- Pickups: 2 Fender Designed Alnico Single-Coil Pickups
- Controls: 2 Volume Controls, Master Tone
- Gig Bag: No
- Accessories: None
What I Like/Dislike About The Squier CV 70s Jazz Bass
Like:
- Fender quality for a fraction of the price
- Incredibly versatile.
- Slim, fast neck.
- 2-year warranty included.
- Also a great option for intermediate players, or more advanced bassists looking for a solid backup instrument.
Dislike:
- No gig bag included.
- Only one color is available.
- Single-coil pickup hum.
An absolutely fantastic bass – I still actually use one as my main bass to this day! Brilliant for beginners, but also solid enough to be used by gigging musicians – what’s not to love?
6. Fender Player Basses
Most Popular Left Handed Bass Guitars
The two Squiers above are superb basses, no doubt about it. But what if you really want that famous name on your headstock? Well, the good news is that Fender’s most affordable Player series offers up two excellent left handed bass guitars!
I say two, but with four different finishes available for each guitar there’s technically eight!
As with the Squier Classic Vibe series we have the choice between an excellent precision bass and a jazz bass. Those are the Fender Player Precision bass, and the Fender Player Jazz bass.
We’ve already covered the main differences between the two bass styles above, so please check out the Squier section if you haven’t already for a quick breakdown.
The Player Series is Fender’s most affordable line of instruments, produced in the brand’s Mexican factory to help keep costs down. These are professional-level basses that will last you for life – the value for money here is astonishing.
If a band is playing at your local bar it is more than likely that there will be one or more Player Series instruments on the stage. Such is their popularity that they have almost become synonymous with the gigging musician!
As a first bass, one of these two models would be exceptional, but more than likely these will be guitars that you will graduate onto later as your first serious bass. Let’s take a look at the two choices…
Fender Player Precision Bass
The thunderous Player left handed Fender Precision bass is available in four different finishes – 3-Color Sunburst, Polar White, Tidepool (Blue), and Black.
They all feature an alder body, a fast and comfortable modern-c maple neck with a 20-fret maple or pau Ferro fingerboard, a Fender split single-coil pickup, and a 4-saddle bridge for rock-solid tuning stability.
Check out the overview and demonstration video below to hear what the P bass is capable of. Note that the lefty model is not available in the buttercream finish shown.
The only real downside to this bass is that for this sort of money I really would have expected to see a gig bag bundled in. You’ll find a link to my accessories guide at the bottom of the page where you’ll discover some great gig bag and case choices.
Fender Player Jazz Bass
If the precision bass doesn’t quite tick all of your boxes, then perhaps the Player left handed Fender Jazz bass will! With bags of legendary jazz bass punch and growl on tap, this is truly an instrument upon which to get your groove on.
Like the P-bass, it is available in a selection of four juicy colors. These are Black, Polar White, 3-Color Sunburst, and Capri Orange. You will get a choice of maple or pau Ferro fingerboards depending on which finish you opt for.
Main features include a contoured offset alder body, a comfortable modern-c neck profile, two single-coil pickups with separate volume controls, a master tone pot, and an ultra-stable 4-saddle Fender bridge.
Check out Fender’s quick overview video below for an excellent demonstration of what the Jazz bass is capable of. Note that the lefty model is not currently available in the tidepool finish shown.
Again, the main downside with this bass is the lack of any bundled gig bag or case. You could also argue that the Squier Classic Vibes are damn near as good for half of the money – as long as you don’t mind losing the Fender logo on your headstock that is!
Key Features:
- Body: Alder
- Neck: Maple w/ 20 Fret Maple or Pau Ferro Fingerboard
- Pickups: Fender Designed Alnico Single-Coil Pickups
- Controls: 2 Volume Controls (Single on P-Bass), Master Tone
- Gig Bag: No
- Accessories: None
What I Like/Dislike About The Fender Player Basses
Like:
- Vintage vibe with a modern edge.
- The most affordable genuine Fenders available.
- Wide range of colors available.
- 2-year warranty included.
- A bass for life.
Dislike:
- No gig bag included.
These two instruments are undoubtedly the most popular left handed bass guitars available. They are the most affordable route to getting a genuine left handed Fender bass into your hands, and are loved by gigging musicians the world over.
So what do you say? Jazz bass or P Bass? In the links below you’ll find all of the different colors available for each model. The Capri Orange Jazz bass is listed separately, so I’ve added one more link for that little beauty.
PLAYER P BASS
PLAYER JAZZ BASS
Bass Guitar Buying Advice
Should I Get a 4 or 5 String Bass?
5 (or 6, 7, and 8!) string basses have their place, but why pay more if you don’t need that extra range? For the majority of people, a 4 string left handed bass will be the perfect choice. It is the most common style and will handle the vast majority of musical genres.
In addition, new players may prefer to start out on a 4-string bass as the thinner neck will be easier to get to grips with. With fewer strings you will also have less to initially learn, it will be easier to keep strings from accidentally ringing out, plus the strings will be slightly wider apart, making it feel less cramped.
Players that might prefer a 5 string bass include those into heavier styles of music. The extra string will allow you to reach those lower notes without having to detune your 4 stringer and making the strings all floppy!
Look at what your favorite players use to get a good idea of which style is best for you.
Short Scale vs Long Scale Bass
All of the basses I have recommended above have a standard 34” scale length (also known as long scale). This is the most common bass scale length and is the best option for most.
A longer scale length bass will have improved string tension, plus a more defined and articulate sound.
Short-scale basses generally have a scale length of 31” or less. The main advantage of these instruments is their smaller physical size, plus a shorter distance between frets. This makes them ideal for smaller players or for those with smaller hands.
The downsides are that you’ll lose some of that crisp definition, and the strings will have a looser feel due to the lower tension.
Is Active Or Passive Bass Better?
In a nutshell, you can think of an active bass as being powered, and a passive bass as being…not..powered. An active bass system is generally run by a 9V battery.
But which to opt for? The best option will depend on your particular situation, so there isn’t a solid answer to this question!
The main advantage of an active bass is that they will generally offer more options for sculpting your tone. The disadvantage is that if you allow the battery to go flat, your tone will suffer.
As a beginner, I would personally stick with a passive bass (almost all of the suggestions above are passive), as it keeps things a little simpler for you. But since the only real difference is remembering to keep a charged battery, go for it if you think you will benefit!
How Much Should I Spend On A Bass?
I always suggest that new players should spend as much as they can comfortably afford. As they say, buy cheap, buy twice! Remember to factor in the cost of an amp and any other accessories you might need.
It would be incredible to grab a Fender Custom Shop bass as your first instrument, but that’s probably not the best idea for most! The majority of guitars under $100 are essentially toys, so avoid those like the plague and instead stick with one of the options I’ve suggested above.
You won’t go wrong with any of the basses listed here!
Can I Use A Guitar Amp With A Bass?
If you are a guitarist looking to try out bass then you may be wondering if you can save a few bucks and just use your regular amp.
While the answer is that technically, yes, you can, you will probably want to pick up a bona fide bass amp. A guitar amp is not specifically designed to handle the lower frequencies produced by a bass, and you may end up actually damaging your speaker!
Check out the links at the bottom of this page to find my recommendations for quality bass amps.
Should I Get My Bass Setup?
It is generally a good idea to have a new instrument setup at your local guitar store. This process involves making a few key adjustments to make sure that your bass is in tip-top playing condition.
New players might make things unnecessarily hard on themselves by persevering with an instrument that is difficult to play. A mere 15 minutes in the hands of an experienced guitar tech could be all that’s needed to make that bass play buttery smooth!
Find out more in my complete guide to guitar setups.
Next Up – Amps!
So, now that you hopefully have selected your first bass you’ll probably want to check out part six below to pick out an amp to go with it.
Still have questions? Feel free to send me an email and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible! You’ll find a link to my contact form in the footer below.
Part One : Tips Before You Buy
Part Two : Beginner Electric Guitars
Part Three : Beginner Acoustic Guitars
Part Four : Beginner Bass Guitars
Part Five : Beginner Classical Guitars
Part Six : Amps
Part Seven : Effects
Part Eight : Accessories
Part Nine : Lessons
