A bass guitar is a stringed musical instrument that has a longer neck and a heavier, thicker body than a guitar. The bass guitar’s range of pitches is more extensive than that of the electric guitar, and the bass guitar is commonly used in a variety of musical genres. Some of the renowned brands are Fender, Yamaha, Ibanez, Squier etc.
Choosing the right bass guitar hardware is difficult as there are many factors to consider, such as the type of music you play, the size of your hands, and your budget. To make it easier to find the exact bass guitar hardware you’re looking for, we rounded up the best bass guitar hardware on Amazon, according to thousands of customer reviews.
Check out our favorite bass guitar hardware in the list below, and keep reading for our buying guide.
Our Editor’s Best Bass Guitar Hardware Reviews
- Chrome-plated retainer
- Can be used on B, E or A string
- Used on most American Deluxe and Dimension bass guitars
- Fits American Deluxe and American Elite four and five-string basses
- SAPHUE 3MM Screws Electric Guitar Bass Pickguard Screws Fit for most Fender guitar or bass, Phillips ovalhead screws to fit countersunk pickguards and cover plates
- Screw Head Diameter: 1/8 inch( 3mm)
- Screw Length: 1/2 inch(12mm)，the standard for Fender
- Color: Gold; Material: Alloy Steel
- Package Including: 50 x gold Pickguard screws.
- ✔ STYLISH APPEARANCE - Mushroom shape design with chrome silver for high-class appearance.
- ✔ HUMANIZED DESIGN - Smooth, rounded design won't scratch or damage your strap with sharp edges.
- ✔ WIDE APPLICATION - They are locking strap buttons for acoustic guitar, classical guitar, electric guitar, bass or ukulele and all standard straps.
- ✔ EASY TO USE - You can replace your strap pegs without any guitar modification and attaches to your strap and snaps securely into locking position.
- ✔ EASY TO INSTALL - Each guitar needs two strap locks, easy to install, convenient to use.
- PROFESSIONAL QUALITY - Heavy Duty Solid Metal Barrel Knobs CHROME Finish
- UNIVERSAL FIT - Fits 6mm solid shaft import pots and both fine or coarse-knurled split shaft pots found on Fender Strat, Gibson, Ibanez, ESP, Schecter and most other Asian import guitars. (*These will not fit USA Telecaster or P-Bass w/solid shafts as they require a 1/4" hole knob)
- EASY INSTALLATION - Align the set-screw with the split in the pot shaft to tighten. For solid shaft pots simply tighten the set screw.
- DIMENSIONS - Height: 3/4 in. (19mm) x Width: 3/4 in. (19mm)
- BRAND NEW - Vintage Forge Factory Fresh Packaging
- Single truss rod nut
- 5/16" Allen adjustment
- For Zone Bass, Highway One, Dimension Bass and Standard series basses (1998-present)
- Package of 5 sets: Includes a total of 5 sets of premium 3/8" hex nuts and non-slip washers. These nuts are made of high-quality brass, while the washers are crafted from durable iron, ensuring long-lasting performance and reliability for electric guitars and basses.
- Superior Material Quality: The guitar nuts are constructed from solid brass, which is not only more durable than common zinc alloys but also resistant to rust and corrosion. Combined with iron washers, this set provides sturdy and dependable replacements for your instrument's original parts.
- Ideal for US-Made Components: Specifically designed to fit most USA pots and Switchcraft output jacks, these high-grade nuts and washers ensure a secure fit and optimal performance。
- Easy Installation: Following straightforward steps, simply select the appropriate size, remove the old nuts and washers, and install the new ones on your electric guitar. The small size and lightweight nature of these components make them easy to handle and transport.
- Versatile Compatibility: Suitable for various electric guitars and basses, these nuts and washers are essential replacements that help maintain your instrument's performance. The thread size is 3/8 inch with a thickness of approximately 2 mm (0.07 inches), making them a perfect fit for many setups.
- The product is a string tree anchor used on bass guitar, which is mainly used to pull down the strings to make them have the correct pitch.
- The products are made of high-quality metal materials, which are durable and rust proof.
- The product can perfectly retain the strings, reduce string friction, save strings and maintain more accurate tuning.
- The product is very suitable for replacing damaged and old string holders.
- The product is equipped with 2 bass guitar string tree holders and 2 mounting screws, which is convenient to use.
- Fit for most Fender guitar or bass, Phillips ovalhead screws to fit countersunk pickguards and cover plates
- Head Diameter: 1/8 inch( 3mm)
- Screw Length: 1/2 inch(12mm)，the standard for Fender
- Color: Black; Material: Metal
- Package Including: 50 Pcs Pickguard Screws
- Package Included: 60pcs x Guitar Pickguard Screws(20pcs per each color Black Silver and Golden )
- These screws fit for ST SQ guitar pickguards and guitar back plates
- Phillips ovalhead screws to fit for most guitar or bass pickguards and cover plates.
- Replaced chrome screws on control plate，cover 90% of replacement screw needs,great to keep on hand.
- Secure Bass Strings: The Chrome String Retainer ensures your bass strings stay firmly in place on the bass head, providing stability and preventing slippage during intense play sessions
- Enhanced Bass String Tree: This 4 String Retainer is crafted from high-quality zinc alloy, offering a polished chrome finish that resists wear and maintains its sleek appearance over time
- Optimized Guitar String Tree: The Bass String Guide improves string contact with the bass body, ensuring consistent tension for better pitch accuracy and tonal clarity
- Reliable String Buckle Guide: Designed to protect your bass, this string guide prevents string movement, reducing friction and safeguarding your bridge and guitar body from damage
- Easy-Install Bass String Guide: With included mounting screws, this Graphtech String Tree-inspired retainer is simple to set up, requiring no additional parts for a hassle-free installation
Best Bass Guitar Hardware Buying Guide
Before choosing the best bass guitar hardware you should consider following options:
1. Bridge saddles: The number of bridge saddles you need depends on the string gauge you plan to use.
If you’re going with light-gauge strings, then you need a bridge with only two or three saddles. If you’re going with medium or heavy gauge strings, you need a bridge with four or more saddles.
2. String spacing: You need to make sure your strings are far enough apart so they don’t hit each other.
If you’re planning on using heavy-gauge strings, then you need more space between the strings to keep them from rubbing together and making noise.
3. String length: It’s pretty obvious that you need the strings to be long enough to reach the bridge.
But you also need to make sure that the strings aren’t too long, or else they’ll go over the nut and make noise when you’re not playing notes.
4. Tuning: If you’re planning on tuning your bass to different pitches, then you need a bridge with a locking mechanism. If you’re planning on tuning your bass to one specific pitch, then this isn’t necessary.
5. String tension: If you’re planning on using light-gauge strings, then you can get away with a bridge with a lower degree of string tension.
If you’re planning on using heavy-gauge strings, then you need a bridge with higher string tension.
6. Mounting style: There are two main ways to mount a bridge: through the body or with string mounting clips.
If you’re using heavy-gauge strings, then the through-body mounting style is the best option. If you’re using light-gauge strings, then you can get away with the string mounting clip option.
7. Cost: Bass bridges vary in price, depending on the material they’re made from, the number of string saddles, and the mounting style.
What else you should know about bass guitar hardware
1. What are the best bass guitar hardware brands?
There is no definitive answer to this question as it depends on personal preferences. Some of the most popular brands include Fender, Gibson, Ibanez, and Yamaha.
2. What are the best bass guitar hardware upgrades?
There is no definitive answer to this question as it depends on the specific needs and preferences of the bass player. However, some common hardware upgrades that can improve the performance of a bass guitar include new pickups, a new bridge, new tuners, and new strings.
3. What are the best bass guitar hardware kits?
There is no definitive answer to this question as it depends on personal preferences. Some bassists prefer kits that include all the necessary hardware, while others prefer to pick and choose individual pieces to create their own custom setup. Some popular bass guitar hardware kits include the Warwick RockBass Corvette Basic 5-Piece Hardware Set, the Fender Bassman 5F6-A Reissue Kit, and the Aguilar Tone Hammer 500 Bass Amp Kit.
4. What are the best bass guitar hardware options?
There is no definitive answer to this question as it depends on personal preferences. Some of the most popular hardware options for bass guitars include active pickups, string-through bridges, and Badass bridges.
5. What are the best bass guitar hardware features?
There is no definitive answer to this question as everyone’s preferences will differ. However, some popular hardware features for bass guitars include active pickups, a 5-way pickup selector, and a contoured body.
Conclusion
On the market, there are numerous best bass guitar hardware. Hopefully, the list of the top ten best bass guitar hardware will save you time researching and deciding on the best one for you.