Top 10 New Basses of 2024: The Stories Bassists Loved Most

As we close out 2024, we’re wrapping up our “Best of” series with one of the most exciting categories: new basses.

Each year, our Bass Gear section captures the attention of bassists worldwide, showcasing the latest gear news. This year was no exception, with readers flocking to stories about new models.

Here are the top 10 most-read bass stories of 2024 — a mix of instruments that resonated with the bass community.

1. Ibanez to Introduce Fretless Semi-Hollow SR Series Basses at NAMM 2024

Ibanez’s flagship SR series will be shown at the 2024 NAMM show. The fretless SRD900 and the SRD905 models are four and five-string basses, each featuring a semi-hollow construction with an exotic maple top with three oval sound holes.

2. Fender Custom Shop Unveils 2024 Basses

Fender has unveiled the 2024 Custom Collection from the Fender Custom Shop, and it has a good handful of basses. Four-strings appear in the Limited Edition, Time Machine, and Artisan collections for a total of seven new models.

3. Sterling By Music Man Unveils Affordable Joe Dart Artist Series Bass

Ernie Ball Music Man got Joe Dart fans excited when they launched his signature basses, but the limited numbers and price point kept some players from getting one. Now, Sterling by Music Man is picking up where EBMM left off with the Joe Dart Artist Series Bass.

4. Sire Announces GB Series Acoustic/Electric Basses

Sire has introduced the GB Series, which they designed as an electric bass that produces an acoustic sound. The lineup includes four and five-string models available in fretted or fretless versions.

5. Sire Guitars Unveils Z-Series Basses

Sire attended the 2024 NAMM Show to launch several new lines of basses, including the Z Series. It has two basses – the Z3 and the Z7 – that are their take on a classic bass design.

6. Fender Launches the American Ultra II Series Basses

Fender has announced the American Ultra II lineup, which they call the most advanced series in the company’s history. Built in their California factory, the instruments are crafted with a blend of CNC technology and hand-craftsmanship.

7. Ashdown Introduces Affordable Roasted Series Basses At NAMM 2024

Ashdown is most known for their bass amplifiers and pedals, but in 2020, it introduced a line of bass guitars. This year at NAMM, they unveiled the next generation of their basses with the Roasted Series.

8. Harley Benton Introduces Highly Affordable MV Series Basses

Harley Benton has added a new line of basses called the MV series, which includes six models that take their cues from the P-Bass, the Jazz, and the Mustang. As with most of the company’s offerings, the new basses aim to be available at prices ranging between $207 and $225.

9. Eastwood Guitars Announces the Jet Star Bass

Eastwood Guitars has a knack for reviving instrument designs of the past. The latest is their newly announced Jet Star Bass, which pays homage to the DeArmond Jet Star from the ’60s.

10. Epiphone Introduces Jack Casady Fretless Bass

Jack Casady has had a signature Epiphone semi-hollow bass for many years, but the rock legend has shaken things up with a fretless version. The Epiphone Jack Casady Fretless Bass is described as the culmination of the bassist’s years of experimentation.