The bass guitar market in 2026 is genuinely exciting. Yamaha's TRBX series continues to dominate the mid-range with exceptional quality control, Cort is pushing harder than ever with their Element series, and Warwick's RockBass range gives you German design at accessible prices. We compared live UK prices to find the best basses between £300 and £800.
Quick Comparison
| Bass | Strings | Best UK Price | Stores |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yamaha TRBX 304 Mist Green | 4-string | £399 | 3 |
| Yamaha TRBX 305 Black | 5-string | £406 | 3 |
| Cort B4 Element Open Pore Natural | 4-string | £438 | 3 |
| Yamaha TRBX 504 Trans White | 4-string | £529 | 3 |
| Yamaha TRBX604FM Dark Red Burst | 4-string | £666 | 3 |
| Warwick RB Corvette LH 4 | 4-string Left | £749 | 3 |
The Basses in Detail
Yamaha TRBX 304: The Benchmark Entry
The TRBX 304 has been the go-to recommendation for intermediate bass players for years, and the Mist Green colour makes it look more expensive than it is. Alder body, maple neck, rosewood fingerboard, and Yamaha's own pickups with a 5-way selector switch give you everything from punchy fingerstyle tones to modern slap sounds. Performance mode engages a preset active EQ curve for different playing styles.
Best price today: £399 at Bax and Gear4music. Thomann has it for £411.
Yamaha TRBX 305: The Five-String Upgrade
If you want the extra range of a five-string without breaking the bank, the TRBX 305 is the straightforward choice. Same body, same electronics as the 304, just with that extra low B string. The string spacing is comfortable for a five-string at this price, and Yamaha has set it up to be genuinely playable straight out of the box. Only £7 more than the four-string version.
Best price today: £406 at Bax and Gear4music. Thomann has it for £439.
Cort B4 Element Open Pore Natural: The Looker
The open-pore natural finish on the B4 Element is gorgeous, showing off the grain of the paulownia body with a tactile, raw feel that is genuinely different from the glossy finishes everywhere else at this price. Bartolini MK-1 pickups (designed by a company that makes pickups for basses costing five times more) and a solid bridge make this punch well above its weight.
Best price today: £438 at Bax and Thomann. Gear4music has it for £494.
Yamaha TRBX 504: The Active Step Up
The TRBX 504 steps up with a mahogany body, an active preamp with proper three-band EQ, and Yamaha's more refined pickup design. The translucent white finish over the mahogany body looks excellent, and the additional tonal flexibility from the active electronics makes this genuinely suitable for professional use. Gear4music is cheapest here at £529.
Best price today: £529 at Gear4music. Thomann has it for £545, Bax for £549.
Yamaha TRBX604FM: The Premium Choice
The 604FM is where the TRBX range reaches its most sophisticated expression. A flamed maple top over an alder body, YGD custom pickups, and Yamaha's most refined active preamp. The Dark Red Burst finish is genuinely striking. If you are buying a bass to last you a decade of regular gigging and recording, this is the one in this list worth spending up for.
Best price today: £666 at Bax and Thomann. Gear4music has it for £751.99.
Our Verdict
For most players, the Yamaha TRBX 304 at £399 is the best starting point in this range: reliable, well-made, and genuinely versatile. Five-string players should grab the TRBX 305 for just £7 more. If you want something with more visual flair and premium pickup quality, the Cort B4 Element at £438 is hard to beat. Serious gigging bassists should consider the TRBX604FM at £666.
Track live prices at GearDeals.