Buying any best bass guitar under 500 can be a tough decision, especially when it comes to purchasing on a tight budget. You want to get the product that best fits your needs, style, and routine requirements. Bass guitars are undoubtedly the greatest instrument of all time.
Many high-quality bass guitars are available in the market that can easily fit into anyone’s budget. The sound quality and specs of these guitars are adequate enough for beginners as well as professional players.
Despite popular belief, you do not need extensive gear to make your music sound good. In this article, we will discuss some of the best bass guitars under 500 that are well worth the price.
Contents
Our Top Picks Of 10 Best Bass Guitar Under 500 USD Product Reviews in 2021
1.Schecter Stiletto Extreme-4 Bass Guitar (4 String, See-Thru Black)
The Schecter Stiletto Extreme-4 Bass Guitar is the most prominent and cherished article among potential buyers.
It combines a comfortable neck and lightweight body along with some other advanced features. Looking at this bass guitar, the first thing you will notice is its small body and new fender- shape. The see-through black color looks great and offers a classy touch to the instrument. The bass has a mahogany body which is quite heavy and dense.
The rosewood fretboard features 24 jumbo frets. There is a V-shaped inlay to make playing guitar easy for the user. There are two diamond active pickups to add to the flawless finish of the instrument.
The headstock doesn’t come forward, the body fits well to your belly/knees, and the thin make is a delight for small hands. The strap is also comfortable; the unit has an ergonomic and easy-to-play design.
This instrument is mostly conceived for modern music style since the pickup balance control offers you a wide sound quality. You can use the active EQ feature and shaped the sound as per your requirement.
Key features
- Maple neck
- Vector inlay
- Multi-ply bindings
- Black chrome hardware
- Diamond bass bridge
- Schecter tuners
2.Yamaha 4 String Bass Guitar, Right Handed, Mist Green, 4-String (TRBX304 MGR)
This bass guitar is all about amazing looks, versatility, and an excellent performance brought to you in the form of a complete package. This stylish, great-sounding bass allows you to enjoy a comfortable body and fast action bolt-on, 5 piece maple neck.
It features a smooth-playing rosewood fingerboard for added convenience. It comes with a pair of humbucking pickups to give a hum-free sound, along with a performance EQ active circuit to optimize the bass for different playing styles.
The deep cutaway on the instrument allows you to have clean access to higher registers for soloing, whereas the pronounced upper bout is for ultimate balance. The straight string pull of its headstock delivers improved tuning stability with reduced overtones.
With its advanced features, excellent craftsmanship, and high-quality materials, the Yamaha 4 String Bass Guitar TRBX304 MGR can get you any tone you want in real-time. It is made around performance, so it gives quick access to amazingly dialed-in and stage-ready tones.
Key features
- Fast action five-piece mahogany neck
- 5-way performance EQ switch
- Mahogany body
- Deep cutaways
- Active electronics
- Versatile bass
3.Yamaha TRBX305 WH 5-String Electric Bass Guitar
The Yamaha TRBX305 is it perfectly balanced and truly optimal bass guitar to fit all your music needs with less effort and money. You can change the tone as per your preference without readjusting the EQ controls and bass by adjusting the toggle switch.
This five-string bass is constructed of an excellently carved mahogany body, a maple 5 piece neck, and a rosewood fingerboard with 24 frets.
The electronics of the instrument comprise MHB3b and MHBn pickups with large poles and ceramic magnets. The pickups have built-in thumb rests for user convenience.
The guitar also comes with performance EQ features, including bass, volume, treble, balance controls, and a 5-way toggle switch for better optimization of the tone. Every active electronic is powered by a 9-volt battery with an easily accessible battery compartment.
A die-cast metal bridge gives you full tone with 18 mm spacing. It has a smooth neck joint best convenient body shape for full access to 24 frets. This guitar is very fun to play and comes with a 5 way EQ toggle switch for convenient died-in tones.
Key features
- Solid mahogany body
- Tonal foundation
- 5 piece mahogany neck
- Performance EQ switch
- Five high-quality strings
- Active electronics
4.Yamaha 4 String Bass Guitar, Right Handed, White, 4-String (TRBX304 WH)
This best bass guitar under 500 2021 is sleek and ergonomic in design. The manufacturers have made a comfortable body for hours of use. Its top section can taper off so your hands can freely meet the strings.
The bottom of the unit has enough room for moving around whether you are sitting or standing. The wood is solid mahogany that gives warm tonal properties and strength to the guitar. Joined to the end of the unit is a strong die-cast bridge that you can adjust as needed.
Its 5 piece composite necks are thin, strong, and fast. The four-string model is 38mm with a standard full length of 34 inches and 24 frets. There is a rosewood fretboard to resonate with the warm output of the mahogany body.
Tuning key locations is another interesting feature where every string is pulled straight for a balanced tension.
You can use the performance toggle switch, and select 5 presets to automatically adjust the tone for different style techniques. This product includes 2 noiseless ceramic humbuckers in a J- bass configuration.
Key features
- Mahogany body
- 5 piece mahogany and maple design neck
- 4 die-cast tuning machines
- 4 adjustable saddles
- 2 ceramic humbuckers
- 4 control knobs
5.Sterling by Music Man StingRay Ray4 Bass Guitar in Black
It features a signature teardrop pickguard, classic control layout. There is a myriad of excellent finishes, so you choose how to stand out from the crowd. Its single, noise-free humbucker pick-up can drive your music via a custom-designed 9 volt powered active preamp.
The individual volume and hi/low boost controls are present over the trademark chrome control plate. The unit has an ingenious design. It features a 3 + 1 tuning key arrangement, making tuning a breeze and a convenient job for the user.
It also allows you to use a straight string pull feature across the nut. This feature is present to provide the most precise and accurately tuned bass playing experience.
Another best thing about the sterling ray4 bass guitar is its six-bolt neck joint. This feature is a 40-year hallmark of the company’s stability, reliability, and configuration. The instrument’s individual serial number is also engraved on the neck plate, which is quite rare even in the most high-end products out there.
Key features
- Iconic black finish
- Basswood body
- Maple neck and fretboard
- Ceramic pickup and 2-band active preamp
- Adjustable truss rod
- Active electronics
6.Ibanez 4 String Bass Guitar, Right, Walnut Flat (GSRM20BWNF)
If you are looking for a short-scale bass guitar, look no further than Ibanez 4 String Bass Guitar GSRM20BWNF. It features a flat top SR-styled strong mahogany body with a satin finish. The double-cutaway guitar body is linked to a 1.5 inches bolt-on maple neck. With its compact size and comfortable neck, the unit is easy to play for small players.
The neck features a rosewood fingerboard and a hardtail hardware bridge. The 12 inches wide rosewood fingerboard comes with 22 medium-sized frets with dot inlays. Like other short-scale products, this guitar comes with 4 truly customizable strings.
The product includes two separate passive pickups near the neck and bridge. The standard single-coil J- pickup is present at the bridge position, whereas the P-pickup is present at the neck position.
There are two volume knobs to switch between two types of pickups. There is an extra control feature for the master tone. Thanks to its separate, good-sounding pickups and control knobs, you can make a stable tone for your music.
Key features
- Fast, sleek maple neck
- Standard P and J pickups
- B10 bridge
- Small scale SR body
- White dot inlay fretboard material
- Nickel strings
7.Ibanez 4-String Bass Guitar, Right Handed, Metallic Purple (GSRM20MPL)
This model is an ideal choice for people looking for a small guitar with strong, durable construction. It is compact and weighs only 8 pounds. Thanks to its lightweight body and a slim maple neck with dynamic P pickups, you can concentrate on making good music.
The best bass guitar for beginners only measures 39×12 inches. With such a small size, it is light yet boosts the desired grip. While playing the tunes, you don’t have to worry about holding the guitar well or stop it from falling down. Moreover, its compact size fits every gig bag, making it easy for you to take the guitar from one place to another.
The materials in its construction are similar to some of the close competitors, which help produce a quality bass sound. It has comfortable and appealing hardware. From a perfectly designed maple neck to plastic knobs and rosewood fretboard, the Ibanez 4-String Bass Guitar GSRM20MPL has almost everything you are looking for in a quality product.
Key features
- Slim maple neck
- Dynamic P pickup
- Rosewood fingerboard
- Chrome hardware
- 28.6 inches scale
- 4-string bass
8.ESP LTD B-204SM FL Spalted Maple Fretless Bass Guitar, Natural Satin
ESP is very well known for its high-quality, excellent standards, and meticulous craftsmanship since its foundation. The quality control technicians thoroughly inspect every product, including ESP LTD B-204SM FL Spalted Maple Fretless Bass Guitar prior to the launch.
This LTD B series fretless bass guitar features unique coloration and grain pattern highlights. The spalted maple gives a great look for the bass and makes it stand out in the crowd. The ESP LTD B-204SM FL is an ideal choice for beginners and professionals as an affordable fretless bass, thanks to its ash body with a plated maple top in a natural satin finish.
It has an extra-thin, U-shaped, 5-piece maple neck for outstanding playing feel and 24 marked fret indicators for prompt pitch beating. The bass guitar can be used for punk, metal, funk, jazz, and pop music with utmost quality and attention.
You also get passive ESP-designed SB-4 pickups with an active ABQ-3 EQ and black nickel hardware with this product.
Key features
- Bolt-on construction
- Ash body
- Roasted jatoba fingerboard
- Natural satin finish
- Spalted maple top
- Maple neck
9.Ibanez SR300E Electric Bass Guitar Iron Pewter
It is a budget bass guitar ideal for people who want a product with a fast neck and good value for money. Its lightweight and easy-to-play functionality attracts players with small hands and those who want to play rapid licks.
The body shape is standard, with a super comfortable feel against your body. The body is made of nayatoh, i.e., eastern mahogany. The model sports a bolt-on neck with 5 piece walnut construction, 34-inch scale length, and amazingly smooth action.
The fretboard is made of jatoba with full 24 frets and simple white dot inlays. It features PowerSpan dual coil passive pickups for bridge positions and neck. The pickups have a smart design and feature exposed pole pieces to give out a strong signal and high-frequency response.
There are a variety of controls, including boost control (for treble, mid, and bass), 3 band EQ, 3-way switch ( to split humbucking pickups), master volume knob, and balance knob ( for fine tweaking of the tone).
Key features
- Maple with rosewood neck joint
- Passive pickup configuration
- Medium frets
- Mahogany body
- Ibanez custom electronics 3 band EQ power tap switch equalizer
- Cosmo black hardware
10.Ibanez 4 String Bass Guitar, Right Handed, Weathered Black (GSR200BWK)
Ibanez as a brand has launched some of the best-looking and functional guitars in the market. One of their most popular products is Ibanez 4 String Bass Guitar GSR200BWK.
It is a budget-priced, double-cutaway bass guitar best for people who are just learning to play. The body is made of Agathis tonewood. As for the neck, this best professional bass guitar has a slightly slimmer profile to lodge beginner players.
It has a maple neck which is great for longevity and durability. The maple is dense and strong to resist warping, allowing you to use the guitar for many years to come.
The maple neck is capped by a jatoba fretboard to add a whole lot to your music. The bass has both p and j pickups, so the player can sculpt his sound as per his preference. The neck and bridge pickup is power-sound pickups that help improve the bass’s tone while playing.
The control options include a master tone control and volume control for each pickup. With an EQ control, you can adjust the amount of bass boost and get a bigger sound.
Key features
- GSR4 maple neck
- Rosewood fretboard with white dot inlay
- Dynamic p and j bridge/neck pickup
- B10 bridge
- 22 frets
- Salted maple top
Buying Guide For Best Bass Guitar Under 500
Bass guitars are not only very exciting to play, but they are also great instruments for beginner music learners. But when it comes to looking for a perfect bass guitar out there, you must acknowledge certain features, factors, and parameters and get the most suitable product according to your needs. In this buying guide, we will help you select a bass guitar that is worthy of your time and money.
Tonewoods
Tonewood selection is a determining factor in the making of a high-quality bass guitar. There are 5 types of tonewoods such as:
Agathis- Agathis is mostly used for entry-level bass guitars because of its affordability.
Ash And Alder- These tonewoods provide a balanced and sustained tone rich in harmonic overtones.
Mahogany- They have low resonance and medium density to give you a lower register of the bass guitar.
Maple- Maple is a very dense wood that gives a bright and crisp tone.
Basswood- Basswood is soft and readily absorbs vibration with shorter sustenance.
Fingerboard And Number Of Frets
Always go for a coated fingerboard to achieve a fretless sound and longer sustenance. Uncoated fingerboards have a natural and warmer sound, so do not wear longer with round wound strings.
Most of the bass guitars available in the market have 21, 22, or 24 frets. Since most bass players use the lower positions, you can choose the number of frets according to your personal taste and preference.
Fretted Or Fretless Neck
You can choose from 2 different fretboard layouts, i.e., fretted and fretless. A fretted neck is considered the standard guitar neck where steel frets divide every half step of the chromatic scale to easily find correct notes.
A fretless bass comes with a neck that is devoid of steel frets. There is only a smooth wood similar to a violin or upright bass.
Number Of Strings
When it comes to the number of strings, you are always better off with a traditional 4 string bass. Regular 4 string basses have a narrow neck compare to 5 or 6 basses. They are tuned in a typical e-a-d-g format, making it easy for you to handle and learn the bass guitar.
But, certain styles of music only favor 5 string basses. Regardless of their style, 5 and 6 give you more room to expand and produce music creatively.
Passive Or Active Pickups
There are two types of bass guitar pickups that you can choose from.
Passive pickups are around since the origin of the electric bass. They can provide you with a warm, full tone with dynamic sound. The advantage is that they give you less control over your instrument’s tone.
Active pickups, on the other hand, are newer development. Active pickups produce a clear, percussive, and bright tone on the bass guitar. Moreover, they include an integrated battery-powered preamp to produce a higher output as compared to passive pickup.
Frequently Asked Questions For Best Bass Guitar Under 500
Final Thoughts
After detailed consideration of all the best bass guitars under 500, we think the clear winner is Schecter Stiletto Extreme-4 Bass Guitar. It is a great value product with an affordable price range, excellent tone setup, decent amplification, quality tones, stylish design, and a plethora of other advanced features. The best thing about this bass guitar is that it is a worthy choice for almost every type of bass player.