7 Best Bass Guitars Under 500$

When it comes to budgeting, purchasing any type of instrument is always difficult. You want to produce the greatest results possible… Maybe stretch your budget a little further so you can get one with better pickups or a nicer paintjob.

If you can get past the entry-level range and into the $500 range, you’ll find a great combination of price and performance. You’ll find bass guitars with fantastic designs, tones, and features at reasonable prices right here.
In this post, we’ve featured some of the greatest Bass Guitars Under 500$. There is something for every bassist among these, as they cover a wide range of styles and brands.

Affordably priced AND of high quality? So far, so good – let’s check them out!

Top 7 best Bass Guitars Under 500$

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ESP LTD B-204SM FL – The Most Eye-Catching Bass Guitar Under 500$

Specifications

Brand	ESP
Size	4-String
Color	Natural Satin
Item Dimensions LxWxH	49 x 4 x 17 inches
Top Material Type	Maple
Back Material Type	Maple, Basswood
Instrument	Guitar
Item Weight	12 Pounds
Operation Mode	Electric
Number of Strings	4

This bass is one of the most visually appealing instruments in Bass Guitars Under 500$ category. The spalted maple top is stunning. ESP has gone all out to create a bass that will turn heads with the B-204SM FL.

Is it as good to listen to as it is to look at? That is precisely what we discover in our comprehensive ESP LTD B-204SM FL review. Beyond the spalted maple top, we look at why this bass is worth purchasing.

In a nutshell, it’s a four-string fretless bass that no one will ever believe costs less than $500. It has passive pickups, an active equaliser, and a string-through bridge. Determine our review to see if this is the bass for you.

Yamaha TRBX304

Specifications

Brand	YAMAHA
Item Dimensions LxWxH	121.5 x 45.5 x 9.5 Centimeters
Back Material Type	Maple
Instrument	Guitar
Item Weight	4 Kilograms

Bass Guitars Under 500$ list is incomplete unless it includes at least one Yamaha model. We chose the TRBX304 for this occasion because it is one of the best bass guitars under 500$. This fantastic kit includes an instrument that works and works well. There are improved features, standard high-quality core performance, and pretty much everything that first made the TRBX line so popular.

The bass has the same all-too-familiar design as the rest of the TRBX line. This model features two active humbucker pickups that are a force to be reckoned with. The tone is expressive, yet it is also adaptable to your needs.

Best of all, the price is simply too good to pass up. Whether you want stronger music or simply want a bass guitar that can do it all, the Yamaha TRBX304 is an excellent choice right now.

Ibanez SR300E SR Standard

Specifications

Brand	Ibanez
Colour	Autumn Fade Metallic
Item Dimensions LxWxH	134.6 x 48.3 x 11.7 Centimeters
Back Material Type	Maple, Mahogany, Rosewood
Instrument	Guitar

For a long time, Ibanez has been at the top of the bass guitar market. With such a strong history, it’s natural to assume you’re in good hands with the Japanese manufacturer, and the SR300E SR Standard verifies this. Embraced by bassists over the decades, the iconic series continues to excite with its smooth, fast neck, lightweight body and perfectly matched electronics.

This is an extremely well-made instrument right out of the box. It has better pickups and more control options than any other Bass Guitars Under 500$. The SR300E 4-string electric bass is priced like a beginner’s instrument, but it has features that make it anything but a cut-rate starter axe.

In our complete Ibanez SR300E SR Standard review, we examine whether such versatility comes at the expense of quality. However, if this bass lives up to its promises, it will be a strong challenger.

G&L Tribute JB2

Specifications

Brand	G L Guitars
Colour	3-Tone Sunburst
Body Material	Swamp Ash
Back Material Type	Maple
Neck Material Type	Maple

Most individuals who aren’t interested in guitar history will tell you that whatever Fender is offering now is the best Leo Fender had to give. Needless to say, this is not the case. Leo departed Fender early on to found G&L, where he produced some of his best work.

The superb quality of G&L instruments is well known among Bass Guitars Under 500$. The G&L Tribute JB2 is one of the models that fits comfortably in the mid-range. This bass combines everything we liked about the Fender P-Bass with Leo’s later ideas. The JB2 is a great performer because to its exceptional build quality, classic style, and unbreakable circuitry.

In terms of sound, this is a force to be reckoned with. It delivers the pounding as well as a nice fat tone on command. JB2 appears to be an enhanced version of a Fender P-Bass thanks to its two G&L Alnico single-coil pickups.

Squier Deluxe Active Jazz Bass IV

Specifications

Brand	Squier
Color	Black
Item Dimensions LxWxH	51.5 x 15.25 x 4 inches
Top Material Type	Maple
Back Material Type	Maple, Basswood
Instrument	Guitar
Item Weight	15 Pounds
Operation Mode	Electric
Number of Strings	4

When a bass player’s wants Bass Guitars Under 500$, the majority of bass players do not even consider Squire as an instrument brand. We’ve covered a few of their models from the aforementioned line, and they’re clearly on point.

But does this brand have what it takes to compete with more pricey bass guitars? Yes, the answer is yes. The Squier by Fender Deluxe Active Jazz Bass IV is sufficient proof. A well-made bass guitar that comes with a set of active single coil Jazz Bass pups is enough to draw the attention of any bassist.

In many aspects, this bass incorporates many of the traits that distinguish Fender basses. Sure, it’s a simplified rendition, but the tone is clear. Regardless of what you read online, this bass guitar is more than capable of producing a balanced, high-quality sound.

Schecter Stiletto Stealth 4

Specifications

Brand	Schecter
Top Material Type	Maple, Rose Wood, Basswood
Body Material	Rosewood
Back Material Type	Basswood
Neck Material Type	Maple
Fretboard Material Type	Rosewood
Number of Strings	4

Schecter has been creating some of the most stylish and capable bass guitars available since they exploded all over the world. One of the Bass Guitars Under 500$ we’re looking at is the Schecter Stiletto Stealth 4. This axe has it all: aesthetics, sound, and power.

The best part? At the moment, it’s far under $500. Some would even argue that is comparable to some of their $1000 bass guitars. The only aspect of Stiletto 4 that has been called into doubt is the tonewood used. Although basswood has been commonly utilised in both budget and premium guitars, some individuals object to Schecter’s choice for this model.

Stiletto has the type of sound you can do just about anything with, thanks to a combination of active pickups and a rather robust EQ section. This bass is naturally at home in metal land, but it is also quite adaptable. Stiletto 4 outperforms its price range for the most part, which isn’t surprising given that Schecter reduced the price from the mid 600s. According to all reports, the Schecter Stiletto Stealth 4 is the best value option in this price range.

Hofner Ignition Vintage Violin Bass

Specifications

Brand	Hofner
Color	Sunburst
Item Dimensions LxWxH	53 x 17 x 6 inches
Top Material Type	Spruce
Back Material Type	Maple
Instrument	Guitar, Violin
Item Weight	10 Grams
Number of Strings	4

Paul McCartney transformed Hofner’s 500/1 Violin Bass into the must-have bass of the 1960s and beyond, much as John Lennon and George Harrison did for Rickenbacker.

While only a select few will enjoy playing on an original, those who want Bass Guitars Under 500$ can now enjoy this Hofner Ignition Vintage Violin Bass. Despite being built in China rather than Germany, it has traditional retro appearance, with a symmetrical violin body constructed of spruce and flamed maple and a 22-fret maple/beech neck.

It comes with a set of Hofner Ignition Staple Nickel humbuckers for a warm vintage tone and, as we say in the complete review, performs admirably for Bass Guitars Under 500$ price bracket.

What Can You Expect from Bass Guitars Under 500$?

Finding bass guitars Under 500$ will undoubtedly leave you wanting a little more for your money. However, with a good quality, playable bass available for under $200, why enter this category at all?

Fortunately, the basses in this price range are worth the extra money. Whether you prefer vintage styles, classic models, or more out-there current aesthetics, you will be confronted with a wide selection of more daring designs.

More exotic woods, like as spalted maple, or more appealing finishes are frequently found. But it’s more than just looks, as pickups increase, controls grow more adaptable, and technology becomes more trustworthy.

Sure, we’re still a long way from the luxury market, but with $500 in your wallet, you can get a lot more quality.

Last Words

The devices we’ve highlighted today are only a taste of What Can You Expect from Bass Guitars Under 500$? price bracket. The beauty of this market is that it is brimming with high-quality models that have something to offer everyone, whether you are a beginner or a seasoned bassist.

We hope you find our chart and short advice useful in your hunt for a low-cost mid-range bass, whether it’s your first or fifth!