Top Best Bass Guitars Under 500
The bass guitar is not only an incredible instrument, but also an integral part of any musical group. Without a bass guitar, there would be no powerful sound at low frequencies, which is so necessary for almost any music. If you’re thinking about getting a bass guitar, you probably have a lot of questions in your head – how many strings, what shape to choose, what musical style to prefer, and much more. However, another factor that is important to pay attention to when choosing a guitar is the price. If this is your first bass guitar, then you don’t need a multi-thousand dollar instrument at all, but even if you’re a professional musician, you can still find a quality budget offering. That is why our top bass guitars under 500 will be the perfect solution to your problem.
If you think you can’t find a quality tool for $500, you’re wrong. Of course, finding a good model will not be easy, but we have studied the market and selected the best bass guitars under $500, which are quite reliable, sound good and will not leave you indifferent. What’s more, people who spend a lot of money on a more expensive bass often end up with a bunch of features that are not only unnecessary but also confusing, especially for a beginner. If you’re a longtime musician who plays in clubs or travels a lot, then you should also consider bass guitars under 500.
Top Best Bass Guitars Under 500
Here are our top picks:
1)Squier Affinity Jazz Bass
Body: Popular
Neck: Maple
Fingerboard: Indian Laurel/Maple
Pickups: Ceramic Single-Coil Jazz Bass
Scale: 34″
If you’ve ever browsed the top 10 bass guitars under 500, you’ve probably come across a brand like Fender. Maybe you are even looking for the best bass guitars fender under 500, in which case we have great news for you.
This guitar is made by Squier – the sister company of Fender, so you can be sure that the instrument is of high quality. You should also know that the Jazz Bass has been the choice of many guitarists around the world over the years. No matter what style you want to play – rock, funk, blues or otherwise, you can never go wrong if you choose a jazz bass guitar.
We would also like to point out that the Squier Affinity is specifically focused on providing musicians with a high quality instrument at a price that everyone can afford.
Moreover, if you are just starting your musical journey and are looking for the best bass guitars 300 to 500, then Squier Affinity Jazz Bass is the best solution for you. It should be noted that both hardware and pickups have a fairly good build quality, so the guitar will be comfortable to play.
Of course, you won’t get the level of clarity you get from expensive basses, but you’ll still have a great model with good sound. So, if you were looking for one of the best squire fender bass guitars under 500, then you have found it.
2)Epiphone Thunderbird E1
Body: Mahogany
Neck: Maple
Fingerboard: Rosewood
Pickups: TB Plus Humbucker
Scale: 34”
If names like Gene Simmons and John Entwistle mean anything to you, you’ll be happy to know that they also prefer Thunderbird guitars. In general, it should be noted that the Epiphone Thunderbird E1 is a real find, especially for those musicians who prefer rock music.
This model has excellent build quality, and the pair of humbuckers help create a low end growl that sounds great both clean and overdriven.
Moreover, it is impossible not to note the location of the second pickup, which is located in the middle, and not closer to the neck. This is what takes out some of the dirty tones and gives a good clean sound that is also as versatile as possible.
Speaking of the Epiphone Thunderbird E1, not only does it sound great, it looks incredible, which is why we included it in our top bass guitars for around $600. Moreover, this guitar is of such high quality that it will serve you for a long time, regardless of whether you practice at home or on the road.
So, if you are looking for one of the best bass guitars under £500 that will amaze you not only with its sound, but also with its appearance, get the Epiphone Thunderbird E1 without hesitation.
3) Yamaha TRBX 305
Body: Mahogany
Neck: 5-Piece Maple / Mahogany
Fingerboard: Rosewood
Pickups: Yamaha Ceramic HU
Scale: 34″
Speaking about the top best bass guitars for $500, we couldn’t help but mention such a well-known brand as Yamaha, which has been impressing musicians with its quality and reliability for many years.
Also, if you are looking for a five-string bass guitar, not four, then do not worry, as the Yamaha TRBX 305 is available in both versions. Among other things, it should be noted that this model is fitted with ceramic magnet-equipped pickups, which help to provide deep, clear and strong sound.
It is thanks to them that this guitar is able to cope with any musical style, from jazz to metal. Whether you’re looking for an overdriven bass guitar or a clean tone, the Yamaha TRBX 305 will meet your every need.
Speaking about the construction of the guitar, it should be noted that the mahogany body has curves in the right places, which makes this model very comfortable for long playing both sitting and standing. What’s more, it’s also worth mentioning the thin neck profile, which is great for a variety of playing styles.
So, if you are looking for a good bass guitar under 500 that is great for experimenting with different musical genres, you will not find anything better than the Yamaha TRBX 305.
4)Sterling SUB Ray4
Body: Basswood
Neck: Maple
Fingerboard: Hard Maple
Pickups: Ceramic Humbucker
Scale: 34”
The Sterling SUB Ray4 is another quality instrument that is suitable for a variety of musical genres and is ideal for the musician who is still looking for his musical style. This guitar is equipped with a single humbucker, but still produces a great rumbly tone.
Also noteworthy is the on-board active EQ, which allows you to shape the tone and cut or boost both high and low frequencies. So even though the Sterling SUB Ray4 has only one pickup, you can still get a fairly wide range of tones.
If you are a beginner musician, this model has another advantage – it will play great right out of the box and will almost always stay tuned.
Another nice bonus of this model is its thin neck profile, which is ideal for any style of playing (from fingerstyle to guitar picking). Undoubtedly, the Sterling SUB Ray4 is one of the best under 600 bass guitars you can find on the market.
5) Ibanez SR300E
Body: Nyatoh
Neck: 5pc Maple/Walnut
Fingerboard: Jatoba
Pickups: PowerSpan Dual Coil (passive)
Scale: 34″
Finishing our list of the best bass guitars under five hundred dollars, we simply could not help but pay attention to a brand like Ibanez, which is famous for its quality guitars around the world.
Speaking about the Ibanez SR300E model we have presented, it is worth noting that it can cover a huge number of musical styles. However, if you prefer rock and metal, this model will not leave you indifferent thanks to its PowerSpan Dual Coil humbuckers, which offer a powerful and loud sound, while maintaining the clarity of notes, which is so important for these musical styles.
However, with just one push of a button, you can switch these pickups into single coil mode, giving you a more traditional old school sound. Another great feature of the Ibanez SR300E is an active EQ, so you can achieve any tone you want.
Speaking of the body of the guitar, it is important to note that it is not only beautiful, but also lightweight, so you will be comfortable playing whether you are standing or sitting.
The cutouts will also make it easier for you to access any fret, making your practice as comfortable as possible. The Ibanez SR300E also has quality hardware, so you not only get a stable tune, but also resonance and intonation.
We would also like to point out that this model is more modern and may not be suitable for people who are looking for a classical bass guitar. Don’t let that put you off though, with the Ibanez SR300E you can still get that classic bass sound.
Conclusion
The bass guitar is not only a popular instrument, but also an essential instrument for any band. Whether you’re looking for american bass guitars under $500 or best used bass guitars under 500, choosing the right model can be tricky. Our top has collected the best models on the market that will surely suit all your desires and needs.
