As a beginner, it is always advisable that you try your hand with less expensive guitars, which might be of a lower built quality but are typically playable.
On the other hand, if you are an experienced advanced level guitar player, then you might want to opt for a guitar with a more vibrant tone and upgraded electronics for better performance. Although you might not mind shelling out some extra bucks for your art, you definitely need to pick one which is both affordable and the best-in-class
We understand that the quest of searching for a bass guitar can be an overwhelming task, especially for those who are venturing in for the first time. The market is flooded with a plethora of them and choosing the one that suits your taste and budget will demand a lot of your time and energy.
We have come up with the list of 10 best affordable bass guitars under 500 to save you some pain and hours of searching on the Internet.
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Top 10 Best Bass Guitars Under 500?
1. Squier Bronco Short Scale Bass
There is a misconception among many who think that the coolest bass guitars in the market would be those with a premium price tag. The Squier Bronco bass guitar proves it all wrong. This guitar is among the best affordable bass guitar with which you don’t have to burn your pocket for the ultimate experience that it provides.
The Squier Bronco bass guitar lies within the price bracket of less than 200 pounds and is widely recommended by the professional guitarists. Those who have a smaller frame will find this particular guitar as their ideal choice. The single-coil pickup configuration of this bass guitar is specifically designed to offer you all the articulation and punches that you need to play and find your rich tone.
- Less complex materials and weight make it easy to handle.
- Has a high degree of durability that ensures incessant and long-term usage.
- Has a pleasing appearance because of the C-shape and maple fingerboard.
- Is ideal for people that love all things vintage.
- Those that love a hefty feel may not approve of it.
- May benefit from nicer tuners.
2. Gretsch G2220 Junior Jet Bass II
If you are one of those rock, country, or jazz aficionados, then the Gretsch G2220 Junior Jet Bass II would be the ideal option for you. Even the metal fans would be pleased with this instrument. This guitar comes from one of the most reputable brands in the music industry. It has awesome sound production and is easy on your budget too.
It is specifically designed for those bass guitar players who like to play on a shorter scale bass. Along with high-quality tonewoods and durable hardware, this musical instrument gives you a comfortable feel while you hold it in your hands. The unique design ensures that you get access to higher frets easily without any discomfort.
There are two humbucking pickups along with a three-way pickup selector that makes it possible for you to sculpt your pick up for a soothing tonal variety and power. Whether you like to play it clean or with distortion, this bass guitar will never disappoint you.
- Has a convenient and compact body at a 30.3 inches scale.
- Two tiny pickups ensure excellent distortion and sound quality.
- People with little hands can also have great control because of the smooth fingerboard made of smooth rosewood.
- Has a pleasant feel and comforting to hold.
- Offers excellent quality deep bass sound.
- Some models possess loose controls however that can be fixed easily by making minor adjustment to screws.
- When learning to play initially, you may experience minor buzzing with the fret.
3. Eastcoast GB200-N Bass Guitar Natural
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Comes with the Single Coil (J-Style) Alnico pickups, this workhorse of a bass guitar gives you full-body lush tone. Along with making it possible for a high level of articulation, this bass guitar could be your one-stop solution for all the low-end riffage you ever wanted. It is one of the best choices for those who are beginning to accustom their fingers on a bass guitar.
You can rest assured that you would be getting double or even triple the experience for the price you pay for it. The hard maple body with a bolt-on neck makes your bass tough-wearing and highly resonant. Satisfy your taste in music and pick from a variety of colors that this guitar comes with. Now you don’t have to break the bank to buy a premium quality bass guitar.
- Imparts a classic look with an all-natural finish, block inlays in black, and an artificial tortoise pickguard.
- Offers a rock-solid playing experience owing to a resonant body and being comfortably lightweight.
- Features high-quality electronics owing to independent controls of volume, master tone, perfect bass, bridge and middle positions.
- The quality of wood used is not the best in the market.
4. Epiphone EB-0 SG Electric Bass
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This premium quality ranks among the top list of the best affordable bass guitars available. With the lush Sidewinder Humbucker placed in the neck, this guitar will be the perfect fit for all your bass runs and punchy riffs. The mahogany body material makes the sound production of this guitar warm and resonant.
The Epiphone bass guitar is designed in shape to provide comfort and to produce fantastic sounds. It is a brand that has been trusted over millions across the world. From subtle bass to bone-crushing riffs, you get to play everything very smoothly on this musical instrument. If you are looking for a professional-level experience of playing within your tight budget, then you simply cannot go wrong with this one.
- It is an affordable alternative as compared to other models of bass guitars.
- It features solid electronics.
- This one comes with a humbucker pickup.
- The original bridge could have been better.
- Absence of another pickup, limits your experimentation opportunities with sound precision.
5. Ibanez Talman TMB100
Sporting a vintage Talman double-cutaway body, this musical beast can dial up the retro like a pro. Although this bass guitar comes within the bracket of affordability, it sure doesn’t look its price at all. With a body made of mahogany, it has smooth cuts and turns for a comfortable feel and an attractive look.
Available in a spectrum of different retro colors, the Talman TMB100 has a maple neck with a rosewood fret board with 22 frets. From jazz to heavy rock, it can play the most versatile sounds that you throw at it. The high performance of this bass guitar is made possible with the two Dynamix single-coil pickups that are placed at the neck and bridge of the guitar.
- Is super affordable for the quality and brand.
- Features an active EQ of 2-band that offers a lot of control over the kind of tone you desire.
- The fretboard and neck are good.
- Offers great sound.
- Has inconsistent level of volume.
- Possesses loose knobs with a tone knob sitting higher.
6. Yamaha TRBX174EW
While recommending the best affordable bass guitars, the list would be incomplete with the inclusion of Yamaha TRBX174EW. The brand itself speaks volumes about the musical instruments that it manufactures. Being one of the most trusted brands in the world, Yamaha is a name that rules the music world.
The Yamaha TRBX174EW is very light in weight with the body made out of mahogany. Whether you like to play your bass guitar by standing or sitting, the well-contoured design of this guitar makes it very comfortable. It comes with a rosewood fretboard with full 24 frets and a bolt-on maple neck, built for playing your guitar easily.
Featuring a Jazz-style single coil, this bass guitar also comes with a split precision-style single coil. With proper volume and tone controls, the Yamaha TRBX174EW is the instrument of versatility.
- Has a great feel and tone.
- Strumming is fun.
- Has a great pick up.
- Solid electronics.
- The tuning knobs are cheap.
- Has fretboard buzz.
- 2-tone happens to be an odd mix.
7. Dean E09M Edge
When it comes to the best affordable bass guitar, Dean is a name with which everyone is familiar with. They have a wide range of outlandish guitar models for you to choose from based on your preference and requirement. The Dean E09M Edge provides you with an experience that you might not find in other guitars.
With a smooth combination of features, this bass guitar offers a lot more than what you pay for. The uniquely designed lacquered body with a single soapbar pickup placed ergonomically in the middle, this guitar’s features is not what you would find in others. From a comfortable hold, attractive look, feature-rich, to producing awesome sounds, this guitar packs in just about everything.
- Well equipped with volume and treble control.
- Features rosewood fretboard, a thirty-four-inch maple neck dotted abalone inlays.
- Has a retro-style bridge.
- Is well-equipped with volume control and treble.
- The package comes with tuners that are made of die-cast metal,
- Retail package comprises a single passive pickup and in case you require spares, you have to pay more.
8. Goplus Electric Bass Guitar
If you are looking for something cheap, and cheerful, then you will not go wrong with the Goplus Electric Bass Guitar. With a solid body built, this bass guitar features dual single-coil piezoelectric pickups. With durable on-board dials, you will feel a little resistance when you turn them on.
This bass guitar has all the required essentials from packing in with a shoulder strap, a cord, a gig-bag, to a pick. Being well-fabricated, it has stable tuning keys that are large and comfortable enough to hold. The adjustable truss, Tremolo Bridge, and the rosewood fretboard provide a smooth feel while playing. It is a very good option to pick for a beginner’s hand.
- Rosewood made fingerboard and bridge produce great sound.
- Is reasonably priced despite being equipped with stellar features.
- Offers easy adjustments to be made.
- Is perfectly balanced and is extremely lightweight.
- Weak pick-up and may need an upgrade.
- Fretz buzz therefore playing at any gig can pose difficulties.
- Limited color options as it is only available in black.
9. Crescent Electric Bass Guitar
This bass guitar comes with a combination of lightweight and durability. It has the Stratocaster appearance which all of you might be familiar with, along with a solid basswood body.
The size of this bass guitar is a little bigger than the average and harbours split single-coil P-B pickups. You will feel all in control of the tone and volume all the time with its built-in pre-amp. This also comes with a pack of accessories that includes a strap, extra strings, guitar bag, and a guitar tuner. If you are a beginner than purchasing the Crescent Electric Bass Guitar will be your one-stop solution.
- Is great value for money because it comes with an all-rounder kit for starters.
- Comes as a full kit comprising of an electronic tuner, extra strings, an amplifier, and an electric guitar.
- It has 22 frets on the neck.
- Has a superfine finish and lightwood basswood make.
- Knobs on board offering tone and volume controls.
- Might face an issue while strumming with high-raised pickups.
- Not a highly precise instrument.
10. Davison Guitars Electric Bass Guitar
This product from Davison is a teacher-approved model, which is crafted specifically for the students who are beginning to practice playing the bass guitar. The Davison Guitars Electric Bass Guitar comes at an affordable price and gives a premium-quality feel while you strum those four strings.
It is a full-sized guitar with a lightweight solid-built body. From the angled forearm armrest to the harmonious resonance, this provides an all-in-one package for any beginner. Comes in a wide spectrum of colors for you to choose from, this bass guitar is equipped with dual split-coil (P-Style) pickups along with 2 control knobs for easier and better performance.
- Holds the tune well.
- The added strap adds to the comfort.
- Is beginner-friendly.
- Features a loud-enough amp but does not perturb others around.
- Comes with a fine bag.
- One may experience a buzzing ring that may emanate from the instrument’s head.
- Tone knob makes no difference.
Qualities of a Good Bass Guitar
In pursuance of assuring you get the most bang for your buck, we have listed the most essential characteristics (or qualities, if you may) that crafts a good bass guitar. You should look for the following things very minutely to narrow down that one bass guitar that will suit you the best:
- Material: It is crucially imperative that you check the type of wood the bass guitar is made out of. The wood not only determines the quality of sound production but also the weight of the bass guitar.
- Body style: In an electric bass guitar the body is typically solid. If you want to have a more acoustic sound while strumming its strings then opting for a semi-hollow bodied guitar will get the job done.
- Fret numbers: Choosing the number of frets in your bass guitar is more of personal preference. Since a bass guitar is played in the lower positions, you can choose any from 21, 22, or 24 frets, depending upon your specific requirement.
- Neck: Varying from the oval, round, flat back, to asymmetrical, the neck styles in a bass guitar should be chosen based on the size of the hand of the player.
- Intonation: As you move up the neck while playing the guitar, intonation determines whether they are in tune or not. There must be a difference between the frets (above 12th fret) for the bass guitar to play in tune.
- Fingerboard: To make your bass guitar produce a warm and natural sound, it is always advisable to choose an uncoated fingerboard, rather than a coated one.
Conclusion
We know that searching for a good quality guitar within a tight budget can be quite frustrating, especially when there is a plethora of them available in the market. The above-mentioned list about the best affordable bass guitars that you can ever come across has been written after thorough market research.
Now, you do not have to worry about getting a cheaper quality just because you cannot shell out more money. Be rest assured that these bass guitars will give you the ultimate feel of tuning in and strumming your favorite songs, with a quality and experience of a lot more than what you pay for.
Looking for the Best Affordable Electric Guitars, read our review article.