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Best basses under 500 for you

Picking the Best basses under 500 isn't much different from picking a more expensive one. You'll need to figure out what parts are most important to you based on how you play. Even at this lower price point, there are a lot of high-quality instruments with all the features you need. You'll only have to give up on materials and hardware that aren't as common.


Overview

When you're looking for a bass guitar, keep in mind that every part of it is important, but some things are just a matter of taste. I'll start this article by helping you find the best bass guitar under 500 for your needs. If you'd rather do more research before reading reviews, there's a buying guide at the bottom of the page that you'll probably find helpful.

18 Best Bass Guitars Under $1,000 of 2022


Comparison Table

Showing  1 - 10  in  10 results
TOP Choice
1
  • SCORE
    9.6
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  • Brand
    Hofner
TOP Choice
2
  • SCORE
    9.6
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  • Brand
    Sterling by Music Man
TOP Choice
3
  • SCORE
    9.3
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  • Brand
    Best Choice Products
TOP Choice
4
  • SCORE
    9.3
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  • Brand
    Ibanez
TOP Choice
5
  • SCORE
    9.1
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  • Brand
    Fender
6
  • SCORE
    9.1
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  • Brand
    Sterling by Music Man
7
  • SCORE
    8.9
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  • Brand
    Yamaha
8
  • SCORE
    8.9
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  • Brand
    Epiphone
9
  • SCORE
    9.0
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  • Brand
    Squier
10
  • SCORE
    9.0
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  • Brand
    CAHAYA

Last update on 2023-03-21 / Affiliate links / Images, Product Titles, and Product Highlights from Amazon Product Advertising API

4.3
3 ratings

BUYING GUIDE

  • Fretboard

The fretboard, also called the fingerboard, is where your fingers make the bass's first sound. The fretboard is a piece of wood that is glued on top of the neck. It is the part of the bass that usually gets the most wear, so it is made of harder wood. Most of the time, woods like rosewood or maple are used to make the fretboard. Rosewood is usually brown and has a warm, dark sound. 

When you pick up the bass, you'll see fret marks on the side of the neck (called "side dots") and on the fretboard. They are on most basses. These things can be very useful, especially when playing in places that are dark or where there isn't much light. They help you keep your bearings when playing and moving up and down the fretboard. The side dots are also very helpful so you don't have to twist your neck to see. People have started to experiment with the shapes and sizes of these fret marks, which is a very useful feature.

Best Value Sterling by Music Man SUB Ray5

  • Pickups

The position of the pickups affects the sound of your bass, whether they are closer to the neck or the bridge. The sound is brighter and thinner near the bridge, and it gets warmer and fuller near the neck. The same thing is true whether they are doing something or not.

  • Weight

This will depend on what the bass is made of and how big it is. Most bass players wear the bass around their necks. This means that you have to be okay with the weight. But if you choose a lighter bass, the tone might not be as deep and steady as with a heavier bass.

  • Bridge

There are three common kinds of bridges, which are the parts of a guitar where the strings end. Whether you like a through-bridge, a string-through-body, or a bridge and tailpiece combination depends on your personal taste.

Each is usually good. It's more important to choose a bridge that is bigger and heavier because it will give your bass a better sound.

Best Overall Yamaha TRBX 305

  • Length Scale

The scale length is how far from the nut to the bridge it is. Why it's important: It makes a big difference in how the instrument plays and how it sounds. It changes the sound quality of the strings. The lower the pitch, the longer the strings are. "Long-scale" basses are usually 34", but there are also short (30–32”), medium (32–34”), and extra-long (36” or more) scale basses. Scale lengths aren't all the same, and there aren't any hard and fast rules about this among bass and string makers, so you should pay attention to it. A lot of players have trouble choosing the length of their strings, which is why you need to know the length of your scale.

Epiphone Toby Standard-IV Budget Pick

  • Truss Rod

This is a rod that is in the bass guitar's neck. Because of the tension of the thick bass strings, it can bow or even twist. A good bass will have a truss rod that is easy to change.

  • Appearance

Let's not forget one of the bass's most important parts. That seems to be the case. If you want to play your bass guitar on stage, you need to choose a body type, color, and style that works for you. Here, the best thing to do is look at what's available and decide what you think would look best on your shoulders. But this is not the most important detail. Much more important are sound and solidity.


FAQs

  1. How can I know which scale is right for me?

It's a given that short-scale bass guitars are smaller than their full-size counterparts. To accommodate smaller hands, a short-scale model is an excellent option. Because of this, they're a great choice for young bassists. It's usually advisable to start out with a short-scale bass if you're a newbie. If you are older or have large hands, the conventional scale is a better option

  1. Does it matter if the bass is electric or acoustic?

The type of bass music you choose to play is entirely up to you. When playing with a band, you need an electric bass because it is amplified. Unless you're a low-tech, acoustic band, that is. Instead, you should go for an acoustic bass guitar.


CONCLUSION

It all depends on what kind of music you want to play on your bass after that you can choose your Best basses under 500 If you want to play in a band, you need an electric bass because it has a louder sound. Well, that's unless you're an acoustic band with low-tech equipment. Then an acoustic bass guitar would be a much better choice.

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