The decision between the Top bass guitar under $500 and one that costs more is similar. You must decide which characteristics are most crucial to your playing style.
The 4 Top Bass Guitar Under 500 and Price History
-
SCORE
We take measures carefully about our ratings gathered from the customers’ reviews, and all opinions are our own. We do not accept sponsors for positive reviews from distributors or sellers.. Learn more
-
Brand
Yamaha
-
SCORE
We take measures carefully about our ratings gathered from the customers’ reviews, and all opinions are our own. We do not accept sponsors for positive reviews from distributors or sellers.. Learn more
-
Brand
Ibanez
-
SCORE
We take measures carefully about our ratings gathered from the customers’ reviews, and all opinions are our own. We do not accept sponsors for positive reviews from distributors or sellers.. Learn more
-
Brand
GLARRY
-
SCORE
We take measures carefully about our ratings gathered from the customers’ reviews, and all opinions are our own. We do not accept sponsors for positive reviews from distributors or sellers.. Learn more
-
Brand
Davison Guitars
Last update on 2023-02-21 / Prices / Affiliate links / Images, and Product Highlights from Amazon Product Advertising API
Are you searching for the Top bass guitars under $500?
We recognize how important it is to spend money on a bass guitar for a performance, a practice session, or skill development, regardless of how experienced you are as a bass player.
We understand that since so many options are available, it takes time and effort. To aid you in comparing and selecting, we have included a purchasing guide and reviews of this year’s Top selections.
When you’re ready, let’s start looking at the top bass guitars available in this price range so that we can determine which one Top meets your requirements.
Top Choice: Yamaha 4 String Bass Guitar
Top Comfortable: Ibanez 4 String Bass Guitar (GSRM20BWK)
Top Fashionable: GLARRY Full Size Electric Bass Guitar
Top Value: Davison Full Size Electric Bass Guitar
1. Yamaha 4-String Bass Guitar
Image: Amazon
A bass with superb tone and versatility is the Yamaha TRBX304 MGR. It contains all the functions you need, so you’ll like it whether you’re a beginner or an experienced bassist.
One feature of one of the finest bass guitars under $500 was its attractive body shape, which allows for comfortable playing. A superb rosewood fingerboard and a fast-acting bolt-on mahogany/maple neck are additional features of the TRBX304 MGR.
The TRBX304 also has a Performance EQ 5-way switch, which offers numerous EQ settings and supports a variety of playing techniques, including pick and slap.
Additionally, this model has M3 humbucking pickups for that punchy, powerful tone. These pickups provide excellent low ends without hum as well.
Pros
-
Has a playable body form.
-
The Performance EQ 5-way switch was used in its design.
Cons
-
NOT for left-handed people
-
Some users could have color issues.
2. Ibanez 4-String Bass Guitar (GSRM20BWK)
Image: Amazon
Soon after beginning your search for a new bass guitar, you quickly grow accustomed to seeing bodies like the Ibanez GSRM20BWK. It has a typical double cutaway design that neither adds anything new nor subtracts from the previously established design.
Even though the design could be more original and copied, it nevertheless seems passably presentable. It is a straightforward, practical design that does its job.
The guitar has a B10 bridge system installed. This system is noted to have some good movement and quite nice string stability. Unfortunately, the guitar’s nut is constructed from a less expensive synthetic substance. As a consequence, there is some noise in the guitar’s tone.
The guitar has a twin pickup configuration, with one pickup placed in the body’s midsection and the other at the bridge. One of the pickups is a split-coil design, giving your guitar a variety of sounds.
The other pickup is made of a single coil. The combination enables the guitar to produce a clear, complex tone. However, the pickups could be better at eliminating string noise.
Two separate tone knobs and a master volume knob make up the bass guitar’s basic control setup.
The guitar sounds considerably better than you would expect from an inexpensive instrument. The guitar’s tone may be adjusted to be deep and grungy or bright and lively depending on the musician’s preferences owing to the pickup combinations. The only issue with the sound might be the string noise that bleeds into the guitar tone.
Pros
-
Unlikely affordable
-
Including in a bundle
-
Good sound
Cons
-
Issues with tuning stability
3. GLARRY Full Size Electric Bass Guitar
Image: Amazon
This Glarry bass guitar has a basswood body, a P bass-styled body, a maple neck, a rosewood fretboard, and 20 frets.
In addition to being relatively lightweight, the 34′′ bass scale length is a fantastic choice for musicians who like playing while standing. It is also a great weight for bass guitarists who wish to travel with their instrument.
The single split-coil pickup is incredibly quiet, producing a little buzz or hum. Because of the pickup’s very low power, the bass can only be used with practical, compact amps.
The tone would be challenging to use as your primary bass, but if you are an experienced musician needing a second instrument for practice, you can certainly use it as a backup or practice bass.
The finish is lovely in design; however, it already exhibits evidence of fractures and chips and is quite narrow. You may need to remove and replace the strings since the pickups will be improperly installed in the covers when they are taken out of the box. Additionally, you may need to pickguard both the frame and their coverings.
They most likely need help to do it, as this is not something for a newbie. Any quality assurance specialist would have understood this if they had taken a closer look at the bass.
Pros
-
A cozy touch sensation
-
Includes a second carrying case
-
There are several accessories included
-
Excellent Choice for Intermediate and Advanced Players
-
A stylish design
Cons
-
The neck is too big
4. Davison Full Size Electric Bass Guitar
Image: Amazon
Any aspiring bassist will love this Davison full-size bass guitar. Despite being geared for novices, it has a lot of punch. The maple neck allows for flexibility. The neck resembles those on more costly Fender basses. Solid hardware is used.
There is just one split-coil pickup on it. A bass guitar for beginners is straightforward. For master volume and master tone, there are just two controls. Being a starting bass on a tight budget means some buzz, but if you’re spending less than $500, then there is always a chance of that. It’s a good product, as you would expect from Davison.
Davison’s stunning full-size solid-body electric bass guitar provides great specifications for students and performers of all skill levels. It has four steel strings, two P-style pickups, an adjustable truss rod, nickel frets, and diecast turners.
This bass guitar is as gorgeous to look at as it is to play, thanks to its glistening, eye-catching high gloss finish. The excellent traditional aesthetics of this bass are enhanced with a maple neck, a nicely polished maple fretboard and a chrome bridge, making it a show-stopper when played.
It’s a reliable beginner’s bass that is affordable to purchase. Given that it is designed for beginning bassists, you may take it out of the box and begin playing right away—a fantastic investment for less than $500.
Pros
-
Easy, reliable setup & sturdy maple neck
-
Excellent value for the money
-
Tension bar adjustment on the neck
-
An ideal weight
Cons
-
Has several attachments and is huge, thus it weighs a lot
Before selecting a new bass guitar, a lot of factors need to be taken into account. Before investing your money, you should comprehend the many obtainable specs and what they represent.
The bass guitar may seem like a rather straightforward instrument at first glance. But it’s startling to learn the various materials that may be used to make a bass guitar. Every component of the bass counts, particularly regarding the instrument’s tone and power.
1/ Neck
Regarding bass necks, there are three options. The most typical neck is a bolt-on neck, which provides excellent stability. But a set neck will provide greater sustain. A fixed neck’s disadvantage is that it may be exceedingly hard to alter.
The thru-body neck is the third form of the neck. There is no joint, as the name implies, and it passes straight through the body. These are found on expensive basses since they have the finest sustain and tone but cost more.
2/ Body
A solid or hollow body is the major option for bass bodies. By far, the most typical is the solid body. However, the wood used to build them may be anything from mahogany to swamp ash to maple. The quality of the wood will increase with price, which will significantly impact the tone of your bass.
Using a hollow body is the alternative. Due to their hollow body and electric pickups, these bass guitars are sometimes called semi-acoustic. Jazz and blues performers prefer hollow-bodied bass blues instruments, but rockers require a solid-body bass guitar.
3/ Fretboard
Your fretboard must be sturdy and long-lasting. Ebony, rosewood, and mahogany are the ideal woods for this use. You must ensure that your fingers are comfy since they will spend most of their time here.
4/ Pickups
There are two options here: single-coil pickups or humbucker pickups. Although single-coil pickups are more common in bass guitars priced under $500, humbuckers provide a clearer tone.
These function quite well, although they are noisy and may rattle. If the pickups are near the fretboard, the sound will be lower; conversely, if they are further away from the fretboard, the sound will be higher.
5/ Weight
The bass guitar’s size and the material will determine this. Most bassists perform while wearing their bass around their necks. You must thus feel at ease carrying the weight. However, if you choose a lesser bass, the tone isn’t as deep and maintained as it is stronger.
6/ Bridge
The location on a guitar where the strings come to an end has a bridge, which comes in three different varieties. Whether you like a through-bridge, a string-through-body, or a bridge and tailpiece combo is a personal preference. Each often functions effectively. You must choose a larger and heavier bridge since your bass will sound better as a result.
7/ Truss Rod
The bass guitar’s neck has a rod like this. Due to the stress of the heavy bass strings, it may bow or even twist. A truss rod that is simple to adjust will be present on a nice bass.
8/ Appearance
Pay attention to one of the foundational components of a bass. That is how it seems. You must choose a body type, color, and style appropriate for you, especially if you fantasize about playing your bass guitar on stage.
The greatest thing you can do in this situation is to survey the various items and decide which ones would look Top draped over your shoulders. However, this specification is the least significant. Solidity and soundness are significantly more crucial.
Should you choose a five- or six-string bass instead of a four-string bass?
Four strings are included with the typical bass. Starting with a four-string guitar is advised since it is simpler and has all the variety you want while learning to play.
The more strings an instrument has, the more versatility it will provide. Advanced bassists choose five- or six-string bass guitars for this reason. Your hand size must be taken into account since you also have a broader neck as a result.
Which size is prefered?
As the name implies, bass guitars with a short scale are substantially smaller. For tiny hands, a model with a short scale is perfect. They are thus perfect for younger bassists. Picking a short-scale bass is preferable for a novice and a youngster. The conventional scale may be a better option if you are elderly or have huge hands.
Do you prefer electric or acoustic basses?
The kind of music you wish to perform on your bass will determine everything. You need an electric bass if you’re performing in a band since that implies it is amplified. Well, unless you’re an acoustic, low-fi band. Then picking an acoustic bass guitar would be a much better choice.
Do you have any idea about what are some popular musical instruments? What about your favorite band? Do you know anything about any particular bands or musicians? There are so many musical instruments available for sale that it would be challenging and time-consuming for customers to compare many items among them and choose the best. I am Ben – a lover of all things musical. I synthesize the best instruments to help anyone with their equipment needs.