Best Electric Bass under $500

[Kmonk]

That amount of money could get you a used U.S. Fender. Look it over real good, check the neck for twists and overbowing. Maybe take a knowledgeable friend with you to buy it.

I have never seen a used MIA Fender for $500. The cheapest I've seen is $700.

Ibanez, Spector and Yamaha have some great basses that you can find used for $500.

 

[icecycle66]

I feel obligated, as an ESP junky, to direct you towards ESP basses. Anything you get from them will be of lifelong quality. Start by checking out the ESP Ltd D4

 

[hrodbert696]

At that price, my recommendation would be a Yamaha BB424x.

 

[theduke1]

Try this Schector Diamond Series 5 under $500 new

 

[Zooberwerx]

More bang for the buck if you buy used. I see Peavey Millenniums and such for ~$500 on occasion...and don't forget Soundgear & MTD imports among the lot. Lotsa really nice new MIC stuff, too, but I found the hardware to be on the chintzy side sometimes.

Best thing you can do is peruse the TB classifieds which, IMO, has the best representation of what's available on the secondhand market and, for the most part, accurate reflection of fair value.

Riis

 

[Stillwater]

I agree with the G&L tribute suggestions. They are very well built and are great values. I had a G&L guitar while back (ASAT model) and it was fantastic guitar for the money.

 

[garp]

MIM fenders

+1. Scores and scores of gently-used (or “pre-owned” — if you prefer the panache embraced by many high-end auto dealers) MIM Ps and Js available out there, many for well under your budget.

 

[Batmensch]

Squire jazz basses are very affordable. Add in about $100 for a pickup-upgrade and your in at under $500 easy.

Or save that hundred, because it's a good bet you won't need to change the pups.

 

[Toptube]

checkout Yamaha's new TRBX line. Both price points have Mahogany bodies and 5 piece maple/mahogany necks. The difference is the electronics and the pickups.

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/det...g&matchtype=&gclid=CLuEzebw2rwCFU5efgodHE8Alg

I mean this is a lot of bass, for $350
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/TRBX504TBL/

Here's the $500 version
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There's also the BB424, which comes in at $500, as well:
http://usa.yamaha.com/products/musi...sses/bb/bb424x/?mode=model#tab=product_lineup

 

[vstring3]

In my opinion, it's a steal at the price:

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[bobbybass85]

If you can find a good used squier (Classic or VM series) or a MIM Fender that plays well you can stay around/under $250 and have a great platform to mod with the spare cash...

 

[taikatsu]

Yamaha BB424X. but that's my answer to everything.

 

[Mystic Michael]

For $149 get this!!!:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Fernandes-T...0817248087?pt=Guitar&var=&hash=item231d689357

I just bought one. I've been playing for going on 40 years and it by far the best bass for the money I've ever put my hands on. I bought a Squier Vintage Modified from Guitar Center 3 weeks ago and I took it back because the Fernandes blew it away.

Here's what it sounds like:

IME, Fernandes does in fact make one of the highest-quality instruments available in the budget category. I once played a Fernandes vintage Jazz Bass copy years ago, and was very impressed with it: A $300 instrument, easily as good as many others priced @ $1,000 or more.

MM

 

[SlingBass4]

IME, Fernandes does in fact make one of the highest-quality instruments available in the budget category. I once played a Fernandes vintage Jazz Bass copy years ago, and was very impressed with it: A $300 instrument, easily as good as many others priced @ $1,000 or more.

MM

+1 - BUT let's not forget: http://store.guitarfetish.com/

 

[Nephilymbass]

Used mim fenders can normally be found for between $300-$400 and have a ton of upgrade parts on the market. I've owned a couple over the years. I've owned basses of all different price ranges from a couple hundred to 5 grand. Lately my thing is to upgrade instruments. A lot of the time you can modify a bass by adding/swapping an onboard pre or changing pickups, hardware an so on and end up with a really good sounding instrument that's unique. My conklin gt7 in the picture is modded with an Aguilar obp3 and sounds just as good as my made in Germany warwicks in the $2000-$3000 price range(corvette FNA, corvette standard, and thumb bo) Maybe not quite as good as my warwick thumb nt5 but IMO because of the quality of the PAs at the venues i play and the studios i can afford the small difference is completely irrelevant anyways. When it comes to fender mim basses they are a nice bass to get because they can grow as you grow as a player. Every single part of a fender jazz or p bass can be replaced. Even the necks and bodies.

 

[hdracer]

Used. Whatever you like, used.

Used is the only way to go. You will get a lot more bang for your buck.

 

[gjbassist]

This is probably the best value for a new bass. You are not going to find things like a one piece ash body and high mass bridge on any other bass anywhere close to this price! Plus you will have plenty of money left over.

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[portlandguy]

Yamaha BB series - I had a Yamaha BB400 all thru the 90's that was great