Seeking recommendations on my first acoustic-electric

[Shinbone]

Currently shopping for an acoustic-electric bass for acoustic duo gigs. Would like to stay under the $500 mark. Anybody have an opinion on Ibanez A/E basses? I'm looking at these two:
Ibanez AEGB24E AEG Acoustic-electric Bass Guitar - Mahogany Sunburst High Gloss | Sweetwater
Ibanez AEB105E Acoustic-Electric Bass - Natural High Gloss | Sweetwater

Or something similar. I'm open to suggestions. Thanks.

 

[Ed Goode]

If you haven’t already done so, go to https://www.talkbass.com/threads/acoustic-bass-fetish-club-part-2 Lots of excellent info there on ABG’s in all types of price ranges, you’ll need to filter through some fan-boy noise here & there, but generally some good folks posting up on that thread.

Dean is a very good choice in your stated price range, as is Ibanez. Also, check the used market, some pretty good bargains can be had from people who bought an ABG and just didn’t put in the time to get it set up right.

 

[Shinbone]

Thanks for the link, Ed Goode. I will definitely check it out.

 

[jd56hawk]

I have two of these and would definitely buy another.
Dean Exotica, the older model with the Aphex System electronics, Aural Exciter and Big-Bottom Sound...only acoustic bass made with ASE.
They still pop up on Reverb with some regularity.

 

[Shinbone]

That Dean looks nice. I'll check it out. Thanks.

 

[B-Mac]

That Dean looks nice. I'll check it out. Thanks.

If you can locate the Dean Exotica with the Aphex circuitry you'll be impressed. They still make the Exotica, but it no longer has Aphex.

Like @jd56hawk I have two of them, but in my case one is fetless. If the preamp control doesn't indicate 'Aphex' then it doesn't have it.