what are the best basses in $450-$550 range?

[Musashed]

i play metal if that matters...
and i prefer a 4 string bass

 

[wisconsindead]

There's no best bass for $500. Preferences on tone and play-ability will give you a wide variety of responses. Maybe list a few of your favorite bassists/tones to help steer people in the best direction.

 

[Mikhail1]

One word....USED! Almost always your best bang for the buck. And wisconsin is right, you'll have make the decision on what is right for you.

 

[Musashed]

There's no best bass for $500. Preferences on tone and play-ability will give you a wide variety of responses. Maybe list a few of your favorite bassists/tones to help steer people in the best direction.

i like to play with high gain and distortion until it sounds almost like an guitar.
i like to play very fast technical stuff an no slap
my favorite bassists gotta be cliff burton of Metallica
and i prefer active pickups

 

[hdracer]

You can get a used Spector NS2A in nice shape in that price range.
It'll do what you are looking for.

 

[Thomas Kievit]

Well I try to avoid the word ''best'' in the world of music But to help you on our way : check ebay for some used basses, lots of great stuff there! If you want a new bass, the Ibanez ATK200 (400 bucks) might be a nice choice for you

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[makanudo]

Ibanez, Squier VM and Schecter would get you somewhere with that money. If you buy used your bang for buck goes a long way

 

[KeithPoker]

after exercising patience to keep the price down, used MIJ Fender

 

[jamiroquaisub]

I don't think you could do better than a used Spector NS2A. There's a supposed NS2 at GC used for $425 at the Marietta, GA store that they will ship to your local GC for $50 or so. Call them first and make sure it's okay before you bother. It's probably a Korean NS2A not an American NS2 for that price, but GC does stupid things sometimes and it could be a real NS2.

 

[Thunder_Fingers]

Used Peavey DynaBass Unity, Mine cuts like a knife and plays like butter.

 

[AaronVonRock]

Used Fenders and used Schecters can be found for under $500. Both would be good choices for heavy music.

 

[Right_Butterscotch64]

I would grab a squier classic vibe jazz bass and spend the rest on the FX for your cliff sounds.

 

[Nydhog]

One that I have played around on at Guitar Center I have found sounds really good and plays very well is the Epiphone Thunderbird Classic IV PRO. It's 500 bucks. It is dang good for the price.

 

[Nydhog]

That or the bass I use is amazing for the price. Peavey T-20. Gotta get em used though. They are about 450.

 

[honeyiscool]

Double humbucker, 3-band active EQ, etc.

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Which is currently on DEEP discount, by the way. Normally it's more like $549. But why limit yourself to 4-string? If you want to play metal, you're eventually going to encounter lower tunings than E, and you're either going to have to start tuning your bass downward, or just get 5 or more strings.

 

[honeyiscool]

Then again, if Cliff Burton's your favorite bassist, you can easily get a used vintage 80s Aria for much less than $550.

Active bass? Why? Just get pedals to shape your tone, they do the same thing.

 

[furym]

My vote goes to the used market as well. Even if you don't buy from them, see if there is a Sam Ash or Guitar Center near you that you can go and get your hands on a few different types. Once you have found what fits you and has the sound you want then you can start shopping the used market for that brand and model.

 

[dukeandrews]

Hate to open this can of worms, but... It seems to me most of your sound comes from your pickups. Get a cheap used bass that feels good and looks how you like and then put in some quality pups and electronics. You can DEFINITELY make a killer bass within your price range. And it is pretty fun learning how to customize your bass.

 

[Gilmourisgod]

Ibanez SR500. Fast thin neck, 3 band Eq, active electronics, perfectly balanced.

 

[Zooberwerx]

I've seen a handful of great used values here in the classifieds. PM me (if interested) and I'll link you to my top picks.

Riis