5 Amazing Basses Under $500 for 2019! 

Awesome to hear long term feedback on the Schecter. Thanks for watching and commenting unamericano!

Congrats or your Squier! Jaguar basses are tres cool.

I completely agree!

I tried one in 2004, and put my other basses aside . My first was a Stilleto Custom 5... Ive had 3. I preferred them over the Studio 5 I owned and Especially over the Hellraiser 5... A year ago I picked up the Stealth 5 to have as a back up while gigging .. The Hot Passive Pbass P'up along with preamp kicks Ass, Big, Round, and Crystal Clear .. High output P'ups are not always a good thing. Schecter's design P'up has the higher output , no no distortion, required for a P bass split coil to fit in the Mix as they are famous for. And it's the most Natural modern design I've heard, not Colored like the EMG passive Buvkers In my Custom and Studio .. It felt wrong, like I was Cheating on my Lady, as my #2, so I didn't.. I just got another Stealth 5 for the #2 Bass, and put the Custom up..I know I'm late, but you should try the Stealth 5..just found your channel and Subbed

I have a stealth stiletto 5 and I like it a lot. It neck dives though, which drives me absolutely insane sometimes.... Makes me feel like I'm doing too much work. Besides that it's awesome. Sounds killer, the neck is great and it's just LOOKS awesome.

I agree. Classic aesthetics on that one.

So I use to play back in my late teens/early 20's now wanting to pick it back up so been looking around watching reviews and listening to people play and found the StingRay Ray4 is a great starter bass and just wanted some feedback. Thanks 👊

Yes, they really have. Thanks for watching!

Me too!

I have a short scale shootout shot and ready to be edited. Stay tuned. :)

Hofner violin bass

Ibanez are the very lightest I believe, my SRF700 feels like maybe 3 lbs

Go headless.

That’s me why I picked the Gretsch G2220 short scale. I also bought the Gibson LP double cut tribute bass. It light but with thicker neck like some of my really old LesPaul guitars. Easy to play, it’s heavier in the bass growl than the Gretsch G2220. I bring them both to gigs and I survey the crowd to see who’s 1st string that night. Both have the neck dive. But I tried the Lekato air cell guitar straps, they do help

Thanks, Wild Cat. It’s hard for me not to recommend the Yamaha BB434. I have been using it pretty consistently for the last 6 months and am really pleased with it. If the band is a bit more aggressive, I could see the Sterling being a solid choice too. The Sterling’s active preamp will give it more sizzle and cut, but the Yamaha will set well in almost any mix.

I plan on checking out a number of shorties at NAMM next month.

Same situation. Bought a used Squier P bass but had to buy the Gretsch for the smaller size and cool look "something different".... and got a deal on a store demo model via Ebay. Now time to practice... Next purchase will be a diff amp. I don't see much in the way of bass amp reviews and recommendations out there.

Thanks for watching and for the suggestion. I don’t see a lot of Cort basses popping up in the US like I used to, but I am looking forward to trying one.

Jon Rarmey, you won’t go far wrong with an Ibanez bass, especially a five string

@@richierottweiler923 Yamaha

I agree with the Schecter recommendation, although I have found them to be more consistent than some other brands.

​@@soundslikebenoh yeah, definitely, they're really underrated, and i think part of it has to do with the Schecter name being associated so much with metal, but they're pretty versatile too, kinda like Ibanez

Good question. I like Yamaha basses, but have not played one of those.

Thanks!

Thank you too!

I'll have to check out the Contemporary Jazz basses, but I have to say the Yamaha is nuts good for the price. One thing is certain; there are a ton of good options in this price range nowadays.

@@soundslikeben I actually played a Yamaha BB a long time ago. Great quality. I prefer Yamaha acoustics. Yamaha has AMAZING quality control on every single instrument, drum and electronic device. I agree 100%. Yamaha basses are perfect for new players and they give a great introduction to quality instruments. I think playing a BB helped me appreciate basses like Fender which I play now. They are really not unlike the USA Precision I play now. But, My Jazz Deluxe......no comparison. 😁

I just sold my Squire VM and I think Im going to check out another BB for fun. I use the Squires to teach and I think I would like to add a Yamaha. GOOD call.

Thanks, John. I just got my first chance to check out a few Sire basses this weekend. Looking forward to doing a review with one soon.

buy sterling. Had bad incidents with Yamaha's so far. Tested 7 and all feel very flimsy. If you got big hands then you can consider Yamaha but I personaly have puny hands

Knaertn, what happened with your Yamahas? Other than the tuning key, I’ve had no issues and other people seem to love them.

Hi Jungmin, thanks for watching! Try and get them both in your hands to check out. They sound fairly different from each other because of the pickups and electronics. . I have another video about how to buy your first bass which you may find helpful. And welcome to the bass family pre-empitvely. :) How to Choose Your First Bass Guitar || Beginner Bass ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-A9ML6W9lSLE.html

Sounds Like Ben thanks for comment! It’s easy to buy Yamaha in Korea. That’s why I choose yamaha , also cost friendly. Anyway your video is very helpful for me as I’m beginner

Hi, Undead. Thanks for watching and good suggestion. I have demo’d 3 of the basses from this video in separate videos. Hopefully the channel will soon be big enough that I don’t have to purchase every instrument I demo. That will help get the reviews out there more quickly.

Thanks, Caroline! And all other subscribers :) I really appreciate all of you joining the channel and providing feedback. Hope you all have a great finish to 2019!

I had a Peavey Millenium 5-string that I gigged with for a few years before giving it to a family. Good basses although it has been quite a while since I owned it.

Yamaha makes the BB435 with a low B. If you are looking for something different or more modern, I dig some of Schecter's 5 strings. My personal preference is for spacing that is on the smaller side - which is why I gravitate to Yamaha, Music Man, Ibanez, and Schecters over a 5 string Fender, but some people greatly prefer a 19mm spacing on their 5s.

Yep. They are killer for the money. Enjoy!

Thanks, Melon Felon!

Yes they are

It's okay, has been the budget bass to recommend to beginners for ages but has become somewhat outdated since other even far cheaper basses have become so much better.

@@ithemba can you give me some examples?

I believe MM adjusted the EQ points last year when they released the special, so I’m not exactly sure how they compare now. The Stingray classics were supposed to harken back to the original 2 band EQ. Here’s a comparison from 2016: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-UapIuZeKi98.html

Hi Alex, I have spent more time with the Gretsch than the Sterling SUB. I like the Sterling’s that are one level up from the SUB ($399). At $299, I think I prefer the Gretsch unless you are specifically looking for a StingRay tone.

We are blessed to have many great budget bass options that did not exist when I started out. I love Schecter necks.

Hi Gonzalo, I’m not familiar with Stagg basses. Hope you have a great day!

Yep. I agree. That was my first stab at a review video. Should I update this for 2023? What say you, bass family?

Good question, Dudemyguy. I think you mean what I said about tuning stability. Get the bass in tune with itself first, then play how you would normally play. See if the bass going out of tune a after a few minutes. This could happen with brand new strings, but most basses don't sell that quickly, so if the instrument has been on the wall more than a week, and it is quickly going out of tune, you may want to ask the shop to look at it (unless you are really yanking on the strings.)

Thanks, Green Shinobi!

I hear the Harley Benton’s are good quality for their price point, but shipping them to the US adds to the cost considerably. Suddenly that $129 bass is a $210 bass. At that point, you’re within spitting range of a used bass that retailed for $350-$400 new. US distribution could change that equation significantly. Would love to try one out some day.

I don't have a 5 of the new line. but I can say that the B string on the basses I tested in the store blended in great with the rest of the bass. This is something Yamaha does really well.

Andertons have done one of these videos

I like the Schecters. I think they are well setup from the factory and have great neck profiles.

Also good suggestions. Maybe I should do 5 more basses under $500

I bet this eBay seller could make one. www.ebay.com/itm/Bass-Guitar-Body-Unfinished-Ash-USA-Made-FBB-Made-to-Order-/392541777059

I’m a big fan of the little Gretsch.

Thanks, md54!

Thanks for watching, Neil. I’ll have to check out the Dean. And welcome to the low side :)

@@soundslikeben Oh do so, first thing was it stood out being a bright neon green, which at first was a novelty until picking it up and playing it. off the floor the Dean didn't have the same buzz, the action was lower, it played more smoothly. Though I can't speak for the pickups in comparison, I played them without plugging in since atleast first picking it up it mattered to me more about which felt comfortable. not like they don't make pickups for P basses anyways. it was listed at 229.99 on the floor but rang up as 199.99 at guitar center.

@@soundslikeben My only complaint though unwarranted for $200 is the fret wires aren't rounded off but they are seated just fine.

🤣me too

Thanks for watching, doc roc! Conventional wisdom is that maple is brighter (more high-mids) and rosewood is warmer (more low-mids).

The main advantages of the classic (to me) are the higher quality finish, better fretwork, and the nicer maple fingerboard.

@@soundslikeben For $300 or less what would you buy?

The Gretsch is $299. Besides that, I would try and get a used version of one of these or a Squier Classic Vibe if your taste runs more traditional.

SoundsLikeBen thanks

The bb sereies is a p bass style design. The trbx is a more modern body shape with a 24 fret neck. Different people prefer one or the other. Another difference worth noting is that the bb434 has an alder body while the trbx304 is mahogany.

Oh wow, I always thought he was a jazz bass guy. Didn’t realize the early RATM was a Stingray. Thanks for educating me!

I am impressed with Schecter’s out of the box playability on every range of instrument.

Prefer Spector ha!

Haha. I know, right?!

I’m not usually a fan of 34” scale basses with LP style bodies because of neck dive and reach issues. Would love to see a short scale version of this.

Good video suggestion! What do you guys think - should I make it 5 strings under $1000?

@@soundslikeben Absolutely! 4 or 5 strings....THANKS!

@@soundslikeben i think so, thats a good price range for a nice bass,

Yes, indeedy. Gail. Ann. Dorsey. For you folks who don't know her, check out her work with David Bowie!

Thanks!

I have not played a V2 yet. I want to try the V5.

It is getting harder and harder to find dark rosewood. Some companies have taken to staining the wood to look darker.

im pretty sure its not 'Proper" rosewood (it may be Pau Ferro, B. Rosewood, M. Rosewood, Bubinga, Grenadillo).

Honestly I'd rather have a lighter rosewood than having it stained, or see more ebony fingerboards than rosewood if people only like rosewood for a dark color.

Time for the Glarry, eh?

Not that I have personally played, but I do hear positive comments about Harley Benton basses in that range.

@@soundslikeben okay, thank you very much

Peavy Milestones are fantastic. II is a classic P/Jazz hybrid and can be found in good shape for under $150 used.

I also have heard positive things about Harley Benton basses!

I had not gotten my hands on a Sire by that point, but I do have a Sire V7 5-string review up now.

They are over $500, but I have a V7 review in the works now. Stay tuned :)

Thanks for the invitation! The SUB basses were pretty good for $299, but it was the SLO special that really grabbed me. StingRays with maple fingerboards just seem make the world a better place.

Thanks for commenting, Ted! Check out my review of the Sire V7. They do offer a good value. That’s for sure.

Thanks for watching and good suggestion. That's a brand I haven't tried yet.

@@soundslikeben in my country it actually under 500$..😁

Weird. It seems aligned when I watch it. Is it off by a syllable or more? Am I doing an impersonation of a kung fu movie dubbed into English? Because that would be cool, although kinda not cool at the same time.

@@soundslikeben It went a bit wonky (out of sync and odd quality) at the end. Didn't make the video unwatchable though :-)

Yep, this video was made before that was revealed and I see comments popping up about that in the comments. At this point, I just remember really enjoying the bass. I’d buy it again if I ran across another torino green one in a store.

@@soundslikeben yeah I am thinking about getting one as well. And I was either way humbucker or not. Lol. Cheers bud !

@@chrisb48907 Check out the review I did of the Gretsch. Cool little bas!