Best Acoustic Bass Guitar Under $500 for 2024

Best Acoustic Bass Guitar Under $500 for 2024

If you’re in the market for an acoustic bass guitar that won’t break the bank, you’ve come to the right place. Acoustic bass guitars offer a rich, warm tone that can add depth to any musical performance, whether you’re playing solo, in a band, or recording in the studio. In this extensive review, I’ve analyzed the best acoustic bass guitars under $500 for 2024, based on careful examination of features, product descriptions, and customer reviews on Amazon. My aim is to provide you with a thorough, reality-based assessment to help you find the perfect instrument.

1. Ibanez PCBE12MH

Features

• Body Shape: Grand Concert
• Top Wood: Mahogany
• Back & Sides Wood: Mahogany
• Neck Wood: Mahogany
• Fingerboard Wood: Laurel
• Bridge Wood: Laurel
• Scale Length: 32 inches
• Nut Width: 1.65 inches
• Electronics: Ibanez AEQ-2T preamp with built-in tuner
• Finish: Open Pore Natural

My Pros and Cons About the Ibanez PCBE12MH

Pros

• Warm Tone: In my opinion, the all-mahogany construction of the Ibanez PCBE12MH produces a warm, rich tone that is perfect for both fingerstyle playing and strumming. The resonance is impressive for an instrument in this price range.
• Comfortable Playability: The grand concert body shape is comfortable to hold and play, making it a great choice for extended practice sessions or live performances. The neck is smooth and easy to navigate, which is especially helpful for beginners.
• Built-In Electronics: The Ibanez AEQ-2T preamp with a built-in tuner is a fantastic addition. It allows for easy amplification and quick tuning adjustments, making it versatile for various playing situations.
• Aesthetic Appeal: The open pore natural finish gives this bass a beautiful, earthy look that highlights the grain of the mahogany wood. It’s a visually appealing instrument that stands out on stage.

Cons

• Limited Projection: While the tone is warm and rich, the acoustic projection is somewhat limited compared to larger-bodied basses. It performs best when amplified.
• Action Setup: Some users have reported that the action is a bit high out of the box. A setup might be necessary to achieve optimal playability.

2. Fender CB-60SCE

Features

• Body Shape: Concert Cutaway
• Top Wood: Solid Spruce
• Back & Sides Wood: Mahogany
• Neck Wood: Mahogany
• Fingerboard Wood: Walnut
• Bridge Wood: Walnut
• Scale Length: 32 inches
• Nut Width: 1.69 inches
• Electronics: Fishman Classic Design pickup/preamp
• Finish: Gloss

My Pros and Cons About the Fender CB-60SCE

Pros

• Bright and Clear Tone: The solid spruce top provides a bright and clear tone with excellent resonance and sustain. The combination of spruce and mahogany gives this bass a well-balanced sound that works well across various genres.
• Built-In Electronics: The Fishman Classic Design pickup/preamp system delivers excellent amplified sound quality. It’s easy to use and offers a range of tone-shaping options, making it great for live performances.
• Comfortable Playability: The concert cutaway body shape is comfortable and allows easy access to higher frets. The neck is well-designed and smooth, making it easy to play for extended periods.
• High-Quality Finish: The gloss finish not only looks great but also provides added protection to the instrument. It’s a durable finish that helps the guitar withstand regular use.

Cons

• Weight: The CB-60SCE is slightly heavier than some other models in this price range. This might be a consideration for players who prefer a lighter instrument.
• Tuning Stability: Some users have reported issues with tuning stability, especially with the lower strings. Frequent tuning adjustments might be necessary.

3. Dean EAB Acoustic-Electric Bass

Features

• Body Shape: Jumbo
• Top Wood: Spruce
• Back & Sides Wood: Mahogany
• Neck Wood: Mahogany
• Fingerboard Wood: Walnut
• Bridge Wood: Walnut
• Scale Length: 34 inches
• Nut Width: 1.65 inches
• Electronics: Dean passive preamp
• Finish: Natural

My Pros and Cons About the Dean EAB Acoustic-Electric Bass

Pros

• Full Bodied Sound: The jumbo body shape of the Dean EAB provides a full-bodied sound with excellent volume and projection. The spruce top and mahogany back and sides create a balanced tone that is rich and resonant.
• Affordable Price: For under $500, the Dean EAB offers great value. It’s an affordable option that doesn’t compromise on quality or sound.
• Built-In Electronics: The passive preamp system allows for easy amplification. It’s simple to use and provides good amplified sound quality.
• Classic Aesthetic: The natural finish and classic design give this bass a timeless look. It’s an attractive instrument that looks great on stage.

Cons

• Heavy: The jumbo body makes this bass quite heavy. It might not be the best choice for players who prefer a lighter instrument or have issues with heavy instruments.
• High Action: Some users have reported that the action is high out of the box. A setup might be necessary to lower the action and improve playability.

4. Ibanez AEB10E

Features

• Body Shape: Dreadnought
• Top Wood: Spruce
• Back & Sides Wood: Mahogany
• Neck Wood: Mahogany
• Fingerboard Wood: Rosewood
• Bridge Wood: Rosewood
• Scale Length: 32 inches
• Nut Width: 1.65 inches
• Electronics: Fishman Sonicore Pickup with Ibanez AEQ-SP2 preamp
• Finish: Gloss Black

My Pros and Cons About the Ibanez AEB10E

Pros

• Balanced Tone: The combination of spruce and mahogany provides a balanced tone with good resonance and sustain. The sound is warm and rich, making it suitable for various music styles.
• Built-In Electronics: The Fishman Sonicore pickup and Ibanez AEQ-SP2 preamp system offer excellent amplified sound quality. It’s versatile and easy to use, making it great for both live performances and recording.
• Stylish Design: The gloss black finish gives the AEB10E a sleek and stylish look. It’s an attractive instrument that stands out on stage.
• Comfortable Neck: The neck is smooth and comfortable, allowing for easy playability. The dreadnought body shape is also comfortable to hold and play.

Cons

• Weight: The AEB10E is slightly heavier than some other models in this price range. This might be a consideration for players who prefer a lighter instrument.
• Finish Sensitivity: The gloss black finish is prone to showing fingerprints and smudges. It requires regular cleaning to keep it looking pristine.

5. Fender CB-100CE

Features

• Body Shape: Dreadnought Cutaway
• Top Wood: Spruce
• Back & Sides Wood: Mahogany
• Neck Wood: Mahogany
• Fingerboard Wood: Rosewood
• Bridge Wood: Rosewood
• Scale Length: 32 inches
• Nut Width: 1.69 inches
• Electronics: Fishman Isys III System with active preamp and tuner
• Finish: Gloss

My Pros and Cons About the Fender CB-100CE

Pros

• Bright and Clear Tone: The spruce top provides a bright and clear tone with excellent resonance and sustain. The combination of spruce and mahogany gives this bass a well-balanced sound that works well across various genres.
• Built-In Electronics: The Fishman Isys III System with an active preamp and tuner delivers excellent amplified sound quality. It’s easy to use and offers a range of tone-shaping options, making it great for live performances.
• Comfortable Playability: The dreadnought cutaway body shape is comfortable and allows easy access to higher frets. The neck is well-designed and smooth, making it easy to play for extended periods.
• High-Quality Finish: The gloss finish not only looks great but also provides added protection to the instrument. It’s a durable finish that helps the guitar withstand regular use.

Cons

• Weight: The CB-100CE is slightly heavier than some other models in this price range. This might be a consideration for players who prefer a lighter instrument.
• Tuning Stability: Some users have reported issues with tuning stability, especially with the lower strings. Frequent tuning adjustments might be necessary.

6. Oscar Schmidt OB100N

Features

• Body Shape: Jumbo
• Top Wood: Spruce
• Back & Sides Wood: Mahogany
• Neck Wood: Mahogany
• Fingerboard Wood: Rosewood
• Bridge Wood: Rosewood
• Scale Length: 34 inches
• Nut Width: 1.65 inches
• Electronics: Passive preamp
• Finish: Natural

My Pros and Cons About the Oscar Schmidt OB100N

Pros

• Full Bodied Sound: The jumbo body shape of the OB100N provides a full-bodied sound with excellent volume and projection. The spruce top and mahogany back and sides create a balanced tone that is rich and resonant.
• Affordable Price: For under $500, the Oscar Schmidt OB100N offers great value. It’s an affordable option that doesn’t compromise on quality or sound.
• Built-In Electronics: The passive preamp system allows for easy amplification. It’s simple to use and provides good amplified sound quality.
• Classic Aesthetic: The natural finish and classic design give this bass a timeless look. It’s an attractive instrument that looks great on stage.

Cons

• Heavy: The jumbo body makes this bass quite heavy. It might not be the best choice for players who prefer a lighter instrument or have issues with heavy instruments.
• High Action: Some users have reported that the action is high out of the box. A setup might be necessary to lower the action and improve playability.

7. Alvarez AB60CE

Features

• Body Shape: Jumbo Cutaway
• Top Wood: Solid Spruce
• Back & Sides Wood: Mahogany
• Neck Wood: Mahogany
• Fingerboard Wood: Rosewood
• Bridge Wood: Rosewood
• Scale Length: 34 inches
• Nut Width: 1.65 inches
• Electronics: SYS650 blend system with piezo and mic
• Finish: Natural

My Pros and Cons About the Alvarez AB60CE

Pros

• Solid Spruce Top: The solid spruce top provides a bright and clear tone with excellent resonance and sustain. The combination of spruce and mahogany gives this bass a well-balanced sound that works well across various genres.
• Built-In Electronics: The SYS650 blend system with piezo and mic delivers excellent amplified sound quality. It’s versatile and easy to use, making it great for both live performances and recording.
• Comfortable Playability: The jumbo cutaway body shape is comfortable and allows easy access to higher frets. The neck is well-designed and smooth, making it easy to play for extended periods.
• High-Quality Finish: The natural finish not only looks great but also provides added protection to the instrument. It’s a durable finish that helps the guitar withstand regular use.

Cons

• Weight: The AB60CE is slightly heavier than some other models in this price range. This might be a consideration for players who prefer a lighter instrument.
• Finish Sensitivity: The natural finish is prone to showing fingerprints and smudges. It requires regular cleaning to keep it looking pristine.

Conclusion

Choosing the perfect acoustic bass guitar under $500 can be challenging, but I hope this comprehensive review has made the decision easier for you. Each of these basses offers something unique, whether it’s the warm tone of the Ibanez PCBE12MH, the bright and clear sound of the Fender CB-60SCE, or the full-bodied projection of the Dean EAB. Consider your personal preferences, playing style, and budget to find the one that best suits your needs. Happy playing!