{"pageUrl":"https://www.comparethespecs.com/music-audio-production/bass-guitars/which-active-bass-guitar-offers-the-best-value-for-money-under-500","lastUpdated":"2026-09-13","totalProducts":5,"niche":"Which active bass guitar offers the best value for money under £500?","description":"Which active bass guitar offers the best value for money under £500?","products":[{"brand":"Sire","model":"M2 4","price_gbp":521.69,"origin_country":null,"specs":{"nut_width":"38 mm","tuner_type":"Basic Diecasting Gear","scale_length":"34 in","number_of_strings":"4","active_electronics":"Marcus Heritage-3 preamp with active/passive switch","pickup_configuration":"Marcus Blue Humbucker Set"},"confidence_score":null,"sources":[{"label":"Melody House","url":"https://www.melodyhousemi.com/product/buy-sire-m2-4-2nd-gen-tbl","currency":"USD","source_country":"US","price":1938.14,"price_gbp":1426.12,"scraped_at":"2026-08-29T08:38:44.281076"},{"label":"The Arts Music Store","url":"https://shop.theartsmusicstore.com/collections/basses/sire","currency":"USD","source_country":"US","price":709.0,"price_gbp":521.69,"scraped_at":"2026-08-29T08:38:44.281076"},{"label":"Acclaim Music","url":"https://www.acclaim-music.com/sire-m2-4-2ndgen-tbk-marcus-miller-m2-2nd-generation-4-string-rh-electric-bass-transparent-black.html","currency":"USD","source_country":"US","price":879.0,"price_gbp":646.78,"scraped_at":"2026-08-29T08:38:44.281076"}],"summary":"The Sire M2 4 is a modern four-string bass with a 34 in scale, mahogany body, rolled-edge fingerboard and a pair of Marcus Blue humbuckers. Its Marcus Heritage-3 preamp, three-band EQ and active/passive switching suit players who need versatile tones for funk, rock, pop and heavier styles.","ideal_for":"It offers strong value under £500 with active/passive flexibility, a three-band EQ, dual humbuckers, a comfortable 34 in scale and a 38 mm nut width suitable for versatile modern bass playing."},{"brand":"Sterling by Music Man","model":"SUB StingRay4","price_gbp":294.32,"origin_country":null,"specs":{"nut_width":"38 mm","tuner_type":"Open gear","scale_length":"34in","number_of_strings":"4","active_electronics":"Active 2-band EQ with 9V preamp","pickup_configuration":"H-1 ceramic humbucker"},"confidence_score":null,"sources":[{"label":"Sterling by Music Man","url":"https://intl.sterlingbymusicman.com/products/stingray-ray4-black-bass","currency":"USD","source_country":"US","price":399.99,"price_gbp":294.32,"scraped_at":"2026-08-29T08:38:44.281076"},{"label":"Guitar Center","url":"https://www.guitarcenter.com/Sterling-by-Music-Man/StingRay-Ray4-Electric-Bass-Satin-Transparent-Black-Black-Pickguard-1500000189303.gc","currency":"USD","source_country":"US","price":399.99,"price_gbp":294.32,"scraped_at":"2026-08-29T08:38:44.281076"},{"label":"Music & Arts","url":"https://www.musicarts.com/sterling-by-music-man-sub-series-stingray-ray4-hh-electric-bass-guitar--main0549314","currency":"USD","source_country":"US","price":479.99,"price_gbp":353.19,"scraped_at":"2026-08-29T08:38:44.281076"}],"summary":"The SUB StingRay4 is a four-string bass with a 34in scale, active 2-band EQ, 9V preamp and a low-noise ceramic humbucking pickup. Its punchy StingRay-style tone and adjustable bridge make it suitable for beginners, practice, recording and live performance.","ideal_for":"It suits the best-value active bass category under £500 because it combines a 9V active 2-band EQ, ceramic humbucker and full 34in scale with a relatively low retail price."},{"brand":"Sterling by Music Man","model":"SUB StingRay5","price_gbp":316.39,"origin_country":null,"specs":{"nut_width":"1.77 in","tuner_type":"Open Gear","scale_length":"34 in","number_of_strings":"5","active_electronics":"2-band active preamp","pickup_configuration":"HH - 2 ceramic humbuckers"},"confidence_score":null,"sources":[{"label":"Andertons","url":"https://www.andertons.co.uk/sterling-by-music-man-sub-stingray5-hh-stealth-black-5-string-j1/","currency":"USD","source_country":"US","price":499.0,"price_gbp":367.17,"scraped_at":"2026-08-29T08:38:44.281076"},{"label":"Musician's Friend","url":"https://www.musiciansfriend.com/bass/sterling-by-music-man-sub-series-stingray-ray5-hh-5-string-electric-bass-guitar-/m20958000001000","currency":"USD","source_country":"US","price":429.99,"price_gbp":316.39,"scraped_at":"2026-08-29T08:38:44.281076"},{"label":"Thomann","url":"https://www.thomannmusic.com/sterling_by_music_man_s_u.b_sting_ray5_hh_st_blk.htm","currency":"USD","source_country":"US","price":555.0,"price_gbp":408.38,"scraped_at":"2026-08-29T08:38:44.281076"}],"summary":"The Sterling by Music Man SUB StingRay5 is a 5-string bass with a 34 in scale, dual ceramic humbuckers, a 2-band active preamp, and a 5-way pickup selector. Its expanded tonal range and flexible electronics suit beginners, gigging players, and bassists wanting an affordable modern workhorse.","ideal_for":"It suits the best-value-under-£500 category because it combines a 5-string design, 34 in scale, dual ceramic humbuckers, 2-band active electronics, and versatile 5-way switching at a current UK price of £499."},{"brand":"Squier","model":"Squier CV Act 70s J Bass MN BPG MOC","price_gbp":324.5,"origin_country":null,"specs":{"nut_width":"1.5 in","tuner_type":"Vintage-style machine heads","scale_length":"34 in","number_of_strings":"4","active_electronics":"Onboard active/passive preamp with Treble/Bass Boost","pickup_configuration":"2 Fender-designed Alnico Noiseless single coils"},"confidence_score":null,"sources":[{"label":"Kirstein","url":"https://www.kirstein.de/en/Electric-Basses/Squier-Classic-Vibe-Active-70s-Jazz-Bass-Mocha.html","currency":"USD","source_country":"US","price":459.83,"price_gbp":338.35,"scraped_at":"2026-07-14T07:12:00.420950"},{"label":"Session","url":"https://www.session.de/en/products/squier-by-fender-classic-vibe-active-70s-jazz-bass-mn-bpg-moc/","currency":"USD","source_country":"US","price":459.0,"price_gbp":337.74,"scraped_at":"2026-07-14T07:12:00.420950"},{"label":"Thomann Music","url":"https://www.thomannmusic.com/squier_cv_act_70s_j_bass_mn_bpg_moc.htm","currency":"USD","source_country":"US","price":441.0,"price_gbp":324.5,"scraped_at":"2026-07-14T07:12:00.420950"}],"summary":"A Classic Vibe-style active Jazz Bass with 2 Fender-designed Alnico Noiseless J pickups and onboard active/passive electronics for Treble/Bass Boost. It's built with a long 34 in scale and a 1.5 in bone nut, using vintage-style hardware for a 1970s vibe. This suits players who want traditional Jazz Bass feel with active control options for live flexibility.","ideal_for":"It suits under £500 best because it combines a 4-string 34 in Jazz Bass layout with a 9-volt active/passive preamp featuring Treble/Bass Boost and two Fender-designed Alnico Noiseless J pickups, giving versatile tone without needing separate outboard EQ."},{"brand":"Ibanez","model":"Ibanez SR300EB-CA","price_gbp":239.14,"origin_country":null,"specs":{"nut_width":"38 mm","scale_length":"34 in","number_of_strings":"4","active_electronics":"Ibanez Custom Electronics 3-band EQ w/3-way Power Tap switch","pickup_configuration":"HH 2 PowerSpan Dual Coils"},"confidence_score":null,"sources":[{"label":"Bonners Music","url":"https://www.bonnersmusic.co.uk/products/ibanez-sr300eb-bass-candy-apple-red","currency":"USD","source_country":"US","price":359.0,"price_gbp":264.16,"scraped_at":"2026-07-14T07:12:00.420950"},{"label":"Star's Music","url":"https://www.stars-music.com/ibanez-sr300eb-ca-candy-apple_97705.html","currency":"USD","source_country":"US","price":340.0,"price_gbp":250.18,"scraped_at":"2026-07-14T07:12:00.420950"},{"label":"Thomann","url":"https://www.thomannmusic.com/ibanez_sr300eb_ca.htm","currency":"USD","source_country":"US","price":325.0,"price_gbp":239.14,"scraped_at":"2026-07-14T07:12:00.420950"}],"summary":"Ibanez SR300EB-CA is a 4-string active bass with 2 PowerSpan Dual Coil pickups and Ibanez Custom Electronics 3-band EQ plus a 3-way Power Tap switch for multiple pickup voicings. It's built on a 38 mm nut with a 34 in scale for a fast, modern SR-style feel. It's well suited to players who want one bass that can cover clean, full humbucker, and single-coil tones via the switch.","ideal_for":"For an active bass under £500, the SR300EB-CA's Ibanez Custom Electronics 3-band EQ plus 3-way Power Tap switch (with Dual Coil HH pickups) lets you access multiple tonal setups without needing extra pedals, while it's listed at 325.00 USD at Thomann."}]}