# Which active bass guitar offers the best value for money under £500? — Verified Specification Comparison

> All specification data verified from official manufacturer documentation.

Which active bass guitar offers the best value for money under £500?

## Products

### Sire M2 4
```yaml
product: sire-m2-4
brand: Sire
price_gbp: 521.69
origin_country: null
confidence_score: null
summary_source: generated_from_verified_specs_v1
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
```

- **Price:** £521.69 [^1]
- **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.
- **Additional Sources:** [^2], [^3]

### Sterling by Music Man SUB StingRay4
```yaml
product: sterling-by-music-man-sub-stingray4
brand: Sterling by Music Man
price_gbp: 294.32
origin_country: null
confidence_score: null
summary_source: generated_from_verified_specs_v1
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
```

- **Price:** £294.32 [^4]
- **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.
- **Additional Sources:** [^5], [^6]

### Sterling by Music Man SUB StingRay5
```yaml
product: sterling-by-music-man-sub-stingray5
brand: Sterling by Music Man
price_gbp: 316.39
origin_country: null
confidence_score: null
summary_source: generated_from_verified_specs_v1
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
```

- **Price:** £316.39 [^7]
- **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.
- **Additional Sources:** [^8], [^9]

### Squier Squier CV Act 70s J Bass MN BPG MOC
```yaml
product: squier-squier-cv-act-70s-j-bass-mn-bpg-moc
brand: Squier
price_gbp: 324.5
origin_country: null
confidence_score: null
summary_source: generated_from_verified_specs_v1
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
```

- **Price:** £324.5 [^10]
- **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.
- **Additional Sources:** [^11], [^12]

### Ibanez Ibanez SR300EB-CA
```yaml
product: ibanez-ibanez-sr300eb-ca
brand: Ibanez
price_gbp: 239.14
origin_country: null
confidence_score: null
summary_source: generated_from_verified_specs_v1
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
```

- **Price:** £239.14 [^13]
- **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.
- **Additional Sources:** [^14], [^15]

---
## References & Sources
[^1]: Melody House, accessed 2026-09-13. https://www.melodyhousemi.com/product/buy-sire-m2-4-2nd-gen-tbl
[^2]: The Arts Music Store, accessed 2026-09-13. https://shop.theartsmusicstore.com/collections/basses/sire
[^3]: Acclaim Music, accessed 2026-09-13. https://www.acclaim-music.com/sire-m2-4-2ndgen-tbk-marcus-miller-m2-2nd-generation-4-string-rh-electric-bass-transparent-black.html
[^4]: Sterling by Music Man, accessed 2026-09-13. https://intl.sterlingbymusicman.com/products/stingray-ray4-black-bass
[^5]: Guitar Center, accessed 2026-09-13. https://www.guitarcenter.com/Sterling-by-Music-Man/StingRay-Ray4-Electric-Bass-Satin-Transparent-Black-Black-Pickguard-1500000189303.gc
[^6]: Music & Arts, accessed 2026-09-13. https://www.musicarts.com/sterling-by-music-man-sub-series-stingray-ray4-hh-electric-bass-guitar--main0549314
[^7]: Andertons, accessed 2026-09-13. https://www.andertons.co.uk/sterling-by-music-man-sub-stingray5-hh-stealth-black-5-string-j1/
[^8]: Musician's Friend, accessed 2026-09-13. https://www.musiciansfriend.com/bass/sterling-by-music-man-sub-series-stingray-ray5-hh-5-string-electric-bass-guitar-/m20958000001000
[^9]: Thomann, accessed 2026-09-13. https://www.thomannmusic.com/sterling_by_music_man_s_u.b_sting_ray5_hh_st_blk.htm
[^10]: Kirstein, accessed 2026-09-13. https://www.kirstein.de/en/Electric-Basses/Squier-Classic-Vibe-Active-70s-Jazz-Bass-Mocha.html
[^11]: Session, accessed 2026-09-13. https://www.session.de/en/products/squier-by-fender-classic-vibe-active-70s-jazz-bass-mn-bpg-moc/
[^12]: Thomann Music, accessed 2026-09-13. https://www.thomannmusic.com/squier_cv_act_70s_j_bass_mn_bpg_moc.htm
[^13]: Bonners Music, accessed 2026-09-13. https://www.bonnersmusic.co.uk/products/ibanez-sr300eb-bass-candy-apple-red
[^14]: Star's Music, accessed 2026-09-13. https://www.stars-music.com/ibanez-sr300eb-ca-candy-apple_97705.html
[^15]: Thomann, accessed 2026-09-13. https://www.thomannmusic.com/ibanez_sr300eb_ca.htm