Which long-scale bass guitar offers the best value for money under $500?
This page compares 8 long-scale bass guitars with verified specifications and prices. Top options include Sterling by Music Man SUB StingRay 5 RAY5HH 5-String Cobra Blue RAY5HHCOBM1, Sterling by Music Man SUB StingRay 5 RAY5HH 5-String Stealth Black RAY5HHSBKJ1, Squier Affinity Series Precision Bass PJ Maple Fingerboard Black Pickguard Black 0378550571. Prices range from £132 to £367. All data is sourced from manufacturer documentation and specialist retailers.
| Product ⇅ | Price ⇅ | Scale Length (inches) ⇅ | Number of Frets (none) ⇅ | Body Material (none) ⇅ | Neck Material (none) ⇅ | Bridge Type (none) ⇅ | Pickup Configuration (none) ⇅ |
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Sterling by Music Man SUB StingRay 5 RAY5HH 5-String Cobra Blue RAY5HHCOBM1
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£367.17 ≈ | 34 in | 22 Medium Frets | Jabon | Hard Maple | Fixed Bridge | HH - 2 Ceramic Humbuckers |
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The RAY5HH is a long-scale five-string bass with a Jabon body, Hard Maple neck, active 2-band preamp, and two ceramic humbuckers controlled by a 5-way selector. It suits beginners, gigging players, and bassists who want versatile StingRay-style tones at an accessible price. ★ Ideal forThis offers strong value under $500 when available at that price, combining a full 34 in scale, 22 frets, five-string range, fixed bridge, active preamp, and versatile dual-humbucker configuration.
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Sterling by Music Man SUB StingRay 5 RAY5HH 5-String Stealth Black RAY5HHSBKJ1
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£354.66 ≈ | 34 in | 22 medium | Jabon | Hard Maple | Fixed Bridge | HH - 2 ceramic humbuckers |
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This 5-string bass combines a 34 in scale, Jabon body, hard maple neck, fixed bridge, and two ceramic humbuckers with a 5-way selector and active preamp. It suits beginners and intermediate players who want versatile StingRay-style tones for rock, funk, recording, and live performance. ★ Ideal forIts 34 in long scale, sturdy fixed bridge, active 2-band preamp, and versatile dual-humbucker configuration provide strong value for players seeking a flexible 5-string bass around the under-$500 category.
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Squier Affinity Series Precision Bass PJ Maple Fingerboard Black Pickguard Black 0378550571
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£272.25 ≈ | — | 20 | — | Maple | 4-saddle bass bridge | PJ |
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The Squier Affinity Precision Bass PJ has a slim C-shaped maple neck, a 4-saddle bridge, and both Precision Bass and Jazz Bass pickups for versatile tones. Its lightweight design and approachable layout make it well suited to beginners and players seeking an affordable all-purpose bass. ★ Ideal forIt offers strong value under $500 with a long-scale-style bass format, 20 frets, a maple neck, a 4-saddle bridge, and versatile PJ pickups for both Precision and Jazz Bass tones.
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Squier Classic Vibe 50s Precision Bass Maple Fingerboard White Blonde 0374500501
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£308.31 ≈ | 34 in | 20 | Pine | Maple | 4-Saddle Vintage-Style | S |
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The Squier Classic Vibe 50s Precision Bass features a pine body, maple neck and fingerboard, a 34 in scale, and a Fender-Designed alnico single-coil pickup. Its comfortable C-shaped neck and vintage-style bridge make it well suited to beginners, gigging players, and bassists seeking classic Precision Bass tone and styling. ★ Ideal forIts 34 in long scale, comfortable maple C-shaped neck, vintage-style bridge, and Fender-Designed alnico pickup offer strong value for players seeking a full-size bass with classic tone and practical features under $500 when discounted.
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Ibanez GSR200-MGR Bass Mint Green GSR200-MGR
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£194.26 ≈ | 34 in | 22 | Okoume | Maple | B10 | Dynamix P and Dynamix J passive |
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The Ibanez GSR200-MGR is a lightweight four-string bass with a 34 in scale, 22 frets, an Okoume body, and a comfortable Maple GSR4 neck. Its passive Dynamix P and J pickups plus Phat II active bass boost make it suitable for beginners and developing players who want versatile tones at an accessible price. ★ Ideal forIt suits the best-value-under-500 question because it combines a full 34 in scale, 22-fret Maple neck, B10 bridge, versatile P/J pickup configuration, and active Phat II bass boost at a budget-friendly price.
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Yamaha TRBX174EW-NT Bass Guitar Natural TRBX174EWNT
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£236.93 ≈ | 34 in | 24 | Mahogany body, Flamed Mango Top | Maple | Vintage Style | P/J: Ceramic Split-coil and Ceramic Single-coil |
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The Yamaha TRBX174EW-NT is a full-scale four-string bass with a mahogany body, flamed mango top, maple neck, and versatile P/J pickup configuration. Its comfortable design and broad tonal range make it well suited to beginners, practice, home recording, and live playing. ★ Ideal forThis is a strong value under $500 because it combines a long 34 in scale, 24 frets, a mahogany body with flamed mango top, and versatile P/J pickups at an entry-level price.
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Ibanez GSR180-BK
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£131.71 ≈ | 34 in | 22 | Okoume | Maple | B10 | 2 Dynamix J single coils |
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The Ibanez GSR180-BK is a long-scale, four-string bass with a comfortable maple neck, Okoume body, B10 bridge, and two passive Dynamix J pickups. Its slim GSR4 neck profile and straightforward controls make it well suited to beginners and players seeking an affordable, versatile bass. ★ Ideal forIt offers strong value under $500 through its full 34 in scale, 22 frets, adjustable B10 bridge, maple neck, and dual Dynamix J pickups at a price around $179 to $182.
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Ibanez TMB100-MGR Talman Bass
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£186.16 ≈ | 34in | 20 | Poplar | Maple | B10 bridge | Dynamix P split-coil and Dynamix J single-coil |
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The Ibanez TMB100-MGR is a long-scale, 34in bass with a poplar body, maple neck, B10 bridge, and versatile P/J-style Dynamix pickups. Its active two-band EQ and comfortable Talman design suit beginners, developing players, and bassists seeking varied tones at an accessible price. ★ Ideal forIt offers strong value under $500 with a full 34in long scale, 20 frets, a stable B10 bridge, versatile P/J pickup configuration, and active two-band EQ. |
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