Best Bass Guitar Sets Under $500 2026
Affordable bass guitar sets under $500 - great value without compromising quality
Last updated: January 14, 2026 • Next update: January 21, 2026
#1
⭐
4.4/5
(32 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Harley Benton Enhanced MJ-5MN Natural Set
First Bass Guitar
Beginners
Complete Setup
Key Feature:
• More affordable than separate purchases
✓ PROS
- • Everything needed to start playing bass
- • Components work well together
✗ CONS
- • Individual components may be basic quality
- • Upgrade path can be costly
Harley Benton Enhanced MJ-5MN Natural Set*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton Enhanced MJ-5MN Natural*5-String...
⭐
4.4/5
(32 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 570675
$479
#2
⭐
4.9/5
(7 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Harley Benton Beatbass VS Bundle 3
Beginners
Starter Package
Budget-Conscious
Key Feature:
• Everything needed to start playing bass
✓ PROS
- • Convenient single purchase
- • Components work well together
✗ CONS
- • Individual components may be basic quality
- • May include unnecessary items
Harley Benton Beatbass VS Bundle 3*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton Beatbass VS Vintage Series*Electric...
⭐
4.9/5
(7 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 288548
$439
#3
⭐
4.9/5
(51 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Harley Benton B-650 Black Progressive Bundle
Gift Purchase
Beginners
Complete Setup
Key Feature:
• Convenient single purchase
✓ PROS
- • Components work well together
- • More affordable than separate purchases
✗ CONS
- • Less choice in specific components
- • Not tailored to specific needs
Harley Benton B-650 Black Progressive Bundle*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton B-650 Black Progressive...
⭐
4.9/5
(51 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 341959
$435
#4
⭐
4.5/5
(46 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Harley Benton MV-4PJ Daphne Blue Set
Gift Purchase
Starter Package
Complete Setup
Key Feature:
• Perfect for beginners
✓ PROS
- • More affordable than separate purchases
- • Components work well together
✗ CONS
- • Upgrade path can be costly
- • Less choice in specific components
Harley Benton MV-4PJ Daphne Blue Set*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton MV-4PJ Daphne Blue*Electric Bass*Deluxe...
⭐
4.5/5
(46 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 597787
$367
#5
⭐
4.6/5
(47 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Harley Benton MV-4JB Seafoam Green Set
First Bass Guitar
Starter Package
Budget-Conscious
Key Feature:
• Perfect for beginners
✓ PROS
- • More affordable than separate purchases
- • Convenient single purchase
✗ CONS
- • Less choice in specific components
- • Not tailored to specific needs
Harley Benton MV-4JB Seafoam Green Set*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton MV-4JB Seafoam Green*Electric...
⭐
4.6/5
(47 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 597104
$367
#6
⭐
4.9/5
(54 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Harley Benton MV-4JB Natural Set
Starter Package
Beginners
Budget-Conscious
Key Feature:
• Everything needed to start playing bass
✓ PROS
- • Convenient single purchase
- • Components work well together
✗ CONS
- • Upgrade path can be costly
- • Not tailored to specific needs
Harley Benton MV-4JB Natural Set*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton MV-4JB Natural*ELectric Bass*Deluxe...
⭐
4.9/5
(54 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 597101
$367
#7
⭐
4.9/5
(21 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Harley Benton MV-5PJ Daphne Blue Set
First Bass Guitar
Gift Purchase
Complete Setup
Key Feature:
• More affordable than separate purchases
✓ PROS
- • More affordable than separate purchases
- • Convenient single purchase
✗ CONS
- • May include unnecessary items
- • Not tailored to specific needs
Harley Benton MV-5PJ Daphne Blue Set*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton MV-5PJ Daphne Blue*5-String Electric...
⭐
4.9/5
(21 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 597062
$389
#8
⭐
4.7/5
(26 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Harley Benton MV-4JB Shell Pink Set
Beginners
Budget-Conscious
Starter Package
Key Feature:
• Convenient single purchase
✓ PROS
- • Components work well together
- • Perfect for beginners
✗ CONS
- • Less choice in specific components
- • Not tailored to specific needs
Harley Benton MV-4JB Shell Pink Set*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton MV-4JB Shell Pink*Electric Guitar*Deluxe...
⭐
4.7/5
(26 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 597110
$367
#9
⭐
4.9/5
(34 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Harley Benton MV-4P Seafoam Green Set
Complete Setup
Budget-Conscious
First Bass Guitar
Key Feature:
• Everything needed to start playing bass
✓ PROS
- • Convenient single purchase
- • Perfect for beginners
✗ CONS
- • May include unnecessary items
- • Individual components may be basic quality
Harley Benton MV-4P Seafoam Green Set*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton MV-4P Seafoam Green*Electric Bass*Deluxe...
⭐
4.9/5
(34 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 597770
$367
#10
⭐
4.5/5
(12 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Harley Benton MV-4MSB LH Black Set
Complete Setup
Beginners
Starter Package
Key Feature:
• Convenient single purchase
✓ PROS
- • Convenient single purchase
- • Perfect for beginners
✗ CONS
- • Upgrade path can be costly
- • May include unnecessary items
Harley Benton MV-4MSB LH Black Set*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton MV-4MSB LH Black*Electric Bass*Left-handed...
⭐
4.5/5
(12 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 597628
$367
#11
⭐
4.8/5
(10 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Harley Benton MV-4PJ Burgundy Mist Set
Gift Purchase
First Bass Guitar
Starter Package
Key Feature:
• Perfect for beginners
✓ PROS
- • Convenient single purchase
- • Perfect for beginners
✗ CONS
- • Not tailored to specific needs
- • May include unnecessary items
Harley Benton MV-4PJ Burgundy Mist Set*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton MV-4PJ Burgundy Mist*Electric...
⭐
4.8/5
(10 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 597785
$367
#12
⭐
4.4/5
(25 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Harley Benton Enhanced MJ-4EB Lake Bl Set
Budget-Conscious
Complete Setup
Starter Package
Key Feature:
• Components work well together
✓ PROS
- • Everything needed to start playing bass
- • Perfect for beginners
✗ CONS
- • Individual components may be basic quality
- • Upgrade path can be costly
Harley Benton Enhanced MJ-4EB Lake Bl Set*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton Enhanced MJ-4EB Lake Blue*Electric...
⭐
4.4/5
(25 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 570678
$439
#13
⭐
4.5/5
(42 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Squier Affinity P Bass MN PJ O Set
by
Squier
Budget-Conscious
Beginners
First Bass Guitar
Key Feature:
• Components work well together
✓ PROS
- • Everything needed to start playing bass
- • Perfect for beginners
✗ CONS
- • May include unnecessary items
- • Not tailored to specific needs
Squier Affinity P Bass MN PJ O Set*Bundle offer comprising*, Squier Affinity P Bass MN PJ OW*Electric Bass*Body:...
⭐
4.5/5
(42 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 579624
$388
#14
⭐
4.5/5
(53 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Harley Benton MV-4P Shell Pink Set
Complete Setup
First Bass Guitar
Budget-Conscious
Key Feature:
• Components work well together
✓ PROS
- • More affordable than separate purchases
- • Everything needed to start playing bass
✗ CONS
- • Less choice in specific components
- • Not tailored to specific needs
Harley Benton MV-4P Shell Pink Set*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton MV-4P Shell Pink*Electric Bass*Deluxe...
⭐
4.5/5
(53 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 597775
$367
#15
⭐
4.7/5
(29 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Harley Benton B-550 QTB Progressive Bundle2
Complete Setup
Budget-Conscious
Beginners
Key Feature:
• Components work well together
✓ PROS
- • More affordable than separate purchases
- • Everything needed to start playing bass
✗ CONS
- • Not tailored to specific needs
- • Less choice in specific components
Harley Benton B-550 QTB Progressive Bundle2*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton B-550 QTB Progressive...
⭐
4.7/5
(29 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 338435
$347
How to Choose the Best Bass Guitar Sets
Budget Planning
- • Under $200: Entry-level
- • $200-$500: Intermediate
- • $500-$1000: Advanced
- • $1000+: Professional
Quality Check
- • Sound clarity & tone
- • Build materials & finish
- • Hardware durability
- • Overall craftsmanship
Key Features
- • Your musical style
- • Skill level match
- • Intended use case
- • Brand reputation
Frequently Asked Questions
Key factors include build quality, sound characteristics, playability, brand reputation, warranty coverage, and value for money. Consider your musical style, skill level, and intended use to find the best match.
Budget depends on your needs and experience level. Beginners can find quality options for $200-500, intermediate players should consider $500-1500 range, while professionals often invest $1500+ for premium features.
Higher-priced bass guitar sets typically offer better materials, craftsmanship, and performance. They're worth it if you're serious about music, perform regularly, or need professional-grade features.
Top brands combine quality, innovation, and reliability. We evaluate brands based on build quality, sound performance, durability, and customer satisfaction to recommend the best options for different budgets.
Both have advantages. Online offers better prices and selection, while stores allow hands-on testing. We recommend researching online first, then testing in stores if possible. Many online retailers offer excellent return policies.
