Some may think making good music requires premium equipment, but this isn’t always the case. Beginners and professionals alike can still afford a quality instrument at the right price. Aside from the acoustic guitar, short scale bass guitars are also popular among musicians and artists in the making.
However, a short scale bass tends to cost more than the average junior six string. Rest assured though, our listing offers products that you can check out for a reasonable price. Learn more about these Short Scale Bass Guitars that you can get for less than 500 USD.
Kala U-Bass Satin/Mahogany Fretted
As beautiful as it sounds, the Kala U-Bass Fretted Guitar with a Satin and Mahogany finish is crafted with fine walnut and mahogany wood for durability and to give that natural tan coat on its exterior. As a short scale bass, this only fits up to 16 frets along the fretboard, so this design is mainly for new players. The best part about its main features is the fret marks along the neck, so that navigating your chords will not be much of a challenge.
This is quite a lightweight bass guitar at only 4 pounds, thus carrying it does not cause much strain. The guitar also includes a nylon gig bag so you can pack it up and take it for the show on the road. However, the material is nylon fabric and does not provide much protection.
When plugged into an amplifier, sounds from gliding your hands, the strumming feedback, and light clicks may be easily picked up. It is advised that you make some adjustments to your amplifier and the control board found on the side of the bass to reduce the noise pick up.
Tuning the guitar is fairly easy and it does stay on key. Strings are securely tied on to the gauge and are soft to touch.
If you are yet to purchase an amplifier or find it a hassle to travel with one, you can always opt to install a 9 volt battery in the power compartment. Depending on how often you play and how long the bass guitar, 1 battery should last you months, and must be taken out after every use to avoid leaks and prevent further damage on the product.
Moreover, Kala has a reasonable price for the U-bass that is as good as it gets for the beginners and traveling performers.
Traveler Guitar Ultra-Light Acoustic Electric Bass Guitar
If portability is one of your concerns with instruments, especially for long and far trips, don’t worry, you’re not alone. Most instruments like bass guitars will add some extra weight to your luggage, but Traveler Guitar just might have the fix for you.
The Ultra Light Acoustic Electric Bass Guitar is as light as a short scale bass guitar can get. Weighing only 3 pounds and measuring up to 33 ¾ inches in length, not only will traveling be as light as a breeze, but performing with this bass gives you full comfort even if you’ll be rocking out a full concert playlist.
Material wise, it uses the standard quality maple wood and already has a good set of strings installed. Tuning knobs keep the strings secure, making regular tuning a lot less of a chore. You can find a built in amplifier output if you really want to make some sound waves, but you can also use it as a piezo pick up so that you can keep jamming at full volume wherever you like.
While its design is quite different compared to the common bass guitar, it is ergonomic and reduces the arm and hand strain you would often experience when you play for long periods of time.
In terms of sound quality, it produces a clear tune on its own. When plugged into an amplifier, some feedback and noise may be audible but can be adjusted through the amplifier only. There are no tone knobs on this model, so it may be a hassle for some to configure the sound settings on a separate device.
At a reasonable price, it’s a good deal for both experienced players and even beginners who want to save up on space without compromising their comfort and product quality.
Squier by Fender Affinity Series Jazz Bass
From a company that manufactures instruments for the biggest and brightest stars to sell out concert stadiums, Fender has proven itself countless times that it only markets quality products with its signature classic look. Fender has built the reputation of being one of the pricier guitars out there, but musicians can finally make their dreams come true with their short scale bass guitar that fits a less than 500 USD budget.
The Squier by Fender Affinity Series Jazz Bass is a versatile bass guitar that can also play a tune for other genres. Built in with 3 toning knobs for an amplifier output, an open gear tuning machine, plus single coil pickups, the Squier delivers a variety of sounds for any mood.
The materials that complete this classic piece never fails to make it durable and add the classic rock finish to a jazz bass guitar. This model is crafted with only premium Indian Laurel Fingerboard wood that makes it smooth to touch and make this big on durability even if it’s scaled down.
Some feedback and background noise may be picked up, especially without adjusting the gain settings, but besides this, there is no other issue you would experience. Configuring sound settings isn’t too difficult as you already have lots of options from the toning knobs alone, plus the guitar will stay in tune thanks to its secure tuning keys and high quality strings. Tuning can be done through the free Fender app linked in the product manual, or you may tune the bass to your preference.
Conclusion
Any of the short scale bass guitars featured in this post is suitable both for beginner and experienced bassists alike. You will be making great music in no time. The best part is, you don’t have to spend more than $500 for any of these models.