Do you know how your bass amp sounds? Do you desire that the authentic bass sound be projected without any modifications? The first thing to remember is that you hear the amp, and so do your audience that makes the amp the most critical component of your rig. that's why you need a best bass amp under 500.
Below you will find my comprehensive list of a best bass amp under 500 that are the best in the market. However, bear in mind that higher prices do not ensure better performance always. I also recommend you to check the affordable amps that offer many features just as the high end one.
Now let's move on to the list of a best bass amp under 500.
LIST OF BEST BASS AMP UNDER 500
Product Image | Brand Name | Product Details | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
 | FENDER 100 V3 | ||
 | Hartke HD25 | ||
 | Peavey MAX | ||
 | Roland MICRO CB-RX | ||
 | Ampeg BA115v2 |
10 BEST BASS AMP UNDER 500 REVIEW
1) FENDER RUMBLE 100 V3 - BEST BASS COMBO AMP UNDER 500
PRODUCT DETAILS
Have you ever heard the words built for the stage, and compact in the same sentence? Fender rumble series is one of the best bass amp under 500. The 100 v series with its classic fender bass amp and style comes with the renowned 12-inch speaker known for its boom with an overdrive circuit, and steady treble frequencies.
Compared to its counterparts the main reason I am starting our list with this winner is for its power. The 100w packs a lot of volumes, and can be used for many mid-sized gigs with ease.
Some of its other extremely useful features include an effects loop, Externally speaking, there are three button voicing, an input for aux and line out for headphones. It has a detachable grille and lightweight plywood casing with the classic fender logo.
Pros
Cons
2) HARTKE HD25 - BEST BASS AMP HEAD UNDER 500 FOR GIGGING
PRODUCT DETAILS
- 25 watts.
This HD25 is the loudest in this Hartke series of best bass amp, and it comes with an 8-inch speaker. You need to bear in mind that the wattage has no significance concerning volume. Many people believe the HD 15 has less volume because of wattage.
But this bass amp is superior in the distortion aspect where the headroom is significantly more in this model and it depends on what features you give more priority to.
Although this bass amp is considered one of the premium high-end models, it is perfect for your jamming and practises sessions as it is not as powerful for the stage.
However, with a strong built you can easily carry it everywhere and also play audio and have a silent bedroom practice session with your headphones. In conclusion, this straightforward model with good tonal quality will do exactly what you pay for.
Pros
Cons
3) PEAVEY MAX 158 - 20-WATT BASS AMP COMBO
PRODUCT DETAILS
Peavey is one of the best bass amp under 500 in the market, and this 20 W max 158 hits all the positive categories effectively. Apart from its convenient and straightforward interface, it has all the features you could possibly need in a practice amp.
Besides having a superior psychoacoustic low-end enhancement, it also features a reliable chromatic tuner, transtube distortion boost, and individual volume control. The speaker is protected for rough use and portability with the Peavy DDT protection, and has a line out jack for aux and headphones for silent jamming.
At the end of the day, you will not regret buying this lightweight, and powerful practice amp that delivers on the sound and has professional tonal control.
Pros
Cons
4) ROLAND MICRO CUBE BASS RX - BEST BATTERY POWERED BASS AMP
PRODUCT DETAILS
One of the most convenient amps out there in the market, this not only runs for 13 hours in one sitting, it only needs 6 AA batteries. Think of every feature you need your bass to do and this Roland micro does it.
It has a single woofer and four speakers that coordinate, so the volume needs no introduction for this one. It has 6 built-in effects and 8 amp models just like the others in the series.
It also features a rhythm guide and a chromatic tuner. You also get an AUX jack for an mp3 player and phone output for recording or playing audio. At the end of the day, whether you are a student, a learner, or a collector, this is a very useful addition to your collection of gear.
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5) AMPEG BA115V2 1 X 15-INCH COMBO BASS AMPLIFIER
PRODUCT DETAILS
Are you a gigging musician searching for an epic bass amp with a revolutionary sound and features that surplice you? This bass Amp model delivers all of it and much more, and this is the best bass amp under 500.
You will get not only the tube grind you need, but also a bass scrambling overdrive, high and low tonal shaping, independent effects. It also comes with an HF tweeter that sounds with 150 W of pure unadulterated power.
You will get that classic Ampeg sound you want, and the option of practicing silently with the headphone jack. Built for the road and the stage, you also get tone stack circuits, and Ampeg preamps with 60 degrees sound reinforcement monitor angle adds to the clarity, and optimum bass response.
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6) ORANGE CRUSH BASS 50W BASS GUITAR COMBO AMP
PRODUCT DETAILS
The crushing bass amp from Orange does not need any introduction. It is one of the most highly rated bass amp, and popular models in the market. From the modern to the vintage, this amp will do it all.
One of the highlights of this series continues with the model being its hard-hitting lows due to specific circuitry with an active EQ, and a sweepable mid-band that allows you to shape your tone with complete flexibility, so that you find your signature sound.
You also get a grittier bass tone and blend, gain controls and harmonics, an effects loop, chromatic tuner, and a headphone jack. Coming to the design, the full-bodied fat sound is because of the signal path and it also features a powerful 12-inch speaker that comes with a reflex port.
Pros
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7) PHIL JONES - 70W BASS COMBO AMP BLACK
PRODUCT DETAILS
If you are looking for best bass amp under 500 with warm neutral sound for jazz or country, then this Phil jones double four has that perfect woody acoustic sound that is surprising for a tiny amp built for small spaces.
This single-channel practice amp features a 4-inch speaker built into a compact little case that can easily fit inside your average showbox.
It comes with a 3 band EQ that is specifically built for bass guitar and an aux input and output jack that can be used for recording audio or using headphones. There is absolutely no modification of sound that your bass amp produces and what you play is what you get, but a lot louder than you would expect.
This hardware is solid with cabinet coloration to avoid any possible changes to the sound caused by damping constituents.
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8) BUGERA BXD15A - BEST BASS AMP FOR TURBOSOUND
PRODUCT DETAILS
Are you wondering what can you do with bass amp? The answer is a lot. Bugera is the British answer to powerful amp that is not only lightweight but has a revolutionary sonic projection. Are you surprised yet? This best bass amp under 500 and can bring your house down with its sound.
Although not many use it for gigging, you can easily use it for a mid-sized gig. It features an effects loop, preamps from MOSFET for that vintage tube sound.
It also comes with a compressor that smoothens the volume peak, and increases the sustain to make it steady, and a 15-inch turbosound aluminium cone speaker.
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9) VOX VX50 BA 50W 1X8 BASS COMBO AMP
PRODUCT DETAILS
How can I ever have any list of best bass amp under 500 without a VOX amp? Perfect for any gig, your living room or the studio, this beautiful tone shaping bass amp keeps it simple by focusing on the sound and projection. The cabinet structure is enhanced to make sure that you get great sound, especially for low-end projections every time.
The classic deep warm tone and vacuum tube sound are because of the preamp with Neotube and the inbuilt compression and high grain overdrive are meant for the terse tones. Although being lightweight, this is not a travel model as it needs a steady power supply.
It also features an AUX, headphone jack and line out for silent practices and recording high-quality audio. The speaker has a reflex structure for more power and low-frequency imitation.
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10) GALLIEN-KRUEGER MB110 BASS COMBO AMPLIFIER
PRODUCT DETAILS
GK has had a cult-followed for decades, and now, it is one of the high-end model of the bass amp under 500 in the market used by artists and performers around the world. It has a significant volume out of an unexpected tiny package, and at 100 watts, you do not want to miss out on adding this to your collection.
This is often marketing as the grab and go bass, which is that lightweight that you can easily carry around due to its digital power plant structure, and can also be connected to MBP enclosure with the chain out for a club or a big gig-ready rig.
It features a 4 band EQ so that you can tailor the tones to find your signature sound that has the right grind. So whether it is a coffee house, jamming or a large gig, this is the answer for all of them.
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BUYING GUIDE FOR BEST BASS AMP UNDER 500
Coming to the confusing aspects of buying a best bass amp, you need to know that more wattage does not mean that your amp will be audible. Volume is completely consequential, so if you are playing at a larger venue, then you might have to look for more wattage for the power it gives, and obviously, the speaker size plays an important role too.
Don't get carried away with the ads of the bass amps and buy a random one. It is crucial to keep some basic things in your mind while looking for a best bass amp. Check out the buying guide below.
Wattage
How loud should your amp be? If you are performing in a small venue, 100 or 200 watts is enough but if you have two guitarists by your side running a 100-watt solid state amplifier then you need at least 400-watts(the calculation goes by 100X2X2=400) to compete with the other instruments in your band and to avoid distorting.
Tone controls
It is a must that any tone controls should consist of controls like treble, mid, bass, and scoop. Let me simplify it for you
Treble controls all the high-end frequencies. The more the treble the more the clarity of sound.
Mid lies in between the treble and bass and adds more body to the sound. But helps in creating a clear voice.
Bass is a tone control that makes a sound fuller. Since the bass guitar is focused mainly on bass, it is an important frequency which you must take control over.
Scoop helps in changing the base frequencies that are altered when you manipulate the mid-range control.
Portability
If you perform at different venues, then you need to focus on a portable bass amp. Thankfully, bass amp are getting light-weight these days.
Speaker size
A bigger speaker will produce more bass frequencies which would result in more depth sound whereas a small speaker gives out punchy tone. So a 12" speaker stands in the middle balancing both extremes.
CONCLUSION
Let me end this article with a simple piece of advice; do not get lost in the jargon being thrown at you by the bass amp advertisements that are often over-exaggerated, and can confuse you with the terms used.
Be clear-headed with your needs and go through trial and error which will make your whole shopping experience simple. Hopefully, my list above made it your shopping experience easier.
Greetings, I am Scott Shetler, a Senior Instrument expert, and Guitarist. My hobby and passion are all about music, and I like to explore new gadgets and instruments available in the market. From my experience, I reviewed and showcase the best products on our site to ensure the worth of readers’ expectations and money.