A quality bass amp offers a wide range of tonal options and effects to shape the sound of our bass guitar. Whether you’re into rock, funk, jazz, or any other genre, the right bass amp will deliver the power, tone, and versatility you need. When it comes to the budget of those amps, $500 may not seem like a lot, but it’s enough to get a quality bass amp that will meet your needs. For you, I’ve put in the time and effort to research and test more than 25 amps myself and compiled a list of 5 best bass amp under 500. While selecting, I’ve considered power, EQ options, portability and much more to ensure they meet the high standards you demand. Let’s get to know them in a detailed review so that you can easily decide which one is going to be your new addition.
List of The Best Bass Amp Under 500
1. Fender Rumble 100 V3 Bass Amplifier (Best Overall)
Key Features
- Output Wattage: 100 Watts
- Speaker: 12-inch
- Built-in DI: Yes
- Product Dimensions: 17.72 x 22.83 x 20.28 inches
- Item Weight: 23.3 pounds
This amp from Fender is a powerhouse with its 100-watt power rating and 12-inch speaker, making it an excellent option for both rehearsals and gigs. What sets the Rumble 100 V3 apart is its highly versatile tone control. With a four-band EQ, you can easily fine-tune the desired sound for any playing style or genre. The Eminence speaker produces impressive sound quality, and a headphone output jack is also in it. The amp comes with a DI output on the back that enables you to connect it directly to a PA system, making it ideal for gigs and live performances. Overall, the Fender Rumble 100 is the best bass amp under 500 available today that offers a fantastic combination of features and performance at an affordable price point.
Pros
- Three unique voicings
- Excellent overdrive
- Powerful speaker produces quality sound
- Easy adjustments of sound
- Auxiliary and headphone outputs
- XLR output
Cons
- Effect loop can’t be controlled by the footswitch
2. Ampeg Rocket Bass RB-112 (Best Lightweight)
Key Features
- Output Wattage: 100 Watts
- Speaker: 12-inch
- Built-in DI: Yes
- Product Dimensions: 22 x 18 x 24 inches
- Item Weight: 14.9 pounds
When it comes to bass amps, Ampeg stands out as a renowned brand, and their Rocket RB-112 is one of the top choices for guitarists looking for a premium quality amp on a budget. With 100 watts output wattage and a 12-inch speaker, it delivers ample low-end power without sacrificing clarity. The amp comes with a range of features, including a three-band EQ with ultra-mid control and a built-in DI for direct recording or live performance. You’ll love its lightweight (less than 15 pounds) and portable design, making it a good choice for gigs, rehearsals, and studio sessions. While it’s designed primarily for bass, it can also be used for guitars, and its tone control is incredibly precise.
Pros
- High power yet lightweight
- Easily accessible controls
- Powerful speaker produces quality sound
- Vintage style with modern features
- Auxiliary and headphone outputs
- XLR output
Cons
- No line output
3. Fender Rumble 40 V3 Bass Amplifier (Best For Medium Gigs)
Key Features
- Output Wattage: 40 Watts
- Speaker: 10-inch
- Built-in DI: Yes
- Product Dimensions: 12 x 16.5 x 16.5 inches
- Item Weight: 20.8 pounds
This Fender Rumble comes with a power rating of 40 watts and a 10-inch speaker, making it suitable for small to medium gigs or practice sessions. It also features an impressive array of tone controls, including a 4-band EQ, a contour switch, and an overdrive switch. Moreover, the built-in DI will let you easily connect to a soundboard or recording interface. Although it comes in a compact size, it still delivers a decent sound output. If you have a budget of around $200 and are looking for a lightweight and reliable amp for playing in a medium-sized venue, then this amp is for you.
Pros
- Quality EQ section
- Excellent overdrive
- Produces quality sound
- Switchable contour control
- Auxiliary and headphone outputs
- XLR output
Cons
- Not suitable for large venue
4. Orange Crush Bass 50W Bass Guitar Combo Amp (Best For Blend)
Key Features
- Output Wattage: 50 Watts
- Speaker: 12-inch
- Built-in DI: No
- Product Dimensions: 22 x 14 x 21 inches
- Item Weight: 35.5 pounds
This bass amp from Orange Crush boasts a power rating of 50 watts and a 12-inch speaker. The amp also features a powerful EQ section, including a traditional three-band EQ and a parametric mid-band that enables fine-tuning of the desired frequencies. One impressive feature is the blend function, which seamlessly integrates your overdriven signal with clean sound. Although the Bass 50 doesn’t come with a built-in DI feature, like Fender or Ampeg, it has an onboard tuner and an effects loop that’ll make you enjoy using bass pedals with it.
Pros
- Quality ‘Blend’ function
- Powerful EQ section
- Produces quality sound
- Integrated tuner
- Auxiliary and headphone outputs
Cons
- No XRL output
- A bit heavy
5. Donner Bass Guitar Amp (Best Compact Size)
Key Features
- Output Wattage: 30 Watts
- Speaker: 8-inch
- Built-in DI: No
- Product Dimensions: 12.6 x 9.84 x 14.96 inches
- Item Weight: 21.8 pounds
The Donner Bass Guitar Amp is a compact, portable option with a 30W power rating that packs a punch. The amp has a variety of tone control options, including gain, bass, mid, treble, and volume, making it a versatile choice for various playing styles and genres. It comes with two timbre channels and a tone-switching circuit. The top-of-the-line gain and sharpness for the distortion channel control the distortion. One potential limitation of this bass amp is its speaker size, which is only 8 inches. Also, it doesn’t have the built-in DI feature.
Pros
- Versatile tone control
- Distortion control
- Compact and portable design
- Auxiliary and headphone outputs
Cons
- Limited speaker size
- Limited power outage
How To Choose The Best Bass Amp Under 500?
Power Rating:
You want to make sure that the amp you choose has enough power to handle your playing style and the size of the venues you’ll be performing in. A good rule of thumb is to look for an amp with at least 40-50 watts of power. It’ll give you enough volume to cut through the mix and be heard.
Why is considering power rating important in a bass amp?
Power rating is the amount of power the amp can output in watts, directly affecting the amp’s volume. So, we can understand that larger speakers can handle more power and produce more volume, while smaller speakers have lower power-handling capabilities. When you play in larger venues or with a full band and have a low-powered amp, your bass sound can’t be heard clearly, which we never want.
Tone Control:
Every bassist has a unique sound, so it’s best to choose an amp with the tone control options that work best for you. Look for an amp with at least a three-band EQ so that you can have the flexibility to fine-tune your sound. Some amps also have additional tone-shaping options like contour or presence controls.
Why Is tone control important in a bass amp?
Tone controls typically include knobs for bass, mid, and treble, which help us to boost or cut specific frequencies in the bass signal. You might turn up the bass knob to get a heavier, more low-end focused sound or turn down the treble to smooth out any harshness or brightness in your tone. Adjusting the tone in this way helps us get the desired sound.
Speaker Size:
The bigger the speaker, the more low-end and overall volume we can get. However, larger speakers also mean a heavier and less portable amp. A 10-inch speaker balances portability and sound quality well, but you might want to consider a 12-inch speaker if you need more volume.
See Also: Can You Use A Guitar Amp As A Speaker
Does speaker size matter much in a bass amp?
The speaker size does play a role in the overall sound. Generally speaking, larger speakers tend to produce more low-end frequencies, which we want when it comes to bass. However, it’s not just about the size of the speaker. The speaker’s quality and the amp’s overall construction also play a role in the sound.
Built-in DI:
A built-in DI (direct input) is really useful when playing gigs where you need to plug directly into a sound system. Look for a built-in DI feature to easily bypass the amp’s speaker and send a clear signal directly to the mixer.
What is built-in DI?
Built-in DI is a feature that is commonly found in bass amps. With this feature, you can directly connect the bass guitar to a mixing console or recording device without needing an external DI box. Basically, the built-in DI takes the signal from the bass guitar and converts it into a balanced signal that can be sent over long distances without losing quality.
Portability:
If you go to gigs regularly, having an amp that’s easy to transport is helpful. Try to get a compact and lightweight (around 20-25 pounds) amp for easy carrying.
Why should you care about portability in a bass amp?
Carrying a heavy and bulky amp is a real hassle, especially when we have other equipment to transport as well. A portable bass amp makes it easy to move around within your house or to a friend’s place. Also, a portable bass amp can be a great option if you’re short on storage space.
Final Words
A quality bass amp can improve your overall playing experience and help you stay on time with the rest of the band. Most importantly, you don’t have to spend thousands of bucks to get one. With the amps on my list of the best bass amp under 500, you can get a professional-level tone within your budget.