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A $1,500 bass budget reaches well beyond beginner instruments: it includes conventional 4- and 5-string designs, active/passive electronics, extended-range 6- and 7-string models, and both 34-inch and longer scales. Start with string count and scale length, then decide whether you want a familiar bolt-on construction or neck-through access. Prices below are observed US retail prices or close current listings; finishes, left-handed versions and stock can change the exact figure. The single near-cap model is labelled as such rather than presented as a bargain below the line.
| # | Product | Price | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fender Player II Modified Active Jazz Bass V | $1,150–$1,250 | Amazon · eBay |
| 2 | Ibanez SR605E | $850–$950 | Amazon · eBay |
| 3 | Sire Marcus Miller V10 5-String | $1,300–$1,450 | Amazon |
| 4 | Schecter Riot-4 | $1,250–$1,350 | Amazon · eBay |
| 5 | Ibanez BTB746 | $1,050–$1,200 | Amazon · eBay |
| 6 | Ibanez SRMS805 | $1,050–$1,150 | Amazon · eBay |
| 7 | ESP LTD B-206SM | $700–$800 | Amazon · eBay |
| 8 | Schecter Stiletto Studio-6 | $1,250–$1,350 | Amazon · eBay |
| 9 | Ibanez BTB747 | $1,150–$1,250 | Amazon · eBay |
| 10 | Ibanez Premium SR1320SB | $1,450–$1,500 | Amazon · eBay |
The picks, in detail
Fender Player II Modified Active Jazz Bass V
A current 5-string Jazz-style bass at $1,209.99, with a 34-inch scale, alder body, bolt-on maple neck and active preamp with passive tone control/3-band EQ.
- 5 strings
- 34-inch scale
- bolt-on alder-body construction
- active preamp with passive tone control and 3-band EQ
- Current Fender model with a documented US price
- Active/passive-oriented control layout
- Five-string neck width is not interchangeable with a four-string Jazz Bass
Ibanez SR605E
A current 5-string Soundgear model for players wanting compact modern ergonomics. Ibanez lists it in the SR electric-bass range; Sweetwater has listed the current model at $899.99.
- 5 strings
- SR solid-body construction
- active electronics platform
- current Ibanez SR605E model
- Leaves significant budget room for a setup, case or amplifier
- Current-production five-string rather than a discontinued SR model
- Confirm the exact finish and regional spec because SR variants are not interchangeable
Sire Marcus Miller V10 5-String
A 5-string Sire V10 with a 34-inch scale. Sweetwater has listed the Trans Green Satin version at $1,399, placing a current V10 squarely within this budget.
- 5 strings
- 34-inch scale
- Marcus Miller V10 series
- current Sire USA product line
- Full-size 34-inch five-string format
- Price sits below the $1,500 ceiling
- Check whether the listing is fretted, fretless or left-handed before ordering
Schecter Riot-4
A 4-string Schecter Riot with a 34-inch scale and string-through-or-top-load bridge. Sweetwater listed the Aurora Burst Riot-4 at $1,299.
- 4 strings
- 34-inch scale
- string-through or top-load bridge
- Riot solid-body construction
- Four-string choice near the upper middle of the budget
- Documented current retail listing
- Riot-4 and Riot-5 are different instruments; choose string count deliberately
Ibanez BTB746
A 6-string, 35-inch-scale BTB with neck-through maple/walnut construction, walnut-topped ash/okoume wings, Bartolini BH2 pickups and a 3-band EQ with selectable mid frequencies. Sweetwater listed it at $1,099.99.
- 6 strings
- 35-inch scale
- neck-through 5-piece maple/walnut neck
- Bartolini BH2 pickups and 3-band EQ
- Detailed manufacturer specification for extended-range players
- Six-string layout remains clearly below $1,500
- 54 mm nut and 35-inch scale need hands-on consideration
Ibanez SRMS805
A 5-string multiscale Soundgear Bass Workshop model. Sweetwater currently lists the Deep Twilight version at $1,099.99, providing a current-production fanned-fret route without exceeding the cap.
- 5 strings
- multiscale fingerboard
- Bass Workshop SRMS construction
- current $1,099.99 retailer listing
- Multiscale option at a mid-budget price
- Current Sweetwater listing confirms new-stock availability
- Fanned frets feel different from a single-scale bass
ESP LTD B-206SM
A current 6-string bolt-on LTD with a 35-inch scale, ash body, spalted-maple top, five-piece maple/jatoba neck, ESP Designed SB-6 pickups and ABQ-3 active 3-band EQ. ESP lists it at $749.
- 6 strings
- 35-inch scale
- bolt-on ash body with spalted-maple top
- ABQ-3 active 3-band EQ
- Extensive official specifications and price
- Lowest-priced 6-string in this selection
- Wide six-string neck and 35-inch scale are not a universal fit
Schecter Stiletto Studio-6
A 6-string, 35-inch-scale neck-through bass with mahogany body wings, a maple/walnut multi-laminate neck, dual EMG 45HZ pickups and active 3-band EQ. Sweetwater has listed it at $1,299.
- 6 strings
- 35-inch scale
- neck-through maple/walnut construction
- EMG 45HZ pickups with active 3-band EQ
- Official Schecter specification identifies construction and electronics
- Under-cap current retail listing
- Extended-scale six-string profile needs a deliberate fit check
Ibanez BTB747
A current 7-string BTB listed by Sweetwater at $1,199.99. It is for a player who specifically needs seven strings, not simply a higher-numbered substitute for a standard 4- or 5-string bass.
- 7 strings
- BTB extended-range series
- Natural Low Gloss listing
- current $1,199.99 retailer listing
- Genuine seven-string option well within the cap
- Current retailer listing distinguishes it from the six-string BTB746
- Seven strings add width and setup complexity
Ibanez Premium SR1320SB
A 4-string Premium SR with a current Sweetwater listing at $1,499.99. This is the near-cap choice: it qualifies at the observed price but leaves no room for tax, a case or a setup.
- 4 strings
- Premium SR series
- solid-body electric bass
- current $1,499.99 retailer listing
- Current 4-string option at the ceiling
- No need to exceed budget for a Premium SR model
- Exactly at the cap before tax and accessories
Buying tips
- Choose string count before brand: an extra low B, high C or both changes neck width, string spacing and setup choices.
- Compare scale and construction in person where possible. A 35-inch extended-range bass and a 34-inch bolt-on can feel very different even at the same price.
- Budget for a professional setup, case and strings; a $1,499.99 instrument can exceed a $1,500 all-in budget after tax and accessories.
As an Amazon Associate and eBay Partner, toptenpick.com earns from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability are subject to change.