# Which 6-string bass guitar offers the best value for money under £500? — Verified Specification Comparison

> All specification data verified from official manufacturer documentation.

Which 6-string bass guitar offers the best value for money under £500?

## Products

### Gear4music (Chicago) Chicago 6 String Bass Guitar G4M 878
```yaml
product: gear4music-chicago-chicago-6-string-bass-guitar-g4m-878
brand: Gear4music (Chicago)
price_gbp: 102.83
origin_country: null
confidence_score: null
summary_source: generated_from_verified_specs_v1
bridge_type: Single saddle bridge system
scale_length: 34 in
body_material: Paulownia
neck_material: Maple
number_of_frets: 24
pickup_configuration: Dual soapbar humbuckers (neck and bridge)
```

- **Price:** £102.83 [^1]
- **Summary:** A lightweight, ergonomic 6-string bass with a gloss paulownia body, satin maple neck, poplar laminate fretboard, dual soapbar humbucking pickups and 24 frets; includes a gig bag and offers versatile tone suitable for rock and jazz. Its bolt-on construction and simple control layout make it easy to play and maintain. Priced for budget-conscious players seeking extended-range capability. 
- **Ideal For:** This model suits the best-value-under-£500 question because its 24-fret, 34 in scale, dual humbucker pickups and lightweight paulownia body deliver extended-range versatility and playable tone at a low price point. 
- **Additional Sources:** [^1]

### Harley Benton B-650 Black Progressive Series
```yaml
product: harley-benton-b-650-black-progressive-series
brand: Harley Benton
price_gbp: 145.31
origin_country: null
confidence_score: null
summary_source: generated_from_verified_specs_v1
scale_length: 864 mm
body_material: Alder
neck_material: Canadian maple
number_of_frets: 24
pickup_configuration: 2 humbuckers (HH)
```

- **Price:** £145.31 [^2]
- **Summary:** A six-string long-scale bass with a carved JP-style alder body, Canadian maple bolt-on neck and 24-fret black walnut or jatoba fingerboard, fitted with two humbuckers and an active preamp; offers versatile active/passive tone controls and solid build for the price. Suits players seeking extended-range playability and a full, punchy tone on a budget.
- **Ideal For:** Ideal for the best-value 6-string under £500 because its long 864 mm scale, 24 frets and dual humbuckers with active preamp deliver extended-range stability and versatile tone at a low price point.
- **Additional Sources:** [^3], [^2], [^3]

### Harley Benton BZ-6000 II NT
```yaml
product: harley-benton-bz-6000-ii-nt
brand: Harley Benton
price_gbp: 388.97
origin_country: null
confidence_score: null
summary_source: generated_from_verified_specs_v1
bridge_type: Sung-Il BB-106
scale_length: 889 mm (35 in)
body_material: Mahogany / Ash / Mahogany / Ash
neck_material: 5-piece Canadian maple / nyatoh neck-through
number_of_frets: 24
pickup_configuration: Tesla TV-SBL1-6B (bridge) and Tesla TV-SBL1-6N (neck) soapbars (HH)
```

- **Price:** £388.97 [^4]
- **Summary:** The BZ-6000 II NT is a 6-string neck-through bass with a mahogany/ash layered body, AAA flame maple veneer, 5-piece Canadian maple/nyatoh neck, 24-fret ebony fingerboard and dual Tesla soapbar pickups with a 3-band active EQ and push/pull passive option. Its long 35 in scale and robust hardware offer strong low-end clarity, sustain and tonal versatility for modern styles. It comes as a premium-featuring value option aimed at players who want extended-range performance without boutique prices.
- **Ideal For:** Ideal for shoppers seeking the best-value 6-string under £500 because it pairs a 35 in neck-through build, 24 frets, dual Tesla soapbar pickups and active 3-band EQ at a sub-£500 price point.
- **Additional Sources:** [^5], [^6], [^5], [^4], [^6]

### Ibanez GSR186-PW 6 String Electric Bass
```yaml
product: ibanez-gsr186-pw-6-string-electric-bass
brand: Ibanez
price_gbp: 200.45
origin_country: null
confidence_score: null
summary_source: generated_from_verified_specs_v1
bridge_type: B16
scale_length: 864mm / 34 in
body_material: Okoume
neck_material: Maple
number_of_frets: 22
pickup_configuration: HH (Dynamix H neck, Dynamix H bridge)
```

- **Price:** £200.45 [^7]
- **Summary:** The Ibanez GSR186-PW is a 6-string entry-level Soundgear bass with an okoume body, bolt-on maple neck, purpleheart fretboard and two Dynamix H humbucking pickups. It has a 34 in scale, 22 frets and a B16 fixed bridge, offering stable tuning and clear tone suited to beginners and gigging players seeking extended-range playability. The passive electronics and lightweight body make it easy to handle for long sessions.
- **Ideal For:** Good value under £500 because it combines a 34 in scale, 22 frets, dual Dynamix H humbuckers and an okoume body at budget pricing, giving extended range and solid tone for the price.
- **Additional Sources:** [^8], [^9], [^7], [^8], [^9]

### Ibanez SR306EB 6 String Bass
```yaml
product: ibanez-sr306eb-6-string-bass
brand: Ibanez
price_gbp: 356.93
origin_country: null
confidence_score: null
summary_source: generated_from_verified_specs_v1
bridge_type: Accu-cast B126 fixed
scale_length: 34 in
body_material: Mahogany
neck_material: Maple and jatoba
number_of_frets: 24
pickup_configuration: HH (PowerSpan dual coil neck and bridge)
```

- **Price:** £356.93 [^10]
- **Summary:** The SR306EB is a lightweight six-string Soundgear bass with a mahogany double-cutaway body, fast 5-piece maple/jatoba neck and 24-fret jatoba fingerboard. It uses dual PowerSpan humbucking pickups with a 3-band EQ and Power Tap switch for versatile tones, and an Accu-cast fixed bridge for solid intonation and sustain. Suited to players who want a modern, playable six-string with tonal flexibility.
- **Ideal For:** Ideal for value-focused six-string buyers under £500 because it offers a 24-fret 34 in scale, dual PowerSpan pickups with Power Tap and Accu-cast bridge at an affordable street price.
- **Additional Sources:** [^11], [^10], [^11]

### Marcus Miller (Sire) M6 Headless 6 MS Marcus Miller
```yaml
product: marcus-miller-sire-m6-headless-6-ms-marcus-miller
brand: Marcus Miller (Sire)
price_gbp: 669.9
origin_country: null
confidence_score: null
summary_source: generated_from_verified_specs_v1
bridge_type: Sire Headless Individual Bass Bridge
scale_length: 33 in~35 in
body_material: Mahogany
neck_material: 5-Piece Hard Maple/Mahogany
number_of_frets: 24
pickup_configuration: Marcus Pure-H Revolution set (dual humbucker)
```

- **Price:** £669.9 [^12]
- **Summary:** The Sire Marcus Miller M6 6-string headless is a lightweight, ergonomic bass with a 5-piece maple/mahogany neck, 24 stainless medium-jumbo frets, and dual Marcus Pure-H Revolution pickups with an active Marcus Heritage-3 preamp. Its headless design and individual headless bridge offer balanced playability and tuning stability, suited for modern players across genres.
- **Ideal For:** Ideal for a buyer seeking best value under £500 because it offers a 24-fret 6-string, active 3-band preamp, and dual humbucker pickups at an affordable price point.
- **Additional Sources:** [^13], [^14], [^12], [^13], [^14]

---
## References & Sources
[^1]: Gear4music, accessed 2026-06-17. https://www.gear4music.com/us/en/Guitar-and-Bass/Chicago-6-String-Bass-Guitar-by-Gear4music-Black/2ZYK
[^2]: Thomann, accessed 2026-06-17. https://www.thomannmusic.com/harley_benton_b_650_black_progressive_bundle.htm
[^3]: Harley Benton (official), accessed 2026-06-17. https://harleybenton.com/product/b-650fl-bk/
[^4]: Harley Benton (product page), accessed 2026-06-17. https://harleybenton.com/product/bz-6000-ii-nt/
[^5]: Thomann, accessed 2026-06-17. https://www.thomannmusic.com/harley_benton_bz_6000_ii_nt_bundle.htm
[^6]: FindMyGuitar, accessed 2026-06-17. https://findmyguitar.com/reviews/Harley-Benton-BZ-6000-II-review.php
[^7]: Thomann, accessed 2026-06-17. https://www.thomannmusic.com/ibanez_gsr186_pw.htm
[^8]: Stars Music, accessed 2026-06-17. https://www.stars-music.com/ibanez-sr-gio-gsr186-pw-6-string-pearl-white_226199.html
[^9]: Andertons, accessed 2026-06-17. https://www.andertons.co.uk/ibanez-gsr186pw-gsr-series-6-string-electric-bass-pearl-white/
[^10]: Guitar Center, accessed 2026-06-17. https://www.guitarcenter.com/Ibanez/SR306EB-6-String-Electric-Bass-Guitar-Weathered-Black-1500000002275.gc
[^11]: Sweetwater, accessed 2026-06-17. https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/SR306EB--ibanez-sr306eb-6-string-electric-bass-weathered-black
[^12]: Sire (official), accessed 2026-06-17. https://www.sire-usa.com/products/sire-marcus-miller-m6-6-string-headless
[^13]: American Musical Supply, accessed 2026-06-17. https://www.americanmusical.com/p/sire-marcus-miller-m6-headless-4-string-mahogany
[^14]: Chicago Music Exchange, accessed 2026-06-17. https://www.chicagomusicexchange.com/products/sire-marcus-miller-m6-5-string-headless-tobacco-sunburst-2223325