B-35BK-FL Acoustic Bass Series : This bass is economical, not cheap.

I purchased the BK-35 after having tried another one belonging to a friend. The value for money is excellent. The bass is easy to play (not stiff at all), and the tuning machines work precisely and steady the tuning. Comparing the two instruments (mine and the one I tried), I can tell that the quality is constant. It is not a 'scientific' assessment, but it might help make one's mind.

I did not try the electronic because I prefer using an external microphone and, unplugged, the bass sounds good. Of course, more expensive instruments might deliver better quality. However, it is not necessarily so. I ended up selling another acoustic bass made by a well-known brand costing the triple and kept the B-35.

A word to the wise, though: no matter what a review says, an instrument should always be tried before purchasing it.