Best 4-String Acoustic Basses 2026

Top-rated 4-string acoustic basses 2026 - expert picks for every budget and skill level

Last updated: February 4, 2026 • Next update: February 11, 2026

PRICE RANGES: Under $200 Under $300 Under $500 Under $800 Under $1,000 Under $2,000

SKILL LEVELS: For Beginner For Intermediate For Professional For Advanced

GENRES & STYLES: For Folk For Unplugged For Acoustic Sessions For Singer-Songwriter For Jazz For World Music

BRANDS: Harley Benton Ibanez Fender Martin Guitar Warwick Ortega

Martin Guitar 000CJR-10E BASS Burst - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.6/5 (56 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

7/10

Martin Guitar 000CJR-10E BASS Burst

by Martin Guitar

Unplugged Folk World Music

Key Feature:

• No amplifier needed

✓ PROS

• Authentic unplugged sound
• Perfect for intimate venues

✗ CONS

• Weather sensitive wood
• Less versatile than electric

Martin Guitar 000CJR-10E BASS BurstAcoustic Bass with PickupType: 000 with cutawayBack and sides: solid sapeleTop:...

⭐ 4.6/5 (56 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 564002

$989

Buy at Thomann View Details

Martin Guitar 000C Jr E Bass Burst - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.5/5 (27 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Martin Guitar 000C Jr E Bass Burst

by Martin Guitar

Jazz World Music Singer-Songwriter

Key Feature:

• Authentic unplugged sound

✓ PROS

• Perfect for intimate venues
• No amplifier needed

✗ CONS

• Limited volume for large venues
• May need pickup for recording

Martin Guitar 000C Jr E Bass BurstAcoustic Bass with PickupType: 000 with cutawayBack and sides: SapeleTop: SpruceNeck:...

⭐ 4.5/5 (27 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 614262

$1,209

Buy at Thomann View Details

Breedlove Pursuit Exotic S Bass Amber CE - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.4/5 (40 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

8/10

Breedlove Pursuit Exotic S Bass Amber CE

by Breedlove

Jazz Unplugged Singer-Songwriter

Key Feature:

• Authentic unplugged sound

✓ PROS

• Rich, warm tone
• Perfect for intimate venues

✗ CONS

• Less versatile than electric
• Weather sensitive wood

Breedlove Pursuit Exotic S Bass Amber CEAcoustic Bass with PickupType: Dreadnought Concerto with cutawayBack and sides:...

⭐ 4.4/5 (40 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 612712

$879

Buy at Thomann View Details

Applause Elite AEB4-7S - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.8/5 (52 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

9/10

Applause Elite AEB4-7S

by Applause

World Music Jazz Singer-Songwriter

Key Feature:

• Authentic unplugged sound

✓ PROS

• Rich, warm tone
• Natural acoustic resonance

✗ CONS

• Requires good room acoustics
• May need pickup for recording

Applause Elite AEB4-7SAcoustic Bass with PickupConstruction: Mid-Depth Roundback with cutawayTop: SpruceBack and sides:...

⭐ 4.8/5 (52 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 526511

$395

Buy at Thomann View Details

Lakewood A-14 Bass Edition 2024 - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.9/5 (15 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Lakewood A-14 Bass Edition 2024

by Lakewood

World Music Acoustic Sessions Singer-Songwriter

Key Feature:

• Authentic unplugged sound

✓ PROS

• Natural acoustic resonance
• Perfect for intimate venues

✗ CONS

• Requires good room acoustics
• Less versatile than electric

Lakewood A-14 Bass Edition 2024Acoustic Bass with PickupStyle: AuditoriumWith cutawayTop: solid spruceBack and sides:...

⭐ 4.9/5 (15 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 582495

$2,305

Buy at Thomann View Details

Ibanez AEGB24E-MHS - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.9/5 (9 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Ibanez AEGB24E-MHS

by Ibanez

Singer-Songwriter World Music Folk

Key Feature:

• Perfect for intimate venues

✓ PROS

• No amplifier needed
• Rich, warm tone

✗ CONS

• Less versatile than electric
• Requires good room acoustics

Ibanez AEGB24E-MHSAcoustic Bass with PickupWith cutawayTop: SapeleBack and sides: Sapele3-Strip neck: Nyatoh /...

⭐ 4.9/5 (9 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 533876

$461

Buy at Thomann View Details

Taylor GS Mini-e Bass - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.7/5 (9 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

6/10

Taylor GS Mini-e Bass

by Taylor

Acoustic Sessions Singer-Songwriter Unplugged

Key Feature:

• Rich, warm tone

✓ PROS

• No amplifier needed
• Natural acoustic resonance

✗ CONS

• Limited volume for large venues
• May need pickup for recording

Taylor GS Mini-e BassAcoustic Bass with PickupTop: solid torrefied spruceGS mini bracingBack and sides: SapeleNeck:...

⭐ 4.7/5 (9 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

6/10

Art. 593053

$1,077

Buy at Thomann View Details

Ortega STRIPEDSU.ACB - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.8/5 (23 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

6/10

Ortega STRIPEDSU.ACB

by Ortega

Unplugged Acoustic Sessions Singer-Songwriter

Key Feature:

• No amplifier needed

✓ PROS

• Natural acoustic resonance
• Rich, warm tone

✗ CONS

• Weather sensitive wood
• Limited volume for large venues

Ortega STRIPEDSU.ACBAcoustic BassBuilt-in armrestPrivate Room SeriesCutawayTop: Alaska sprucesolidBack and sides: AAA...

⭐ 4.8/5 (23 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

6/10

Art. 380586

$744

Buy at Thomann View Details

Ortega KT-WALKER-V3 Ken Taylor Sign. - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.9/5 (12 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Ortega KT-WALKER-V3 Ken Taylor Sign.

by Ortega

Jazz World Music Singer-Songwriter

Key Feature:

• Authentic unplugged sound

✓ PROS

• Perfect for intimate venues
• Rich, warm tone

✗ CONS

• Requires good room acoustics
• May need pickup for recording

Ortega KT-WALKER-V3 Ken Taylor Sign.Acoustic Bass with PickupTop: Solid spruceBack and sids: Flamed mapleNeck:...

⭐ 4.9/5 (12 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 606597

$637

Buy at Thomann View Details

Warwick Alien 4 FL NT - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#10

⭐ 4.9/5 (22 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

6/10

Warwick Alien 4 FL NT

by Warwick

Folk World Music Acoustic Sessions

Key Feature:

• Rich, warm tone

✓ PROS

• Rich, warm tone
• No amplifier needed

✗ CONS

• Weather sensitive wood
• Requires good room acoustics

Warwick Alien 4 FL NTAcoustic Bass with PickupFretlessTop: Solid spruceBack and sides: Ovangkol laminatedSet-in neck:...

⭐ 4.9/5 (22 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

6/10

Art. 621770

$1,649

Buy at Thomann View Details

Guild B-140E Nat Westerly - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#11

⭐ 4.4/5 (12 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

6/10

Guild B-140E Nat Westerly

by Guild

World Music Singer-Songwriter Jazz

Key Feature:

• Rich, warm tone

✓ PROS

• Perfect for intimate venues
• Authentic unplugged sound

✗ CONS

• Limited volume for large venues
• Less versatile than electric

Guild B-140E Nat WesterlyElectro-Acoustic BassSolid spruce topSolid mahogany back and sidesMahogany neckRosewood...

⭐ 4.4/5 (12 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

6/10

Art. 362271

$901

Buy at Thomann View Details

Fender Kingman Bass SEB WN - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#12

⭐ 4.9/5 (22 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

8/10

Fender Kingman Bass SEB WN

by Fender

Folk World Music Acoustic Sessions

Key Feature:

• Rich, warm tone

✓ PROS

• Authentic unplugged sound
• Natural acoustic resonance

✗ CONS

• May need pickup for recording
• Requires good room acoustics

Fender Kingman Bass SEB WNAcoustic Bass with PickupTop: Solid SpruceBack and sides: SapeleNeck: NatoFingerboard:...

⭐ 4.9/5 (22 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 570839

$582

Buy at Thomann View Details

Martin Guitar 000CJR-10E BASS - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#13

⭐ 4.7/5 (20 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Martin Guitar 000CJR-10E BASS

by Martin Guitar

World Music Unplugged Jazz

Key Feature:

• Natural acoustic resonance

✓ PROS

• Rich, warm tone
• Perfect for intimate venues

✗ CONS

• Limited volume for large venues
• Requires good room acoustics

Martin Guitar 000CJR-10E BASSAcoustic Bass with PickupType: 000 with cutawayBack and sides: Solid sapeleTop:...

⭐ 4.7/5 (20 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 563987

$768

Buy at Thomann View Details

Ibanez AEGB24E-BKH - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#14

⭐ 4.8/5 (25 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

9/10

Ibanez AEGB24E-BKH

by Ibanez

Acoustic Sessions Singer-Songwriter Folk

Key Feature:

• Rich, warm tone

✓ PROS

• Perfect for intimate venues
• No amplifier needed

✗ CONS

• Requires good room acoustics
• Limited volume for large venues

Ibanez AEGB24E-BKHAcoustic Bass with PickupWith cutawayTop: SapeleBack and sides: Sapele3-Strip neck: Nyatoh /...

⭐ 4.8/5 (25 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 533879

$461

Buy at Thomann View Details

Furch Bc 61-CM4 - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#15

⭐ 5.0/5 (31 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

6/10

Furch Bc 61-CM4

by Furch

Jazz Unplugged Singer-Songwriter

Key Feature:

• Perfect for intimate venues

✓ PROS

• No amplifier needed
• Perfect for intimate venues

✗ CONS

• Weather sensitive wood
• Less versatile than electric

Furch Bc 61-CM4Acoustic Bass with PickupVenetian cutawayTop: solid AA cedarBack and sides: solid AA African...

⭐ 5.0/5 (31 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

6/10

Art. 286859

$2,045

Buy at Thomann View Details

How to Choose the Best 4-String Acoustic Basses

Budget Planning

• Under $200: Entry-level
• $200-$500: Intermediate
• $500-$1000: Advanced
• $1000+: Professional

Quality Check

• Sound clarity & tone
• Build materials & finish
• Hardware durability
• Overall craftsmanship

Key Features

• Your musical style
• Skill level match
• Intended use case
• Brand reputation

Frequently Asked Questions

Key factors include build quality, sound characteristics, playability, brand reputation, warranty coverage, and value for money. Consider your musical style, skill level, and intended use to find the best match.

Budget depends on your needs and experience level. Beginners can find quality options for $200-500, intermediate players should consider $500-1500 range, while professionals often invest $1500+ for premium features.

Higher-priced 4-string acoustic basses typically offer better materials, craftsmanship, and performance. They're worth it if you're serious about music, perform regularly, or need professional-grade features.

Top brands combine quality, innovation, and reliability. We evaluate brands based on build quality, sound performance, durability, and customer satisfaction to recommend the best options for different budgets.

Both have advantages. Online offers better prices and selection, while stores allow hands-on testing. We recommend researching online first, then testing in stores if possible. Many online retailers offer excellent return policies.

Related Best Lists

POPULAR

Best Single Cut Guitars

Best Dreadnought Acoustic Guitars

TOP

Best 4-String Acoustic Basses 2026

Martin Guitar 000CJR-10E BASS Burst

Martin Guitar 000C Jr E Bass Burst

Breedlove Pursuit Exotic S Bass Amber CE

Applause Elite AEB4-7S

Lakewood A-14 Bass Edition 2024

Ibanez AEGB24E-MHS

Taylor GS Mini-e Bass

Ortega STRIPEDSU.ACB

Ortega KT-WALKER-V3 Ken Taylor Sign.

Warwick Alien 4 FL NT

Guild B-140E Nat Westerly

Fender Kingman Bass SEB WN

Martin Guitar 000CJR-10E BASS

Ibanez AEGB24E-BKH

Furch Bc 61-CM4

How to Choose the Best 4-String Acoustic Basses

Budget Planning

Quality Check

Key Features

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Best Lists

Best ST Style Guitars

Best Humbucker Pickups

Best Distortion Pedals

Best Single Cut Guitars

Best Dreadnought Acoustic Guitars

Best 4/4 Size Classical Guitars

Cookie Preferences

Essential Cookies

Analytics Cookies

Functional Cookies

Marketing Cookies