Best 4-String Acoustic Basses 2026

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

Last updated: January 14, 2026 • Next update: January 21, 2026

Takamine GB30CE-N2 Natural - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Takamine GB30CE-N2 Natural

Acoustic Sessions World Music Jazz
Key Feature:
• Natural acoustic resonance
✓ PROS
  • • Natural acoustic resonance
  • • No amplifier needed
✗ CONS
  • • Requires good room acoustics
  • • Less versatile than electric

Takamine GB30CE-N2 NaturalAcoustic BassDesign: JumboTop: Solid spruceBack and sides: MahoganyNeck: MahoganyFretboard:...

4.7/5 (28 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Martin Guitar 000CJR-10E BASS - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Martin Guitar 000CJR-10E BASS

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
Fender FA-450CE 3TSB A-Bass w/Bag - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Fender FA-450CE 3TSB A-Bass w/Bag

Singer-Songwriter Folk Acoustic Sessions
Key Feature:
• Rich, warm tone
✓ PROS
  • • Authentic unplugged sound
  • • Rich, warm tone
✗ CONS
  • • Limited volume for large venues
  • • Weather sensitive wood

Fender FA-450CE 3TSB A-Bass w/Bag*Bundle offer comprising*, Fender FA-450CE 3TSB A-Bass*Acoustic Bass with Pickup*Body...

5.0/5 (18 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Martin Guitar 000C Jr E Bass - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Martin Guitar 000C Jr E Bass

Jazz Singer-Songwriter Acoustic Sessions
Key Feature:
• No amplifier needed
✓ PROS
  • • No amplifier needed
  • • Rich, warm tone
✗ CONS
  • • Less versatile than electric
  • • May need pickup for recording

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

4.5/5 (10 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Warwick Alien Deluxe Hybrid 4 SBS - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Warwick Alien Deluxe Hybrid 4 SBS

World Music Unplugged Acoustic Sessions
Key Feature:
• Rich, warm tone
✓ PROS
  • • Natural acoustic resonance
  • • Rich, warm tone
✗ CONS
  • • Requires good room acoustics
  • • Weather sensitive wood

Warwick Alien Deluxe Hybrid 4 SBSAcoustic Bass with PickupType: Thin-LineBody depth: 80 mmTop: Solid AA Sitka...

4.5/5 (6 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Ortega STRIPEDSU.ACB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Ortega STRIPEDSU.ACB

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
Guild B-240E Acoustic Bass - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Guild B-240E Acoustic Bass

Singer-Songwriter Acoustic Sessions Folk
Key Feature:
• Rich, warm tone
✓ PROS
  • • Authentic unplugged sound
  • • Rich, warm tone
✗ CONS
  • • Less versatile than electric
  • • Limited volume for large venues

Guild B-240E Acoustic BassAcoustic BassDesign: JumboTop: Solid Sitka spruceBack and sides: MahoganyNeck:...

4.6/5 (22 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Warwick Alien 4 NT - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Warwick Alien 4 NT

Folk Acoustic Sessions Singer-Songwriter
Key Feature:
• Natural acoustic resonance
✓ PROS
  • • Natural acoustic resonance
  • • Rich, warm tone
✗ CONS
  • • May need pickup for recording
  • • Weather sensitive wood

Warwick Alien 4 NTAcoustic Bass with PickupTop: Solid AAAA Sitka spruceBack and sides: OvangkolSet-in neck:...

4.8/5 (32 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Ibanez AEGB24E-BKH - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Ibanez AEGB24E-BKH

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
Ortega D7E-SBK-4 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Ortega D7E-SBK-4

Unplugged Singer-Songwriter World Music
Key Feature:
• Rich, warm tone
✓ PROS
  • • Perfect for intimate venues
  • • No amplifier needed
✗ CONS
  • • Requires good room acoustics
  • • May need pickup for recording

Ortega D7E-SBK-4Acoustic Bass with PickupDeep seriesTop: SpruceBack and sides: MahoganyNeck: MahoganyFingerboard:...

4.9/5 (14 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Martin Guitar 000CJR-10E BASS Burst - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Martin Guitar 000CJR-10E BASS Burst

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
Ibanez AEGB25E-TKH - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Ibanez AEGB25E-TKH

Acoustic Sessions World Music Jazz
Key Feature:
• Rich, warm tone
✓ PROS
  • • Natural acoustic resonance
  • • Rich, warm tone
✗ CONS
  • • May need pickup for recording
  • • Requires good room acoustics

Ibanez AEGB25E-TKHAcoustic Bass with PickupWith cutawayBody: SapeleTop: SpruceBolt-on neck: NyatohFingerboard:...

4.4/5 (56 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Fender CB-60SCE A-Bass Natural w/Bag - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Fender CB-60SCE A-Bass Natural w/Bag

Folk Jazz Unplugged
Key Feature:
• No amplifier needed
✓ PROS
  • • Perfect for intimate venues
  • • Natural acoustic resonance
✗ CONS
  • • Requires good room acoustics
  • • Limited volume for large venues

Fender CB-60SCE A-Bass Natural w/Bag*Bundle offer comprising*, Fender CB-60SCE A-Bass Natural IL*Acoustic Bass*With...

4.4/5 (37 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Warwick Alien 4 FL NT - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Warwick Alien 4 FL NT

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
Breedlove Pursuit Exotic S Bass Amber CE - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Breedlove Pursuit Exotic S Bass Amber CE

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

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.

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