Best 4-String Acoustic Basses 2025

Top-rated 4-string acoustic basses 2025 - expert picks for every budget and skill level

Last updated: November 5, 2025 • Next update: November 12, 2025

Martin Guitar 000C Jr E Bass - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

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 4 NT - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

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
Martin Guitar DJR-10E BASS Burst - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Martin Guitar DJR-10E BASS Burst

Acoustic Sessions Jazz Unplugged
Key Feature:
• Authentic unplugged sound
✓ PROS
  • • Authentic unplugged sound
  • • No amplifier needed
✗ CONS
  • • Limited volume for large venues
  • • May need pickup for recording

Martin Guitar DJR-10E BASS BurstAcoustic Bass with PickupStyle: DreadnoughtBack and sides: solid sapeleTop: SpruceNeck:...

5.0/5 (28 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Fender Kingman Bass SEB WN - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Fender Kingman Bass SEB WN

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
Applause Elite AEB4-7S - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Applause Elite AEB4-7S

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
Martin Guitar 000CJR-10E BASS Burst - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

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
Ovation Elite B778TX-5-G - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Ovation Elite B778TX-5-G

Singer-Songwriter Folk World Music
Key Feature:
• Perfect for intimate venues
✓ PROS
  • • Authentic unplugged sound
  • • Perfect for intimate venues
✗ CONS
  • • Less versatile than electric
  • • Weather sensitive wood

Ovation Elite B778TX-5-GAcoustic Bass with PickupType: Mid-depth Lyrachord GS body with cutawayX-Scalloped bracingTop:...

4.8/5 (50 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Ibanez AEGB25E-TKH - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

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
Warwick Alien Deluxe 4 NT - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Warwick Alien Deluxe 4 NT

Jazz Unplugged Singer-Songwriter
Key Feature:
• Perfect for intimate venues
✓ PROS
  • • Rich, warm tone
  • • Authentic unplugged sound
✗ CONS
  • • May need pickup for recording
  • • Weather sensitive wood

Warwick Alien Deluxe 4 NTAcoustic Bass with PickupRockBass seriesTop: Solid AA Sitka spruceBottom and sides:...

4.9/5 (40 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Martin Guitar BC-16E - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Martin Guitar BC-16E

Singer-Songwriter Unplugged Jazz
Key Feature:
• Rich, warm tone
✓ PROS
  • • Authentic unplugged sound
  • • Rich, warm tone
✗ CONS
  • • Weather sensitive wood
  • • Less versatile than electric

Martin Guitar OM-16EAcoustic Bass with PickupType: M-14 Fret with cutawayTop: Solid SpruceBack and sides: Solid...

4.9/5 (16 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Martin Guitar 000C Jr E Bass Burst - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Martin Guitar 000C Jr E Bass Burst

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
Guild Jumbo Junior Bass Westerly - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Guild Jumbo Junior Bass Westerly

Acoustic Sessions Singer-Songwriter Folk
Key Feature:
• Authentic unplugged sound
✓ PROS
  • • Natural acoustic resonance
  • • Rich, warm tone
✗ CONS
  • • Requires good room acoustics
  • • May need pickup for recording

Guild Jumbo Junior Bass WesterlyAcoustic Bass with PickupWesterly seriesSolid Sitka spruce topLaminated maple back and...

4.9/5 (55 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Warwick RB Alien Standard 4 NT - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Warwick RB Alien Standard 4 NT

Unplugged Jazz Acoustic Sessions
Key Feature:
• Rich, warm tone
✓ PROS
  • • Authentic unplugged sound
  • • Natural acoustic resonance
✗ CONS
  • • Limited volume for large venues
  • • May need pickup for recording

Warwick RB Alien Standard 4 NTAcoustic Bass with PickupBack and sides: AgathisSolid wood top: Sitka spruceSet-in neck:...

4.6/5 (16 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Guild B-240E Acoustic Bass - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

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
Ibanez AEGB24E-MHS - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Ibanez AEGB24E-MHS

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

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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