Best 4-String Acoustic Basses for Acoustic Sessions 2026

Perfect 4-string acoustic basses for acoustic-sessions - easy to play and learn on

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

Martin Guitar 000CJR-10E BASS - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

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
Ibanez AEGB24E-BKH - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

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
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
Ovation Celebrity Elite CEB44X-7C-G - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Ovation Celebrity Elite CEB44X-7C-G

Folk Unplugged World Music
Key Feature:
• Rich, warm tone
✓ PROS
  • • Rich, warm tone
  • • Natural acoustic resonance
✗ CONS
  • • Limited volume for large venues
  • • Requires good room acoustics

Ovation Celebrity Elite CEB44X-7C-GAcoustic Bass with PickupCelebrity Elite SeriesTop: quilted mapleMid-Depth Lyrachord...

4.8/5 (15 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Martin Guitar 000C Jr E Bass - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

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
Ortega D7E-SBK-4 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

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
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
Fender CB-60SCE A-Bass Natural w/Bag - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

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
Lakewood A-14 Bass Edition 2024 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Lakewood A-14 Bass Edition 2024

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
Fender FA-450CE 3TSB A-Bass w/Bag - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

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
Harley Benton HBO-850 Bass Natural w/Bag - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Harley Benton HBO-850 Bass Natural w/Bag

Jazz Acoustic Sessions World Music
Key Feature:
• No amplifier needed
✓ PROS
  • • Rich, warm tone
  • • Authentic unplugged sound
✗ CONS
  • • May need pickup for recording
  • • Less versatile than electric

Harley Benton HBO-850 Bass Natural w/Bag*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton HBO-850 Bass Natural*Acoustic...

4.6/5 (51 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Ibanez AEGB24E-MHS - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

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
Martin Guitar 000C Jr E Bass Burst - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

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
Ibanez AEGB25E-TKH - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

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
Ortega D7CE-4 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Ortega D7CE-4

Singer-Songwriter Jazz Acoustic Sessions
Key Feature:
• Rich, warm tone
✓ PROS
  • • Perfect for intimate venues
  • • Authentic unplugged sound
✗ CONS
  • • Weather sensitive wood
  • • Requires good room acoustics

Ortega D7CE-4Acoustic Bass with PickupDeep seriesWith cutawayTop: SpruceBack and Sides: MahoganyNeck:...

4.7/5 (52 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10

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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