Best 4-String Acoustic Basses for Singer Songwriter 2025

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

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

Lakewood A-14 Bass Edition 2024 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

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
Taylor GS Mini-e Bass - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Taylor GS Mini-e Bass

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
Ovation Celebrity Elite CEB44X-7C-G - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

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
Fender FA-450CE 3TSB A-Bass w/Bag - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

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

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

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
Martin Guitar DJR-10E BASS Burst - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

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
Ibanez AEGB24E-MHS - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

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
Ortega KTSM2-4 Ken Taylor Signature - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Ortega KTSM2-4 Ken Taylor Signature

Folk Jazz Acoustic Sessions
Key Feature:
• No amplifier needed
✓ PROS
  • • Rich, warm tone
  • • Perfect for intimate venues
✗ CONS
  • • Weather sensitive wood
  • • Less versatile than electric

Ortega KTSM2-4 Ken Taylor SignatureAcoustic Bass with PickupKen Taylor Signature ModelTop: Solid spruceBack and sids:...

4.4/5 (15 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Ortega D7CE-4 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

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
Applause Elite AEB4-7S - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

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
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
Harley Benton GS-Travel-E Bass Mahoga Set - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Harley Benton GS-Travel-E Bass Mahoga Set

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

Harley Benton GS-Travel-E Bass Mahoga Set*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton GS-Travel-E Bass Mahogany*Acoustic...

4.4/5 (8 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Martin Guitar 000C Jr E Bass Burst - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

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
Ortega KT-WALKER-V3 Ken Taylor Sign. - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Ortega KT-WALKER-V3 Ken Taylor Sign.

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

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.

We use cookies to improve your experience. Learn more