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Best 4-String Acoustic Basses Under $200 2025

Affordable 4-string acoustic basses under $200 - great value without compromising quality

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

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 Warwick Martin Guitar Fender Ortega
Harley Benton GS-Travel-E Bass Mahogany - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Harley Benton GS-Travel-E Bass Mahogany

by Harley Benton
Folk World Music Unplugged
Key Feature:
• Authentic unplugged sound
✓ PROS
  • • No amplifier needed
  • • Authentic unplugged sound
✗ CONS
  • • Weather sensitive wood
  • • Less versatile than electric

Harley Benton GS-Travel-E Bass MahoganyAcoustic Bass with PickupStyle: Mini Travel Grand SymphonyBody: selected...

⭐ 4.7/5 (55 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 568353
$186
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton HBO-850 Bass Black w/Bag - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Harley Benton HBO-850 Bass Black w/Bag

by Harley Benton
Unplugged World Music Acoustic Sessions
Key Feature:
• Natural acoustic resonance
✓ PROS
  • • Authentic unplugged sound
  • • Natural acoustic resonance
✗ CONS
  • • Limited volume for large venues
  • • Weather sensitive wood

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

⭐ 4.8/5 (11 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 538106
$182
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton GS-Travel-E Bass Spruce - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Harley Benton GS-Travel-E Bass Spruce

by Harley Benton
Acoustic Sessions Unplugged Folk
Key Feature:
• Natural acoustic resonance
✓ PROS
  • • Natural acoustic resonance
  • • Perfect for intimate venues
✗ CONS
  • • Limited volume for large venues
  • • Requires good room acoustics

Harley Benton GS-Travel-E Bass SpruceAcoustic Bass with PickupStyle: Mini Travel Grand SymphonyTop: selected sitka...

⭐ 4.8/5 (20 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 568361
$186
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton B-30NT Acoustic Bass w/Bag - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Harley Benton B-30NT Acoustic Bass w/Bag

by Harley Benton
Folk Acoustic Sessions Unplugged
Key Feature:
• No amplifier needed
✓ PROS
  • • Perfect for intimate venues
  • • Authentic unplugged sound
✗ CONS
  • • Less versatile than electric
  • • Requires good room acoustics

Harley Benton B-30NT Acoustic Bass w/Bag*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton B-30NT Acoustic Bass Series*Acoustic...

⭐ 4.4/5 (27 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 537151
$195
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton B-30BK Acoustic Bass w/Bag - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Harley Benton B-30BK Acoustic Bass w/Bag

by Harley Benton
World Music Unplugged Jazz
Key Feature:
• Perfect for intimate venues
✓ PROS
  • • Perfect for intimate venues
  • • No amplifier needed
✗ CONS
  • • Less versatile than electric
  • • Requires good room acoustics

Harley Benton B-30BK Acoustic Bass w/Bag*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton B-30BK Acoustic Bass Series*Acoustic...

⭐ 4.7/5 (31 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 537142
$193
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton Kahuna CLU-Bass Ukulele - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Harley Benton Kahuna CLU-Bass Ukulele

by Harley Benton
Jazz Singer-Songwriter Unplugged
Key Feature:
• Perfect for intimate venues
✓ PROS
  • • Natural acoustic resonance
  • • Authentic unplugged sound
✗ CONS
  • • May need pickup for recording
  • • Weather sensitive wood

Harley Benton Kahuna CLU-Bass UkuleleBass Ukulele with PickupTraveller sizeTop: SpruceBody: MahoganyNeck:...

⭐ 5.0/5 (50 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 319677
$153
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton HBO-850 Bass Natural - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Harley Benton HBO-850 Bass Natural

by Harley Benton
Singer-Songwriter Folk Jazz
Key Feature:
• Perfect for intimate venues
✓ PROS
  • • Rich, warm tone
  • • Natural acoustic resonance
✗ CONS
  • • May need pickup for recording
  • • Weather sensitive wood

Harley Benton HBO-850 Bass NaturalAcoustic BassDesign: Roundback with cutawayTop: SpruceBody: ABS Super Shallow...

⭐ 4.9/5 (22 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 410265
$153
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton B-30BK Acoustic Bass Series - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Harley Benton B-30BK Acoustic Bass Series

by Harley Benton
World Music Acoustic Sessions Singer-Songwriter
Key Feature:
• Perfect for intimate venues
✓ PROS
  • • Rich, warm tone
  • • Natural acoustic resonance
✗ CONS
  • • May need pickup for recording
  • • Limited volume for large venues

Harley Benton B-30BK Acoustic Bass SeriesAcoustic BassStyle: Super Jumbo with cutawayTop: SpruceBody: Sapele /...

⭐ 4.9/5 (16 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 165299
$164
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton HBO-850 Bass Natural w/Bag - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Harley Benton HBO-850 Bass Natural w/Bag

by Harley Benton
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
Art. 538112
$182
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton HBO-850 Bass Black - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Harley Benton HBO-850 Bass Black

by Harley Benton
World Music Unplugged Acoustic Sessions
Key Feature:
• Rich, warm tone
✓ PROS
  • • Rich, warm tone
  • • No amplifier needed
✗ CONS
  • • Weather sensitive wood
  • • May need pickup for recording

Harley Benton HBO-850 Bass BlackAcoustic BassDesign: Roundback with cutawayTop: SpruceBody: ABS Super Shallow BowlNeck:...

⭐ 4.9/5 (34 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 410339
$153
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton B-30NT Acoustic Bass Series - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Harley Benton B-30NT Acoustic Bass Series

by Harley Benton
Unplugged Singer-Songwriter Folk
Key Feature:
• Rich, warm tone
✓ PROS
  • • Natural acoustic resonance
  • • No amplifier needed
✗ CONS
  • • Requires good room acoustics
  • • Less versatile than electric

Harley Benton B-30NT Acoustic Bass SeriesAcoustic BassStyle: Super Jumbo with cutawayTop: SpruceBody: MahoganyNeck:...

⭐ 4.9/5 (19 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 165298
$164
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.

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