Best 4-String Acoustic Basses Under $800 2025

Affordable 4-string acoustic basses under $800 - great value without compromising quality

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

Martin Guitar DJR-10E BASS Burst - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

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
Ortega KTSM2-4 Ken Taylor Signature - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

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
Martin Guitar 000CJR-10E BASS - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

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 AEGB25E-TKH - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

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 STRIPEDSU.ACB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

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
Takamine GB30CE-N2 Natural - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

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
Guild Jumbo Junior Bass Westerly - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

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
Ibanez AEGB24FE-MHS Fretless - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Ibanez AEGB24FE-MHS Fretless

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

Ibanez AEGB24FE-MHS FretlessFretless Acoustic Bass with PickupFretlessAE SeriesAEG CutawayBack and sides: SapeleTop:...

4.9/5 (25 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Warwick RB Alien Standard 4 NT - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

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
Ortega KT-WALKER-V3 Ken Taylor Sign. - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

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
Ovation Celebrity Elite CEB44X-7C-G - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

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
Ovation Celebrity Elite CEB44-1N-G - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Ovation Celebrity Elite CEB44-1N-G

Singer-Songwriter Jazz Unplugged
Key Feature:
• No amplifier needed
✓ PROS
  • • Natural acoustic resonance
  • • Perfect for intimate venues
✗ CONS
  • • Limited volume for large venues
  • • May need pickup for recording

Ovation Celebrity Elite CEB44-1N-GAcoustic Bass with PickupCelebrity Elite SeriesTop: Solid spruceMid-Depth Lyrachord...

4.6/5 (28 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Fender Kingman Bass SEB WN - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

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
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

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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