AudioFu

Best 4-String Basses Under $1,000 2025

Affordable 4-string basses under $1,000 - great value without compromising quality

Last updated: October 22, 2025 • Next update: October 29, 2025

PRICE RANGES: Under $200 Under $300 Under $500 Under $800 Under $1,000 Under $2,000 Under $5,000
SKILL LEVELS: For Beginner For Intermediate For Professional For Advanced
GENRES & STYLES: For Unique Designs For Specialty Applications For Experimental Music For Custom Features For Alternative Styles For Distinctive Sound
BRANDS: Sadowsky Ibanez Harley Benton Warwick Music Man Sterling by Music Man Yamaha Sandberg Marcus Miller Höfner Epiphone Jackson Spector Rickenbacker Lakland Cort Danelectro Fodera
Sterling by Music Man Sting Ray Classic 24 BSC - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Sterling by Music Man Sting Ray Classic 24 BSC

by Sterling by Music Man
Custom Features Specialty Applications Experimental Music
Key Feature:
• Classic bass foundation
✓ PROS
  • • Wide variety of pickup configurations
  • • Perfect for most musical styles
✗ CONS
  • • May need alternate tunings for some styles
  • • Limited low-end extension vs 5-string

Sterling by Music Man Sting Ray Classic 24 BSCElectric BassBody: MahoganyNeck: MapleFretboard: Maple21 FretsScale:...

⭐ 5.0/5 (18 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 435305
$824
Buy at Thomann View Details
Solar Guitars AB2.4Canibalismo - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Solar Guitars AB2.4Canibalismo

by Solar Guitars
Distinctive Sound Custom Features Specialty Applications
Key Feature:
• Wide variety of pickup configurations
✓ PROS
  • • Perfect for most musical styles
  • • Wide variety of pickup configurations
✗ CONS
  • • Less range than extended scale basses
  • • May need alternate tunings for some styles

Solar Guitars AB2.4 CanibalismoElectric BassBody: SungkaiBolt-on 5-piece neck: Maple / JatobaFingerboard: Ebony...

⭐ 4.9/5 (37 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 532081
$934
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sterling by Music Man StingRay RAY24CA Olympic White - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Sterling by Music Man StingRay RAY24CA Olympic White

by Sterling by Music Man
Experimental Music Specialty Applications Alternative Styles
Key Feature:
• Wide variety of pickup configurations
✓ PROS
  • • Wide variety of pickup configurations
  • • Versatile tonal range
✗ CONS
  • • Standard tuning limitations
  • • May need alternate tunings for some styles

Sterling by Music Man StingRay RAY24CA Olympic WhiteElectric BassBody: NyatohBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard:...

⭐ 4.5/5 (22 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 585272
$846
Buy at Thomann View Details
Epiphone Thunderbird '64 Bass IG - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Epiphone Thunderbird '64 Bass IG

by Epiphone
Distinctive Sound Specialty Applications Custom Features
Key Feature:
• Classic bass foundation
✓ PROS
  • • Classic bass foundation
  • • Perfect for most musical styles
✗ CONS
  • • No high C string for extended range
  • • Standard tuning limitations

Epiphone Thunderbird '64 Bass IGElectric BassOriginal nine-ply mahogany / walnut body and neck...

⭐ 4.9/5 (26 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 569623
$901
Buy at Thomann View Details
Epiphone Thunderbird '64 Bass ER - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Epiphone Thunderbird '64 Bass ER

by Epiphone
Distinctive Sound Alternative Styles Unique Designs
Key Feature:
• Perfect for most musical styles
✓ PROS
  • • Versatile tonal range
  • • Perfect for most musical styles
✗ CONS
  • • Limited low-end extension vs 5-string
  • • Less range than extended scale basses

Epiphone Thunderbird '64 Bass ERElectric BassOriginal nine-ply mahogany / walnut body and neck...

⭐ 4.5/5 (54 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 569615
$868
Buy at Thomann View Details
Ibanez SR600E-AST - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Ibanez SR600E-AST

by Ibanez
Unique Designs Custom Features Alternative Styles
Key Feature:
• Versatile tonal range
✓ PROS
  • • Classic bass foundation
  • • Wide variety of pickup configurations
✗ CONS
  • • Standard tuning limitations
  • • Limited low-end extension vs 5-string

Ibanez SR600E-ASTElectric BassBody: Ash5-Piece neck: Jatoba / WalnutFretboard: Rosewood24 Medium fretsFretboard inlays:...

⭐ 4.4/5 (21 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 510165
$903
Buy at Thomann View Details
Cort A4 Plus FMMH OPBB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Cort A4 Plus FMMH OPBB

by Cort
Specialty Applications Unique Designs Distinctive Sound
Key Feature:
• Standard four-string configuration
✓ PROS
  • • Classic bass foundation
  • • Standard four-string configuration
✗ CONS
  • • Limited low-end extension vs 5-string
  • • Standard tuning limitations

Cort A4 Plus FMMH OPBBElectric BassBody: MahagonyTop: Flamed maple5-Piece neck-through-body: Maple/ WalnutFingerboard:...

⭐ 4.8/5 (27 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 574514
$802
Buy at Thomann View Details
Warwick RB Corvette $$ 4 SW HP - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Warwick RB Corvette $$ 4 SW HP

by Warwick
Alternative Styles Unique Designs Custom Features
Key Feature:
• Versatile tonal range
✓ PROS
  • • Wide variety of pickup configurations
  • • Classic bass foundation
✗ CONS
  • • May need alternate tunings for some styles
  • • Less range than extended scale basses

Warwick RB Corvette $$ 4 SW HPElectric BassBody: AshNeck: 3-Piece maple with ekanga veneer stripsNeck attachment:...

⭐ 4.6/5 (16 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 442654
$989
Buy at Thomann View Details
Warwick RB Corvette $$ 4 BK TS - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Warwick RB Corvette $$ 4 BK TS

by Warwick
Unique Designs Alternative Styles Specialty Applications
Key Feature:
• Classic bass foundation
✓ PROS
  • • Perfect for most musical styles
  • • Versatile tonal range
✗ CONS
  • • Limited low-end extension vs 5-string
  • • No high C string for extended range

Warwick RB Corvette $$ 4 BK TSElectric BassBody: AshScrewed 3-stripe maple neck with Ekanga veneer stripesWenge...

⭐ 4.6/5 (20 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 442644
$989
Buy at Thomann View Details
Solar Guitars AB2.4C Baritone Carbon Black - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Solar Guitars AB2.4C Baritone Carbon Black

by Solar Guitars
Custom Features Distinctive Sound Experimental Music
Key Feature:
• Versatile tonal range
✓ PROS
  • • Wide variety of pickup configurations
  • • Classic bass foundation
✗ CONS
  • • May need alternate tunings for some styles
  • • Limited low-end extension vs 5-string

Solar Guitars AB2.4C Baritone Carbon BlackElectric BassBody: AlderBolt-on 5-piece neck: Maple / jatobaFretboard:...

⭐ 4.6/5 (5 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 532117
$934
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sterling by Music Man Sting Ray Classic 24 TLB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Sterling by Music Man Sting Ray Classic 24 TLB

by Sterling by Music Man
Custom Features Alternative Styles Experimental Music
Key Feature:
• Standard four-string configuration
✓ PROS
  • • Versatile tonal range
  • • Perfect for most musical styles
✗ CONS
  • • Less range than extended scale basses
  • • Standard tuning limitations

Sterling by Music Man Sting Ray 34 QM NBL4-String Electric BassMahogany bodyMaple neckRosewood fretboard (Dalbergia...

⭐ 4.6/5 (17 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 459394
$824
Buy at Thomann View Details
Cort GB Modern 4 Charcoal Grey - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Cort GB Modern 4 Charcoal Grey

by Cort
Unique Designs Specialty Applications Custom Features
Key Feature:
• Versatile tonal range
✓ PROS
  • • Perfect for most musical styles
  • • Wide variety of pickup configurations
✗ CONS
  • • May need alternate tunings for some styles
  • • Limited low-end extension vs 5-string

Cort GB Modern 4 Charcoal GreyElectric BassBody: Maple core with paulownia wingTop: Poplar burl with walnut...

⭐ 4.4/5 (4 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 541895
$989
Buy at Thomann View Details
Warwick RockBass Streamer 4 OBT - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Warwick RockBass Streamer 4 OBT

by Warwick
Specialty Applications Unique Designs Custom Features
Key Feature:
• Classic bass foundation
✓ PROS
  • • Wide variety of pickup configurations
  • • Perfect for most musical styles
✗ CONS
  • • No high C string for extended range
  • • May need alternate tunings for some styles

Warwick RockBass Streamer 4 OBTE-BassDomed body: CarolinaScrewed 3-strip neck: Maple with Ekanga veneer...

⭐ 4.6/5 (2 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 451979
$868
Buy at Thomann View Details
Danelectro FiftyNiner Shortscale Jade - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Danelectro FiftyNiner Shortscale Jade

by Danelectro
Experimental Music Specialty Applications Alternative Styles
Key Feature:
• Wide variety of pickup configurations
✓ PROS
  • • Perfect for most musical styles
  • • Wide variety of pickup configurations
✗ CONS
  • • May need alternate tunings for some styles
  • • Limited low-end extension vs 5-string

Danelectro FiftyNiner Shortscale JadeElectric BassStyle: Semi-hollow with double cutawaySides and centre block:...

⭐ 4.6/5 (28 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 598266
$824
Buy at Thomann View Details
Ibanez SR500E-BM - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Ibanez SR500E-BM

by Ibanez
Alternative Styles Distinctive Sound Unique Designs
Key Feature:
• Wide variety of pickup configurations
✓ PROS
  • • Perfect for most musical styles
  • • Standard four-string configuration
✗ CONS
  • • No high C string for extended range
  • • Less range than extended scale basses

Ibanez SR500E-BMElectric BassBody: Okoume5-Piece neck: Jatoba / WalnutFingerboard: JatobaOval abalone fingerboard...

⭐ 4.9/5 (56 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 457229
$824
Buy at Thomann View Details

How to Choose the Best 4-String 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 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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