Best 4-String Basses Under $1,000 2026
Affordable 4-string basses under $1,000 - great value without compromising quality
Last updated: January 7, 2026 • Next update: January 14, 2026
#1
⭐
4.6/5
(17 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Sterling by Music Man Sting Ray Classic 24 TLB
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
#2
⭐
4.6/5
(5 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Solar Guitars AB2.4C Baritone Carbon Black
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
#3
⭐
4.9/5
(37 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Solar Guitars AB2.4Canibalismo
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
#4
⭐
5.0/5
(18 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Sterling by Music Man Sting Ray Classic 24 BSC
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
#5
⭐
4.4/5
(38 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Ibanez SR500E-BAB
by
Ibanez
Experimental Music
Alternative Styles
Custom Features
Key Feature:
• Perfect for most musical styles
✓ PROS
- • Perfect for most musical styles
- • Classic bass foundation
✗ CONS
- • No high C string for extended range
- • Standard tuning limitations
Ibanez SR500E-BABElectric BassBody: Okoume5-Piece bolted neck: Jatoba / WalnutFingerboard: RosewoodAbalone oval...
⭐
4.4/5
(38 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 557346
$804
#6
⭐
4.9/5
(15 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Warwick RB Streamer LX 4 SB HP
by
Warwick
Custom Features
Alternative Styles
Unique Designs
Key Feature:
• Classic bass foundation
✓ PROS
- • Versatile tonal range
- • Classic bass foundation
✗ CONS
- • May need alternate tunings for some styles
- • Limited low-end extension vs 5-string
Warwick RB Streamer LX 4 SB HPElectric BassArched body: CarolinaBolt-on 3-piece neck: Maple with Ekanga veneer...
⭐
4.9/5
(15 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 452159
$989
#7
⭐
4.5/5
(6 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Warwick RB Corvette $$ 4 BR TS
by
Warwick
Distinctive Sound
Specialty Applications
Alternative Styles
Key Feature:
• Perfect for most musical styles
✓ PROS
- • Standard four-string configuration
- • Versatile tonal range
✗ CONS
- • May need alternate tunings for some styles
- • Limited low-end extension vs 5-string
Warwick RB Corvette $$ 4 BR TSElectric BassAsh bodyBolt-on 3-piece laminated maple neck with Ekanga veneer stripsWenge...
⭐
4.5/5
(6 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 442637
$989
#8
⭐
4.5/5
(54 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
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
#9
⭐
4.5/5
(22 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Sterling by Music Man StingRay RAY24CA Olympic White
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
#10
⭐
4.9/5
(56 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
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
#11
⭐
4.7/5
(31 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Yamaha TRBX604FM Dark Red Burst
by
Yamaha
Alternative Styles
Distinctive Sound
Experimental Music
Key Feature:
• Standard four-string configuration
✓ PROS
- • Perfect for most musical styles
- • Versatile tonal range
✗ CONS
- • Standard tuning limitations
- • Limited low-end extension vs 5-string
Yamaha TRBX604FM Dark Red BurstElectric BassBody: AlderTop: flamed maple5-piece neck: Maple/mahoganyFingerboard:...
⭐
4.7/5
(31 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 560232
$835
#12
⭐
4.7/5
(21 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Warwick RB Corvette $$ 4 N TS
by
Warwick
Unique Designs
Alternative Styles
Distinctive Sound
Key Feature:
• Perfect for most musical styles
✓ PROS
- • Perfect for most musical styles
- • Versatile tonal range
✗ CONS
- • Standard tuning limitations
- • Less range than extended scale basses
Warwick RB Corvette $$ 4 N TSElectric BassBody: AshNeck: 3-Piece laminated maple with ekanga veneer stripsNeck...
⭐
4.7/5
(21 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 442657
$989
#13
⭐
4.8/5
(46 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Warwick RB Corvette $$ 4 BK HP
by
Warwick
Distinctive Sound
Custom Features
Unique Designs
Key Feature:
• Standard four-string configuration
✓ PROS
- • Classic bass foundation
- • Versatile tonal range
✗ CONS
- • May need alternate tunings for some styles
- • Limited low-end extension vs 5-string
Warwick RB Corvette $$ 4 BK HPElectric BassAsh bodyScrewed 3-piece maple neck with Ekanga veneer stripsWenge...
⭐
4.8/5
(46 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 442653
$989
#14
⭐
5.0/5
(30 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Warwick RockBass Streamer 4 NBT
by
Warwick
Specialty Applications
Distinctive Sound
Unique Designs
Key Feature:
• Wide variety of pickup configurations
✓ PROS
- • Wide variety of pickup configurations
- • Versatile tonal range
✗ CONS
- • No high C string for extended range
- • Limited low-end extension vs 5-string
Warwick RockBass Streamer 4 NBTElectric BassArched body: CarolinaBolt-on 3-piece neck: Maple with Ekanga veneer...
⭐
5.0/5
(30 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 451973
$879
#15
⭐
4.6/5
(20 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
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
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.
