Best 4-String Basses Under $2,000 2026

Affordable 4-string basses under $2,000 - great value without compromising quality

Last updated: January 7, 2026 • Next update: January 14, 2026

Sterling by Music Man StingRay RAY34HH Spalted BOB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Sterling by Music Man StingRay RAY34HH Spalted BOB

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

Sterling by Music Man StingRay RAY34HH Spalted BOBElectric BassBody: NyatohTop: Spalted mapleBolt-on neck: Roasted...

4.6/5 (36 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Sterling by Music Man StingRay RAY34 Dorado Green - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Sterling by Music Man StingRay RAY34 Dorado Green

Custom Features Unique Designs Specialty Applications
Key Feature:
• Wide variety of pickup configurations
✓ PROS
  • • Wide variety of pickup configurations
  • • Perfect for most musical styles
✗ CONS
  • • Less range than extended scale basses
  • • No high C string for extended range

Sterling by Music Man StingRay RAY34 Dorado GreenElectric BassBody: NyatohBolt-on neck: Roasted maplefingerboard:...

4.8/5 (18 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Human Base BaseX.oc4 OPNT - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Human Base BaseX.oc4 OPNT

Specialty Applications Alternative Styles Experimental Music
Key Feature:
• Classic bass foundation
✓ PROS
  • • Classic bass foundation
  • • Versatile tonal range
✗ CONS
  • • No high C string for extended range
  • • May need alternate tunings for some styles

Human Base BaseX.oc4 OPNTElectric BassBody: Swamo AshThree-piece bolt-on neck: MapleDual action truss rodFingerboard:...

4.5/5 (15 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Sterling by Music Man StingRay RAY34HH Charc Frost - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Sterling by Music Man StingRay RAY34HH Charc Frost

Alternative Styles Specialty Applications Custom Features
Key Feature:
• Versatile tonal range
✓ PROS
  • • Standard four-string configuration
  • • Versatile tonal range
✗ CONS
  • • Less range than extended scale basses
  • • May need alternate tunings for some styles

Sterling by Music Man StingRay RAY34HH Charc FrostElectric BassBody: NyatohBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard:...

4.9/5 (2 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vint MJ4 Morado SGR - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vint MJ4 Morado SGR

Distinctive Sound Custom Features Experimental Music
Key Feature:
• Standard four-string configuration
✓ PROS
  • • Wide variety of pickup configurations
  • • Standard four-string configuration
✗ CONS
  • • May need alternate tunings for some styles
  • • Limited low-end extension vs 5-string

Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vint MJ4 Morado SGRElectric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard:...

4.9/5 (33 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Reverend Decision P Bass Midnight Black - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Reverend Decision P Bass Midnight Black

Alternative Styles Specialty Applications Distinctive Sound
Key Feature:
• Wide variety of pickup configurations
✓ PROS
  • • Standard four-string configuration
  • • Perfect for most musical styles
✗ CONS
  • • Standard tuning limitations
  • • No high C string for extended range

Reverend Decision P Bass Midnight BlackElectric BassBody: KorinaBolt-on 5-piece neck: Roasted maple and...

5.0/5 (38 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vintage MJ4 RM CAO - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vintage MJ4 RM CAO

Experimental Music Custom Features Distinctive Sound
Key Feature:
• Perfect for most musical styles
✓ PROS
  • • Perfect for most musical styles
  • • Versatile tonal range
✗ CONS
  • • Standard tuning limitations
  • • May need alternate tunings for some styles

Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vintage MJ4 RM CAOElectric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard: Roasted...

4.7/5 (51 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Hagstrom Nekromant 4 Black Gloss - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Hagstrom Nekromant 4 Black Gloss

Custom Features Distinctive Sound Experimental Music
Key Feature:
• Perfect for most musical styles
✓ PROS
  • • Versatile tonal range
  • • Classic bass foundation
✗ CONS
  • • Limited low-end extension vs 5-string
  • • Less range than extended scale basses

Hagstrom Nekromant 4 Black GlossElectric BassBody: MahoganySet-in neck: MahoganyFingerboard: ResinatorPearloid Hagstrom...

4.6/5 (7 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Sadowsky MetroExp24 Modern 4 Morado BK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Sadowsky MetroExp24 Modern 4 Morado BK

Alternative Styles Distinctive Sound Specialty Applications
Key Feature:
• Perfect for most musical styles
✓ PROS
  • • Classic bass foundation
  • • Wide variety of pickup configurations
✗ CONS
  • • May need alternate tunings for some styles
  • • Less range than extended scale basses

Sadowsky MetroExp24 Modern 4 Morado BKElectric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard:...

4.7/5 (18 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vint M4 Morado CH - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vint M4 Morado CH

Distinctive Sound Experimental Music Specialty Applications
Key Feature:
• Versatile tonal range
✓ PROS
  • • Classic bass foundation
  • • Perfect for most musical styles
✗ CONS
  • • Limited low-end extension vs 5-string
  • • Standard tuning limitations

Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vint M4 Morado WHElectric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard: MoradoFingerboard...

4.6/5 (13 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Sterling by Music Man Sting Ray RAY34BKR2 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Sterling by Music Man Sting Ray RAY34BKR2

Specialty Applications Custom Features Experimental Music
Key Feature:
• Wide variety of pickup configurations
✓ PROS
  • • Standard four-string configuration
  • • Versatile tonal range
✗ CONS
  • • May need alternate tunings for some styles
  • • Standard tuning limitations

Sterling by Music Man Sting Ray RAY34BKR2Electric BassBody: MahoganyNeck: roasted mapleFingerboard: Rosewood21 Medium...

4.4/5 (22 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Sandberg California Central 4 Black PF - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Sandberg California Central 4 Black PF

Custom Features Unique Designs Experimental Music
Key Feature:
• Classic bass foundation
✓ PROS
  • • Standard four-string configuration
  • • Perfect for most musical styles
✗ CONS
  • • Less range than extended scale basses
  • • No high C string for extended range

Sandberg California Central 4 Black PFElectric BassBody: AshNeck: Bolt-on mapleFingerboard: Pau ferroFingerboard...

4.8/5 (38 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Ibanez EHB1000-AOM - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Ibanez EHB1000-AOM

Unique Designs Custom Features Experimental Music
Key Feature:
• Wide variety of pickup configurations
✓ PROS
  • • Standard four-string configuration
  • • Versatile tonal range
✗ CONS
  • • Less range than extended scale basses
  • • Limited low-end extension vs 5-string

Ibanez EHB1000-AOMElectric BassEHB-SeriesBody: American basswood5-Piece bolt-on neck: Roasted maple /...

4.6/5 (36 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Sadowsky MetroExpress 24-4 M MO CAR - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Sadowsky MetroExpress 24-4 M MO CAR

Experimental Music Unique Designs Alternative Styles
Key Feature:
• Standard four-string configuration
✓ PROS
  • • Standard four-string configuration
  • • Wide variety of pickup configurations
✗ CONS
  • • May need alternate tunings for some styles
  • • Standard tuning limitations

Sadowsky MetroExpress 24-4 M MO CARElectric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard: MoradoFingerboard...

4.7/5 (35 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Sterling by Music Man StingRay RAY34 Spalted 3TSB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Sterling by Music Man StingRay RAY34 Spalted 3TSB

Alternative Styles Distinctive Sound Custom Features
Key Feature:
• Wide variety of pickup configurations
✓ PROS
  • • Wide variety of pickup configurations
  • • Versatile tonal range
✗ CONS
  • • Less range than extended scale basses
  • • May need alternate tunings for some styles

Sterling by Music Man StingRay RAY34 Spalted 3TSBElectric BassBody: NyatohTop: spalted mapleBolt-on neck: roasted...

4.6/5 (38 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10

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.

We use cookies to improve your experience. Learn more