AudioFu

Best 4-String Basses Under $2,000 2025

Affordable 4-string basses under $2,000 - 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 StingRay RAY34HH Charc Frost - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Sterling by Music Man StingRay RAY34HH Charc Frost

by Sterling by Music Man
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
Art. 585249
$1,429
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sterling by Music Man StingRay RAY34 Dorado Green - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Sterling by Music Man StingRay RAY34 Dorado Green

by Sterling by Music Man
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
Art. 585268
$1,176
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sandberg California Central 4 Black MN - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Sandberg California Central 4 Black MN

by Sandberg
Distinctive Sound Alternative Styles Unique Designs
Key Feature:
• Classic bass foundation
✓ PROS
  • • Standard four-string configuration
  • • Classic bass foundation
✗ CONS
  • • Standard tuning limitations
  • • Less range than extended scale basses

Sandberg California Central 4 Black MN4-String Electric BassBody: AshNeck: MapleNeck attachment: Bolt-onFingerboard:...

⭐ 4.8/5 (12 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 540200
$1,869
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sandberg California Central PF CSB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Sandberg California Central PF CSB

by Sandberg
Alternative Styles Experimental Music Distinctive Sound
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
  • • Standard tuning limitations

Sandberg California Central PF CSBElectric BassBody: European ashNeck: MapleFingerboard: Pao FerroWhite dot fretboard...

⭐ 4.6/5 (51 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 563078
$1,869
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vintage M4 RM OWH - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vintage M4 RM OWH

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

Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vintage M4 RM OWHElectric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard: Roasted...

⭐ 4.6/5 (39 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 597445
$1,165
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vintage M4 RM OBL - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vintage M4 RM OBL

by Sadowsky
Alternative Styles Experimental Music Specialty Applications
Key Feature:
• Versatile tonal range
✓ PROS
  • • Standard four-string configuration
  • • Perfect for most musical styles
✗ CONS
  • • Less range than extended scale basses
  • • No high C string for extended range

Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vintage M4 RM OBLElectric GuitarBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard: Roasted...

⭐ 4.5/5 (32 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 597916
$1,165
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sandberg California Central 4 Black PF - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Sandberg California Central 4 Black PF

by Sandberg
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
Art. 540204
$1,869
Buy at Thomann View Details
Lakland Skyline Hollowbody-30 4 TSG - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Lakland Skyline Hollowbody-30 4 TSG

by Lakland
Distinctive Sound Alternative Styles Experimental Music
Key Feature:
• Wide variety of pickup configurations
✓ PROS
  • • Classic bass foundation
  • • Versatile tonal range
✗ CONS
  • • Standard tuning limitations
  • • Limited low-end extension vs 5-string

Lakland Skyline Hollowbody-30 4 TSGElectric BassDesign: HollowbodyBody: AshBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: Pau...

⭐ 4.9/5 (46 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 617885
$1,782
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sadowsky MetroExp24 Modern 4 Morado BK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Sadowsky MetroExp24 Modern 4 Morado BK

by Sadowsky
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
Art. 599325
$1,209
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sadowsky MetroExp24 Modern 4 RM SIL - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Sadowsky MetroExp24 Modern 4 RM SIL

by Sadowsky
Experimental Music Specialty Applications Unique Designs
Key Feature:
• Perfect for most musical styles
✓ PROS
  • • Standard four-string configuration
  • • Versatile tonal range
✗ CONS
  • • No high C string for extended range
  • • Limited low-end extension vs 5-string

Sadowsky MetroExp24 Modern 4 RM SILElectric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard: Roasted...

⭐ 4.8/5 (28 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 599519
$1,176
Buy at Thomann View Details
Warwick RB Fortress 4 BRTS - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Warwick RB Fortress 4 BRTS

by Warwick
Specialty Applications Custom Features Alternative Styles
Key Feature:
• Classic bass foundation
✓ PROS
  • • Perfect for most musical styles
  • • Wide variety of pickup configurations
✗ CONS
  • • Less range than extended scale basses
  • • Standard tuning limitations

Warwick RB Fortress 4 BRTSElectric bassBody: AshBolted3-piece neck: Maple with Ekanga veneer stripsFretboard: Wenge24...

⭐ 4.7/5 (47 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 450544
$1,099
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vint MJ4 Morado TSB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vint MJ4 Morado TSB

by Sadowsky
Specialty Applications Distinctive Sound Custom Features
Key Feature:
• Perfect for most musical styles
✓ PROS
  • • Versatile tonal range
  • • Standard four-string configuration
✗ CONS
  • • Limited low-end extension vs 5-string
  • • May need alternate tunings for some styles

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

⭐ 4.9/5 (42 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 597133
$1,242
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vint M4 Morado SI - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vint M4 Morado SI

by Sadowsky
Custom Features Unique Designs Alternative Styles
Key Feature:
• Wide variety of pickup configurations
✓ PROS
  • • Standard four-string configuration
  • • Wide variety of pickup configurations
✗ CONS
  • • No high C string for extended range
  • • Standard tuning limitations

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

⭐ 4.6/5 (47 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 597970
$1,198
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vintage M4 RM SI - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vintage M4 RM SI

by Sadowsky
Distinctive Sound Unique Designs Custom Features
Key Feature:
• Wide variety of pickup configurations
✓ PROS
  • • Wide variety of pickup configurations
  • • Standard four-string configuration
✗ CONS
  • • Standard tuning limitations
  • • No high C string for extended range

Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vintage M4 RM SIElectric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard: Roasted...

⭐ 4.8/5 (46 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 597922
$1,044
Buy at Thomann View Details
Warwick RB Corvette B 4 NBT Satin - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Warwick RB Corvette B 4 NBT Satin

by Warwick
Specialty Applications Distinctive Sound Alternative Styles
Key Feature:
• Perfect for most musical styles
✓ PROS
  • • Wide variety of pickup configurations
  • • Versatile tonal range
✗ CONS
  • • May need alternate tunings for some styles
  • • No high C string for extended range

Warwick RB Corvette B 4 NBT SatinElectric BassAlder bodyBolt-on 3-piece laminated maple neck with Ekanga veneer...

⭐ 5.0/5 (48 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 442709
$1,044
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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