Best 4-String Basses Under $2,000 2026
Affordable 4-string basses under $2,000 - great value without compromising quality
Last updated: January 14, 2026 • Next update: January 21, 2026
#1
⭐
4.9/5
(2 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
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
Art. 585249
$1,429
#2
⭐
4.9/5
(12 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vint MJ4 Morado CAR
by
Sadowsky
Distinctive Sound
Specialty Applications
Custom Features
Key Feature:
• Versatile tonal range
✓ PROS
- • Classic bass foundation
- • Perfect for most musical styles
✗ CONS
- • May need alternate tunings for some styles
- • No high C string for extended range
Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vint MJ4 Morado CARElectric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard:...
⭐
4.9/5
(12 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 597127
$1,242
#3
⭐
4.6/5
(45 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vintage MJ4 RM SGR
by
Sadowsky
Custom Features
Experimental Music
Specialty Applications
Key Feature:
• Classic bass foundation
✓ PROS
- • Wide variety of pickup configurations
- • Standard four-string configuration
✗ CONS
- • Less range than extended scale basses
- • Standard tuning limitations
Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vintage MJ4 RM SGRElectric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard: Roasted...
⭐
4.6/5
(45 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 597179
$1,209
#4
⭐
4.6/5
(7 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Hagstrom Nekromant 4 Black Gloss
by
Hagstrom
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
Art. 600984
$1,176
#5
⭐
5.0/5
(44 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Sadowsky MetroExp24 Modern 4 RM CAR
by
Sadowsky
Distinctive Sound
Unique Designs
Alternative Styles
Key Feature:
• Wide variety of pickup configurations
✓ PROS
- • Classic bass foundation
- • Perfect for most musical styles
✗ CONS
- • Standard tuning limitations
- • May need alternate tunings for some styles
Sadowsky MetroExp24 Modern 4 RM CARElectric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard: Roasted...
⭐
5.0/5
(44 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 599337
$1,176
#6
⭐
4.6/5
(39 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
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
#7
⭐
4.8/5
(12 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
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
#8
⭐
5.0/5
(45 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Lakland Skyline 44-01 Deluxe 4 NAT
by
Lakland
Unique Designs
Custom Features
Distinctive Sound
Key Feature:
• Classic bass foundation
✓ PROS
- • Perfect for most musical styles
- • Wide variety of pickup configurations
✗ CONS
- • May need alternate tunings for some styles
- • Standard tuning limitations
Lakland Skyline 44-01 Deluxe 4 NATElectric BassBody: AshTop: spalted MapleBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: RosewoodCream...
⭐
5.0/5
(45 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 574223
$1,429
#9
⭐
4.5/5
(5 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Sadowsky MetroExp 21 Vint MJ 4 MO OB
by
Sadowsky
Unique Designs
Alternative Styles
Specialty Applications
Key Feature:
• Classic bass foundation
✓ PROS
- • Classic bass foundation
- • Standard four-string configuration
✗ CONS
- • Limited low-end extension vs 5-string
- • Standard tuning limitations
Sadowsky MetroExp 21 Vint MJ 4 MO OBElectric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard: MoradoFingerboard...
⭐
4.5/5
(5 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 597131
$1,242
#10
⭐
4.8/5
(43 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vint MJ 4 RM OWH
by
Sadowsky
Experimental Music
Custom Features
Alternative Styles
Key Feature:
• Standard four-string configuration
✓ PROS
- • Versatile tonal range
- • Perfect for most musical styles
✗ CONS
- • May need alternate tunings for some styles
- • Limited low-end extension vs 5-string
Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vint MJ 4 RM OWHElectric BassBody: OkumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard: Roasted...
⭐
4.8/5
(43 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 597000
$1,209
#11
⭐
4.8/5
(40 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Hagstrom Nekromant 4 White Gloss
by
Hagstrom
Alternative Styles
Specialty Applications
Unique Designs
Key Feature:
• Perfect for most musical styles
✓ PROS
- • Standard four-string configuration
- • Wide variety of pickup configurations
✗ CONS
- • Standard tuning limitations
- • May need alternate tunings for some styles
Hagstrom Nekromant 4 White GlossElectric BassBody: MahoganySet-in neck: MahoganyFingerboard: ResinatorPearloid Hagstrom...
⭐
4.8/5
(40 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 600980
$1,176
#12
⭐
4.9/5
(43 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Sadowsky MetroExp24 Modern 4 RM BK
by
Sadowsky
Distinctive Sound
Unique Designs
Experimental Music
Key Feature:
• Standard four-string configuration
✓ PROS
- • Classic bass foundation
- • Perfect for most musical styles
✗ CONS
- • Standard tuning limitations
- • No high C string for extended range
Sadowsky MetroExp24 Modern 4 RM BKElectric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard: Roasted...
⭐
4.9/5
(43 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 599320
$1,176
#13
⭐
4.7/5
(35 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Sadowsky MetroExpress 24-4 M MO CAR
by
Sadowsky
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
Art. 598316
$1,099
#14
⭐
4.4/5
(7 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Warwick RB Star Bass 4 SBHP
by
Warwick
Distinctive Sound
Alternative Styles
Specialty Applications
Key Feature:
• Wide variety of pickup configurations
✓ PROS
- • Wide variety of pickup configurations
- • Versatile tonal range
✗ CONS
- • No high C string for extended range
- • May need alternate tunings for some styles
Warwick RB Star Bass 4 SBHPElectric Basssides and bottom: MapleSet-in3-piece neck: Maple with ekanga veneer...
⭐
4.4/5
(7 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 450682
$1,099
#15
⭐
4.7/5
(49 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Reverend Mike Watt Wattplower MkII WY
by
Reverend
Custom Features
Alternative Styles
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
Reverend Mike Watt Wattplower MkII WYElectric BassMike Watt Signature modelBody: KorinaBolt-on 3-piece neck:...
⭐
4.7/5
(49 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 600490
$1,759
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.
