Best 4-String Basses Under $300 2026

Affordable 4-string basses under $300 - great value without compromising quality

Last updated: January 14, 2026 • Next update: January 21, 2026

Harley Benton MB-4 SBK Deluxe Series Set 1 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Harley Benton MB-4 SBK Deluxe Series Set 1

Distinctive Sound Specialty Applications Experimental Music
Key Feature:
• Standard four-string configuration
✓ PROS
  • • Perfect for most musical styles
  • • Classic bass foundation
✗ CONS
  • • Less range than extended scale basses
  • • May need alternate tunings for some styles

Harley Benton MB-4 SBK Deluxe Series Set 1*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton MB-4 SBK Deluxe Series*Electric...

5.0/5 (47 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Harley Benton RB-414BK Classic Series - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Harley Benton RB-414BK Classic Series

Alternative Styles Specialty Applications Unique Designs
Key Feature:
• Versatile tonal range
✓ PROS
  • • Versatile tonal range
  • • Classic bass foundation
✗ CONS
  • • Less range than extended scale basses
  • • May need alternate tunings for some styles

Harley Benton RB-414BK Classic SeriesElectric BassClassic SeriesBody: OkoumeSet-in neck: OkoumeFingerboard: AmaranthDot...

4.5/5 (26 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Harley Benton MV-4MSB Black - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Harley Benton MV-4MSB Black

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

Harley Benton MV-4MSB BlackElectric BassDeluxe SeriesBody: AlderBolt-on neck: caramelised Canadian hard rock maple with...

4.9/5 (30 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Harley Benton TB-70 SBK Deluxe Series - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Harley Benton TB-70 SBK Deluxe Series

Distinctive Sound Unique Designs Experimental Music
Key Feature:
• Classic bass foundation
✓ PROS
  • • Versatile tonal range
  • • Standard four-string configuration
✗ CONS
  • • Standard tuning limitations
  • • May need alternate tunings for some styles

Harley Benton TB-70 SBK Deluxe SeriesElectric BassOkoume bodyGlued-in neck: MapleRoseacer fingerboardDot fingerboard...

4.6/5 (38 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Harley Benton Beatbass VS Vintage Series - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Harley Benton Beatbass VS Vintage Series

Distinctive Sound Unique Designs Experimental Music
Key Feature:
• Perfect for most musical styles
✓ PROS
  • • Standard four-string configuration
  • • Versatile tonal range
✗ CONS
  • • Less range than extended scale basses
  • • May need alternate tunings for some styles

Harley Benton Beatbass VS Vintage SeriesElectric BassDesign: HollowbodyArched body: BasswoodTop: Flamed...

5.0/5 (25 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Harley Benton MM-84A SB Deluxe Series - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Harley Benton MM-84A SB Deluxe Series

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

Harley Benton MM-84A SB Deluxe SeriesElectric BassDeluxe SeriesBody: PoplarTop: Flamed mapleBolt-on neck: Canadian...

4.7/5 (34 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Harley Benton MM-84A SB Deluxe Series Bundle - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Harley Benton MM-84A SB Deluxe Series Bundle

Specialty Applications Alternative Styles Unique Designs
Key Feature:
• Classic bass foundation
✓ PROS
  • • Perfect for most musical styles
  • • Classic bass foundation
✗ CONS
  • • Standard tuning limitations
  • • Less range than extended scale basses

Harley Benton MM-84A SB Deluxe Series Bundle*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton MM-84A SB Deluxe Series*Electric...

4.4/5 (14 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Harley Benton MM-84A SB Deluxe Series w/Bag - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Harley Benton MM-84A SB Deluxe Series w/Bag

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

Harley Benton MM-84A SB Deluxe Series w/Bag*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton MM-84A SB Deluxe Series*Electric...

4.5/5 (26 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Harley Benton MV-4MSB Seafoam Green - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Harley Benton MV-4MSB Seafoam Green

Specialty Applications Experimental Music Unique Designs
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
  • • No high C string for extended range

Harley Benton MV-4MSB Seafoam GreenElectric BassDeluxe SeriesBody: AlderBolt-on neck: caramelised Canadian hard rock...

4.5/5 (52 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Jackson JS2 Concert Bass Snow White - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Jackson JS2 Concert Bass Snow White

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

Jackson JS2 Concert Bass Snow WhiteElectric BassPoplar bodyOne-piece bolt-on maple neckgraphite reinforced with scarf...

4.5/5 (4 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Yamaha TRBX 174 RM - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Yamaha TRBX 174 RM

Specialty Applications Experimental Music Custom Features
Key Feature:
• Wide variety of pickup configurations
✓ PROS
  • • Wide variety of pickup configurations
  • • Classic bass foundation
✗ CONS
  • • Less range than extended scale basses
  • • May need alternate tunings for some styles

Yamaha TRBX 174 RME-BassMahogany bodyBolted maple neckRosewood fretboard (Dalbergia latifolia)Scale: 864 mm scale (Long...

4.9/5 (16 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Harley Benton RB-414CS Classic Series - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Harley Benton RB-414CS Classic Series

Unique Designs Experimental Music Distinctive Sound
Key Feature:
• Classic bass foundation
✓ PROS
  • • Classic bass foundation
  • • Wide variety of pickup configurations
✗ CONS
  • • Standard tuning limitations
  • • May need alternate tunings for some styles

Harley Benton RB-414CS Classic SeriesElectric BassClassic seriesBody: OkoumeGlued-in neck: OkoumeFingerboard:...

4.5/5 (21 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Harley Benton TB-70 SBK Deluxe Series w/Bag - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Harley Benton TB-70 SBK Deluxe Series w/Bag

Custom Features Distinctive Sound Alternative Styles
Key Feature:
• Perfect for most musical styles
✓ PROS
  • • Perfect for most musical styles
  • • Classic bass foundation
✗ CONS
  • • Standard tuning limitations
  • • May need alternate tunings for some styles

Harley Benton TB-70 SBK Deluxe Series w/Bag*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton TB-70 SBK Deluxe Series*Electric...

5.0/5 (21 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Yamaha TRBX 174 OVS - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Yamaha TRBX 174 OVS

Custom Features Alternative Styles Specialty Applications
Key Feature:
• Wide variety of pickup configurations
✓ PROS
  • • Standard four-string configuration
  • • Classic bass foundation
✗ CONS
  • • Less range than extended scale basses
  • • Limited low-end extension vs 5-string

Yamaha TRBX 174 OVSElectric Bass4-StringBody: MahoganyNeck: Maplebolt-onFretboard: (Dalbergia latifolia)Scale: 864 mm...

4.7/5 (56 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Ibanez GSR180-BK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Ibanez GSR180-BK

Unique Designs Experimental Music Alternative Styles
Key Feature:
• Classic bass foundation
✓ PROS
  • • Wide variety of pickup configurations
  • • Versatile tonal range
✗ CONS
  • • Less range than extended scale basses
  • • Standard tuning limitations

Ibanez GSR180-BKElectric BassBody: PoplarNeck: MapleFretboard: PurpleheartNeck profile: GSR4Frets: MediumBridge: B10...

4.7/5 (30 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
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.

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