Best 4-String Basses Under $500 2026
Affordable 4-string basses under $500 - great value without compromising quality
Last updated: January 14, 2026 • Next update: January 21, 2026
#1
⭐
4.6/5
(5 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Sterling by Music Man StingRay2 Black
Distinctive Sound
Alternative Styles
Specialty Applications
Key Feature:
• Perfect for most musical styles
✓ PROS
- • Versatile tonal range
- • Classic bass foundation
✗ CONS
- • Standard tuning limitations
- • No high C string for extended range
Sterling by Music Man StingRay2 BlackElectric BassIntro SeriesBody: PoplarBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: MapleBlack...
⭐
4.6/5
(5 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 612689
$428
#2
⭐
4.5/5
(39 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Sterling by Music Man StingRay2 Electric Blue
Alternative Styles
Unique Designs
Distinctive Sound
Key Feature:
• Wide variety of pickup configurations
✓ PROS
- • Versatile tonal range
- • Perfect for most musical styles
✗ CONS
- • No high C string for extended range
- • Less range than extended scale basses
Sterling by Music Man StingRay2 Electric BlueElectric BassBody: PoplarBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: MapleDual action...
⭐
4.5/5
(39 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 612710
$428
#3
⭐
4.7/5
(6 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Sterling by Music Man S.U.B. Sting Ray 4 VC
Specialty Applications
Alternative Styles
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
- • Standard tuning limitations
Sterling by Music Man S.U.B. Sting Ray 4 VCElectric BassBody: BasswoodNeck: MapleFretboard: Jatoba21 FretsNut width: 38...
⭐
4.7/5
(6 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 435005
$437
#4
⭐
4.7/5
(39 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Marcus Miller Z3-4 Antique White
Distinctive Sound
Unique Designs
Custom Features
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
- • Less range than extended scale basses
Marcus Miller Z3-4 Antique WhiteElectric BassZ SeriesBody: MahoganyBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: MapleBlack dot...
⭐
4.7/5
(39 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 584165
$494
#5
⭐
4.8/5
(51 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Marcus Miller Z3-4 Silver Sparkle
Alternative Styles
Experimental Music
Distinctive Sound
Key Feature:
• Versatile tonal range
✓ PROS
- • Versatile tonal range
- • Wide variety of pickup configurations
✗ CONS
- • May need alternate tunings for some styles
- • No high C string for extended range
Marcus Miller Z3-4 Silver SparkleElectric BassBody: MahoganyBolt-on neck: MapleEdgeless fingerboard: RosewoodBlack dot...
⭐
4.8/5
(51 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 610509
$494
#6
⭐
4.5/5
(15 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Ibanez SR300E-DOT
by
Ibanez
Experimental Music
Distinctive Sound
Unique Designs
Key Feature:
• Classic bass foundation
✓ PROS
- • Standard four-string configuration
- • Wide variety of pickup configurations
✗ CONS
- • Less range than extended scale basses
- • No high C string for extended range
Ibanez SR300E-DOTElectric BassBody: NyatohBolt-on 5-Piece neck: Maple/WalnutFingerboard: JatobaWhite dot fingerboard...
⭐
4.5/5
(15 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 606649
$406
#7
⭐
4.8/5
(33 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Ibanez SR300EDX-CZM
by
Ibanez
Alternative Styles
Custom Features
Distinctive Sound
Key Feature:
• Perfect for most musical styles
✓ PROS
- • Perfect for most musical styles
- • Classic bass foundation
✗ CONS
- • Less range than extended scale basses
- • No high C string for extended range
Ibanez SR300EDX-CZMElectric BassSR SeriesBody: Nyatoh5-Piece bolt-on neck: Maple / WalnutFingerboard: JatobaFingerboard...
⭐
4.8/5
(33 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 581838
$494
#8
⭐
4.8/5
(26 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Epiphone Embassy Bass Sparkling Burgund
by
Epiphone
Distinctive Sound
Specialty Applications
Unique Designs
Key Feature:
• Classic bass foundation
✓ PROS
- • Perfect for most musical styles
- • Classic bass foundation
✗ CONS
- • Less range than extended scale basses
- • May need alternate tunings for some styles
Epiphone Embassy Bass Sparkling BurgundElectric BassBody: MahoganyNeck: MahoganyMedium C ProdilIndian Laurel...
⭐
4.8/5
(26 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 502739
$461
#9
⭐
4.6/5
(38 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Jackson JS3Q Kelly Bird TRB AH
by
Jackson
Alternative Styles
Specialty Applications
Distinctive Sound
Key Feature:
• Wide variety of pickup configurations
✓ PROS
- • Versatile tonal range
- • Wide variety of pickup configurations
✗ CONS
- • Limited low-end extension vs 5-string
- • Less range than extended scale basses
Jackson JS3Q Kelly Bird TRBElectric BassJS seriesBody: PoplarTop: MapleBolt-on neck: Maple with graphite reinforcement...
⭐
4.6/5
(38 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 406327
$461
#10
⭐
4.7/5
(47 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Epiphone EB-3 EB
by
Epiphone
Specialty Applications
Alternative Styles
Unique Designs
Key Feature:
• Versatile tonal range
✓ 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
Epiphone EB-3 EBElectric BassSG StyleBody: MahoganySet-in mahogany neckRosewood fretboardTrapezoid inlaysPickups: 1...
⭐
4.7/5
(47 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 112625
$458
#11
⭐
4.6/5
(30 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Sterling by Music Man StingRay2 Misty Green
Specialty Applications
Alternative Styles
Experimental Music
Key Feature:
• Versatile tonal range
✓ PROS
- • Classic bass foundation
- • Wide variety of pickup configurations
✗ CONS
- • No high C string for extended range
- • Standard tuning limitations
Sterling by Music Man StingRay2 Misty GreenElectric BassBody: PoplarBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: MapleDual action...
⭐
4.6/5
(30 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 612713
$428
#12
⭐
4.7/5
(10 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Höfner Club Bass Ignition SE Black
by
Höfner
Distinctive Sound
Custom Features
Specialty Applications
Key Feature:
• Standard four-string configuration
✓ PROS
- • Wide variety of pickup configurations
- • Classic bass foundation
✗ CONS
- • Limited low-end extension vs 5-string
- • No high C string for extended range
Höfner Club Bass Ignition SE BlackElectric BassStyle: Semi-Hollow with cutawayTop: SpruceBody: MapleNeck:...
⭐
4.7/5
(10 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 608561
$417
#13
⭐
5.0/5
(13 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Harley Benton MV-4MSB Daphne Blue w/Case
Custom Features
Specialty Applications
Experimental Music
Key Feature:
• Classic bass foundation
✓ PROS
- • Versatile tonal range
- • Perfect for most musical styles
✗ CONS
- • Less range than extended scale basses
- • Standard tuning limitations
Harley Benton MV-4MSB Daphne Blue w/Case*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton MV-4MSB Daphne Blue*Electric...
⭐
5.0/5
(13 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 597627
$303
#14
⭐
4.9/5
(55 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Höfner Club Bass Ignition SE S w/Bag
by
Höfner
Distinctive Sound
Custom Features
Specialty Applications
Key Feature:
• Standard four-string configuration
✓ PROS
- • Classic bass foundation
- • Versatile tonal range
✗ CONS
- • May need alternate tunings for some styles
- • No high C string for extended range
Höfner Club Bass Ignition SE S w/Bag*Bundle offer comprising*, Höfner Club Bass Ignition SE Sunburst*Electric...
⭐
4.9/5
(55 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 611736
$472
#15
⭐
4.6/5
(12 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Ibanez SR300E-SVM
by
Ibanez
Alternative Styles
Specialty Applications
Custom Features
Key Feature:
• Wide variety of pickup configurations
✓ PROS
- • Perfect for most musical styles
- • Versatile tonal range
✗ CONS
- • Standard tuning limitations
- • May need alternate tunings for some styles
Ibanez SR300E-SVMElectric BassBody: Nyatoh5-Piece neck: Maple / walnutFretboard: JatobaWhite fingerboard inlaysScale...
⭐
4.6/5
(12 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 509714
$406
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.
