Best 4-String Basses Under $800 2026
Affordable 4-string basses under $800 - great value without compromising quality
Last updated: January 21, 2026 • Next update: January 28, 2026
#1
⭐
4.5/5
(3 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Sterling by Music Man S.U.B. Sting Ray4 Chopper Blue
Experimental Music
Specialty Applications
Unique Designs
Key Feature:
• Perfect for most musical styles
✓ PROS
- • Versatile tonal range
- • Perfect for most musical styles
✗ CONS
- • Limited low-end extension vs 5-string
- • Less range than extended scale basses
Sterling by Music Man S.U.B. Sting Ray4 Chopper BlueElectric BassBody: BasswoodNeck: MapleFingerboard: MapleScale:...
⭐
4.5/5
(3 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 585133
$504
#2
⭐
4.6/5
(4 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Kramer Guitars Disciple D-1 Bass TC Purple
Alternative Styles
Specialty Applications
Custom Features
Key Feature:
• Standard four-string configuration
✓ PROS
- • Standard four-string configuration
- • Versatile tonal range
✗ CONS
- • Standard tuning limitations
- • Less range than extended scale basses
Kramer Guitars Disciple D-1 Bass TC PurpleElectric BassBody: MahoganyAsymmetrical neck: MapleFingerboard: EbonyScale:...
⭐
4.6/5
(4 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 606475
$626
#3
⭐
4.8/5
(48 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Sterling by Music Man S.U.B. Sting Ray4 Pueblo Pink
Custom Features
Distinctive Sound
Alternative Styles
Key Feature:
• Standard four-string configuration
✓ PROS
- • Standard four-string configuration
- • Versatile tonal range
✗ CONS
- • Limited low-end extension vs 5-string
- • Less range than extended scale basses
Sterling by Music Man S.U.B. Sting Ray4 Pueblo PinkElectric BassBody: JabonNeck: Bolt-on mapleFingerboard:...
⭐
4.8/5
(48 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 585137
$505
#4
⭐
5.0/5
(4 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Marcus Miller Z7-4 Burgundy
Experimental Music
Unique Designs
Custom Features
Key Feature:
• Standard four-string configuration
✓ PROS
- • Perfect for most musical styles
- • Classic bass foundation
✗ CONS
- • Limited low-end extension vs 5-string
- • No high C string for extended range
Marcus Miller Z7-4 BurgundyElectric BassNew Z Series with J and humbucker pickups and premium hardwareBody:...
⭐
5.0/5
(4 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 586965
$593
#5
⭐
4.8/5
(27 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Harley Benton BZ-4000 II NT
Alternative Styles
Experimental Music
Unique Designs
Key Feature:
• Versatile tonal range
✓ PROS
- • Classic bass foundation
- • Wide variety of pickup configurations
✗ CONS
- • May need alternate tunings for some styles
- • Standard tuning limitations
Harley Benton BZ-4000 II NTElectric BassDeluxe SeriesBody: Mahogany / Ash / Mahogany / AshTop: AAA flamed maple...
⭐
4.8/5
(27 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 521698
$527
#6
⭐
4.7/5
(27 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Marcus Miller Z7-4 Skyburst Sparkle
Distinctive Sound
Experimental Music
Alternative Styles
Key Feature:
• Classic bass foundation
✓ PROS
- • Wide variety of pickup configurations
- • Perfect for most musical styles
✗ CONS
- • Less range than extended scale basses
- • Limited low-end extension vs 5-string
Marcus Miller Z7-4 Skyburst SparkleElectric BassBody: AlderBolt-on neck: MapleEdgeless fingerboard: MapleBlack dot...
⭐
4.7/5
(27 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 610503
$659
#7
⭐
4.9/5
(23 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Sterling by Music Man S.U.B. Sting Ray 4 BK
Custom Features
Specialty Applications
Distinctive Sound
Key Feature:
• Wide variety of pickup configurations
✓ PROS
- • Perfect for most musical styles
- • Wide variety of pickup configurations
✗ CONS
- • No high C string for extended range
- • Less range than extended scale basses
Sterling by Music Man S.U.B. Sting Ray 4 BKElectric BassBody: BasswoodNeck: MapleFretboard: Maple21 FretsNut width: 38...
⭐
4.9/5
(23 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 434968
$516
#8
⭐
4.7/5
(44 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Sterling by Music Man S.U.B. Sting Ray 4 MG
Alternative Styles
Custom Features
Specialty Applications
Key Feature:
• Versatile tonal range
✓ PROS
- • Versatile tonal range
- • Wide variety of pickup configurations
✗ CONS
- • Less range than extended scale basses
- • Standard tuning limitations
Sterling by Music Man S.U.B. Sting Ray 4 MGElectric BassBody: BasswoodNeck: MapleFretboard: Maple21 FretsNut width: 38...
⭐
4.7/5
(44 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 435000
$516
#9
⭐
5.0/5
(43 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Sterling by Music Man S.U.B Sting Ray4 HH ST BLK
Specialty Applications
Experimental Music
Unique Designs
Key Feature:
• Wide variety of pickup configurations
✓ PROS
- • Standard four-string configuration
- • Wide variety of pickup configurations
✗ CONS
- • Standard tuning limitations
- • Less range than extended scale basses
Sterling by Music Man S.U.B Sting Ray4 HH ST BLKElectric BassBody: JabonNeck: Bolt-on mapleFingerboard:...
⭐
5.0/5
(43 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 585157
$659
#10
⭐
4.8/5
(45 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Jackson X Series Spectra Bass IV CAR
by
Jackson
Alternative Styles
Experimental Music
Distinctive Sound
Key Feature:
• Standard four-string configuration
✓ PROS
- • Standard four-string configuration
- • Versatile tonal range
✗ CONS
- • No high C string for extended range
- • Standard tuning limitations
Jackson X Series Spectra Bass IV CARElectric BassBody: NyatohNeck: MapleFingerboard: LaurelWhite dot fingerboard...
⭐
4.8/5
(45 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 583526
$549
#11
⭐
4.8/5
(4 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Kramer Guitars Disciple Bass Pearl White
Alternative Styles
Distinctive Sound
Unique Designs
Key Feature:
• Standard four-string configuration
✓ PROS
- • Classic bass foundation
- • Versatile tonal range
✗ CONS
- • Standard tuning limitations
- • Limited low-end extension vs 5-string
Kramer Guitars Disciple Bass Pearl WhiteElectric BassBody: MahoganyNeck: MapleFingerboard: EbonyNeck profile:...
⭐
4.8/5
(4 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 253698
$505
#12
⭐
4.6/5
(6 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Marcus Miller Z7-4 Natural Swamp Ash
Specialty Applications
Experimental Music
Alternative Styles
Key Feature:
• Classic bass foundation
✓ PROS
- • Perfect for most musical styles
- • Wide variety of pickup configurations
✗ CONS
- • Standard tuning limitations
- • Less range than extended scale basses
Marcus Miller Z7-4 Natural Swamp AshElectric BassNew Z Series with J and humbucker pickup and premium hardwareBody:...
⭐
4.6/5
(6 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 584188
$769
#13
⭐
4.7/5
(39 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Danelectro 58 Longhorn Bass CB
by
Danelectro
Distinctive Sound
Specialty Applications
Custom Features
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
- • Limited low-end extension vs 5-string
Danelectro 58 Longhorn Bass CBElectric BassBody: Frame and centre block are made from plywood with a masonite top and...
⭐
4.7/5
(39 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 228497
$659
#14
⭐
4.4/5
(28 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Yamaha TRBX 504 TWH
by
Yamaha
Custom Features
Distinctive Sound
Experimental Music
Key Feature:
• Wide variety of pickup configurations
✓ PROS
- • Versatile tonal range
- • Standard four-string configuration
✗ CONS
- • Less range than extended scale basses
- • No high C string for extended range
Yamaha TRBX 504 TWHElectric BassBody: MahoganyNeck: 5-Piece maple / mahoganybolt-onFretboard: Rosewood (Dalbergia...
⭐
4.4/5
(28 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 312980
$681
#15
⭐
4.6/5
(8 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Ibanez SR400EQM-SCB
by
Ibanez
Unique Designs
Specialty Applications
Distinctive Sound
Key Feature:
• Perfect for most musical styles
✓ PROS
- • Classic bass foundation
- • Perfect for most musical styles
✗ CONS
- • May need alternate tunings for some styles
- • Less range than extended scale basses
Ibanez SR400EQM-SCBElectric BassBody: NyatohTop: Quilted mapleBolt-on 5-Piece neck: Maple/WalnutFingerboard:...
⭐
4.6/5
(8 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 606632
$637
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.
