AudioFu Chart · November 2026
Best 4-String Electric Double Basses for Beginner 2026
The top pick is Harley Benton DB01-BK Electric Double Bass ($496). NS Design NXT4A-CO-BK Active Series Electric Cello leads the high end. Ranked by the AudioFu Index from 14 models across 5 brands, prices checked every night.
Last updated: November 7, 2026
Top 10
Full detail for the 10 highest AudioFu Index scores. Every other model is listed below.
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If you want an electric double bass that is easy to carry and quiet to practice on, this one could suit you. It has a tone knob, a volume knob, and a headphone connector, and it comes with a gigbag and a carbon bow. It runs on a 9 V battery, so keep a spare on hand for gigs.
Pros
- Body made of Paulownia, a light wood, keeps the bass easy to carry
- Birch fingerboard paired with a maple neck
- Active pickup system with tone and volume knobs for quick control
Cons
- Active pickups need a 9 V battery to run
51AudioFu
Index↓ 23.3%since Aug 17 · lowest so far$646 · Aug 17$496 now$496€444 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- BodyPaulownia body
- FingerboardBirch fingerboard
This left-handed electric double bass has a birch fingerboard, maple neck and paulownia body. It has an active pick-up system with tone and volume controls, plus a headphone socket so you can play quietly. If you play left-handed and want an electric double bass that comes with a bag and carbon bow, this one is worth a look.
Pros
- Birch fingerboard and maple neck make up the playing surface and neck
- Active pick-up system with tone and volume controls lets you shape your sound
- Height-adjustable bridge lets you set the height to suit how you play
Cons
- Active pick-up system needs a 9 V battery supply to run
59AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$668 now$668€598 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
NS Design NXT4A-CO-BK Active Series Electric Cello
NXT4a-DB-SB Double Bass · NS Design
5 for sale on Reverb1 finish at Thomann
This is an electric upright bass with a maple neck and body and a Richlite composite fingerboard. You get a switch for arco and pizzicato playing, plus volume and tone controls, and it comes with a charger, gig bag and stand. It may suit you if you want an upright you can play with a bow or with your fingers and take along to a gig.
Pros
- Dual mode active output lets you switch between arco and pizzicato playing
- Polar pickup system is built into the instrument
- Maple neck and body with a Richlite composite fingerboard
Cons
- Its active electronics need the included charger to keep them running
64AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$2,936 now$2,936€2,630 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
NS Design NXT4A-CO-BK Active Series Electric Cello
NXT4a-DB-BK Electric Bass · NS Design
5 for sale on Reverb1 finish at Thomann
This NS Design electric bass is made for players who want to switch between bowing and plucking. A selector switch covers arco and pizzicato modes, and volume and tone controls sit on the body. If you want a bass with a gig bag and tripod stand included, this one suits you well.
Pros
- Maple neck and body make up the build
- Polar pickup system feeds an active dual mode output
- Selector switch lets you switch between arco and pizzicato playing
Cons
- Active electronics need the included charger to power the preamp
62AudioFu
Index↑ 3.9%since Aug 17$2,881 · Aug 17$2,992 now$2,992€2,680 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- BodyPoplar body
- FingerboardEbony fingerboard
- Size3/4 size
This is a 3/4 electric double bass with a poplar body, maple neck and ebony fingerboard. The Shadow KB-Pro pickup gives you volume, mids, bass and presence controls, plus a sub-sonic filter, so you can shape your sound. It suits you if you want an electric upright with a height-adjustable bridge, an adjustable tripod stand, and a bow, gig bag and rosin included.
Pros
- Poplar body and maple neck give it a lightweight-sounding wood build
- Ebony fingerboard and brass double bass machine heads
- Shadow KB-Pro active piezo pickup with volume, mids, bass and presence controls
Cons
- Pickup runs on two AA batteries, so keep spares handy
58AudioFu
Index↓ 13.4%since Oct 1 · lowest so far$1,094 · Oct 1$948 now$948€849 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Strings4-string
The NS Design WAV4c Bass Amberburst is a 4-string WAV electric upright bass with a gloss Amberburst finish. It has a self-powered Polar Piezo pickup and a Pizz/Arco switch, so you can pluck it or bow it. It suits you if you want an electric upright that comes with a tripod stand and gig bag, ready to take to your next gig.
Pros
- Self-powered Polar Piezo pickup built into the bass
- Pizz/Arco switch lets you switch between plucked and bowed playing
- Coform fingerboard gives you a smooth playing surface for everyday practice
Cons
- The Polar Piezo pickup is self-powered, so it needs its own power source to run
48AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$2,110 now$2,110€1,890 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- FingerboardEbony fingerboard
- Size3/4 size
This is a 3/4 electric double bass with a paulownia top and back, a maple neck and an ebony fingerboard. It has a Shadow KB-Pro pickup with volume, mids, bass and presence controls, plus a sub-sonic filter and a battery indicator. It suits you if you want a bass you can plug in, and it comes with a bow, bag and rosin to get you started.
Pros
- Paulownia top and back give the body a lightweight build for a 3/4 bass
- Maple neck paired with an ebony fingerboard
- Active piezoceramic Shadow KB-Pro pickup with volume, mids, bass and presence controls
Cons
- Runs on two AA batteries, so you need to supply them before you can amplify it
47AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Oct 1Oct 1$1,440 now$1,440€1,290 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- BodyMaple body
- FingerboardJatoba fingerboard
You get a four-string electric double bass with a maple body and a neck-through-body build. It has an Aero Silk Piezo pickup with active tone control, and it comes with D'Addario ECB81 strings, a Tama Roadpro stand, and a gig bag. It suits you if you want an electric double bass with built-in tone control and a ready-to-play package.
Pros
- Maple body with five-piece maple and walnut neck-through-body construction
- Jatoba conical fingerboard on a UB4 neck profile
- Aero Silk Piezo pickup with active tone control
Cons
- Active tone control means the pickup depends on a power source to run its electronics
46AudioFu
Index↓ 2.8%since Aug 17 · lowest so far$1,182 · Aug 17$1,149 now$1,149€1,029 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- FingerboardWenge fingerboard
- Size3/4 size
- Weight5.5 kg
This is a black electric double bass with a maple body and a wenge fingerboard. It has one passive piezo pickup, with volume and tone controls and passive MEC electronics. It suits you if you want a simple setup you can plug into an amp, and it comes with a gig bag, an Allen key for the truss rod and a cleaning cloth.
Pros
- Solid black high-gloss finish on a one-piece maple body
- Two-piece set-in laminated maple neck with wenge fingerboard
- Passive piezo pickup with passive MEC electronics and volume and tone controls
Cons
- Weighs approximately 5.5 kg, which is heavy to carry to gigs
44AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$1,004 now$1,004€899 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Strings4-string
This is a 4-string electric omni bass with a self-powered polar piezo pickup. The Pizzicato / Arco switch lets you play plucked or bowed, and the boomerang strap and bag come with it. It suits you if you want an electric double bass that you can play both ways.
Pros
- Self-powered polar piezo pickup built into the bass
- Pizzicato / Arco switch lets you play plucked or bowed
- Coform fingerboard is built into the neck
Cons
- Self-powered pickup needs power to run
41AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$1,775 now$1,775€1,590 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗
All 14 4-String electric double basses
Same index, same nightly prices — compact. Colour options of one model share a row. Tap a photo to zoom.
- 11
NS Design NXT4a-OB-SB Omni Bass E-GNS Design41Stable$3,182€2,850$3,182€2,850Check ↗
- 12
NS Design CR4 BassNS Design41Stable$5,460€4,890$5,460€4,890Check ↗
- 13
NS Design WAV4c-OB-AB Omni BassNS Design36Stable$1,809€1,620$1,809€1,620Check ↗
- 14
Yamaha SLB 300 Silent BassYamaha · 2 finishes35Stable$4,343€3,890$4,343€3,890Check ↗
4-String Electric Double Basses by the numbers
Measured across all 25 models we track, not a sample.
Median $1,149 — half of all 4-String electric double basses here cost less.
most common · 5 models
median of 6 models · 4-string–4-string
How to choose the best 4-String electric double basses
Playability (Action & Neck Profile)
A high action and a thick, unwieldy neck will make learning a nightmare. Beginners need something with a comfortable, manageable neck profile and a low-to-medium action - it'll be easier on your fretting hand and let you focus on technique, not fighting the strings. A setup from a good luthier is almost mandatory on any new bass, regardless of price.
Pickup Voicing & Output Level
You don't need a boutique pickup with vintage-voicing for your first bass. What you do need is something that provides a decent, usable signal, isn't overly bright or ice-picky, and can handle a bit of gain without immediately falling apart. Low output is fine - it's easier to add gain than to tame a shrill, brittle tone.
Body Resonance & Construction Quality
Solid wood bodies will resonate more, but that's a luxury for later. Laminate bodies are common (and acceptable) on beginner basses, but look for tight, clean construction. Rattles and buzzing are a sign of corners being cut, and they'll drive you nuts.
Hardware Quality (Tuners & Bridge)
Cheap tuners mean constant retuning, which is frustrating and disruptive. A decent bridge is essential for intonation and stability. It's a small thing, but reliable hardware makes a huge difference in the overall playing experience.
Overall Weight & Ergonomics
Upright basses are already heavy. A poorly balanced or excessively heavy bass will kill your stamina, especially when you're just starting out. Consider the body shape and how it sits against you - comfort matters when you're practicing for hours.
Buying guide
So, you're thinking about diving into the world of electric upright bass? Awesome! It's a seriously rewarding instrument, but picking your first one can be overwhelming. Forget about the pro models for now - we're focusing on basses that'll actually let you learn without fighting the instrument every step of the way. This isn't about chasing tone; it's about getting something playable and reliable to build your chops on.
Don't chase the 'perfect' tone. Focus on playability first and foremost. A bass with a comfortable neck and a low action will make learning infinitely easier than a gorgeous-sounding instrument that feels like wrestling an alligator.
Used instruments are your friend - you can often get a much better quality bass for your money. Be realistic about your budget - expect to spend at least $400-$600 to get something genuinely playable and reliable. A setup is non-negotiable.
How the AudioFu Index works
Five measured signals and nothing else — no stars from strangers, no “tested by experts” we didn’t do. The weights are fixed and public. We don’t play these instruments; we measure the market around them.
This chart covers 25 4-String electric double basses from the Thomann catalogue. Before you buy, read hands-on reviews and, where you can, play it. Full methodology.
AudioFu earns a commission when you buy through our Thomann links. It never changes the order — the index does.
- Demand40%
How many of this exact model are for sale on Reverb right now — what musicians actually buy and resell.
- Lineup20%
How many finishes Thomann stocks — makers expand the models that sell.
- Price15%
Where the price has moved since we started tracking in August.
- Specs15%
How completely the maker documents it.
- Maker10%
How deep the brand’s range is in this category.
Questions
Are all electric double basses the same?
Absolutely not. Construction, pickups, hardware - it all varies wildly. Some are clearly built for beginners, others are aimed at seasoned pros. Read reviews and, if possible, try before you buy.
What's the difference between a piezo pickup and a magnetic pickup?
Piezo pickups are contact microphones, often brighter and more sensitive but can be prone to feedback. Magnetic pickups are more like electric guitar pickups, generally warmer and less feedback-prone. For a beginner, a magnetic pickup is often more forgiving.
Should I buy a 4-string or 5-string bass?
Stick with a 4-string to start. It's simpler to learn, the string spacing is more comfortable, and you'll develop good technique before adding the complexity of a 5-string.
What's a 'setup' and why do I need one?
A setup involves adjusting the action, intonation, and other factors to optimize playability. Most new basses benefit from a professional setup to ensure they play their best.
Can I just buy a cheap bass online and expect it to be good?
It's a gamble. You might get lucky, but you're more likely to end up with an instrument that's difficult to play and sounds awful. Do your research and read reviews - and be prepared to spend money on a setup.
