AudioFu Chart · November 2026
Best 4-String Electric Double Basses Under $2,000 2026
The top pick is Harley Benton DB02-LH/BK Elec. Double Bass ($668). Harley Benton DB01-BK Electric Double Bass gives you the most for the money at $496. NS Design WAV4c-OB-AB Omni Bass leads the high end. Ranked by the AudioFu Index from 8 models across 4 brands, prices checked every night.
Last updated: November 7, 2026
Top 8
Full detail for the 8 highest AudioFu Index scores. Every other model is listed below.
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- 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 ↗ -
- 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 ↗ -
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 ↗ -
- 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 ↗ -
The NS Design WAV4c-OB-AB Omni is a seriously versatile instrument, great for players wanting an amplified acoustic double bass feel without the bulk. The self-powered pickup is a game-changer for stage volume, and the CoForm neck makes it surprisingly easy to play, especially for those transitioning from electric bass. Ideal for gigging musicians needing a portable, amplified double bass solution.
Pros
- Excellent intonation thanks to the CoForm composite fretboard
- Polar piezo pickup delivers a surprisingly natural acoustic tone
- Lightweight alder body offers comfortable playing for extended gigs
Cons
- Self-powered pickup requires external power or battery pack
- Amberburst finish can appear a little 'orange' under certain lighting
36AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$1,809 now$1,809€1,620 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗
4-String Electric Double Basses by the numbers
Measured across all 16 models we track, not a sample.
Median $725 — half of all 4-String electric double basses here cost less.
most common · 5 models
How to choose the best 4-String electric double basses
Pickup Voicing
This is HUGE. Cheap pickups often sound brittle and ice-picky, lacking that warm, woody low-end thump you want from a double bass. We prioritized pickups with a smoother, more natural response that doesn't scream for EQ.
Hardware Quality
Tuners, bridge, tailpiece - these all impact sustain and tuning stability. Sloppy hardware means constant retuning mid-set, which is a nightmare. We looked for decent, functional hardware that won't fall apart after a few gigs.
Neck Profile & Action
Comfort is king. A neck that's too thick or too thin will kill your playing. We favored basses with a comfortable, playable neck profile and an action that's manageable without excessive buzzing. Lower action generally means easier playing, but too low can introduce fret buzz.
Body Wood & Construction
While exotic woods are nice, they're a luxury. We prioritized solid wood construction (even if it's mahogany or nato) over hollow bodies to provide better resonance and sustain. Expect some weight - these are big instruments!
Electronics & Output
Clean headroom is essential. A weak preamp or low output can leave you struggling to be heard in a band mix. We looked for basses with at least a decent preamp and usable output levels, even if it means sacrificing some tonal shaping options.
Buying guide
So, you're looking for a 4-string electric double bass without dropping a grand or two? Good on ya - it's a sweet instrument, and you don't need to break the bank to get something that'll gig and record well. We've been there, slogging through cheap pickups and flimsy hardware, so we've compiled a list of basses that deliver solid value in this under-$2000 range, focusing on what you actually need to cut through the mix and feel good under your fingers. Forget the marketing hype; this is about real playing experience.
At this price point, expect some trade-offs. You won't get boutique-level craftsmanship or premium pickups. Corners are often cut with cheaper hardware or simpler electronics.
Pay close attention to the neck profile and action - a playable neck is worth more than a fancy finish. Don't get hung up on aesthetics; focus on how the bass feels and sounds plugged in.
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 16 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 imported basses from China any good?
Some are surprisingly decent, others are... not. Quality control can be inconsistent. Read reviews carefully and look for brands with a reputation for decent QC. Be prepared for potential setup issues.
Do I need a preamp?
Most likely, yes. Electric double basses are inherently low output. A preamp boosts the signal to a usable level and allows for some tonal shaping. A built-in preamp is generally more convenient than an external one.
What's the difference between a piezo and a magnetic pickup?
Piezo pickups are contact mics, capturing vibrations directly from the string. They can sound brittle if not dialed back. Magnetic pickups are like bass guitar pickups and generally offer a warmer, more natural tone, but might struggle with articulation in slap styles.
What about scale length? Does it matter?
Most 4-string electric doubles are full scale (34"). Shorter scales exist but can soften the tone and feel less familiar to bass guitarists. Stick with 34" unless you have a specific reason not to.
What about the finish? Is it durable?
Finishes on cheaper basses are often thinner and more prone to scratches. It's not a deal-breaker, but be prepared to baby it a bit or consider a professional overspray if you're hard on your gear.
