AudioFu Chart · November 2026
Best 4-String Electric Double Basses Under $5,000 2026
The top pick is NS Design NXT4A-CO-BK Active Series Electric Cello ($2,936). Harley Benton DB01-BK Electric Double Bass gives you the most for the money at $496. Ranked by the AudioFu Index from 13 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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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 ↗ -
- 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 ↗ -
- 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 13 4-String electric double basses
Same index, same nightly prices — compact. Colour options of one model share a row. Tap a photo to zoom.
4-String Electric Double Basses by the numbers
Measured across all 23 models we track, not a sample.
Median $1,071 — half of all 4-String electric double basses here cost less.
most common · 5 models
median of 5 models · 4-string–4-string
How to choose the best 4-String electric double basses
Pickup Voicing
This is HUGE. Cheap pickups can sound brittle and thin, lacking that fundamental low-end thump. Look for pickups that offer a warmer, more rounded tone - something that retains definition without sounding ice-picky. It's the difference between a solid groove and a squeaky mess.
Neck Profile & Action
A comfortable neck is critical, especially for long gigs. Neck profiles vary wildly, so try before you buy if possible. Equally important is the action - too high and it's a wrestling match, too low and you get fret buzz. A good setup is non-negotiable.
Body Wood & Construction
You're not getting exotic tonewoods at this price point. Expect mahogany, nato, or basswood. Construction quality matters: solid wood bodies generally resonate better than laminates, but solid wood will add to the cost. Look for tight joints and a stable neck pocket.
Hardware Quality
Tuners, bridge, and strap buttons - these are the things that will fail first. Cheap hardware means constant tuning headaches and a feeling of instability on stage. Decent quality hardware isn't expensive, but it's a sign of overall build quality.
Electronics & Controls
Simple is often better. Basic volume and tone controls are fine; fancy onboard preamps and EQ can add complexity and potential points of failure. If it does have a preamp, make sure it's well-voiced and doesn't introduce unwanted noise or coloration.
Buying guide
Alright, so you're hunting for a 4-string electric double bass and you've got a budget cap of $5000. That's a decent chunk of change, but it's still a reality check - you're not walking into boutique territory. We're focusing on getting the most 'oomph' for your dollar, finding instruments that'll cut through a rock band or lay down a solid foundation for jazz without breaking the bank. This isn't about chasing perfection; it's about finding a reliable workhorse.
At this budget, you're trading off something. Often, that's exotic woods or super-luxe hardware. Don't get hung up on aesthetics; prioritize playability and tone.
A good setup from a reputable tech is worth the investment. Don't be afraid of used instruments - you can often find a higher-end model within your budget that's been gently used.
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 23 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
What's the difference between a piezo and a magnetic pickup?
Piezo pickups are contact mics, very responsive to attack but can sound a bit 'plucky' and lack sustain. Magnetic pickups are more like bass guitar pickups, offering a warmer, more rounded tone and better sustain - generally preferred for electric uprights.
Should I get a bass with a pre-amp?
It depends. If you plan on playing in a variety of situations, a preamp can be helpful for boosting the signal and shaping the tone. But a poorly voiced preamp can make things worse. If you're mostly playing through a good bass amp, you might not need one.
What's a 'good' action height?
That's subjective, but generally, a string height of around 4mm-5mm at the 12th fret is a good starting point. It should be low enough for comfortable playing but high enough to avoid fret buzz. A proper setup is crucial.
Can I realistically expect a 'vintage' tone at this price?
No. You're not going to get the warmth and character of a decades-old instrument. But you can find basses with a warm, responsive tone that's plenty usable for a variety of styles. Focus on the fundamentals - good wood, decent pickups, and a solid build.
What about scale length? Does it matter?
Most electric double basses are 34" scale, the same as a Fender Precision Bass. However, some are shorter (32" or 30"). A shorter scale generally has a slightly looser feel and might be easier for smaller hands, but it can also slightly reduce the clarity and definition of the low frequencies.
