AudioFu Chart · November 2026
Best 4-String Heavy Basses Under $2,000 2026
The top pick is ESP LTD B-204SM Fretless ($595). Harley Benton WB-20BK Rock Series gives you the most for the money at $133. Warwick Rockbass Corvette Taranis 4 leads the high end. Ranked by the AudioFu Index from 10 models across 7 brands, prices checked every night.
Last updated: November 8, 2026
Top 10
Full detail for the 10 highest AudioFu Index scores. Every other model is listed below.
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- Nut width40 mm (1.57")
- Scale864 mm (34.02")
- Fingerboard radius400 mm (15.75")
- BodyPoplar body
- FingerboardRosewood fingerboard
You get a 4-string bass with a poplar body, a roasted maple neck and a rosewood fingerboard. It has two humbucker pickups and controls for volume, balance, bass and treble, so you can adjust the sound as you play. It suits you if you want a 4-string bass with a 34 inch scale and a thin U neck to play.
Pros
- Poplar body is a lightweight wood choice for the bass
- Roasted maple bolt-on neck paired with a rosewood fingerboard
- Two SB-4 humbucker pickups, one at the neck and one at the bridge
80AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$595 now$595€533 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Nut width42 mm (1.65")
- Scale864 mm (34.02")
- Frets24 frets
- Neck profileC-shape neck
- BodyBasswood body
If you want a black 4-string bass with a simple setup, this one is worth a look. It has a basswood body, a Canadian maple neck, and a PB-style split coil pickup, with one volume and one tone knob. It suits you if you want a straightforward bass you can start playing right away.
Pros
- Basswood body, a lightweight wood commonly used for bass bodies
- Canadian maple set neck paired with a laurel fingerboard
- PB-style split coil pickup suits a classic bass style
Cons
- Only one volume and one tone control, with no extra tone shaping
- Gig bag is sold separately and not included
67AudioFu
Index↓ 14.4%since Aug 17 · lowest so far$155 · Aug 17$133 now$133€119 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
You get a Thunderbird-shaped bass with a mahogany body, a maple neck and two humbuckers. It has a long 34-inch scale and an Indian Laurel fretboard. It suits you if you want a classic Thunderbird look and a bass built for rock at an affordable price.
Pros
- Mahogany body and bolt-on maple neck give it a classic build
- Two humbuckers built for crisp, thrusting rock tones
- Indian Laurel fretboard on a long 34-inch scale
Cons
- The matching case (#161567) is not included and must be bought separately
64AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$496 now$496€444 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Nut width40 mm (1.57")
- Scale864 mm (34.02")
- Fingerboard radius400 mm (15.75")
- BodyPoplar body
- FingerboardRosewood fingerboard
You get a 4-string heavy bass with a poplar body, a roasted maple bolt-on neck and a rosewood fingerboard. Two humbucker pickups and volume, balance and tone boost controls give you a good amount of control over your sound. It suits you if you want a well-built bass with a 34-inch scale and 21 frets for playing across the neck.
Pros
- Poplar body keeps the bass lightweight for long sessions on stage
- Two SB-4 humbucker pickups at the neck and bridge give two pickup positions to choose from
- Volume, balance and tone boost controls let you shape the signal from the bass
64AudioFu
Index↓ 7.5%since Aug 17 · lowest so far$669 · Aug 17$619 now$619€554 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
Warwick Rockbass Corvette Taranis 4
RB Corvette Taranis 4 NBTS · Warwick
6 for sale on Reverb1 finish at Thomann
- Nut width38.5 mm (1.52")
- Scale889 mm (35")
- Frets24 frets
- Strings4-string
- BodyAsh body
You get a 4-string bass with an extra long 35-inch scale, two active EMG DC35 pickups, and 2-band electronics with treble and bass controls. It has an ash body, a laminate maple neck, and a wenge fingerboard, and it comes with a RockBag gig bag. It suits you if you want a bass with a long scale and active electronics that you can shape with simple controls.
Pros
- Ash body paired with a bolt-on laminate maple neck and ekanga veneer stringers
- Two active EMG DC35 soapbar pickups with active 2-band electronics
- 24 jumbo frets in titanium-brass alloy with ball ends and Invisible Fretwork Technology
Cons
- Heavy at approximately 3.5 kg, so it is a lot to carry for long sessions
63AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$1,149 now$1,149€1,029 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
Schecter Stiletto-4 Stealth Pro EX Left-Handed
Stiletto Stealth-4 · Schecter
5 for sale on Reverb1 finish at Thomann
- Nut width38 mm (1.5")
- Scale864 mm (34.02")
- Strings4-string
- BodyBasswood body
This bass suits you if you want a 4-string with a 34 inch scale and a thin neck. You get a basswood body, a maple neck, and two Schecter pickups, plus an active 2-band EQ you can shape to your taste. It is a good pick if you like a slim, fast neck and simple, direct controls.
Pros
- Basswood body, a light wood choice for a bass
- Thin C maple neck with a 34 inch scale for a fast feel
- Two Schecter pickups: a Diamond SuperRock MM at the bridge and a Diamond P at the neck
Cons
- Only two tone controls, with no three-band EQ on board
53AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$814 now$814€729 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Nut width38 mm (1.5")
- Scale864 mm (34.02")
- Frets20 frets
- Neck profileD-shape neck
- BodyOkoume body
This is a 4-string bass with an 864 mm scale, 20 frets, and two mini humbuckers with active electronics. It suits you if you want a bass with a D-profile neck, a Blackwood fingerboard, and a push-pull volume control on one knob. Plan to buy a gig bag separately if you want one to carry it in.
Pros
- Okoume body is a lightweight wood choice for the bass
- Set-in mahogany neck with a D profile for a comfortable grip
- Two Roswell GB4 mini humbuckers paired with active electronics
Cons
- Gig bag is not included, so you will need to buy one separately
51AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$222 now$222€199 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Scale864 mm (34.02")
- Fingerboard radius406 mm (15.98")
- BodyMahogany body
- FingerboardRosewood fingerboard
This is a four-string electric bass with a mahogany body, a maple neck and a rosewood fingerboard. It has two passive humbuckers and a simple set of controls, so you get a classic setup without extra features. It suits you if you want a straightforward bass for everyday playing and practice.
Pros
- Mahogany body with a maple bolt-on neck
- Rosewood fingerboard with mini dot inlays
- Two passive bass humbuckers at the neck and bridge
Cons
- Fixed bridge means no tremolo or vibrato system
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- Nut width41.3 mm (1.63")
- Scale864 mm (34.02")
- Frets21 frets
- BodyPoplar body
This is a black Jackson bass with a poplar body, a maple neck, and an EMG 35DC pickup already in place. You get a 34-inch scale and 21 jumbo frets on a fingerboard with a compound 12 to 16 inch radius, so it is comfortable to play. It suits you if you want a sturdy 4-string with a strong pickup and simple volume and tone controls.
Pros
- Neck-through-body construction with graphite reinforcement adds stability to the neck
- EMG 35DC pickup is included for a strong, active-style electronics option
- 21 jumbo frets and a compound 12-16 inch fingerboard radius make it easy to play
45AudioFu
Index↓ 1.2%since Aug 17 · lowest so far$926 · Aug 17$914 now$914€819 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Weight3.8 kg
This Robert Trujillo signature bass is a serious weapon. The EMG pickups and bolt-on neck give it a modern, aggressive edge, while the alder body provides a solid foundation. It's a premium-priced instrument perfect for rock, metal, and anyone needing a powerful, articulate low-end presence.
Pros
- Alder body delivers a balanced, punchy low-end response.
- Active EMG J/J pickups provide aggressive, modern high-output tone.
- Bolt-on neck offers a snappy, responsive feel ideal for fast playing.
Cons
- The long scale (34 in) might feel unwieldy for players with smaller hands.
- Weight (3.8 kg) can be fatiguing during extended playing sessions.
40AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$1,897 now$1,897€1,699 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗
4-String Heavy Basses by the numbers
Measured across all 13 models we track, not a sample.
Median $595 — half of all 4-String heavy basses here cost less.
median of 10 models · 38 mm (1.5")–42 mm (1.65")
median of 11 models · 864 mm (34.02")–864 mm (34.02")
median of 5 models · 20–24
most common · 11 models
How to choose the best 4-String heavy basses
Neck Profile
This is huge. A thick, unwieldy neck will kill your playing speed and comfort, while a profile that's too thin can feel noodly. Look for something that fits your hand - modern C, D, or even a comfortable U shape are all good starting points.
Pickup Voicing
Are you after a scooped, modern sound, or something with more vintage warmth and a bit of growl? Pickup voicing dramatically impacts the bass's character - a bright pickup will cut through a dense mix, while a darker one might need a little extra EQ to be heard.
Hardware Quality
Cheap tuners will make your bass go out of tune after every song. Solid hardware - good tuning machines, a reliable bridge - ensures stability and plays a huge role in sustain and overall feel. This is a place where budget models often cut corners.
Body Wood & Construction
Mahogany tends to deliver a warm, round tone, alder is more balanced, and ash can be bright and punchy. Bolt-on necks are common at this price point, which isn't inherently bad, but generally won't offer the same resonance as a set-neck. It's a trade-off.
Electronics Quality
Potentiometers (pots) are a common failure point. Scratchy pots or those that crackle when you turn them are a pain. Higher-quality pots and better shielding will improve the bass's reliability and reduce unwanted noise - a huge deal for recording.
Buying guide
Alright, so you need a serious 4-string bass that can lay down some thunder without emptying your bank account? Finding a bass under $2000 that delivers real thump and cut is totally doable, but you gotta know what to look for. We're not chasing boutique perfection here - we're hunting for that sweet spot where quality meets value, something that'll gig well and record decently without making you cringe when the invoice arrives.
At this price range, you're going to find a lot of basses that look amazing, but don't be fooled by aesthetics. Pay close attention to the neck - a comfortable neck is more important than fancy flame maple. Don't expect boutique-level sustain or the absolute lowest action without some setup work.
And remember, a good setup from a qualified tech can dramatically improve any bass.
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 13 4-String heavy 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 bolt-on and set-neck?
Bolt-on necks are generally more affordable to manufacture and easier to replace, but often lack the sustain and resonance of a set-neck, where the neck is glued into the body. It's not a dealbreaker, but it's a factor.
Can I expect active electronics in this price range?
Some basses will have them, but it's not guaranteed. Active electronics (preamps) offer more tonal flexibility and a stronger signal, but they require a battery. Passive electronics are simpler and more reliable, but have a more limited sound palette.
What's a 'good' bass scale length?
Most 4-string basses are 34 inches, which is a standard for a reason - it offers a good balance of tension and comfortable reach. Shorter scales (30.5 or 32 inches) offer slinkier strings and easier playing, but can lose a bit of low-end punch.
How important is the bridge?
A solid bridge transfers string vibrations efficiently to the body, improving sustain and tuning stability. Cheap bridges can be flimsy and prone to corrosion. Look for something that feels substantial and well-made.
I'm a beginner, does it really matter that much?
It matters more than you think. A poorly made bass will be frustrating to play and won't inspire you to practice. Investing a little more upfront can save you headaches (and money on repairs) down the road.





