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Best 4-String J-Basses Under $2,000 2026

Affordable 4-string j-basses under $2,000 - great value without compromising quality

Last updated: February 4, 2026 • Next update: February 11, 2026

PRICE RANGES: Under $200 Under $300 Under $500 Under $800 Under $1,000 Under $2,000 Under $5,000
SKILL LEVELS: For Beginner For Intermediate For Professional For Advanced
GENRES & STYLES: For Rock For Funk For Pop For R&B For Jazz For Session Work
BRANDS: Marcus Miller Harley Benton Fender Sandberg Sadowsky Squier
Marcus Miller V10-4 TGR - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Marcus Miller V10-4 TGR

by Marcus Miller
Pop R&B Jazz
Key Feature:
• Classic Jazz Bass sound
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent note definition
  • • Classic Jazz Bass sound
✗ CONS
  • • Less output than humbucker basses
  • • Single-coils can be noisy

Marcus Miller V10-4 TGRElectric BassBody: Swamp ashTop: Solid poplar burlNeck: Bolt-on mapleFingerboard: MapleAabalone...

⭐ 4.7/5 (10 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 584327
$1,319
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sandberg California II TM4 RW NT - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Sandberg California II TM4 RW NT

by Sandberg
Jazz Funk Session Work
Key Feature:
• Excellent note definition
✓ PROS
  • • Bright, punchy single-coil tone
  • • Classic Jazz Bass sound
✗ CONS
  • • May lack warmth for some styles
  • • Less output than humbucker basses

Sandberg California II TM4 RW NTElectric BassBody: AshNeck: MapleFretboard: RosewoodScale: 34 "(long scale)22...

⭐ 4.4/5 (18 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 363350
$1,979
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sandberg California II TM4 RW BKB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Sandberg California II TM4 RW BKB

by Sandberg
Funk Rock Session Work
Key Feature:
• Versatile pickup blending
✓ PROS
  • • Versatile pickup blending
  • • Bright, punchy single-coil tone
✗ CONS
  • • Requires EQ adjustment for optimal tone
  • • Less output than humbucker basses

Sandberg California II TM4 RW BKBElectric BassBody: AshNeck: MapleFretboard: RosewoodScale: 34" (long scale)22...

⭐ 4.9/5 (29 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 363348
$1,924
Buy at Thomann View Details
Marcus Miller V10-4 TBK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Marcus Miller V10-4 TBK

by Marcus Miller
Pop Jazz R&B
Key Feature:
• Bright, punchy single-coil tone
✓ PROS
  • • Great for slap bass techniques
  • • Bright, punchy single-coil tone
✗ CONS
  • • Less output than humbucker basses
  • • May lack warmth for some styles

Marcus Miller V10-4 TBKElectric BassBody: Swamp AshTop: Solid poplar burlBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: MapleAbalone...

⭐ 4.6/5 (24 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 584328
$1,209
Buy at Thomann View Details
Fender Player II Mod J Bass MN ELB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Fender Player II Mod J Bass MN ELB

by Fender
Pop R&B Rock
Key Feature:
• Classic Jazz Bass sound
✓ PROS
  • • Great for slap bass techniques
  • • Versatile pickup blending
✗ CONS
  • • Less output than humbucker basses
  • • May lack warmth for some styles

Fender Player II Mod J Bass MN ELBElectric BassBody: AlderBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: MapleBlack dot fingerboard...

⭐ 4.8/5 (26 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 609167
$1,192
Buy at Thomann View Details
Fender Flea Sig Bass RDWRN SHP - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Fender Flea Sig Bass RDWRN SHP

by Fender
Jazz Funk Pop
Key Feature:
• Great for slap bass techniques
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent note definition
  • • Great for slap bass techniques
✗ CONS
  • • Less output than humbucker basses
  • • Single-coils can be noisy

Fender Flea Sig Bass RDWRN SHPElectric BassFlea (Red Hot Chili Peppers) signature modelType: OffsetBody: AlderNeck:...

⭐ 4.9/5 (48 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 393407
$1,726
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vint JJ4 Morado TSB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vint JJ4 Morado TSB

by Sadowsky
Rock R&B Pop
Key Feature:
• Bright, punchy single-coil tone
✓ PROS
  • • Classic Jazz Bass sound
  • • Excellent note definition
✗ CONS
  • • Requires EQ adjustment for optimal tone
  • • May lack warmth for some styles

Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vint JJ4 Morado TSBElectric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard:...

⭐ 4.9/5 (31 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 598995
$1,099
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sadowsky MetroExpress 21 Vint 4 MA CAR - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Sadowsky MetroExpress 21 Vint 4 MA CAR

by Sadowsky
Session Work Rock Pop
Key Feature:
• Great for slap bass techniques
✓ PROS
  • • Classic Jazz Bass sound
  • • Excellent note definition
✗ CONS
  • • String spacing may not suit all players
  • • Less output than humbucker basses

Sadowsky MetroExpress 21 Vint 4 MA CARElectric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard: Roasted...

⭐ 4.8/5 (55 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 598453
$1,044
Buy at Thomann View Details
Fender Laura Lee J Bass RW VWT - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Fender Laura Lee J Bass RW VWT

by Fender
Jazz R&B Pop
Key Feature:
• Bright, punchy single-coil tone
✓ PROS
  • • Versatile pickup blending
  • • Bright, punchy single-coil tone
✗ CONS
  • • Single-coils can be noisy
  • • Requires EQ adjustment for optimal tone

Fender Laura Lee J Bass RW VWTElectric BassLaura Lee (Khruangbin) signature modelBody: AlderBolt-on neck:...

⭐ 4.9/5 (45 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 609417
$1,737
Buy at Thomann View Details
Fender Player II Mod J Bass MN 3TS - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Fender Player II Mod J Bass MN 3TS

by Fender
Session Work Pop Funk
Key Feature:
• Bright, punchy single-coil tone
✓ PROS
  • • Great for slap bass techniques
  • • Bright, punchy single-coil tone
✗ CONS
  • • String spacing may not suit all players
  • • Requires EQ adjustment for optimal tone

Fender Player II Mod J Bass MN 3TSElectric BassBody: AlderBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: MapleBlack dot fingerboard...

⭐ 4.4/5 (10 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 609153
$1,196
Buy at Thomann View Details
Fender Player II Mod J Bass RW HGM - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Fender Player II Mod J Bass RW HGM

by Fender
Funk Jazz Session Work
Key Feature:
• Bright, punchy single-coil tone
✓ PROS
  • • Classic Jazz Bass sound
  • • Versatile pickup blending
✗ CONS
  • • May lack warmth for some styles
  • • Less output than humbucker basses

Fender Player II Mod J Bass RW HGMElectric BassBody: AlderBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: RosewoodWhite dot fingerboard...

⭐ 4.5/5 (18 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 609117
$1,196
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vint JJ4 Morado SOB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vint JJ4 Morado SOB

by Sadowsky
Rock Funk Jazz
Key Feature:
• Versatile pickup blending
✓ PROS
  • • Versatile pickup blending
  • • Great for slap bass techniques
✗ CONS
  • • Requires EQ adjustment for optimal tone
  • • Single-coils can be noisy

Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vint JJ4 Morado SOBElectric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard:...

⭐ 4.9/5 (49 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 599011
$1,099
Buy at Thomann View Details
Marcus Miller V10DX-4 TS - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Marcus Miller V10DX-4 TS

by Marcus Miller
Jazz R&B Session Work
Key Feature:
• Bright, punchy single-coil tone
✓ PROS
  • • Versatile pickup blending
  • • Classic Jazz Bass sound
✗ CONS
  • • May lack warmth for some styles
  • • String spacing may not suit all players

Marcus Miller V10DX-4 TSElectric BassBody: Swamp ashTop: solid flamed mapleBolt-on neck: roasted mapleNeck profile:...

⭐ 4.7/5 (2 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 553475
$1,429
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sandberg Electra TT4 RW SB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Sandberg Electra TT4 RW SB

by Sandberg
Pop Rock Jazz
Key Feature:
• Excellent note definition
✓ PROS
  • • Classic Jazz Bass sound
  • • Versatile pickup blending
✗ CONS
  • • Single-coils can be noisy
  • • String spacing may not suit all players

Sandberg Electra TT4 RW SBElectric BassBody: BasswoodBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: RosewoodScale: Long scale22...

⭐ 4.6/5 (15 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 585519
$1,044
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vintage JJ4 RM CH - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vintage JJ4 RM CH

by Sadowsky
Pop Funk Rock
Key Feature:
• Bright, punchy single-coil tone
✓ PROS
  • • Bright, punchy single-coil tone
  • • Versatile pickup blending
✗ CONS
  • • May lack warmth for some styles
  • • Requires EQ adjustment for optimal tone

Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vintage JJ4 RM WHElectric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard: Roasted...

⭐ 4.8/5 (32 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 599034
$1,066
Buy at Thomann View Details

How to Choose the Best 4-String J-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 j-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.

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