Best 4-String J-Basses Under $500 2025

Affordable 4-string j-basses under $500 - great value without compromising quality

Last updated: October 15, 2025 • Next update: October 22, 2025

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 V5 Alder-4 NT - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.9/5 (13 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Marcus Miller V5 Alder-4 NT

by Marcus Miller

Rock Pop Funk

Key Feature:

• Great for slap bass techniques

✓ PROS

• Excellent note definition
• Great for slap bass techniques

✗ CONS

• String spacing may not suit all players
• Requires EQ adjustment for optimal tone

Marcus Miller V5 Alder-4 NTElectric BassBody: AlderOne-piece neck: MapleC neck profileFretboard: Roasted mapleScale:...

⭐ 4.9/5 (13 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 492593

$487

Buy at Thomann View Details

Marcus Miller V3 MA 2nd Gen - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.5/5 (40 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

9/10

Marcus Miller V3 MA 2nd Gen

by Marcus Miller

Session Work Rock Funk

Key Feature:

• Great for slap bass techniques

✓ PROS

• Classic Jazz Bass sound
• Excellent note definition

✗ CONS

• Single-coils can be noisy
• Requires EQ adjustment for optimal tone

Marcus Miller V3 MA 2nd GenElectric BassMahogany bodyBolt-on maple neckRosewood fingerboardNeck profile: CBone nut20...

⭐ 4.5/5 (40 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 446376

$417

Buy at Thomann View Details

Squier CV 60s Jazz Bass LRL DPB - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.6/5 (24 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

7/10

Squier CV 60s Jazz Bass LRL DPB

by Squier

Pop Rock Funk

Key Feature:

• Great for slap bass techniques

✓ PROS

• Bright, punchy single-coil tone
• Versatile pickup blending

✗ CONS

• May lack warmth for some styles
• String spacing may not suit all players

Squier CV 60s Jazz Bass LRL DPBElectric bassClassic Vibe seriesBody: PoplarBolted neck: MapleFretboard: Indian...

⭐ 4.6/5 (24 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 457314

$452

Buy at Thomann View Details

Squier CV 70s Jazz Bass MN NAT - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.8/5 (27 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

8/10

Squier CV 70s Jazz Bass MN NAT

by Squier

Jazz Session Work Rock

Key Feature:

• Great for slap bass techniques

✓ PROS

• Excellent note definition
• Classic Jazz Bass sound

✗ CONS

• May lack warmth for some styles
• String spacing may not suit all players

Squier CV 70s Jazz Bass MN NATElectric BassClassic Vibe seriesBody: MapleBolt-on neck: MapleFretboard: MapleBlack dot...

⭐ 4.8/5 (27 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 457323

$444

Buy at Thomann View Details

Flight Mini JB Bass Moonburst - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.4/5 (44 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Flight Mini JB Bass Moonburst

by Flight

Session Work Funk Jazz

Key Feature:

• Classic Jazz Bass sound

✓ PROS

• Bright, punchy single-coil tone
• Classic Jazz Bass sound

✗ CONS

• May lack warmth for some styles
• String spacing may not suit all players

Flight Mini JB Bass MoonburstElectric Bass UkuleleBody: Roasted poplarTop: Roasted mapleNeck: roasted mapleFingerboard:...

⭐ 4.4/5 (44 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 604447

$439

Buy at Thomann View Details

Marcus Miller V3 SB 2nd Gen - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.5/5 (49 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Marcus Miller V3 SB 2nd Gen

by Marcus Miller

Rock Funk Jazz

Key Feature:

• Classic Jazz Bass sound

✓ PROS

• Excellent note definition
• Great for slap bass techniques

✗ CONS

• String spacing may not suit all players
• Single-coils can be noisy

Marcus Miller V3 BK 2nd GenElectric bassMahogany bodyMaple neckRosewood fretboardNeck profile: CScale: 864 mmNut width:...

⭐ 4.5/5 (49 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 502812

$428

Buy at Thomann View Details

Harley Benton JB-75 SB Vintage Series Set 2 - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.6/5 (46 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

9/10

Harley Benton JB-75 SB Vintage Series Set 2

by Harley Benton

R&B Session Work Rock

Key Feature:

• Bright, punchy single-coil tone

✓ PROS

• Great for slap bass techniques
• Versatile pickup blending

✗ CONS

• Less output than humbucker basses
• Single-coils can be noisy

Harley Benton JB-75 SB Vintage Series Set 2*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton JB-75 SB Vintage Series*Electric...

⭐ 4.6/5 (46 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 315434

$351

Buy at Thomann View Details

Harley Benton JB-75 SB Vintage Series Set 3 - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.8/5 (28 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Harley Benton JB-75 SB Vintage Series Set 3

by Harley Benton

Pop Jazz Funk

Key Feature:

• Versatile pickup blending

✓ PROS

• Classic Jazz Bass sound
• Great for slap bass techniques

✗ CONS

• Less output than humbucker basses
• String spacing may not suit all players

Harley Benton JB-75 SB Vintage Series Set 3*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton JB-75 SB Vintage Series*Electric...

⭐ 4.8/5 (28 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 315435

$406

Buy at Thomann View Details

Harley Benton HBZ-2004 Deluxe Series - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.5/5 (54 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

9/10

Harley Benton HBZ-2004 Deluxe Series

by Harley Benton

Session Work Jazz Pop

Key Feature:

• Classic Jazz Bass sound

✓ PROS

• Classic Jazz Bass sound
• Great for slap bass techniques

✗ CONS

• Single-coils can be noisy
• String spacing may not suit all players

Harley Benton HBZ-2004 Deluxe SeriesElectric BassDeluxe SeriesSides: OvangkolContinuous 7-piece mahogany/maple/nato...

⭐ 4.5/5 (54 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 264956

$329

Buy at Thomann View Details

Harley Benton Enhanced MJ-4MN Natural - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#10

⭐ 4.9/5 (20 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

Harley Benton Enhanced MJ-4MN Natural

by Harley Benton

Rock Pop R&B

Key Feature:

• Bright, punchy single-coil tone

✓ PROS

• Great for slap bass techniques
• Bright, punchy single-coil tone

✗ CONS

• Single-coils can be noisy
• May lack warmth for some styles

Harley Benton Enhanced MJ-4MN NaturalElectric BassBuild: JB styleErgonomically shaped body made of swamp ashMatching...

⭐ 4.9/5 (20 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 443525

$329

Buy at Thomann View Details

Harley Benton Enhanced MJ-4MN Natural w/Bag - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#11

⭐ 4.9/5 (54 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

8/10

Harley Benton Enhanced MJ-4MN Natural w/Bag

by Harley Benton

Pop Session Work Funk

Key Feature:

• Excellent note definition

✓ PROS

• Great for slap bass techniques
• Versatile pickup blending

✗ CONS

• Less output than humbucker basses
• String spacing may not suit all players

Harley Benton Enhanced MJ-4MN Natural w/Bag*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton Enhanced MJ-4MN Natural*Electric...

⭐ 4.9/5 (54 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 538007

$347

Buy at Thomann View Details

Marcus Miller V3P-4 BKS - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#12

⭐ 4.6/5 (50 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Marcus Miller V3P-4 BKS

by Marcus Miller

Funk Session Work Pop

Key Feature:

• Versatile pickup blending

✓ PROS

• Classic Jazz Bass sound
• Great for slap bass techniques

✗ CONS

• Single-coils can be noisy
• Less output than humbucker basses

Marcus Miller V3P-4 BKSElectric BassMahogany bodyNeck: MapleFingerboard: RosewoodNeck profile: CScale: 864 mmNut width:...

⭐ 4.6/5 (50 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 536924

$395

Buy at Thomann View Details

Harley Benton MV-4JB Black w/Case - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#13

⭐ 4.8/5 (30 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Harley Benton MV-4JB Black w/Case

by Harley Benton

Session Work R&B Jazz

Key Feature:

• Classic Jazz Bass sound

✓ PROS

• Great for slap bass techniques
• Versatile pickup blending

✗ CONS

• String spacing may not suit all players
• Less output than humbucker basses

Harley Benton MV-4JB Black w/Case*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton MV-4JB Black*Electric Bass*Deluxe SeriesBody:...

⭐ 4.8/5 (30 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 597075

$303

Buy at Thomann View Details

Squier CV 70s Jazz Bass MN NAT Bundle - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#14

⭐ 5.0/5 (26 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Squier CV 70s Jazz Bass MN NAT Bundle

by Squier

R&B Funk Pop

Key Feature:

• Versatile pickup blending

✓ PROS

• Bright, punchy single-coil tone
• Great for slap bass techniques

✗ CONS

• Less output than humbucker basses
• Requires EQ adjustment for optimal tone

Squier CV 70s Jazz Bass MN NAT Bundle*Bundle offer comprising*, Squier CV 70s Jazz Bass MN NAT*Electric Bass*Classic...

⭐ 5.0/5 (26 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 539366

$464

Buy at Thomann View Details

Squier Affinity ACT Jazz Bass MSF - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#15

⭐ 4.7/5 (40 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

8/10

Squier Affinity ACT Jazz Bass MSF

by Squier

Rock Pop Jazz

Key Feature:

• Classic Jazz Bass sound

✓ PROS

• Versatile pickup blending
• Excellent note definition

✗ CONS

• Single-coils can be noisy
• Requires EQ adjustment for optimal tone

Squier Affinity ACT Jazz Bass MSFElectric GuitarBody: PoplarBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: Indian laurelPearloid block...

⭐ 4.7/5 (40 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 594278

$325

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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Best 4-String J-Basses Under $500 2025

Marcus Miller V5 Alder-4 NT

Marcus Miller V3 MA 2nd Gen

Squier CV 60s Jazz Bass LRL DPB

Squier CV 70s Jazz Bass MN NAT

Flight Mini JB Bass Moonburst

Marcus Miller V3 SB 2nd Gen

Harley Benton JB-75 SB Vintage Series Set 2

Harley Benton JB-75 SB Vintage Series Set 3

Harley Benton HBZ-2004 Deluxe Series

Harley Benton Enhanced MJ-4MN Natural

Harley Benton Enhanced MJ-4MN Natural w/Bag

Marcus Miller V3P-4 BKS

Harley Benton MV-4JB Black w/Case

Squier CV 70s Jazz Bass MN NAT Bundle

Squier Affinity ACT Jazz Bass MSF

How to Choose the Best 4-String J-Basses

Budget Planning

Quality Check

Key Features

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I look for when buying 4-string j-basses?

How much should I spend on 4-string j-basses?

Are expensive 4-string j-basses worth the investment?

What are the best brands for 4-string j-basses?

Should I buy 4-string j-basses online or in-store?

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