AudioFu

Best 4-String P-Basses Under $500 2026

Affordable 4-string p-basses under $500 - 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 Pop For Country For Blues For Classic Rock For Alternative
BRANDS: Fender Harley Benton Sandberg Sadowsky Marcus Miller Squier Lakland Yamaha
Marcus Miller P5 Alder-4 TS - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Marcus Miller P5 Alder-4 TS

by Marcus Miller
Pop Country Rock
Key Feature:
• Excellent in band mix
✓ PROS
  • • Thick, fundamental bass tone
  • • Excellent in band mix
✗ CONS
  • • May lack brightness for slap bass
  • • Single pickup limits sound options

Marcus Miller P5 Alder-4 TSElectric BassAlder bodyOne-piece roasted maple neckRoasted maple fretboardNeck profile:...

⭐ 4.9/5 (42 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 512874
$494
Buy at Thomann View Details
Marcus Miller P5 Alder-4 MLG - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Marcus Miller P5 Alder-4 MLG

by Marcus Miller
Alternative Country Rock
Key Feature:
• Thick, fundamental bass tone
✓ PROS
  • • Thick, fundamental bass tone
  • • Classic Precision Bass sound
✗ CONS
  • • Single pickup limits sound options
  • • Thicker neck profile

Marcus Miller P5 Alder-4 MLGElectric BassAlder bodyOne-piece roasted maple neckFingerboard: roasted mapleNeck profile:...

⭐ 5.0/5 (48 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 512876
$448
Buy at Thomann View Details
Marcus Miller D5 Alder-4 TS - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Marcus Miller D5 Alder-4 TS

by Marcus Miller
Alternative Blues Pop
Key Feature:
• Thick, fundamental bass tone
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent in band mix
  • • Thick, fundamental bass tone
✗ CONS
  • • Less modern features
  • • Thicker neck profile

Marcus Miller D5 Alder-4 TSElectric BassAlder bodyOne-piece roasted maple neckRoasted maple fretboardNeck profile:...

⭐ 5.0/5 (9 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 512877
$494
Buy at Thomann View Details
Squier CV 60s P-Bass LRL OWT - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Squier CV 60s P-Bass LRL OWT

by Squier
Blues Alternative Rock
Key Feature:
• Great for pick and finger playing
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent in band mix
  • • Great for pick and finger playing
✗ CONS
  • • Single pickup limits sound options
  • • Less tonal versatility than Jazz Bass

Squier CV 60s P-Bass LRL OWTElectric BassClassic Vibe SeriesBody: PoplarNeck: MapleNeck attachment: Bolt-onFretboard:...

⭐ 5.0/5 (46 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 457306
$461
Buy at Thomann View Details
Squier CV 70s P Bass MN BK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Squier CV 70s P Bass MN BK

by Squier
Classic Rock Alternative Pop
Key Feature:
• Simple, reliable electronics
✓ PROS
  • • Classic Precision Bass sound
  • • Simple, reliable electronics
✗ CONS
  • • May lack brightness for slap bass
  • • Less modern features

Squier CV 70s P Bass MN BKElectric BassBody: NatoNeck: MapleNeck attachment: Bolt-onFretboard: MapleFretboard inlays:...

⭐ 4.4/5 (13 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 468526
$472
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton PJ-74 VW Vintage Series Bundle - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Harley Benton PJ-74 VW Vintage Series Bundle

by Harley Benton
Blues Alternative Pop
Key Feature:
• Excellent in band mix
✓ PROS
  • • Great for pick and finger playing
  • • Simple, reliable electronics
✗ CONS
  • • Less tonal versatility than Jazz Bass
  • • Less modern features

Harley Benton PJ-74 VW Vintage Series Bundle*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton PJ-74 VW Vintage Series*Electric...

⭐ 4.8/5 (55 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 536993
$307
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton Enhanced MP-4EB Creme Bundle - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Harley Benton Enhanced MP-4EB Creme Bundle

by Harley Benton
Rock Classic Rock Blues
Key Feature:
• Great for pick and finger playing
✓ PROS
  • • Classic Precision Bass sound
  • • Thick, fundamental bass tone
✗ CONS
  • • May lack brightness for slap bass
  • • Thicker neck profile

Harley Benton Enhanced MP-4EB Creme Bundle*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton Enhanced MP-4EB Creme*Electric...

⭐ 4.7/5 (13 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 468364
$450
Buy at Thomann View Details
Squier CV 50s P Bass MN WHB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Squier CV 50s P Bass MN WHB

by Squier
Rock Classic Rock Country
Key Feature:
• Great for pick and finger playing
✓ PROS
  • • Classic Precision Bass sound
  • • Great for pick and finger playing
✗ CONS
  • • Thicker neck profile
  • • Less modern features

Squier CV 50s P Bass MN WHBElectric BassBody: PineNeck: MapleNeck attachment: Bolt-onFretboard: MapleFretboard inlays:...

⭐ 4.9/5 (3 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 468519
$444
Buy at Thomann View Details
Squier CV 70s P Bass MN WN - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Squier CV 70s P Bass MN WN

by Squier
Country Pop Blues
Key Feature:
• Thick, fundamental bass tone
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent in band mix
  • • Classic Precision Bass sound
✗ CONS
  • • Thicker neck profile
  • • Less modern features

Squier CV 70s P Bass MN WNElectric BassNato bodyMaple neckBolt-on neck attachmentMaple fretboardBlack block fretboard...

⭐ 4.5/5 (15 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 468527
$439
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton Enhanced MP-4MN Natural - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Harley Benton Enhanced MP-4MN Natural

by Harley Benton
Blues Rock Classic Rock
Key Feature:
• Thick, fundamental bass tone
✓ PROS
  • • Simple, reliable electronics
  • • Excellent in band mix
✗ CONS
  • • Less tonal versatility than Jazz Bass
  • • May lack brightness for slap bass

Harley Benton Enhanced MP-4MN NaturalElectric BassStyle: PBErgonomically shaped body made of swamp ash6-Bolt Canadian...

⭐ 4.5/5 (36 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 443474
$329
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton MV-4PJ Natural w/Case - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Harley Benton MV-4PJ Natural w/Case

by Harley Benton
Country Pop Classic Rock
Key Feature:
• Excellent in band mix
✓ PROS
  • • Thick, fundamental bass tone
  • • Simple, reliable electronics
✗ CONS
  • • Thicker neck profile
  • • Single pickup limits sound options

Harley Benton MV-4PJ Natural w/Case*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton MV-4PJ Natural*Electric Bass*Deluxe...

⭐ 4.9/5 (31 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 597793
$303
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton MV-4PJ Daphne Blue w/Case - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Harley Benton MV-4PJ Daphne Blue w/Case

by Harley Benton
Classic Rock Country Alternative
Key Feature:
• Great for pick and finger playing
✓ PROS
  • • Thick, fundamental bass tone
  • • Excellent in band mix
✗ CONS
  • • Less modern features
  • • Thicker neck profile

Harley Benton MV-4PJ Daphne Blue w/Case*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton MV-4PJ Daphne Blue*Electric Bass*Deluxe...

⭐ 4.7/5 (32 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 597788
$303
Buy at Thomann View Details
Marcus Miller D5 Alder-4 BB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Marcus Miller D5 Alder-4 BB

by Marcus Miller
Pop Country Rock
Key Feature:
• Excellent in band mix
✓ PROS
  • • Great for pick and finger playing
  • • Thick, fundamental bass tone
✗ CONS
  • • Thicker neck profile
  • • Less tonal versatility than Jazz Bass

Marcus Miller D5 Alder-4 BBElectric BassAlder bodyOne-piece roasted maple neckRoasted maple fretboardNeck profile:...

⭐ 4.8/5 (7 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 512879
$494
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton MV-4PJ Seafoam Green w/Case - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Harley Benton MV-4PJ Seafoam Green w/Case

by Harley Benton
Blues Rock Classic Rock
Key Feature:
• Simple, reliable electronics
✓ PROS
  • • Great for pick and finger playing
  • • Thick, fundamental bass tone
✗ CONS
  • • Thicker neck profile
  • • Less tonal versatility than Jazz Bass

Harley Benton MV-4PJ Seafoam Green w/Case*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton MV-4PJ Seafoam Green*Electric...

⭐ 4.4/5 (53 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 597797
$303
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton MV-4PJ Burgundy Mist w/Case - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Harley Benton MV-4PJ Burgundy Mist w/Case

by Harley Benton
Blues Alternative Pop
Key Feature:
• Simple, reliable electronics
✓ PROS
  • • Simple, reliable electronics
  • • Classic Precision Bass sound
✗ CONS
  • • Less tonal versatility than Jazz Bass
  • • Thicker neck profile

Harley Benton MV-4PJ Burgundy Mist w/Case*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton MV-4PJ Burgundy Mist*Electric...

⭐ 5.0/5 (22 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 597786
$303
Buy at Thomann View Details

How to Choose the Best 4-String P-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 p-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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