AudioFu

Best 4-String P-Basses Under $5,000 2026

Affordable 4-string p-basses under $5,000 - 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 Pop For Country For Blues For Classic Rock For Alternative
BRANDS: Fender Harley Benton Sandberg Sadowsky Marcus Miller Squier Lakland Yamaha
Sandberg California II VS 4 HCA TB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Sandberg California II VS 4 HCA TB

by Sandberg
Alternative Classic Rock Pop
Key Feature:
• Great for pick and finger playing
✓ PROS
  • • Simple, reliable electronics
  • • Classic Precision Bass sound
✗ CONS
  • • Less modern features
  • • Single pickup limits sound options

Sandberg California II VS 4 HCA TBElectric BassBody: AlderBolt-on neck: MapleFretboard: rosewoodAbalone dots fretboard...

⭐ 4.9/5 (50 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 518337
$2,254
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sandberg California II VM 4 EB BB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Sandberg California II VM 4 EB BB

by Sandberg
Rock Blues Classic Rock
Key Feature:
• Great for pick and finger playing
✓ PROS
  • • Thick, fundamental bass tone
  • • Great for pick and finger playing
✗ CONS
  • • Single pickup limits sound options
  • • Less tonal versatility than Jazz Bass

Sandberg California II VM 4 EB BBElectric BassBody: AshBolt-on neck: MapleFretboard: Ebony22 FretsNut width: 39.5 mm...

⭐ 4.7/5 (25 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 480675
$2,188
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sandberg California II VM 4 EF SM - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Sandberg California II VM 4 EF SM

by Sandberg
Rock Blues Country
Key Feature:
• Excellent in band mix
✓ PROS
  • • Thick, fundamental bass tone
  • • Simple, reliable electronics
✗ CONS
  • • Less tonal versatility than Jazz Bass
  • • Less modern features

Sandberg California II VM 4 EF SMElectric BassBody: AshTop: Spalted mapleNeck: MapleFingerboard: EbonyScale: 34"...

⭐ 4.5/5 (3 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 585531
$2,749
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sandberg California II VS 4 HCA Marley - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Sandberg California II VS 4 HCA Marley

by Sandberg
Blues Rock Country
Key Feature:
• Thick, fundamental bass tone
✓ PROS
  • • Classic Precision Bass sound
  • • Simple, reliable electronics
✗ CONS
  • • May lack brightness for slap bass
  • • Less tonal versatility than Jazz Bass

Sandberg California II VS 4 HCA MarleyElectric BassBody: AlderBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFretboard: RosewoodWhite dot...

⭐ 4.8/5 (36 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 504054
$2,529
Buy at Thomann View Details
Fender Am Ultra II P Bass MN UBST - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Fender Am Ultra II P Bass MN UBST

by Fender
Country Rock Classic Rock
Key Feature:
• Great for pick and finger playing
✓ PROS
  • • Classic Precision Bass sound
  • • Great for pick and finger playing
✗ CONS
  • • Less tonal versatility than Jazz Bass
  • • Thicker neck profile

Fender Am Ultra II P Bass MN UBSTElectric BassBody: AlderBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: MapleFingerboard inlays: Black...

⭐ 4.6/5 (9 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 596084
$2,745
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sandberg California II VS 4 RW FR - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Sandberg California II VS 4 RW FR

by Sandberg
Country Classic Rock Rock
Key Feature:
• Great for pick and finger playing
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent in band mix
  • • Simple, reliable electronics
✗ CONS
  • • Thicker neck profile
  • • Single pickup limits sound options

Sandberg California II VS 4 RW FR4-String Electric BassBody: AlderNeck: roasted mapleNeck attachment: Bolt-onFretboard:...

⭐ 4.4/5 (51 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 504934
$2,419
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sandberg California II VS 4 LPB HG - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Sandberg California II VS 4 LPB HG

by Sandberg
Blues Country Rock
Key Feature:
• Thick, fundamental bass tone
✓ PROS
  • • Great for pick and finger playing
  • • Excellent in band mix
✗ CONS
  • • Less modern features
  • • Less tonal versatility than Jazz Bass

Sandberg California II VS 4 LPB HGElectric BassBody: AlderBolt-on neck: MapleFretboard: EbonyMatched headstockAbalone...

⭐ 4.7/5 (51 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 523300
$2,364
Buy at Thomann View Details
Lakland Skyline 44-64 Custom GZ 4 PP - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Lakland Skyline 44-64 Custom GZ 4 PP

by Lakland
Rock Pop Alternative
Key Feature:
• Simple, reliable electronics
✓ PROS
  • • Classic Precision Bass sound
  • • Great for pick and finger playing
✗ CONS
  • • Less tonal versatility than Jazz Bass
  • • Less modern features

Lakland Skyline 44-64 Custom GZ 4 PPElectric BassGeezer Butler (Black Sabbath) SignatureBody: AshjBolt-on neck:...

⭐ 4.4/5 (41 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 574762
$2,034
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sandberg California II VM 4 PF MR HCAR - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Sandberg California II VM 4 PF MR HCAR

by Sandberg
Alternative Pop Country
Key Feature:
• Excellent in band mix
✓ PROS
  • • Great for pick and finger playing
  • • Excellent in band mix
✗ CONS
  • • Less modern features
  • • Single pickup limits sound options

Sandberg California II VM 4 PF MR HCARElectric BassBody: Thermally treated alderBolt-on neck: MapleFretboard: Pau...

⭐ 4.6/5 (27 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 439966
$2,969
Buy at Thomann View Details
Fender AV II 60 P BASS RW WT3TB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Fender AV II 60 P BASS RW WT3TB

by Fender
Classic Rock Alternative Country
Key Feature:
• Great for pick and finger playing
✓ PROS
  • • Classic Precision Bass sound
  • • Thick, fundamental bass tone
✗ CONS
  • • May lack brightness for slap bass
  • • Less modern features

Fender AV II 60 P BASS RW WT3TBElectric BassBody: AlderNeck: MapleBlock-glued slab board rosewood fingerboardClay dot...

⭐ 4.8/5 (45 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 548588
$2,474
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sandberg California II VM4 RW CR HG - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Sandberg California II VM4 RW CR HG

by Sandberg
Blues Rock Alternative
Key Feature:
• Thick, fundamental bass tone
✓ PROS
  • • Simple, reliable electronics
  • • Classic Precision Bass sound
✗ CONS
  • • Less tonal versatility than Jazz Bass
  • • Thicker neck profile

Sandberg California II VM4 RW CR HGBass GuitarBody: AlderNeck: MapleFretboard: RosewoodScale: 34" (Long scale)22...

⭐ 4.9/5 (21 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 363341
$2,056
Buy at Thomann View Details
Maybach Motone P Candy Apple Red Metal - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Maybach Motone P Candy Apple Red Metal

by Maybach
Country Rock Classic Rock
Key Feature:
• Classic Precision Bass sound
✓ PROS
  • • Simple, reliable electronics
  • • Excellent in band mix
✗ CONS
  • • Single pickup limits sound options
  • • Less tonal versatility than Jazz Bass

Maybach Motone P Candy Apple Red MetalElectric BassBody: Moon SpruceBolt-on neck: Solid mapleFingerboard:...

⭐ 4.5/5 (20 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 602681
$2,507
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sandberg California II VT 4 HCA RFB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Sandberg California II VT 4 HCA RFB

by Sandberg
Rock Pop Country
Key Feature:
• Simple, reliable electronics
✓ PROS
  • • Classic Precision Bass sound
  • • Excellent in band mix
✗ CONS
  • • Single pickup limits sound options
  • • Less modern features

Sandberg California II VT 4 HCA RFBElectric BassBody: AlderBolt-on neck: MapleFretboard: RosewoodAbalone dot fretboard...

⭐ 4.5/5 (7 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 518341
$2,529
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sandberg California II VS 4 RW SFG - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Sandberg California II VS 4 RW SFG

by Sandberg
Alternative Rock Blues
Key Feature:
• Classic Precision Bass sound
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent in band mix
  • • Simple, reliable electronics
✗ CONS
  • • Single pickup limits sound options
  • • Less tonal versatility than Jazz Bass

Sandberg California II VS 4 RW SFG4-String Electric BassBody: AlderNeck: roasted mapleNeck attachment:...

⭐ 4.8/5 (8 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 504940
$2,386
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sadowsky MetroLine Hyb P/J 21-4 Mo Bl - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Sadowsky MetroLine Hyb P/J 21-4 Mo Bl

by Sadowsky
Alternative Rock Classic Rock
Key Feature:
• Classic Precision Bass sound
✓ PROS
  • • Simple, reliable electronics
  • • Thick, fundamental bass tone
✗ CONS
  • • Single pickup limits sound options
  • • Thicker neck profile

Sadowsky MetroLine Hyb P/J 21-4 Mo BlElectric BassBody: American red alderBolt-on neck: MapleFretboard: MoradoScale...

⭐ 5.0/5 (8 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 510404
$2,914
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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