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: January 14, 2026 • Next update: January 21, 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 RW FR - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

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 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 VM4 RW CR HG - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

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
Sandberg California II VS 4 LPB HG - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

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
Fender AM Pro II P Bass RW OWT - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Fender AM Pro II P Bass RW OWT

by Fender
Blues Classic Rock Pop
Key Feature:
• Thick, fundamental bass tone
✓ PROS
  • • Thick, fundamental bass tone
  • • Excellent in band mix
✗ CONS
  • • Single pickup limits sound options
  • • Less modern features

Fender AM Pro II P Bass RW OWTElectric BassAlder bodyMaple neckRosewood fretboardNeck profile: 1963 CScale length: 864...

⭐ 4.6/5 (45 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 500554
$2,265
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sandberg California II VS 4 HCA LPB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Sandberg California II VS 4 HCA LPB

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

Sandberg California II VS 4 HCA LPBElectric BassBody: AlderBolt-on neck: MapleFretboard: RosewoodWhite dot fretboard...

⭐ 4.8/5 (43 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 521666
$2,254
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sandberg California II VM 4 MN OR HCA - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Sandberg California II VM 4 MN OR HCA

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

Sandberg California II VM 4 MN OR HCAElectric BassBody: AlderNeck: Bolt-on mapleFingerboard: MapleScale: 864 mm...

⭐ 4.8/5 (36 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 497498
$2,694
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sandberg California II VM 4 O. Riedel - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Sandberg California II VM 4 O. Riedel

by Sandberg
Pop Blues Classic Rock
Key Feature:
• Thick, fundamental bass tone
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent in band mix
  • • Classic Precision Bass sound
✗ CONS
  • • Less tonal versatility than Jazz Bass
  • • May lack brightness for slap bass

Sandberg California II VM 4 BK HCA4-String Electric BassAlder bodyOliver Riedel / Rammstein signature modelMaple...

⭐ 4.5/5 (54 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 441173
$2,617
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sadowsky MetroLine 21-4 Vin P/J ´59 BR - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Sadowsky MetroLine 21-4 Vin P/J ´59 BR

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

Sadowsky MetroLine 21-4 Vin P/J ´59 BRElectric GassBody: American swamp ashBolt-on neck: MapleFretboard: MapleScale...

⭐ 4.8/5 (18 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 516048
$4,399
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sandberg California II VM 4 EB Black - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Sandberg California II VM 4 EB Black

by Sandberg
Rock Blues Classic Rock
Key Feature:
• Thick, fundamental bass tone
✓ PROS
  • • Thick, fundamental bass tone
  • • Classic Precision Bass sound
✗ CONS
  • • Less modern features
  • • Thicker neck profile

Sandberg California II VM 4 EB BlackElectric BassBody: AlderBolt-on neck: MapleMatched headstockFingerboard:...

⭐ 4.6/5 (45 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 559286
$2,749
Buy at Thomann View Details
Fender Am Ultra II P Bass EB TXT - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Fender Am Ultra II P Bass EB TXT

by Fender
Pop Classic Rock Blues
Key Feature:
• Classic Precision Bass sound
✓ PROS
  • • Thick, fundamental bass tone
  • • Excellent in band mix
✗ CONS
  • • May lack brightness for slap bass
  • • Less modern features

Fender Am Ultra II P Bass EB TXTElectric BassBody: AlderBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: EbonyWhite pearloid dot...

⭐ 4.7/5 (9 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 596079
$2,745
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sandberg California II VM 4 EF SM - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

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 VM 4 Black EB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Sandberg California II VM 4 Black EB

by Sandberg
Alternative Pop Blues
Key Feature:
• Classic Precision Bass sound
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent in band mix
  • • Classic Precision Bass sound
✗ CONS
  • • Single pickup limits sound options
  • • May lack brightness for slap bass

Sandberg California II VM 4 Black EB4-String Electric BassBody: AshNeck: MapleNeck attachment: Bolt-onFretboard: Ebony...

⭐ 4.6/5 (30 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 528105
$2,199
Buy at Thomann View Details
Fender Am Ultra II P Bass MN AVL - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Fender Am Ultra II P Bass MN AVL

by Fender
Classic Rock Blues Alternative
Key Feature:
• Thick, fundamental bass tone
✓ PROS
  • • Thick, fundamental bass tone
  • • Simple, reliable electronics
✗ CONS
  • • Less modern features
  • • May lack brightness for slap bass

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

⭐ 4.8/5 (10 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 596085
$2,573
Buy at Thomann View Details
Fender AV II 60 P BASS RW DPB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Fender AV II 60 P BASS RW DPB

by Fender
Alternative Country Blues
Key Feature:
• Great for pick and finger playing
✓ PROS
  • • Simple, reliable electronics
  • • Excellent in band mix
✗ CONS
  • • Less modern features
  • • Single pickup limits sound options

Fender AV II 60 P BASS RW DPBElectric BassAlder bodyMaple neckSlab rosewood fretboardClay Dot fretboard inlaysNeck...

⭐ 4.9/5 (33 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 549153
$2,419
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.

Related Best Lists

POPULAR

Best ST Style Guitars

TOP

Best Humbucker Pickups

POPULAR

Best Distortion Pedals

POPULAR

Best Single Cut Guitars

RELATED

Best Dreadnought Acoustic Guitars

TOP

Best 4/4 Size Classical Guitars

We use cookies to improve your experience. Learn more