Best 4-String Semi-Acoustic Basses for Acoustic Ensembles 2026
Perfect 4-string semi-acoustic basses for acoustic-ensembles - easy to play and learn on
Last updated: January 14, 2026 • Next update: January 21, 2026
GENRES & STYLES:
For Jazz
For Blues
For Folk
For Acoustic Ensembles
For Recording
For Unplugged Performance
BRANDS:
Höfner
#1
⭐
4.7/5
(55 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Epiphone Jack Casady Signature Bass SB
by
Epiphone
Jazz
Blues
Acoustic Ensembles
Key Feature:
• Great for both acoustic and electric settings
✓ PROS
- • Great for both acoustic and electric settings
- • Acoustic resonance with amplification capability
✗ CONS
- • May not satisfy acoustic purists
- • Electronics add complexity
Epiphone Jack Casady Signature Bass SBElectric BassLaminated maple bodyMahogany neckFingerboard: Indian laurelNeck...
⭐
4.7/5
(55 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 502840
$769
#2
⭐
4.9/5
(33 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Guild Starfire I Bass Vintage Walnut
by
Guild
Blues
Jazz
Unplugged Performance
Key Feature:
• Natural bass tone with projection
✓ PROS
- • Versatile for many musical contexts
- • Natural bass tone with projection
✗ CONS
- • May not satisfy acoustic purists
- • More expensive than pure acoustic
Guild Starfire I Bass Vintage WalnutElectric BassBody style: Thinline Semi-Hollow with Mahogany center blockBody...
⭐
4.9/5
(33 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 511895
$659
#3
⭐
4.9/5
(2 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Ibanez AFB200-TKS
by
Ibanez
Folk
Recording
Unplugged Performance
Key Feature:
• Great for both acoustic and electric settings
✓ PROS
- • Acoustic resonance with amplification capability
- • Natural bass tone with projection
✗ CONS
- • Electronics add complexity
- • May feedback at higher volumes
Ibanez AFB200-TKSAcoustic BassBody: Basswood3-Piece neck: Maple/mahoganyFretboard: LaurelWhite fingerboard inlaysNeck...
⭐
4.9/5
(2 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 454078
$681
#4
⭐
5.0/5
(17 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Guild Starfire I Bass Pelham Blue
by
Guild
Unplugged Performance
Folk
Blues
Key Feature:
• Versatile for many musical contexts
✓ PROS
- • Perfect for acoustic-electric performances
- • Natural bass tone with projection
✗ CONS
- • More expensive than pure acoustic
- • Electronics add complexity
Guild Starfire I Bass Pelham BlueElectric BassStyle: Thinline Semi-Hollow with mahogany centre blockBody thickness: 61...
⭐
5.0/5
(17 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 560038
$747
#5
⭐
4.6/5
(51 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Marcus Miller GB5-4 Natural
Blues
Recording
Acoustic Ensembles
Key Feature:
• Acoustic resonance with amplification capability
✓ PROS
- • Perfect for acoustic-electric performances
- • Great for both acoustic and electric settings
✗ CONS
- • More expensive than pure acoustic
- • May feedback at higher volumes
Marcus Miller GB5-4 NaturalElectric BassType: Semi AcousticReproduces the rich resonance and double bass tones of a...
⭐
4.6/5
(51 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 587008
$549
#6
⭐
4.8/5
(44 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Höfner Ignition Violin Bass BK SE
by
Höfner
Acoustic Ensembles
Recording
Jazz
Key Feature:
• Acoustic resonance with amplification capability
✓ PROS
- • Great for both acoustic and electric settings
- • Acoustic resonance with amplification capability
✗ CONS
- • Electronics add complexity
- • May feedback at higher volumes
Höfner Ignition Violin Bass BK SEElectric BassTop: SpruceBack and sides: MapleOne-piece neck: MapleFingerboard:...
⭐
4.8/5
(44 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 612800
$406
#7
⭐
5.0/5
(44 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Marcus Miller GB5-4 Black
Unplugged Performance
Blues
Jazz
Key Feature:
• Acoustic resonance with amplification capability
✓ PROS
- • Perfect for acoustic-electric performances
- • Versatile for many musical contexts
✗ CONS
- • May feedback at higher volumes
- • More expensive than pure acoustic
Marcus Miller GB5-4 BlackElectric BassType: Semi AcousticReproduces the rich resonance and double bass tones of a...
⭐
5.0/5
(44 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 587011
$549
#8
⭐
4.8/5
(36 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Harley Benton HB-60 WB w/Bag
Jazz
Acoustic Ensembles
Recording
Key Feature:
• Versatile for many musical contexts
✓ PROS
- • Acoustic resonance with amplification capability
- • Great for both acoustic and electric settings
✗ CONS
- • May not satisfy acoustic purists
- • May feedback at higher volumes
Harley Benton HB-60 WB w/Bag*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton HB-60 WB*Electric Bass*Vintage SeriesStyle:...
⭐
4.8/5
(36 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 543749
$328
#9
⭐
4.5/5
(56 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Guild Starfire I Bass Cherry Red
by
Guild
Folk
Acoustic Ensembles
Recording
Key Feature:
• Versatile for many musical contexts
✓ PROS
- • Versatile for many musical contexts
- • Natural bass tone with projection
✗ CONS
- • More expensive than pure acoustic
- • Electronics add complexity
Guild Starfire I Bass Cherry RedElectric BassBody style: Thinline Semi-Hollow with Mahogany center blockBody thickness:...
⭐
4.5/5
(56 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 511900
$655
#10
⭐
4.5/5
(48 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Höfner H500/1-HGL Green Line
by
Höfner
Unplugged Performance
Folk
Recording
Key Feature:
• Great for both acoustic and electric settings
✓ PROS
- • Acoustic resonance with amplification capability
- • Natural bass tone with projection
✗ CONS
- • Electronics add complexity
- • May not satisfy acoustic purists
Höfner H500/1-HGL Green LineElectric BassBeatles bassTop: SpruceBack and sides: Flamed mapleBinding: WalnutNeck: Maple...
⭐
4.5/5
(48 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 427242
$3,509
#11
⭐
4.5/5
(16 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Höfner Ignition SE Bundle
by
Höfner
Blues
Jazz
Acoustic Ensembles
Key Feature:
• Acoustic resonance with amplification capability
✓ PROS
- • Versatile for many musical contexts
- • Natural bass tone with projection
✗ CONS
- • May feedback at higher volumes
- • May not satisfy acoustic purists
Höfner Ignition SE Bundle*Bundle offer comprising*, Höfner Ignition SE*Electric Bass*Spruce topFlamed maple back and...
⭐
4.5/5
(16 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 489561
$461
#12
⭐
4.7/5
(44 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Höfner Ignition Bass Limited HI-VB-SB
by
Höfner
Blues
Unplugged Performance
Acoustic Ensembles
Key Feature:
• Great for both acoustic and electric settings
✓ PROS
- • Versatile for many musical contexts
- • Acoustic resonance with amplification capability
✗ CONS
- • Battery dependency for preamp
- • Electronics add complexity
Höfner Ignition Bass Limited HI-VB-SBElectric BassBeatles Violin Bass Limited Edition with original string...
⭐
4.7/5
(44 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 618489
$549
#13
⭐
4.8/5
(23 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Höfner Ignition Cavern SE w/Bag
by
Höfner
Recording
Unplugged Performance
Blues
Key Feature:
• Acoustic resonance with amplification capability
✓ PROS
- • Versatile for many musical contexts
- • Acoustic resonance with amplification capability
✗ CONS
- • More expensive than pure acoustic
- • Electronics add complexity
Höfner Ignition Cavern SE w/Bag*Bundle offer comprising*, Höfner Ignition Cavern SE*Electric Violin Bass*Spruce...
⭐
4.8/5
(23 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 611729
$483
#14
⭐
4.6/5
(16 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Epiphone Jack Casady Signature Bass FPB
by
Epiphone
Acoustic Ensembles
Blues
Unplugged Performance
Key Feature:
• Perfect for acoustic-electric performances
✓ PROS
- • Acoustic resonance with amplification capability
- • Perfect for acoustic-electric performances
✗ CONS
- • Electronics add complexity
- • More expensive than pure acoustic
Epiphone Jack Casady Signature Bass FPBElectric BassLaminated maple bodyMahogany neckFretboard: Indian LaurelNeck...
⭐
4.6/5
(16 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 502717
$773
#15
⭐
4.9/5
(24 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Höfner Verythin Bass HCT-500-7 BK
by
Höfner
Blues
Unplugged Performance
Jazz
Key Feature:
• Great for both acoustic and electric settings
✓ PROS
- • Acoustic resonance with amplification capability
- • Great for both acoustic and electric settings
✗ CONS
- • May feedback at higher volumes
- • Battery dependency for preamp
Höfner Verythin Bass HCT-500-7 BKElectric BassType: Hollowbody with Sustain BlockBody: MapleTop: Spruce3-Piece neck:...
⭐
4.9/5
(24 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 595757
$857
How to Choose the Best 4-String Semi-Acoustic 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 semi-acoustic 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.
