Gearing a Bard with 4k

[RDawg816]

A set of lament would be around 3k. You could get by with banded/random gear though.

I'd say get ac/hp rings and a set of charisma gear.

If you plan to melee, you can get some nice weapons now....

[Troxx]

Standard starter gear for a bard:

2x 5ac/55hp rings
Sionachie's Partisan (you got it)
Mistmoore drums (you got it)
Lute of the Gypsy Princess (you got it)
Crystalline Short sword (you got it)

Armor sets (i like to match) that fit in your budget:
Lambent (most expensive but you could probably buy it)
Small fine plate (~900-1k)
Small banded (< 100p)

Lower end odds/ends that are worth it:
Hero bracer x 1
Cloak of Shadows vs Hooded Black cloak
Opalline Earring (1 or 2)
Orc Fang Earring (1 or 2)
Cape of Midnight Mist (neck)
Runed Bone Fork (range)

Camp a DE illusion mask

At the low end, gearing for strength initially isn't that bad, but as you gain levels your melee dps really starts to fall behind so not worth it. To make yourself grouper friendly charisma/resists/dexterity.