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Best 4-String Basses 2025

Top-rated 4-string basses 2025 - expert picks for every budget and skill level

Last updated: November 12, 2025 • Next update: November 19, 2025

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 Unique Designs For Specialty Applications For Experimental Music For Custom Features For Alternative Styles For Distinctive Sound
BRANDS: Sadowsky Ibanez Harley Benton Warwick Music Man Sterling by Music Man Yamaha Sandberg Marcus Miller Höfner Epiphone Jackson Spector Rickenbacker Lakland Cort Danelectro Fodera
Sterling by Music Man S.U.B. Sting Ray 4 VC - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Sterling by Music Man S.U.B. Sting Ray 4 VC

by Sterling by Music Man
Specialty Applications Alternative Styles Custom Features
Key Feature:
• Wide variety of pickup configurations
✓ PROS
  • • Wide variety of pickup configurations
  • • Classic bass foundation
✗ CONS
  • • Less range than extended scale basses
  • • Standard tuning limitations

Sterling by Music Man S.U.B. Sting Ray 4 VCElectric BassBody: BasswoodNeck: MapleFretboard: Jatoba21 FretsNut width: 38...

⭐ 4.7/5 (6 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 435005
$437
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sterling by Music Man StingRay2 Misty Green - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Sterling by Music Man StingRay2 Misty Green

by Sterling by Music Man
Specialty Applications Alternative Styles Experimental Music
Key Feature:
• Versatile tonal range
✓ PROS
  • • Classic bass foundation
  • • Wide variety of pickup configurations
✗ CONS
  • • No high C string for extended range
  • • Standard tuning limitations

Sterling by Music Man StingRay2 Misty GreenElectric BassBody: PoplarBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: MapleDual action...

⭐ 4.6/5 (30 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 612713
$428
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sterling by Music Man S.U.B. Sting Ray 4 WS - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Sterling by Music Man S.U.B. Sting Ray 4 WS

by Sterling by Music Man
Unique Designs Alternative Styles Distinctive Sound
Key Feature:
• Standard four-string configuration
✓ PROS
  • • Perfect for most musical styles
  • • Wide variety of pickup configurations
✗ CONS
  • • Limited low-end extension vs 5-string
  • • Standard tuning limitations

Sterling by Music Man S.U.B. Sting Ray 4 WSElectric BassBody: BasswoodNeck: MapleFretboard: Jatoba21 FretsNut width: 38...

⭐ 4.9/5 (27 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 435006
$516
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sterling by Music Man S.U.B. Sting Ray 4 BK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Sterling by Music Man S.U.B. Sting Ray 4 BK

by Sterling by Music Man
Custom Features Specialty Applications Distinctive Sound
Key Feature:
• Wide variety of pickup configurations
✓ PROS
  • • Perfect for most musical styles
  • • Wide variety of pickup configurations
✗ CONS
  • • No high C string for extended range
  • • Less range than extended scale basses

Sterling by Music Man S.U.B. Sting Ray 4 BKElectric BassBody: BasswoodNeck: MapleFretboard: Maple21 FretsNut width: 38...

⭐ 4.9/5 (23 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 434968
$516
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sterling by Music Man Sting Ray RAY34BKR2 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Sterling by Music Man Sting Ray RAY34BKR2

by Sterling by Music Man
Specialty Applications Custom Features Experimental Music
Key Feature:
• Wide variety of pickup configurations
✓ PROS
  • • Standard four-string configuration
  • • Versatile tonal range
✗ CONS
  • • May need alternate tunings for some styles
  • • Standard tuning limitations

Sterling by Music Man Sting Ray RAY34BKR2Electric BassBody: MahoganyNeck: roasted mapleFingerboard: Rosewood21 Medium...

⭐ 4.4/5 (22 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 457606
$1,099
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sterling by Music Man Sting Ray Classic 24 TLB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Sterling by Music Man Sting Ray Classic 24 TLB

by Sterling by Music Man
Custom Features Alternative Styles Experimental Music
Key Feature:
• Standard four-string configuration
✓ PROS
  • • Versatile tonal range
  • • Perfect for most musical styles
✗ CONS
  • • Less range than extended scale basses
  • • Standard tuning limitations

Sterling by Music Man Sting Ray 34 QM NBL4-String Electric BassMahogany bodyMaple neckRosewood fretboard (Dalbergia...

⭐ 4.6/5 (17 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 459394
$824
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sterling by Music Man S.U.B Sting Ray4 HH ST BLK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Sterling by Music Man S.U.B Sting Ray4 HH ST BLK

by Sterling by Music Man
Specialty Applications Experimental Music Unique Designs
Key Feature:
• Wide variety of pickup configurations
✓ PROS
  • • Standard four-string configuration
  • • Wide variety of pickup configurations
✗ CONS
  • • Standard tuning limitations
  • • Less range than extended scale basses

Sterling by Music Man S.U.B Sting Ray4 HH ST BLKElectric BassBody: JabonNeck: Bolt-on mapleFingerboard:...

⭐ 5.0/5 (43 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 585157
$659
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sterling by Music Man StingRay RAY34HH Spalted BOB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Sterling by Music Man StingRay RAY34HH Spalted BOB

by Sterling by Music Man
Distinctive Sound Specialty Applications Alternative Styles
Key Feature:
• Standard four-string configuration
✓ PROS
  • • Wide variety of pickup configurations
  • • Perfect for most musical styles
✗ CONS
  • • Less range than extended scale basses
  • • No high C string for extended range

Sterling by Music Man StingRay RAY34HH Spalted BOBElectric BassBody: NyatohTop: Spalted mapleBolt-on neck: Roasted...

⭐ 4.6/5 (36 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 585252
$1,484
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sterling by Music Man StingRay2 Black - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Sterling by Music Man StingRay2 Black

by Sterling by Music Man
Distinctive Sound Alternative Styles Specialty Applications
Key Feature:
• Perfect for most musical styles
✓ PROS
  • • Versatile tonal range
  • • Classic bass foundation
✗ CONS
  • • Standard tuning limitations
  • • No high C string for extended range

Sterling by Music Man StingRay2 BlackElectric BassIntro SeriesBody: PoplarBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: MapleBlack...

⭐ 4.6/5 (5 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 612689
$428
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sterling by Music Man SB14 Blue Pearl - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Sterling by Music Man SB14 Blue Pearl

by Sterling by Music Man
Specialty Applications Custom Features Unique Designs
Key Feature:
• Standard four-string configuration
✓ PROS
  • • Versatile tonal range
  • • Wide variety of pickup configurations
✗ CONS
  • • No high C string for extended range
  • • Less range than extended scale basses

Sterling by Music Man SB14 Blue PearlElectric BassBody: MapleNeck: MapleFingerboard: RosewoodWhite dot fingerboard...

⭐ 4.7/5 (38 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 612060
$1,044
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sterling by Music Man S.U.B. Sting Ray 4 MG - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Sterling by Music Man S.U.B. Sting Ray 4 MG

by Sterling by Music Man
Alternative Styles Custom Features Specialty Applications
Key Feature:
• Versatile tonal range
✓ PROS
  • • Versatile tonal range
  • • Wide variety of pickup configurations
✗ CONS
  • • Less range than extended scale basses
  • • Standard tuning limitations

Sterling by Music Man S.U.B. Sting Ray 4 MGElectric BassBody: BasswoodNeck: MapleFretboard: Maple21 FretsNut width: 38...

⭐ 4.7/5 (44 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 435000
$516
Buy at Thomann View Details
Kramer Guitars Disciple Bass Pearl White - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Kramer Guitars Disciple Bass Pearl White

by Kramer Guitars
Alternative Styles Distinctive Sound Unique Designs
Key Feature:
• Standard four-string configuration
✓ PROS
  • • Classic bass foundation
  • • Versatile tonal range
✗ CONS
  • • Standard tuning limitations
  • • Limited low-end extension vs 5-string

Kramer Guitars Disciple Bass Pearl WhiteElectric BassBody: MahoganyNeck: MapleFingerboard: EbonyNeck profile:...

⭐ 4.8/5 (4 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 253698
$505
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sterling by Music Man StingRay RAY34 Spalted 3TSB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Sterling by Music Man StingRay RAY34 Spalted 3TSB

by Sterling by Music Man
Alternative Styles Distinctive Sound Custom Features
Key Feature:
• Wide variety of pickup configurations
✓ PROS
  • • Wide variety of pickup configurations
  • • Versatile tonal range
✗ CONS
  • • Less range than extended scale basses
  • • May need alternate tunings for some styles

Sterling by Music Man StingRay RAY34 Spalted 3TSBElectric BassBody: NyatohTop: spalted mapleBolt-on neck: roasted...

⭐ 4.6/5 (38 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 585257
$1,374
Buy at Thomann View Details
Marcus Miller Z7-4 Antique White - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Marcus Miller Z7-4 Antique White

by Marcus Miller
Unique Designs Distinctive Sound Custom Features
Key Feature:
• Standard four-string configuration
✓ PROS
  • • Versatile tonal range
  • • Classic bass foundation
✗ CONS
  • • May need alternate tunings for some styles
  • • Standard tuning limitations

Marcus Miller Z7-4 Antique WhiteElectric BassBody: AlderBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: EbonyWhite dot fingerboard...

⭐ 4.5/5 (41 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 584203
$659
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sterling by Music Man S.U.B Sting Ray4 HH Cobra Blue - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Sterling by Music Man S.U.B Sting Ray4 HH Cobra Blue

by Sterling by Music Man
Experimental Music Unique Designs Distinctive Sound
Key Feature:
• Versatile tonal range
✓ PROS
  • • Classic bass foundation
  • • Perfect for most musical styles
✗ CONS
  • • Standard tuning limitations
  • • Less range than extended scale basses

Sterling by Music Man S.U.B Sting Ray4 HH Cobra BlueElectric BassBody: JabonNeck: Bolt-on mapleFingerboard:...

⭐ 4.7/5 (55 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 585145
$659
Buy at Thomann View Details

How to Choose the Best 4-String 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 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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