AudioFu

Best 4-String Basses for Beginner 2025

Perfect 4-string basses for beginner - easy to play and learn on

Last updated: October 22, 2025 • Next update: October 29, 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
Kramer Guitars Disciple D-1 Bass TC Purple - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Kramer Guitars Disciple D-1 Bass TC Purple

by Kramer Guitars
Alternative Styles Specialty Applications Custom Features
Key Feature:
• Standard four-string configuration
✓ PROS
  • • Standard four-string configuration
  • • Versatile tonal range
✗ CONS
  • • Standard tuning limitations
  • • Less range than extended scale basses

Kramer Guitars Disciple D-1 Bass TC PurpleElectric BassBody: MahoganyAsymmetrical neck: MapleFingerboard: EbonyScale:...

⭐ 4.6/5 (4 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 606475
$626
Buy at Thomann View Details
Reverend Mike Watt Wattplower MkII WY - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Reverend Mike Watt Wattplower MkII WY

by Reverend
Custom Features Alternative Styles Experimental Music
Key Feature:
• Versatile tonal range
✓ PROS
  • • Wide variety of pickup configurations
  • • Classic bass foundation
✗ CONS
  • • May need alternate tunings for some styles
  • • Limited low-end extension vs 5-string

Reverend Mike Watt Wattplower MkII WYElectric BassMike Watt Signature modelBody: KorinaBolt-on 3-piece neck:...

⭐ 4.7/5 (49 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 600490
$1,759
Buy at Thomann View Details
Spector Euro 4 LX Bolt-On NSM - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Spector Euro 4 LX Bolt-On NSM

by Spector
Alternative Styles Unique Designs Custom Features
Key Feature:
• Classic bass foundation
✓ PROS
  • • Versatile tonal range
  • • Classic bass foundation
✗ CONS
  • • May need alternate tunings for some styles
  • • Standard tuning limitations

Spector Euro 4 LX Bolt-On NSMElectric BassTop: Flamed mapleBody: European alder with a walnut stripe3-Piece...

⭐ 4.7/5 (34 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 621225
$2,584
Buy at Thomann View Details
Lakland Skyline Hollowbody-30 4 BG - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Lakland Skyline Hollowbody-30 4 BG

by Lakland
Experimental Music Custom Features Alternative Styles
Key Feature:
• Classic bass foundation
✓ PROS
  • • Classic bass foundation
  • • Standard four-string configuration
✗ CONS
  • • No high C string for extended range
  • • Limited low-end extension vs 5-string

Lakland Skyline Hollowbody-30 4 BGElectric BassDesign: HollowbodyBody: AshBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: Pau...

⭐ 4.6/5 (42 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 617891
$1,782
Buy at Thomann View Details
Ibanez SRD900-CTL - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Ibanez SRD900-CTL

by Ibanez
Distinctive Sound Alternative Styles Specialty Applications
Key Feature:
• Classic bass foundation
✓ PROS
  • • Perfect for most musical styles
  • • Wide variety of pickup configurations
✗ CONS
  • • No high C string for extended range
  • • Limited low-end extension vs 5-string

Ibanez SRD900-CTLElectric BassBody: OkoumeTop: Exotic mapleBolt-on 5-Piece neck: Maple/WalnutFingerboard: Panga...

⭐ 4.8/5 (11 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 606595
$1,154
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sadowsky MetroExp24 Modern 4 RM SIL - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Sadowsky MetroExp24 Modern 4 RM SIL

by Sadowsky
Experimental Music Specialty Applications Unique Designs
Key Feature:
• Perfect for most musical styles
✓ PROS
  • • Standard four-string configuration
  • • Versatile tonal range
✗ CONS
  • • No high C string for extended range
  • • Limited low-end extension vs 5-string

Sadowsky MetroExp24 Modern 4 RM SILElectric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard: Roasted...

⭐ 4.8/5 (28 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 599519
$1,176
Buy at Thomann View Details
Höfner Club Bass Ignition SE BK w/Bag - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Höfner Club Bass Ignition SE BK w/Bag

by Höfner
Specialty Applications Alternative Styles Distinctive Sound
Key Feature:
• Wide variety of pickup configurations
✓ PROS
  • • Wide variety of pickup configurations
  • • Versatile tonal range
✗ CONS
  • • No high C string for extended range
  • • Standard tuning limitations

Höfner Club Bass Ignition SE BK w/Bag*Bundle offer comprising*, Höfner Club Bass Ignition SE Black*Electric...

⭐ 4.4/5 (41 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 611738
$472
Buy at Thomann View Details
Ibanez SR300EDX-WZM - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Ibanez SR300EDX-WZM

by Ibanez
Experimental Music Alternative Styles Unique Designs
Key Feature:
• Classic bass foundation
✓ PROS
  • • Perfect for most musical styles
  • • Wide variety of pickup configurations
✗ CONS
  • • Less range than extended scale basses
  • • No high C string for extended range

Ibanez SR300EDX-WZMElectric BassBody: NyatohBolt-on 5-Piece neck: Maple/WalnutFingerboard: JatobaWhite dot fingerboard...

⭐ 4.5/5 (52 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 606644
$516
Buy at Thomann View Details
Ibanez SR300EB-WNF - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Ibanez SR300EB-WNF

by Ibanez
Alternative Styles Experimental Music Specialty Applications
Key Feature:
• Classic bass foundation
✓ PROS
  • • Standard four-string configuration
  • • Perfect for most musical styles
✗ CONS
  • • No high C string for extended range
  • • Limited low-end extension vs 5-string

Ibanez SR300EB-WNFElectric BassBody: NyatohBolt-on 5-Piece neck: Maple/WalnutFingerboard: JatobaWhite dot fingerboard...

⭐ 4.8/5 (26 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 606654
$406
Buy at Thomann View Details
Lakland Skyline 44-02 Deluxe 4 SMT VIB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Lakland Skyline 44-02 Deluxe 4 SMT VIB

by Lakland
Distinctive Sound Specialty Applications Alternative Styles
Key Feature:
• Wide variety of pickup configurations
✓ PROS
  • • Classic bass foundation
  • • Standard four-string configuration
✗ CONS
  • • Limited low-end extension vs 5-string
  • • Less range than extended scale basses

Lakland Skyline 44-02 Deluxe 4 SMT VIBElectric BassBody: AshTop: Spalted mapleNeck: roasted mapleFingerboard:...

⭐ 4.5/5 (27 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 599560
$2,342
Buy at Thomann View Details
Reverend Mike Watt Wattplower MkII RBS - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Reverend Mike Watt Wattplower MkII RBS

by Reverend
Unique Designs Specialty Applications Alternative Styles
Key Feature:
• Versatile tonal range
✓ PROS
  • • Classic bass foundation
  • • Standard four-string configuration
✗ CONS
  • • Less range than extended scale basses
  • • No high C string for extended range

Reverend Mike Watt Wattplower MkII RBSElectric BassMike Watt Signature modelBody: KorinaBolt-on 3-piece neck:...

⭐ 4.8/5 (24 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 603147
$1,759
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sterling by Music Man StingRay2 Black - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

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
Hagstrom Nekromant 4 Black Gloss - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Hagstrom Nekromant 4 Black Gloss

by Hagstrom
Custom Features Distinctive Sound Experimental Music
Key Feature:
• Perfect for most musical styles
✓ PROS
  • • Versatile tonal range
  • • Classic bass foundation
✗ CONS
  • • Limited low-end extension vs 5-string
  • • Less range than extended scale basses

Hagstrom Nekromant 4 Black GlossElectric BassBody: MahoganySet-in neck: MahoganyFingerboard: ResinatorPearloid Hagstrom...

⭐ 4.6/5 (7 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 600984
$1,176
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sadowsky MetroExp24 Mod 4 Morado SIL - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Sadowsky MetroExp24 Mod 4 Morado SIL

by Sadowsky
Specialty Applications Distinctive Sound Custom Features
Key Feature:
• Versatile tonal range
✓ PROS
  • • Wide variety of pickup configurations
  • • Perfect for most musical styles
✗ CONS
  • • Less range than extended scale basses
  • • May need alternate tunings for some styles

Sadowsky MetroExp24 Mod 4 Morado SILElectric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard: MoradoFingerboard...

⭐ 4.6/5 (32 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 599520
$1,209
Buy at Thomann View Details
Ibanez TMB420B-BKF - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Ibanez TMB420B-BKF

by Ibanez
Specialty Applications Custom Features Distinctive Sound
Key Feature:
• Classic bass foundation
✓ PROS
  • • Wide variety of pickup configurations
  • • Perfect for most musical styles
✗ CONS
  • • No high C string for extended range
  • • Limited low-end extension vs 5-string

Ibanez TMB420B-BKFElectric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard: EbonolFingerboard radius: 240 mm...

⭐ 4.6/5 (7 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 606806
$494
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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