Best 4-String Basses for Distinctive Sound 2026
Perfect 4-string basses for distinctive-sound - easy to play and learn on
Last updated: January 7, 2026 • Next update: January 14, 2026
#1
⭐
4.6/5
(5 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Sterling by Music Man StingRay2 Black
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
#2
⭐
4.7/5
(49 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
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
#3
⭐
4.6/5
(7 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
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
#4
⭐
4.8/5
(45 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Ibanez TMB400TA-IAB
by
Ibanez
Unique Designs
Custom Features
Distinctive Sound
Key Feature:
• Perfect for most musical styles
✓ PROS
- • Classic bass foundation
- • Perfect for most musical styles
✗ CONS
- • Limited low-end extension vs 5-string
- • May need alternate tunings for some styles
Ibanez TMB400TA-IABElectric BassBody: PoplarTop: Tamo ashBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard: Bound rosewoodAcrylic...
⭐
4.8/5
(45 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 619807
$439
#5
⭐
4.4/5
(27 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Yamaha TRBX 604FM Caramel Brown
by
Yamaha
Specialty Applications
Experimental Music
Distinctive Sound
Key Feature:
• Standard four-string configuration
✓ PROS
- • Standard four-string configuration
- • Wide variety of pickup configurations
✗ CONS
- • Less range than extended scale basses
- • No high C string for extended range
Yamaha TRBX 604FM Caramel BrownElectric BassBody: AlderTop: Flamed maple5-Piece neck: maple/mahoganyFingerboard:...
⭐
4.4/5
(27 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 605590
$846
#6
⭐
4.6/5
(4 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Kramer Guitars Disciple D-1 Bass TC Purple
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
#7
⭐
4.9/5
(55 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Höfner Club Bass Ignition SE S w/Bag
by
Höfner
Distinctive Sound
Custom Features
Specialty Applications
Key Feature:
• Standard four-string configuration
✓ PROS
- • Classic bass foundation
- • Versatile tonal range
✗ CONS
- • May need alternate tunings for some styles
- • No high C string for extended range
Höfner Club Bass Ignition SE S w/Bag*Bundle offer comprising*, Höfner Club Bass Ignition SE Sunburst*Electric...
⭐
4.9/5
(55 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 611736
$472
#8
⭐
4.5/5
(4 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Sadowsky MetroExp24 Mod 4 Morado CH
by
Sadowsky
Experimental Music
Alternative Styles
Specialty Applications
Key Feature:
• Perfect for most musical styles
✓ PROS
- • Perfect for most musical styles
- • Classic bass foundation
✗ CONS
- • No high C string for extended range
- • Standard tuning limitations
Sadowsky MetroExp24 Mod 4 Morado WHElectric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard: MoradoFingerboard...
⭐
4.5/5
(4 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 599518
$1,209
#9
⭐
4.8/5
(40 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Hagstrom Nekromant 4 White Gloss
by
Hagstrom
Alternative Styles
Specialty Applications
Unique Designs
Key Feature:
• Perfect for most musical styles
✓ PROS
- • Standard four-string configuration
- • Wide variety of pickup configurations
✗ CONS
- • Standard tuning limitations
- • May need alternate tunings for some styles
Hagstrom Nekromant 4 White GlossElectric BassBody: MahoganySet-in neck: MahoganyFingerboard: ResinatorPearloid Hagstrom...
⭐
4.8/5
(40 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 600980
$1,176
#10
⭐
4.7/5
(10 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Höfner Club Bass Ignition SE Black
by
Höfner
Distinctive Sound
Custom Features
Specialty Applications
Key Feature:
• Standard four-string configuration
✓ PROS
- • Wide variety of pickup configurations
- • Classic bass foundation
✗ CONS
- • Limited low-end extension vs 5-string
- • No high C string for extended range
Höfner Club Bass Ignition SE BlackElectric BassStyle: Semi-Hollow with cutawayTop: SpruceBody: MapleNeck:...
⭐
4.7/5
(10 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 608561
$417
#11
⭐
4.9/5
(55 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Ibanez SR4500-DST Prestige
by
Ibanez
Distinctive Sound
Specialty Applications
Custom Features
Key Feature:
• Standard four-string configuration
✓ PROS
- • Standard four-string configuration
- • Classic bass foundation
✗ CONS
- • No high C string for extended range
- • May need alternate tunings for some styles
Ibanez SR4500-DST PrestigeElectric BassBody: AshBolt-on 5-Piece neck: Maple/WalnutFingerboard: Roasted mapleMother of...
⭐
4.9/5
(55 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 606707
$2,749
#12
⭐
4.6/5
(32 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
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
#13
⭐
4.5/5
(52 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
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
#14
⭐
4.7/5
(9 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Hagstrom Nekromant 4 Tobacco Sunburst
by
Hagstrom
Specialty Applications
Alternative Styles
Distinctive Sound
Key Feature:
• Classic bass foundation
✓ PROS
- • Classic bass foundation
- • Standard four-string configuration
✗ CONS
- • Standard tuning limitations
- • Limited low-end extension vs 5-string
Hagstrom Nekromant 4 Tobacco SunburstElectric BassBody: MahoganySet-in neck: MahoganyFingerboard: ResinatorTenon joint...
⭐
4.7/5
(9 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 600988
$1,176
#15
⭐
4.6/5
(8 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Ibanez SR400EQM-SCB
by
Ibanez
Unique Designs
Specialty Applications
Distinctive Sound
Key Feature:
• Perfect for most musical styles
✓ PROS
- • Classic bass foundation
- • Perfect for most musical styles
✗ CONS
- • May need alternate tunings for some styles
- • Less range than extended scale basses
Ibanez SR400EQM-SCBElectric BassBody: NyatohTop: Quilted mapleBolt-on 5-Piece neck: Maple/WalnutFingerboard:...
⭐
4.6/5
(8 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 606632
$637
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.
