AudioFu

Best 4-String Basses for Distinctive Sound 2025

Perfect 4-string basses for distinctive-sound - 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
Sadowsky MetroExp24 Modern 4 RM CH - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Sadowsky MetroExp24 Modern 4 RM CH

by Sadowsky
Experimental Music Alternative Styles Distinctive Sound
Key Feature:
• Perfect for most musical styles
✓ PROS
  • • Versatile tonal range
  • • Standard four-string configuration
✗ CONS
  • • May need alternate tunings for some styles
  • • Standard tuning limitations

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

⭐ 4.8/5 (50 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 599517
$1,077
Buy at Thomann View Details
Ibanez SR300EB-WNF - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

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
Spector Euro 4 CST Nat Violet Burst - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Spector Euro 4 CST Nat Violet Burst

by Spector
Custom Features Alternative Styles Experimental Music
Key Feature:
• Classic bass foundation
✓ PROS
  • • Versatile tonal range
  • • Wide variety of pickup configurations
✗ CONS
  • • May need alternate tunings for some styles
  • • No high C string for extended range

Spector Euro 4 CST Nat Violet BurstElectric BassBody: European ash with a walnut stripeTop: European poplar burl3-Piece...

⭐ 4.9/5 (22 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 603228
$3,299
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sterling by Music Man StingRay2 Black - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

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
Ibanez SR300E-DOT - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Ibanez SR300E-DOT

by Ibanez
Experimental Music Distinctive Sound Unique Designs
Key Feature:
• Classic bass foundation
✓ PROS
  • • Standard four-string configuration
  • • Wide variety of pickup configurations
✗ CONS
  • • Less range than extended scale basses
  • • No high C string for extended range

Ibanez SR300E-DOTElectric BassBody: NyatohBolt-on 5-Piece neck: Maple/WalnutFingerboard: JatobaWhite dot fingerboard...

⭐ 4.5/5 (15 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 606649
$406
Buy at Thomann View Details
Reverend Mike Watt Wattplower MkII WY - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

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
Ibanez SRD900-CTL - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

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
Yamaha TRBX 604FM Indigo Blue - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Yamaha TRBX 604FM Indigo Blue

by Yamaha
Alternative Styles Distinctive Sound Unique Designs
Key Feature:
• Perfect for most musical styles
✓ PROS
  • • Perfect for most musical styles
  • • Standard four-string configuration
✗ CONS
  • • Less range than extended scale basses
  • • May need alternate tunings for some styles

Yamaha TRBX 604FM Indigo BlueElectric BassBody: AlderTop: Flamed maple5-Piece neck: Maple/MahoganyFingerboard:...

⭐ 4.9/5 (13 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 605623
$901
Buy at Thomann View Details
Lakland Skyline 44-02 Deluxe 4 SMT VIB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

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
Lakland Skyline Hollowbody-30 4 BG - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

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
Yamaha TRBX 604FM Caramel Brown - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

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
Buy at Thomann View Details
Reverend Mike Watt Wattplower MkII RBS - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

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
Hagstrom Nekromant 4 Tobacco Sunburst - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

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
Buy at Thomann View Details
Hagstrom Nekromant 4 White Gloss - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

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
Buy at Thomann View Details
Kramer Guitars Disciple D-1 Bass TC Purple - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

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

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.

Related Best Lists

POPULAR

Best ST Style Guitars

TOP

Best Humbucker Pickups

POPULAR

Best Distortion Pedals

POPULAR

Best Single Cut Guitars

RELATED

Best Dreadnought Acoustic Guitars

TOP

Best 4/4 Size Classical Guitars

We use cookies to improve your experience. Learn more