Best 4-String Basses for Intermediate 2026
Perfect 4-string basses for intermediate - easy to play and learn on
Last updated: January 14, 2026 • Next update: January 21, 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
⭐
4.8/5
(26 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
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
#3
⭐
4.4/5
(18 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Ibanez SR5500-MHF Prestige
by
Ibanez
Unique Designs
Specialty Applications
Custom Features
Key Feature:
• Perfect for most musical styles
✓ PROS
- • Wide variety of pickup configurations
- • Perfect for most musical styles
✗ CONS
- • No high C string for extended range
- • Less range than extended scale basses
Ibanez SR5500-MHF PrestigeElectric BassBody: MahoganyTop: Ovangkol5-Piece neck: Maple/WalnutFingerboard: RosewoodMother...
⭐
4.4/5
(18 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 606699
$2,859
#4
⭐
4.8/5
(28 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
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
#5
⭐
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
#6
⭐
4.6/5
(7 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
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
#7
⭐
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
#8
⭐
4.9/5
(22 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
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
#9
⭐
4.8/5
(24 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
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
#10
⭐
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
#11
⭐
4.4/5
(41 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
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
#12
⭐
4.5/5
(15 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
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
#13
⭐
4.6/5
(18 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Sadowsky MetroExp24 Mod 4 Morado SGR
by
Sadowsky
Experimental Music
Specialty Applications
Unique Designs
Key Feature:
• Perfect for most musical styles
✓ PROS
- • Versatile tonal range
- • Classic bass foundation
✗ CONS
- • May need alternate tunings for some styles
- • Limited low-end extension vs 5-string
Sadowsky MetroExp24 Mod 4 Morado SGRElectric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard: MoradoFingerboard...
⭐
4.6/5
(18 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 599516
$1,209
#14
⭐
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
#15
⭐
4.6/5
(42 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
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
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.
