AudioFu

Best 4-String Basses for Specialty Applications 2025

Perfect 4-string basses for specialty-applications - 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
Ibanez SR4500-DST Prestige - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

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
Buy at Thomann View Details
Hagstrom Nekromant 4 White Gloss - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

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

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
Lakland Skyline 44-02 Deluxe 4 SMT VIB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

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
#6

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
Hagstrom Nekromant 4 Tobacco Sunburst - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

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
Ibanez TMB400TA-IAB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

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
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
Ibanez SR300E-DOT - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#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
Buy at Thomann View Details
Ibanez SR5500-MHF Prestige - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

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
Buy at Thomann View Details
Yamaha TRBX 604FM Indigo Blue - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

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
Sadowsky MetroExp24 Mod 4 Morado SIL - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

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
Höfner Club Bass Ignition SE Black - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

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
Buy at Thomann View Details
Reverend Mike Watt Wattplower MkII RBS - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

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

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