Best 4-String Basses for Unique Designs 2026
Perfect 4-string basses for unique-designs - easy to play and learn on
Last updated: January 14, 2026 • Next update: January 21, 2026
#1
⭐
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
#2
⭐
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
#3
⭐
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
#4
⭐
4.8/5
(50 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
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
#5
⭐
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
#6
⭐
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
#7
⭐
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
#8
⭐
4.5/5
(27 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
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
#9
⭐
4.8/5
(11 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
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
#10
⭐
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
#11
⭐
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
#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
⭐
4.8/5
(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
#14
⭐
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
#15
⭐
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
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.
