Best 4-String Heavy Basses 2025
Top-rated 4-string heavy basses 2025 - expert picks for every budget and skill level
Last updated: November 5, 2025 • Next update: November 12, 2025
ESP LTD FL-4 Black Red Burst Satin
- • Professional heavy sound
- • Modern hardware and electronics
- • Often more expensive
- • Limited versatility outside heavy genres
ESP LTD FL-4 Black Red Burst SatinElectric BassFred LeClercq Signature ModelBody: Alder5-Piece neck-through-body neck:...
Schecter Sixx Bass Satin Black
- • Professional heavy sound
- • Solid construction for aggressive playing
- • Often more expensive
- • May be too aggressive for clean tones
Schecter Sixx Bass Satin BlackElectric BassNikki Sixx (Mötley Crüe) signature modelBody: MahoganyFingerboard:...
ESP LTD M-4 Black Metal BLKS
- • Professional heavy sound
- • High-output pickups for distortion
- • May not suit all musical contexts
- • Limited versatility outside heavy genres
ESP LTD M-4 Black Metal BLKSElectric BassBody: Alder3-Piece neck: MapleFingerboard: Macassar ebonyNeck profile: Thin...
Warwick RB Corvette Taranis 4 NBTS
- • High-output pickups for distortion
- • Modern hardware and electronics
- • Limited versatility outside heavy genres
- • Requires high-gain amplification
Warwick RB Corvette Taranis 4 NBTS4-String Electric BassTuning: B E A DBody: AshBolt-on3-piece neck: Maple with Ekanga...
Jackson David Ellefson CBX IV SBK
- • Solid construction for aggressive playing
- • Professional heavy sound
- • May not suit all musical contexts
- • May be too aggressive for clean tones
Jackson David Ellefson CBX IV SBK AHElectric BassDavid Ellefson (Megadeth) Signature ModelBody: BasswoodBolt-on neck:...
ESP LTD Orion 4 Signature BL
- • High-output pickups for distortion
- • Professional heavy sound
- • Limited versatility outside heavy genres
- • May not suit all musical contexts
ESP LTD Orion 4 Signature BLElectric BassBody: Swamp ashNeck: 3-Piece maple neckNeck binding: Bolt-onFretboard:...
Epiphone Thunderbird IV VSB
- • Great for heavy music styles
- • High-output pickups for distortion
- • May not suit all musical contexts
- • Requires high-gain amplification
Epiphone Thunderbird IV VSB, Thunderbird IV Electric BassEven though Epiphone's American sister company Gibson was...
Harley Benton WB-20BK Rock Series w/Bag
- • Professional heavy sound
- • Modern hardware and electronics
- • Limited versatility outside heavy genres
- • Often more expensive
Harley Benton WB-20BK Rock Series w/Bag*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton WB-20BK Rock Series*Electric Bass*Rock...
Warwick Artist Line Robert Trujillo 4
- • Professional heavy sound
- • Great for heavy music styles
- • Often more expensive
- • Requires high-gain amplification
Warwick Artist Line Robert Trujillo 4Electric BassRobert Trujillo (Metallica) Signature modelAlder bodyArched top and...
ESP LTD AP-4 Black Metal
- • Solid construction for aggressive playing
- • Modern hardware and electronics
- • Limited versatility outside heavy genres
- • Often more expensive
ESP LTD AP-4 Black MetalElectric BassBody: AlderBolt-on neck: MapleFretboard: Macassar ebonyNeck profile: Thin U21 XJ...
Schecter Stiletto Stealth-4
- • Solid construction for aggressive playing
- • Professional heavy sound
- • Limited versatility outside heavy genres
- • May be too aggressive for clean tones
Schecter Stiletto Stealth-4Electric BassBody: BasswoodBolt-on neck: MapleFretboard: RosewoodFretboard inlays: Grey...
ESP LTD Phoenix-1004 TSS
- • Professional heavy sound
- • High-output pickups for distortion
- • Limited versatility outside heavy genres
- • Requires high-gain amplification
ESP LTD Phoenix-1004 TSSElectric BassBody: MahoganyNeck: 5-Piece mahogany/walnutNeck attachment:...
ESP LTD ML B-4 BLK Blast
- • Professional heavy sound
- • Modern hardware and electronics
- • May be too aggressive for clean tones
- • Requires high-gain amplification
ESP LTD ML B-4 BLK BlastElectric BassMike Leon Signature ModelBody: Swamp Ash5-Piece Bolt-on neck: Wenge /...
ESP LTD F-4
- • Solid construction for aggressive playing
- • Modern hardware and electronics
- • May be too aggressive for clean tones
- • Requires high-gain amplification
ESP LTD F-4Electric BassBody: Mahogany3-Strip neck-through-body neck: MapleFingerboard: EbonyNeck profile: extra thin...
Harley Benton TB-70VS Deluxe Series
- • High-output pickups for distortion
- • Modern hardware and electronics
- • May be too aggressive for clean tones
- • Limited versatility outside heavy genres
Harley Benton TB-70VS Deluxe SeriesElectric BassBody: OkoumeSet-in Mahogany neckFingerboard: BlackwoodDot fingerboard...
How to Choose the Best 4-String Heavy 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