Best 4-String J-Basses for Beginner 2026
Perfect 4-string j-basses for beginner - easy to play and learn on
Last updated: January 14, 2026 • Next update: January 21, 2026
#1
⭐
4.8/5
(16 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Fender Player II Mod J Bass MN OLP
by
Fender
Pop
R&B
Session Work
Key Feature:
• Classic Jazz Bass sound
✓ PROS
- • Bright, punchy single-coil tone
- • Great for slap bass techniques
✗ CONS
- • May lack warmth for some styles
- • String spacing may not suit all players
Fender Player II Mod J Bass MN OLPElectric BassBody: AlderBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: MapleBlakc dot fingerboard...
⭐
4.8/5
(16 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 609165
$1,196
#2
⭐
4.8/5
(26 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Fender Player II Mod J Bass MN ELB
by
Fender
Pop
R&B
Rock
Key Feature:
• Classic Jazz Bass sound
✓ PROS
- • Great for slap bass techniques
- • Versatile pickup blending
✗ CONS
- • Less output than humbucker basses
- • May lack warmth for some styles
Fender Player II Mod J Bass MN ELBElectric BassBody: AlderBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: MapleBlack dot fingerboard...
⭐
4.8/5
(26 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 609167
$1,192
#3
⭐
4.7/5
(56 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Maybach Motone J Candy Apple Red Metal
by
Maybach
Rock
R&B
Funk
Key Feature:
• Classic Jazz Bass sound
✓ PROS
- • Versatile pickup blending
- • Excellent note definition
✗ CONS
- • String spacing may not suit all players
- • May lack warmth for some styles
Maybach Motone J Candy Apple Red MetalElectric BassBody: Moon spruceBolt-on neck: Solid mapleFingerboard:...
⭐
4.7/5
(56 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 602680
$2,199
#4
⭐
4.9/5
(56 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Squier CV 60s J Bass LRL TSPG TCO
by
Squier
Rock
Pop
Funk
Key Feature:
• Great for slap bass techniques
✓ PROS
- • Versatile pickup blending
- • Bright, punchy single-coil tone
✗ CONS
- • Less output than humbucker basses
- • Requires EQ adjustment for optimal tone
Squier CV 60s J Bass LRL TSPG TCOElectric BassBody: PoplarBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: Indian laurelPearloid Dot...
⭐
4.9/5
(56 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 619747
$549
#5
⭐
4.5/5
(18 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Fender Player II Mod J Bass RW HGM
by
Fender
Funk
Jazz
Session Work
Key Feature:
• Bright, punchy single-coil tone
✓ PROS
- • Classic Jazz Bass sound
- • Versatile pickup blending
✗ CONS
- • May lack warmth for some styles
- • Less output than humbucker basses
Fender Player II Mod J Bass RW HGMElectric BassBody: AlderBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: RosewoodWhite dot fingerboard...
⭐
4.5/5
(18 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 609117
$1,196
#6
⭐
4.8/5
(35 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vint JJ4 Morado SGR
by
Sadowsky
Jazz
R&B
Session Work
Key Feature:
• Excellent note definition
✓ PROS
- • Great for slap bass techniques
- • Classic Jazz Bass sound
✗ CONS
- • Less output than humbucker basses
- • Requires EQ adjustment for optimal tone
Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vint JJ4 Morado SGRElectric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard:...
⭐
4.8/5
(35 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 599036
$1,099
#7
⭐
4.6/5
(9 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vint JJ4 Morado SIL
by
Sadowsky
Jazz
Funk
Pop
Key Feature:
• Excellent note definition
✓ PROS
- • Great for slap bass techniques
- • Classic Jazz Bass sound
✗ CONS
- • Single-coils can be noisy
- • Requires EQ adjustment for optimal tone
Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vint JJ4 Morado SILElectric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard:...
⭐
4.6/5
(9 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 599065
$1,044
#8
⭐
4.6/5
(17 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Fender 64 Jazz Bass RW 3-TSB CC
by
Fender
Pop
Funk
Session Work
Key Feature:
• Bright, punchy single-coil tone
✓ PROS
- • Great for slap bass techniques
- • Bright, punchy single-coil tone
✗ CONS
- • String spacing may not suit all players
- • Single-coils can be noisy
Fender 64 Jazz Bass RW 3-TSB CCElectric BassFender 1964 Jazz BassBody: AlderBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard:...
⭐
4.6/5
(17 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 620209
$5,939
#9
⭐
4.9/5
(31 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vint JJ4 Morado TSB
by
Sadowsky
Rock
R&B
Pop
Key Feature:
• Bright, punchy single-coil tone
✓ PROS
- • Classic Jazz Bass sound
- • Excellent note definition
✗ CONS
- • Requires EQ adjustment for optimal tone
- • May lack warmth for some styles
Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vint JJ4 Morado TSBElectric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard:...
⭐
4.9/5
(31 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 598995
$1,099
#10
⭐
4.8/5
(32 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vintage JJ4 RM CH
by
Sadowsky
Pop
Funk
Rock
Key Feature:
• Bright, punchy single-coil tone
✓ PROS
- • Bright, punchy single-coil tone
- • Versatile pickup blending
✗ CONS
- • May lack warmth for some styles
- • Requires EQ adjustment for optimal tone
Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vintage JJ4 RM WHElectric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard: Roasted...
⭐
4.8/5
(32 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 599034
$1,066
#11
⭐
5.0/5
(36 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Maybach Motone J Sonic Blue Aged
by
Maybach
Jazz
Session Work
Pop
Key Feature:
• Excellent note definition
✓ PROS
- • Great for slap bass techniques
- • Classic Jazz Bass sound
✗ CONS
- • Single-coils can be noisy
- • Less output than humbucker basses
Maybach Motone J Sonic Blue AgedElectric BassBody: Moon spruceBolt-on neck: Solid mapleFingerboard: RosewoodFingerboard...
⭐
5.0/5
(36 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 615282
$2,309
#12
⭐
4.7/5
(52 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Fender Standard J-Bass MN BPG BLK
by
Fender
R&B
Funk
Rock
Key Feature:
• Classic Jazz Bass sound
✓ PROS
- • Great for slap bass techniques
- • Bright, punchy single-coil tone
✗ CONS
- • Requires EQ adjustment for optimal tone
- • Single-coils can be noisy
Fender Standard J-Bass MN BPG BLKElectric BassBody: PoplarNeck-thru-body: MapleFingerboard: MapleDot fingerboard...
⭐
4.7/5
(52 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 608536
$714
#13
⭐
4.4/5
(2 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Fender 64 J-Bass SG Journeyman Relic
by
Fender
Pop
R&B
Jazz
Key Feature:
• Great for slap bass techniques
✓ PROS
- • Versatile pickup blending
- • Classic Jazz Bass sound
✗ CONS
- • Single-coils can be noisy
- • May lack warmth for some styles
Fender 64 J-Bass SG Journeyman RelicElectric BassCustom Shop modelTwo-piece body: AlderNeck "Quartersawm"...
⭐
4.4/5
(2 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 598709
$6,379
#14
⭐
4.5/5
(43 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Fender Standard J-Bass LRL WPG OWT
by
Fender
R&B
Session Work
Jazz
Key Feature:
• Great for slap bass techniques
✓ PROS
- • Excellent note definition
- • Great for slap bass techniques
✗ CONS
- • Requires EQ adjustment for optimal tone
- • May lack warmth for some styles
Fender Standard J-Bass LRL WPG OWTElectric BassBody: PoplarNeck-thru-body: MapleFingerboard: LaurelDot fingerboard...
⭐
4.5/5
(43 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 608530
$714
#15
⭐
4.6/5
(49 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Fender Standard J-Bass MN WPG AMM
by
Fender
Session Work
Jazz
Funk
Key Feature:
• Bright, punchy single-coil tone
✓ PROS
- • Great for slap bass techniques
- • Excellent note definition
✗ CONS
- • String spacing may not suit all players
- • May lack warmth for some styles
Fender Standard J-Bass MN WPG AMMElectric BassBody: PoplarNeck-thru-body: MapleFingerboard: MapleDot fingerboard...
⭐
4.6/5
(49 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 608538
$692
How to Choose the Best 4-String J-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 j-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.
