AudioFu

Best 4-String J-Basses for Intermediate 2026

Perfect 4-string j-basses for intermediate - easy to play and learn on

Last updated: January 21, 2026 • Next update: January 28, 2026

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 Rock For Funk For Pop For R&B For Jazz For Session Work
BRANDS: Marcus Miller Harley Benton Fender Sandberg Sadowsky Squier
Fender 75 Jazz Bass RW 3-Tone Sunb CC - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Fender 75 Jazz Bass RW 3-Tone Sunb CC

by Fender
Rock R&B Funk
Key Feature:
• Great for slap bass techniques
✓ PROS
  • • Classic Jazz Bass sound
  • • Great for slap bass techniques
✗ CONS
  • • Requires EQ adjustment for optimal tone
  • • Less output than humbucker basses

Fender 75 Jazz Bass RW 3-Tone Sunb CCElectric BassBody: AlderBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: RosewoodNeck profile: 75...

⭐ 4.7/5 (55 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 620214
$6,049
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vint JJ4 Morado CAO - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vint JJ4 Morado CAO

by Sadowsky
Jazz Session Work Rock
Key Feature:
• Versatile pickup blending
✓ PROS
  • • Bright, punchy single-coil tone
  • • Classic Jazz Bass sound
✗ CONS
  • • Single-coils can be noisy
  • • Requires EQ adjustment for optimal tone

Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vint JJ4 Morado CAOElectric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard:...

⭐ 4.8/5 (33 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 598994
$1,099
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vint JJ4 Morado CH - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vint JJ4 Morado CH

by Sadowsky
Rock Funk Jazz
Key Feature:
• Great for slap bass techniques
✓ PROS
  • • Bright, punchy single-coil tone
  • • Excellent note definition
✗ CONS
  • • Requires EQ adjustment for optimal tone
  • • May lack warmth for some styles

Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vint JJ4 Morado WHElectric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard:...

⭐ 4.8/5 (27 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 599066
$1,044
Buy at Thomann View Details
Fender 64 J-Bass SG Journeyman Relic - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

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
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vint JJ4 Morado SGR - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

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
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vintage JJ4 RM SGR - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vintage JJ4 RM SGR

by Sadowsky
Jazz Pop Session Work
Key Feature:
• Great for slap bass techniques
✓ PROS
  • • Versatile pickup blending
  • • Excellent note definition
✗ CONS
  • • May lack warmth for some styles
  • • Single-coils can be noisy

Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vintage JJ4 RM SGRElectric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard: Roasted...

⭐ 4.7/5 (18 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 599035
$1,066
Buy at Thomann View Details
Fender Player II Mod J Bass RW DSK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Fender Player II Mod J Bass RW DSK

by Fender
R&B Rock Pop
Key Feature:
• Bright, punchy single-coil tone
✓ PROS
  • • Bright, punchy single-coil tone
  • • Excellent note definition
✗ CONS
  • • Less output than humbucker basses
  • • Single-coils can be noisy

Fender Player II Mod J Bass RW DSKElectric BassBody: AlderBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: RosewoodWhite dot fingerboard...

⭐ 4.6/5 (16 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 609114
$1,196
Buy at Thomann View Details
Flight Mini JB Bass Moonburst - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Flight Mini JB Bass Moonburst

by Flight
Session Work Funk Jazz
Key Feature:
• Classic Jazz Bass sound
✓ PROS
  • • Bright, punchy single-coil tone
  • • Classic Jazz Bass sound
✗ CONS
  • • May lack warmth for some styles
  • • String spacing may not suit all players

Flight Mini JB Bass MoonburstElectric Bass UkuleleBody: Roasted poplarTop: Roasted mapleNeck: roasted mapleFingerboard:...

⭐ 4.4/5 (44 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 604447
$439
Buy at Thomann View Details
Flight Mini JB Bass Blue - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Flight Mini JB Bass Blue

by Flight
Jazz Pop Rock
Key Feature:
• Great for slap bass techniques
✓ PROS
  • • Bright, punchy single-coil tone
  • • Great for slap bass techniques
✗ CONS
  • • Less output than humbucker basses
  • • May lack warmth for some styles

Flight Mini JB Bass BlueMini Electric BassBody: Roasted poplarTop: Roasted mapleNeck: roasted mapleFingerboard: Roasted...

⭐ 4.7/5 (50 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 604456
$439
Buy at Thomann View Details
Maybach Motone J Candy Apple Red Metal - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#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
Buy at Thomann View Details
Fender Standard J-Bass MN WPG AMM - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

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
Buy at Thomann View Details
Maybach Motone J Sonic Blue Aged - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

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
Buy at Thomann View Details
Fender Player II Mod J Bass MN OLP - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

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
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vint JJ4 Morado SIL - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

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
Buy at Thomann View Details
Fender Player II Mod J Bass RW HGM - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

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
Buy at Thomann View Details

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.

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