Best 4-String J-Basses for Pop 2026
Perfect 4-string j-basses for pop - easy to play and learn on
Last updated: January 14, 2026 • Next update: January 21, 2026
#1
⭐
4.9/5
(30 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Fender Hybrid II RAW ASH J Bass 3TS
by
Fender
Pop
Jazz
Session Work
Key Feature:
• Versatile pickup blending
✓ PROS
- • Bright, punchy single-coil tone
- • Classic Jazz Bass sound
✗ CONS
- • Single-coils can be noisy
- • Less output than humbucker basses
Fender Hybrid II RAW ASH J Bass 3TSElectric BassBody: AshBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: RosewoodWhite dot fingerboard...
⭐
4.9/5
(30 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 620117
$1,759
#2
⭐
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
#3
⭐
4.6/5
(16 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
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
#4
⭐
4.9/5
(49 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vint JJ4 Morado SOB
by
Sadowsky
Rock
Funk
Jazz
Key Feature:
• Versatile pickup blending
✓ PROS
- • Versatile pickup blending
- • Great for slap bass techniques
✗ CONS
- • Requires EQ adjustment for optimal tone
- • Single-coils can be noisy
Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vint JJ4 Morado SOBElectric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard:...
⭐
4.9/5
(49 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 599011
$1,099
#5
⭐
4.8/5
(33 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
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
#6
⭐
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
#7
⭐
4.9/5
(50 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vintage JJ4 RM SIL
by
Sadowsky
Session Work
Rock
Funk
Key Feature:
• Classic Jazz Bass sound
✓ PROS
- • Great for slap bass techniques
- • Excellent note definition
✗ CONS
- • Single-coils can be noisy
- • Requires EQ adjustment for optimal tone
Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vintage JJ4 RM SILElectric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard: Roasted...
⭐
4.9/5
(50 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 599037
$989
#8
⭐
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
#9
⭐
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
#10
⭐
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
#11
⭐
4.9/5
(51 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
FGN Expert Mighty Jazz Bass VN
by
FGN
Funk
Session Work
R&B
Key Feature:
• Versatile pickup blending
✓ PROS
- • Great for slap bass techniques
- • Excellent note definition
✗ CONS
- • Requires EQ adjustment for optimal tone
- • Single-coils can be noisy
FGN Expert Mighty Jazz Bass VNElectric BassBody: AshTop: AlderBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: MapleFluorescent side...
⭐
4.9/5
(51 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 605736
$2,012
#12
⭐
4.7/5
(35 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Fender Standard J-Bass LRL WPG 3TS
by
Fender
Pop
Jazz
Funk
Key Feature:
• Excellent note definition
✓ PROS
- • Bright, punchy single-coil tone
- • Great for slap bass techniques
✗ CONS
- • String spacing may not suit all players
- • Less output than humbucker basses
Fender Standard J-Bass LRL WPG 3TSElectric BassBody: PoplarBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: LaurelDot fingerboard...
⭐
4.7/5
(35 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 608533
$607
#13
⭐
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
#14
⭐
4.4/5
(10 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Fender Player II Mod J Bass MN 3TS
by
Fender
Session Work
Pop
Funk
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
- • Requires EQ adjustment for optimal tone
Fender Player II Mod J Bass MN 3TSElectric BassBody: AlderBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: MapleBlack dot fingerboard...
⭐
4.4/5
(10 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 609153
$1,196
#15
⭐
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
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.
