Best 4-String P-Basses 2025

Top-rated 4-string p-basses 2025 - expert picks for every budget and skill level

Last updated: October 22, 2025 • Next update: October 29, 2025

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 Pop For Country For Blues For Classic Rock For Alternative

BRANDS: Fender Harley Benton Sandberg Sadowsky Marcus Miller Squier Lakland Yamaha

Marcus Miller P7 Alder 4 AW 2nd Gen - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.9/5 (48 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

6/10

Marcus Miller P7 Alder 4 AW 2nd Gen

by Marcus Miller

Pop Classic Rock Country

Key Feature:

• Classic Precision Bass sound

✓ PROS

• Excellent in band mix
• Classic Precision Bass sound

✗ CONS

• Single pickup limits sound options
• Less modern features

Marcus Miller P7 Alder 4 AW 2nd GenElectric BassAlder bodyMaple neckBolt-on neck attachmentEbony fretboard (Diospyros...

⭐ 4.9/5 (48 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

6/10

Art. 446135

$626

Buy at Thomann View Details

Marcus Miller P6-4 Sandblasted Butterscotch - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.4/5 (29 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Marcus Miller P6-4 Sandblasted Butterscotch

by Marcus Miller

Pop Rock Alternative

Key Feature:

• Simple, reliable electronics

✓ PROS

• Thick, fundamental bass tone
• Classic Precision Bass sound

✗ CONS

• May lack brightness for slap bass
• Less modern features

Marcus Miller P6 Sandblasted 4 BBElectric BassBody: MahoganyTop: AshBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: RosewoodDot...

⭐ 4.4/5 (29 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 610820

$714

Buy at Thomann View Details

Marcus Miller P5 Alder-4 MLG - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 5.0/5 (48 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Marcus Miller P5 Alder-4 MLG

by Marcus Miller

Alternative Country Rock

Key Feature:

• Thick, fundamental bass tone

✓ PROS

• Thick, fundamental bass tone
• Classic Precision Bass sound

✗ CONS

• Single pickup limits sound options
• Thicker neck profile

Marcus Miller P5 Alder-4 MLGElectric BassAlder bodyOne-piece roasted maple neckFingerboard: roasted mapleNeck profile:...

⭐ 5.0/5 (48 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 512876

$448

Buy at Thomann View Details

Marcus Miller P6-4 Sandblasted SGM - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.8/5 (8 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Marcus Miller P6-4 Sandblasted SGM

by Marcus Miller

Country Pop Classic Rock

Key Feature:

• Classic Precision Bass sound

✓ PROS

• Great for pick and finger playing
• Excellent in band mix

✗ CONS

• Less modern features
• Thicker neck profile

Marcus Miller P6 Sandblasted 4 SGMElectric BassBody: MahoganyTop: AshBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: MapleDot...

⭐ 4.8/5 (8 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 610819

$714

Buy at Thomann View Details

Marcus Miller P5 Alder-4 TS - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.9/5 (42 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

9/10

Marcus Miller P5 Alder-4 TS

by Marcus Miller

Pop Country Rock

Key Feature:

• Excellent in band mix

✓ PROS

• Thick, fundamental bass tone
• Excellent in band mix

✗ CONS

• May lack brightness for slap bass
• Single pickup limits sound options

Marcus Miller P5 Alder-4 TSElectric BassAlder bodyOne-piece roasted maple neckRoasted maple fretboardNeck profile:...

⭐ 4.9/5 (42 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 512874

$494

Buy at Thomann View Details

Marcus Miller P6-4 Sandblasted Inca Silver - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.7/5 (22 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

8/10

Marcus Miller P6-4 Sandblasted Inca Silver

by Marcus Miller

Rock Country Pop

Key Feature:

• Thick, fundamental bass tone

✓ PROS

• Simple, reliable electronics
• Thick, fundamental bass tone

✗ CONS

• Less tonal versatility than Jazz Bass
• Less modern features

Marcus Miller P6 Sandblasted 4 ISElectric BassBody: MahoganyTop: AshBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: RosewoodDot...

⭐ 4.7/5 (22 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 610818

$714

Buy at Thomann View Details

Marcus Miller P7 Alder 4 Dakota Red 2nd Gen - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.7/5 (28 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

8/10

Marcus Miller P7 Alder 4 Dakota Red 2nd Gen

by Marcus Miller

Rock Classic Rock Blues

Key Feature:

• Simple, reliable electronics

✓ PROS

• Simple, reliable electronics
• Classic Precision Bass sound

✗ CONS

• Less modern features
• Single pickup limits sound options

Marcus Miller P7 Alder 4 Dakota Red 2nd GenElectric BassBody: AlderBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: Ebony (Diospyros...

⭐ 4.7/5 (28 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 610576

$659

Buy at Thomann View Details

Sandberg California II VS 4 HCA TB - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.9/5 (50 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

Sandberg California II VS 4 HCA TB

by Sandberg

Alternative Classic Rock Pop

Key Feature:

• Great for pick and finger playing

✓ PROS

• Simple, reliable electronics
• Classic Precision Bass sound

✗ CONS

• Less modern features
• Single pickup limits sound options

Sandberg California II VS 4 HCA TBElectric BassBody: AlderBolt-on neck: MapleFretboard: rosewoodAbalone dots fretboard...

⭐ 4.9/5 (50 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 518337

$2,254

Buy at Thomann View Details

Marcus Miller P8-4 TS - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.4/5 (43 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

6/10

Marcus Miller P8-4 TS

by Marcus Miller

Blues Rock Classic Rock

Key Feature:

• Excellent in band mix

✓ PROS

• Simple, reliable electronics
• Classic Precision Bass sound

✗ CONS

• Single pickup limits sound options
• Less modern features

Marcus Miller P8-4 TSElectric BassBody: Swamp AshBolt-on roasted maple neckFingerboard: MapleWhite Perloid block...

⭐ 4.4/5 (43 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

6/10

Art. 553614

$879

Buy at Thomann View Details

Fender LTD '54 P Bass HR SFASB - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#10

⭐ 4.4/5 (44 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

6/10

Fender LTD '54 P Bass HR SFASB

by Fender

Blues Rock Classic Rock

Key Feature:

• Simple, reliable electronics

✓ PROS

• Thick, fundamental bass tone
• Excellent in band mix

✗ CONS

• May lack brightness for slap bass
• Less modern features

Fender LTD '54 P Bass HR SFASBElectric GuitarCustom Shop modelBody: AshBolt-on one-piece neck: Quartersawn...

⭐ 4.4/5 (44 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

6/10

Art. 600986

$6,599

Buy at Thomann View Details

Sandberg California II VS 4 HCA LPB - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#11

⭐ 4.8/5 (43 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

6/10

Sandberg California II VS 4 HCA LPB

by Sandberg

Alternative Country Pop

Key Feature:

• Excellent in band mix

✓ PROS

• Thick, fundamental bass tone
• Excellent in band mix

✗ CONS

• Less modern features
• Less tonal versatility than Jazz Bass

Sandberg California II VS 4 HCA LPBElectric BassBody: AlderBolt-on neck: MapleFretboard: RosewoodWhite dot fretboard...

⭐ 4.8/5 (43 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

6/10

Art. 521666

$2,254

Buy at Thomann View Details

Fender Player II P Bass MN HLY - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#12

⭐ 4.7/5 (19 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

Fender Player II P Bass MN HLY

by Fender

Blues Pop Rock

Key Feature:

• Excellent in band mix

✓ PROS

• Great for pick and finger playing
• Excellent in band mix

✗ CONS

• Less modern features
• May lack brightness for slap bass

Fender Player II P Bass MN HLYElectric BassBody: AlderBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: MapleBlack dot fingerboard...

⭐ 4.7/5 (19 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 595166

$968

Buy at Thomann View Details

Sadowsky MetroLine 21-4 Vin P/J ´59 BR - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#13

⭐ 4.8/5 (18 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

7/10

Sadowsky MetroLine 21-4 Vin P/J ´59 BR

by Sadowsky

Classic Rock Pop Rock

Key Feature:

• Thick, fundamental bass tone

✓ PROS

• Excellent in band mix
• Classic Precision Bass sound

✗ CONS

• Thicker neck profile
• Less modern features

Sadowsky MetroLine 21-4 Vin P/J ´59 BRElectric GassBody: American swamp ashBolt-on neck: MapleFretboard: MapleScale...

⭐ 4.8/5 (18 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 516048

$4,399

Buy at Thomann View Details

Fender AV II 54 P BASS MN 2TS - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#14

⭐ 5.0/5 (21 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

6/10

Fender AV II 54 P BASS MN 2TS

by Fender

Rock Alternative Blues

Key Feature:

• Great for pick and finger playing

✓ PROS

• Great for pick and finger playing
• Excellent in band mix

✗ CONS

• Single pickup limits sound options
• Less modern features

Fender AV II 54 P BASS MN 2TSElectric BassAsh bodyOne-piece maple neckMaple fingerboardBlack dot fingerboard inlaysNeck...

⭐ 5.0/5 (21 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

6/10

Art. 548585

$2,584

Buy at Thomann View Details

Sandberg California II VS 4 LPB HG - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#15

⭐ 4.7/5 (51 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

6/10

Sandberg California II VS 4 LPB HG

by Sandberg

Blues Country Rock

Key Feature:

• Thick, fundamental bass tone

✓ PROS

• Great for pick and finger playing
• Excellent in band mix

✗ CONS

• Less modern features
• Less tonal versatility than Jazz Bass

Sandberg California II VS 4 LPB HGElectric BassBody: AlderBolt-on neck: MapleFretboard: EbonyMatched headstockAbalone...

⭐ 4.7/5 (51 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

6/10

Art. 523300

$2,364

Buy at Thomann View Details

How to Choose the Best 4-String P-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 p-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.

Related Best Lists

POPULAR

Best Single Cut Guitars

Best Dreadnought Acoustic Guitars

TOP

Best 4-String P-Basses 2025

Marcus Miller P7 Alder 4 AW 2nd Gen

Marcus Miller P6-4 Sandblasted Butterscotch

Marcus Miller P5 Alder-4 MLG

Marcus Miller P6-4 Sandblasted SGM

Marcus Miller P5 Alder-4 TS

Marcus Miller P6-4 Sandblasted Inca Silver

Marcus Miller P7 Alder 4 Dakota Red 2nd Gen

Sandberg California II VS 4 HCA TB

Marcus Miller P8-4 TS

Fender LTD '54 P Bass HR SFASB

Sandberg California II VS 4 HCA LPB

Fender Player II P Bass MN HLY

Sadowsky MetroLine 21-4 Vin P/J ´59 BR

Fender AV II 54 P BASS MN 2TS

Sandberg California II VS 4 LPB HG

How to Choose the Best 4-String P-Basses

Budget Planning

Quality Check

Key Features

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I look for when buying 4-string p-basses?

How much should I spend on 4-string p-basses?

Are expensive 4-string p-basses worth the investment?

What are the best brands for 4-string p-basses?

Should I buy 4-string p-basses online or in-store?

Related Best Lists

Best ST Style Guitars

Best Humbucker Pickups

Best Distortion Pedals

Best Single Cut Guitars

Best Dreadnought Acoustic Guitars

Best 4/4 Size Classical Guitars

Cookie Preferences

Essential Cookies

Analytics Cookies

Functional Cookies

Marketing Cookies