Best 4-String P-Basses for Intermediate 2025

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

Last updated: November 12, 2025 • Next update: November 19, 2025

Fender 59 P-Bass Special Ltd AOLW JRN - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Fender 59 P-Bass Special Ltd AOLW JRN

Country Pop Rock
Key Feature:
• Thick, fundamental bass tone
✓ PROS
  • • Thick, fundamental bass tone
  • • Excellent in band mix
✗ CONS
  • • Less tonal versatility than Jazz Bass
  • • Single pickup limits sound options

Fender 59 P-Bass Special Ltd AOLW JRNElectric BassBody: AlderBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: RosewoodWhite Perloid...

4.7/5 (34 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Maybach Motone P Candy Apple Red Metal - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Maybach Motone P Candy Apple Red Metal

Country Rock Classic Rock
Key Feature:
• Classic Precision Bass sound
✓ PROS
  • • Simple, reliable electronics
  • • Excellent in band mix
✗ CONS
  • • Single pickup limits sound options
  • • Less tonal versatility than Jazz Bass

Maybach Motone P Candy Apple Red MetalElectric BassBody: Moon SpruceBolt-on neck: Solid mapleFingerboard:...

4.5/5 (20 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Fender Standard P Bass LRL BPG 3TS - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Fender Standard P Bass LRL BPG 3TS

Country Rock Pop
Key Feature:
• Excellent in band mix
✓ PROS
  • • Simple, reliable electronics
  • • Thick, fundamental bass tone
✗ CONS
  • • Single pickup limits sound options
  • • May lack brightness for slap bass

Fender Standard P Bass LRL BPG 3TSElectric BassBody: PoplarBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: Indian laurelWhite dot...

4.7/5 (33 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Fender Standard P Bass LRL WPG BLK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Fender Standard P Bass LRL WPG BLK

Rock Country Pop
Key Feature:
• Excellent in band mix
✓ PROS
  • • Classic Precision Bass sound
  • • Great for pick and finger playing
✗ CONS
  • • Less tonal versatility than Jazz Bass
  • • Thicker neck profile

Fender Standard P Bass LRL WPG BLKElectric BassBody: PoplarBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: Indian laurelWhite dot...

4.6/5 (25 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Fender 57 P-Bass MN Deserst Sand CC - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Fender 57 P-Bass MN Deserst Sand CC

Classic Rock Alternative Pop
Key Feature:
• Classic Precision Bass sound
✓ PROS
  • • Great for pick and finger playing
  • • Thick, fundamental bass tone
✗ CONS
  • • May lack brightness for slap bass
  • • Single pickup limits sound options

Fender 57 P-Bass MN Deserst Sand CCElectric BassBody: AlderBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: MapleNeck profile: '57...

4.9/5 (28 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Sadowsky MetroExp21 HybPJ4 Morado CHM - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Sadowsky MetroExp21 HybPJ4 Morado CHM

Country Classic Rock Rock
Key Feature:
• Simple, reliable electronics
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent in band mix
  • • Simple, reliable electronics
✗ CONS
  • • Single pickup limits sound options
  • • Less tonal versatility than Jazz Bass

Sadowsky MetroExp21 HybPJ4 Morado WHMElectric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard:...

4.6/5 (47 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Fender 69 P-Bass RW Black CC - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Fender 69 P-Bass RW Black CC

Rock Pop Alternative
Key Feature:
• Simple, reliable electronics
✓ PROS
  • • Thick, fundamental bass tone
  • • Great for pick and finger playing
✗ CONS
  • • Thicker neck profile
  • • May lack brightness for slap bass

Fender 69 P-Bass RW Black CCElectric BassBody: AlderBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: RosewoodNeck profile: 60s P-Bass...

4.7/5 (29 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Fender 57 P-Bass MN Black CC - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Fender 57 P-Bass MN Black CC

Blues Rock Country
Key Feature:
• Great for pick and finger playing
✓ PROS
  • • Classic Precision Bass sound
  • • Simple, reliable electronics
✗ CONS
  • • Single pickup limits sound options
  • • Less modern features

Fender 57 P-Bass MN Black CCElectric BassBody: AlderBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: MapleNeck profile: '57 P-Bass...

4.5/5 (28 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Fender Player II Mod P Bass MN 3TS - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Fender Player II Mod P Bass MN 3TS

Rock Alternative Classic Rock
Key Feature:
• Classic Precision Bass sound
✓ PROS
  • • Thick, fundamental bass tone
  • • Great for pick and finger playing
✗ CONS
  • • Single pickup limits sound options
  • • Thicker neck profile

Fender Player II Mod P Bass MN 3TSElectric BassBody: AlderBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: MapleNeck profile: Modern...

4.7/5 (37 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Yamaha BB734 AIDB Indigo Blue - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Yamaha BB734 AIDB Indigo Blue

Alternative Pop Classic Rock
Key Feature:
• Excellent in band mix
✓ PROS
  • • Thick, fundamental bass tone
  • • Classic Precision Bass sound
✗ CONS
  • • Single pickup limits sound options
  • • May lack brightness for slap bass

Yamaha BB734 AIDB Indigo BlueElectric Bass3-Piece body: Alder / Maple / AlderBolt-on 5-piece neck:...

4.9/5 (6 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Fender 57 P-Bass MN 2-Tone Sunb. CC - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Fender 57 P-Bass MN 2-Tone Sunb. CC

Blues Country Classic Rock
Key Feature:
• Simple, reliable electronics
✓ PROS
  • • Simple, reliable electronics
  • • Great for pick and finger playing
✗ CONS
  • • Less modern features
  • • Less tonal versatility than Jazz Bass

Fender 57 P-Bass MN 2-Tone Sunb. CCElectric BassFender 1957 Precision BassBody: AlderBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard:...

4.8/5 (8 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Lakland Skyline Geezer Butler 4 TBK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Lakland Skyline Geezer Butler 4 TBK

Country Classic Rock Blues
Key Feature:
• Great for pick and finger playing
✓ PROS
  • • Classic Precision Bass sound
  • • Simple, reliable electronics
✗ CONS
  • • Single pickup limits sound options
  • • Less modern features

Lakland Skyline Geezer Butler 4 TBKElectric BassGeezer Butler (Black Sabbath) Signature ModelBody: AshBolt-on neck:...

4.5/5 (42 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Fender Player II Mod P Bass RW OLP - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Fender Player II Mod P Bass RW OLP

Rock Country Alternative
Key Feature:
• Thick, fundamental bass tone
✓ PROS
  • • Classic Precision Bass sound
  • • Great for pick and finger playing
✗ CONS
  • • Less tonal versatility than Jazz Bass
  • • Single pickup limits sound options

Fender Player II Mod P Bass RW OLPElectric BassBody: AlderBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: RosewoodNeck profile: Modern...

4.9/5 (26 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Fender Player II Mod P Bass MN DSK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Fender Player II Mod P Bass MN DSK

Country Rock Blues
Key Feature:
• Classic Precision Bass sound
✓ PROS
  • • Thick, fundamental bass tone
  • • Great for pick and finger playing
✗ CONS
  • • Single pickup limits sound options
  • • Thicker neck profile

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

4.9/5 (37 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Markbass MB Yellow PB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Markbass MB Yellow PB

Classic Rock Alternative Country
Key Feature:
• Thick, fundamental bass tone
✓ PROS
  • • Classic Precision Bass sound
  • • Great for pick and finger playing
✗ CONS
  • • Thicker neck profile
  • • May lack brightness for slap bass

Markbass MB YELLOW PBElectric BassBody: PoplarNeck: MapleFingerboard: LaurelDot fingerboard inlaysScale: 864 mm...

4.8/5 (21 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10

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.

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