AudioFu Chart · November 2026
Best Miscellaneous 4-String Basses Under $5,000 2026
The top pick is Ibanez SR300EB Standard Soundgear Bass ($466). Yamaha TRBX174 4-String Bass gives you the most for the money at $285. Ernie Ball Music Man StingRay Special 4 H leads the high end. Ranked by the AudioFu Index from 200 models across 32 brands, prices checked every night.
Last updated: November 5, 2026
Top 10
Full detail for the 10 highest AudioFu Index scores. Every other model is listed below.
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Ibanez SR300EB Standard Soundgear Bass
SR300EDX-WZM · Ibanez
51 for sale on Reverb13 finishes at Thomann
- Nut width38 mm (1.5")
- Scale864 mm (34.02")
- Fingerboard radius305 mm (12.01")
- BodyOkoume body
- FingerboardJatoba fingerboard
This is a four-string bass with two dual coil humbucker pickups and a 3-band EQ, so you can shape your sound with the controls. Its 34 inch scale and 24 medium frets are common on four-string basses, which makes it a sensible choice if you are learning or playing rock, pop, or fingerstyle. It suits you if you want a bass with plenty of control and a wine red matte finish.
Pros
- Okoume body with a five-piece maple and walnut neck
- Two PowerSpan dual coil humbucker pickups, at the bridge and neck
- Ibanez Custom Electronics 3-band EQ with balancer and 3-way power tap
86AudioFu
Index↓ 11.7%since Aug 17 · lowest so far$528 · Aug 17$466 now$466€414 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Nut width40 mm (1.57")
- Scale864 mm (34.02")
- Frets24 frets
- Strings4-string
- BodyMahogany body
This is a 4-string bass with a mahogany body, a maple bolt-on neck and a rosewood fingerboard. The long 864 mm scale and 24 frets give your hand plenty of room to move. It suits you if you want a simple 4-string bass with a classic build, a split coil and single coil pickup pair, and chrome hardware.
Pros
- Mahogany body and maple bolt-on neck form the core build
- Rosewood fingerboard with 24 frets gives a long playing area
- Split coil and single coil pickups give two pickup types on one bass
82AudioFu
Index↓ 5.9%since Aug 17 · lowest so far$303 · Aug 17$285 now$285€253 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
Ernie Ball Music Man StingRay Special 4 H
Stingray 4 HH Black · Music Man
118 for sale on Reverb1 finish at Thomann
- Nut width41.3 mm (1.63")
- Scale864 mm (34.02")
- Frets22 frets
- Fingerboard radius279 mm (10.98")
- FingerboardMaple fingerboard
This is a Made in USA four-string bass with a roasted maple neck and fingerboard. It has a humbucker with an active 18 V preamp and a three-band EQ, so you can shape your tone with simple knobs. A gig bag is included, which makes it easy to carry to rehearsals and shows.
Pros
- Made in USA, with a selected hardwood body and roasted maple neck
- Roasted maple fingerboard with dot inlays and 22 stainless steel frets
- Music Man humbucker with neodymium magnets and an active 18 V preamp
Cons
- Active 18 V preamp needs a power source, so plan for batteries or a power supply
79AudioFu
Index↓ 15.2%since Aug 17 · lowest so far$3,717 · Aug 17$3,154 now$3,154€2,799 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Nut width41 mm (1.61")
- Scale864 mm (34.02")
- BodyNyatoh body
This is a four-string bass with a Nyatoh body, maple neck and Jatoba fretboard. It has two Dynamix pickups and Phat II EQ electronics, so you can change the sound with its controls. It suits you if you want a simple, easy-to-play bass for practice or playing with others.
Pros
- Nyatoh body and maple bolt-on neck give a simple, straightforward build
- Jatoba fretboard with dot inlays and 22 medium frets
- Dynamix J bridge and Dynamix P neck pickups give you two pickup positions
Cons
- Active Phat II EQ electronics need a power source to run
78AudioFu
Index↓ 6.2%since Aug 17 · lowest so far$311 · Aug 17$292 now$292€259 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
Ernie Ball Music Man StingRay Special 4 H
Stingray 4 Special MN CR · Music Man
118 for sale on Reverb5 finishes at Thomann
- Nut width41.3 mm (1.63")
- Scale864 mm (34.02")
- Frets22 frets
- FingerboardMaple fingerboard
You get a four-string bass with a long 34-inch scale, a humbucker pickup, and a 3-band active preamp with Master Volume, Treble, Mid and Bass controls. It suits you if you want a well-built bass with simple, easy-to-reach controls. It also comes with a Music Man Mono softcase, so you can carry it right away.
Pros
- Music Man humbucker pickup with neodymium magnets gives you a strong, focused pickup
- 3-band 18 volt active preamp with Master Volume, Treble, Mid and Bass controls
- Roasted maple bolt-on neck paired with a selected hardwood body
Cons
- Its 864 mm (34-inch) long scale may feel stretched for players with small hands
78AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$3,075 now$3,075€2,729 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Nut width38 mm (1.5")
- Scale864 mm (34.02")
- Frets24 frets
- BodyMahogany body
This is a four-string bass with a mahogany body and a long 864 mm scale, which gives the strings more length between the nut and bridge. You get two ceramic humbucker pickups and a 5-way Performance EQ switch with settings for slap, pick, flat finger and solo playing. It suits you if you want one bass that can handle a few different playing styles.
Pros
- Mahogany body with a 5-piece maple/mahogany neck for a solid base
- Dalbergia Latifolia fretboard across 24 frets
- Two Yamaha ceramic humbucker pickups
Cons
- Two-band electronics give you bass and treble knobs, with no mid control
77AudioFu
Index↓ 2.0%since Aug 17 · lowest so far$512 · Aug 17$501 now$501€445 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
Warwick Rockbass Corvette Basic 4 Active (Long Scale)
RB Corvette $$ 4 BK HP · Warwick
25 for sale on Reverb6 finishes at Thomann
- Nut width38.5 mm (1.52")
- Scale866 mm (34.09")
- Frets24 frets
- Fingerboard radius508 mm (20")
- BodyAsh body
This is a four-string bass with an ash body, a laminated maple neck, and a wenge fingerboard. You get two humbucker pickups and active 2-band electronics with treble and bass controls, so you can shape your sound. It suits you if you want a 34-inch long scale bass, and it comes with a gigbag and truss rod hex key.
Pros
- Ash body paired with a bolt-on laminated maple neck
- Wenge fingerboard with 24 jumbo frets on a 34-inch long scale
- Two passive MEC MM-style humbucker pickups for a classic bass setup
Cons
- Active electronics need a battery or power source to run
75AudioFu
Index↓ 3.9%since Aug 17 · lowest so far$1,013 · Aug 17$973 now$973€864 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
Ernie Ball Music Man StingRay Special 4 H
Stingray 4 Special HH Candyman · Music Man
118 for sale on Reverb1 finish at Thomann
- Nut width42.9 mm (1.69")
- Scale864 mm (34.02")
- Frets22 frets
- FingerboardEbony fingerboard
You get a 4-string bass with a roasted maple neck, an ebony fingerboard and two humbucking pickups. It has an active 3-band preamp with treble, mid and bass controls, and it comes with a mono case. It suits you if you want a well-equipped bass with a long 34 inch scale, made in the USA, and you are ready for a high-end price.
Pros
- Roasted maple bolt-on neck paired with an ebony fingerboard
- Two Music Man humbuckers with neodymium magnets
- Active 3-band preamp with treble, mid and bass controls plus master volume
73AudioFu
Index↓ 6.5%since Aug 17$3,604 · Aug 17$3,369 now$3,369€2,990 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
Ernie Ball Music Man StingRay Special 4 H
Stingray 4 H Special BB · Music Man
118 for sale on Reverb2 finishes at Thomann
- Nut width41.3 mm (1.63")
- Scale864 mm (34.02")
- Frets22 frets
- FingerboardMaple fingerboard
If you want a bass with a simple layout, this one is worth a look. It has one humbucker, three-band electronics with an active 18 V preamp, and a roasted maple neck, all in a Butane Blue finish. It suits players who want a 34-inch scale and easy controls, and it comes with a Mono cases gig bag so you can take it along.
Pros
- Roasted maple neck and fingerboard give this bass a stable, all-maple core
- Single Music Man humbucker with neodymium magnets keeps the setup simple
- 3-band electronics with an active 18 V preamp and master volume offer solid control
73AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$3,379 now$3,379€2,999 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
Ernie Ball Music Man StingRay Special 4 H
Stingray 4 Special Raspberry · Music Man
118 for sale on Reverb1 finish at Thomann
- Nut width41.3 mm (1.63")
- Scale864 mm (34.02")
- Frets22 frets
- BodyAsh body
- FingerboardEbony fingerboard
The Stingray 4 Special Raspberry is a powerhouse bass, built for players who demand a tight, defined low-end with a modern edge. The active preamp adds serious punch and tonal shaping capabilities, making it ideal for funk, rock, and modern genres where clarity and aggression are key. This is a top-tier instrument for the serious working bassist.
Pros
- Ebony fretboard provides exceptional clarity and sustain.
- Neodymium humbuckers deliver a powerful, articulate low-end.
- 5-bolt neck construction offers enhanced stability and a comfortable feel.
Cons
- Raspberry Burst finish might not appeal to all aesthetic preferences.
- Premium-priced, representing a significant investment for many players.
72AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$3,829 now$3,829€3,398 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗
All 200 miscellaneous 4-String basses
Same index, same nightly prices — compact. Colour options of one model share a row. Tap a photo to zoom.
- 11
Rickenbacker 4003S4003S FG · Rickenbacker · 5 finishes71Stable$3,041€2,699$3,041€2,699Check ↗
- 12
Ibanez TMB400TA Standard Talman BassTMB400TA-IAB · Ibanez · 2 finishes70↓ 5.1%$416€369$416€369Check ↗
- 13
Ernie Ball Music Man StingRay Special 4 HStingray 4 H Special Jackpot · Music Man70Stable$3,266€2,899$3,266€2,899Check ↗
- 14
Ernie Ball Music Man StingRay Special 4 HStingray 4 Special HH Bruleé · Music Man70Stable$3,266€2,899$3,266€2,899Check ↗
- 15
Ernie Ball Music Man StingRay Special 4 HStingray 4 Special HH B.Rock · Music Man68Stable$3,266€2,899$3,266€2,899Check ↗
- 16
Rickenbacker 40034003 FG · Rickenbacker68Stable$3,379€2,999$3,379€2,999Check ↗
- 17
Rickenbacker 40034003 JG · Rickenbacker68Stable$3,379€2,999$3,379€2,999Check ↗
- 18
Ibanez GSR180 Gio SoundgearGSR180-BEM · Ibanez · 4 finishes67Stable$224€199$224€199Check ↗
- 19
Ibanez TMB100 Standard Talman BassTMB100-TFB Talman Bass · Ibanez · 2 finishes67Stable$303€269$303€269Check ↗
- 20
Yamaha BB234-YNS 4-String Yellow NaturalBB234 YNS · Yamaha · 3 finishes63Stable$483€429$483€429Check ↗
- 21
Gibson Non-Reverse ThunderbirdThunderbird Non-Reverse VC · Gibson · 2 finishes63↓ 4.4%$2,153€1,911$2,153€1,911Check ↗
- 22
Rickenbacker 40034003 MG · Rickenbacker63Stable$3,379€2,999$3,379€2,999Check ↗
- 23
Jackson JS Series JS3Q Kelly Bird IV Bass with Amaranth FretboardJS3P Concert Bass TR BLK · Jackson · 5 finishes62Stable$495€439$495€439Check ↗
- 24
Ibanez SR500AL Soundgear Left-HandedSR500N-MAM · Ibanez · 2 finishes60↓ 9.2%$766€680$766€680Check ↗
- 25
Spector Icon NS-2 Bolt-On BGSpector · 8 finishes60↓ 14.0%$968€859$968€859Check ↗
- 26
Warwick Rockbass Star Bass 4RB Star Bass 4 MGHP · Warwick · 2 finishes60Stable$1,103€979$1,103€979Check ↗
- 27
Ernie Ball Music Man Pino Palladino Signature StingrayPino Palladino StingRay · Music Man60↓ 4.1%$4,505€3,998$4,505€3,998Check ↗
- 28
Ibanez TMB420B Standard Talman BassTMB420B-BKF · Ibanez59Stable$506€449$506€449Check ↗
- 29
Yamaha TRBX504-TBN 4-String Bass Transparent Brown w/ Rosewood…TRBX 504 TWH · Yamaha · 2 finishes59Stable$697€619$697€619Check ↗
- 30
Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vintage M4 RM SGRSadowsky · 9 finishes59↓ 8.5%$1,092€969$1,092€969Check ↗
- 31
Fender American Ultra II MeteoraAm Ultra II Meteora Bass TXT · Fender59Stable$2,703€2,399$2,703€2,399Check ↗
- 32
Marcus Miller Z3-4 Antique WhiteMarcus Miller · 5 finishes57↓ 4.5%$483€429$483€429Check ↗
- 33
Warwick Rockbass Streamer Standard 4 ActiveRockBass Streamer 4 NBT · Warwick57Stable$900€799$900€799Check ↗
- 34
Ibanez ICB620 Iceman BassICB620-BKF · Ibanez57↓ 2.0%$1,103€979$1,103€979Check ↗
- 35
Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vintage MJ4 RM SGRSadowsky · 6 finishes57↓ 9.1%$1,126€999$1,126€999Check ↗
- 36
Sandberg California Central 4California Central 4 Black MN · Sandberg · 2 finishes57Stable$1,914€1,699$1,914€1,699Check ↗
- 37
Harley Benton MV-4MSB Shell PinkHarley Benton · 8 finishes56Stable$257€229$257€229Check ↗
- 38
Jackson JS Series Spectra Bass JS2P IVJS2 Concert Bass Satin Black · Jackson · 2 finishes56Stable$313€278$313€278Check ↗
- 39
Warwick German Pro Series Streamer Stage I 4RB Streamer NT I 4 HVHP · Warwick · 2 finishes56Stable$1,126€999$1,126€999Check ↗
- 40
Sadowsky MetroExp24 Modern 4 RM BKSadowsky · 5 finishes55↓ 8.4%$1,103€979$1,103€979Check ↗
- 41
Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vint M4 Morado OWHSadowsky · 8 finishes55Stable$1,126€999$1,126€999Check ↗
- 42
Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vint MJ4 Morado SGRSadowsky · 6 finishes55↓ 8.9%$1,159€1,029$1,159€1,029Check ↗
- 43
Ibanez SR1420B Premium SoundgearSR1420B-CGL · Ibanez55Stable$1,533€1,361$1,533€1,361Check ↗
- 44
Spector Euro 4 CST Natural Red BurstSpector · 7 finishes55↓ 3.3%$3,266€2,899$3,266€2,899Check ↗
- 45
Music Man Retro 70s StingRay Sunburst MCMusic Man · 3 finishes55↓ 3.2%$3,762€3,339$3,762€3,339Check ↗
- 46
Harley Benton MB-4 SB Deluxe SeriesHarley Benton · 6 finishes54Stable$145€129$145€129Check ↗
- 47
Sadowsky MetroExp24 Mod 4 Morado SGRSadowsky · 5 finishes54↓ 9.1%$1,126€999$1,126€999Check ↗
- 48
Ibanez ICB720FM Iceman BassICB720FM-CBS · Ibanez54Stable$1,126€999$1,126€999Check ↗
- 49
Harley Benton RB-414BK Classic SeriesHarley Benton · 4 finishes53Stable$258€229$258€229Check ↗
- 50
Epiphone EB-3 BassEB-3 EB · Epiphone · 2 finishes53Stable$469€416$469€416Check ↗
Miscellaneous 4-String Basses by the numbers
Measured across all 391 models we track, not a sample.
Median $1,092 — half of all miscellaneous 4-String basses here cost less.
median of 308 models · 38 mm (1.5")–43 mm (1.69")
median of 346 models · 762 mm (30")–864 mm (34.02")
median of 215 models · 20–24
most common · 296 models
How the AudioFu Index works
Five measured signals and nothing else — no stars from strangers, no “tested by experts” we didn’t do. The weights are fixed and public. We don’t play these instruments; we measure the market around them.
This chart covers 391 miscellaneous 4-String basses from the Thomann catalogue. Before you buy, read hands-on reviews and, where you can, play it. Full methodology.
AudioFu earns a commission when you buy through our Thomann links. It never changes the order — the index does.
- Demand40%
How many of this exact model are for sale on Reverb right now — what musicians actually buy and resell.
- Lineup20%
How many finishes Thomann stocks — makers expand the models that sell.
- Price15%
Where the price has moved since we started tracking in August.
- Specs15%
How completely the maker documents it.
- Maker10%
How deep the brand’s range is in this category.
Questions
What should I look for when buying miscellaneous 4-string basses?
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.
How much should I spend on miscellaneous 4-string basses?
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.
Are expensive miscellaneous 4-string basses worth the investment?
Higher-priced miscellaneous 4-string 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.
What are the best brands for miscellaneous 4-string basses?
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.
Should I buy miscellaneous 4-string basses online or in-store?
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.
