Best 4 String Bass Guitar (2026): 5 Picks Compared
Updated Oct 24, 2026 · By 
Jonah Mercer · Ranked from listed specifications · How we rank
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The Ibanez 4-String Bass Guitar leads this search for a 4-string bass: it holds Best Overall with a one-piece maple neck, a rosewood fretboard and 4 strings. All five basses here have 4 strings and a 1-year warranty, so the choice turns on neck and fretboard materials.
The picks at a glance
Which one should you buy?
- Players who want a one-piece maple neck: Ibanez 4-String Bass Guitar See pick 1
- Players who want a 6.9-pound bass guitar: Ibanez GSRM20 SLB Starlight Blue Mikro Compact See pick 2
- Players who want a basswood body with a maple neck: Sterling by Music Man StingRay Ray4 Bass See pick 3
- Players who want a solid mahogany body: Yamaha TRBX304 CAR 4-String Electric Bass Guitar See pick 4
- Players who want a PJ pickup configuration: Fender Squier Affinity Series Precision Bass See pick 5
Want the full range? Best Bass Guitar ranks the top bass guitars for every buyer, or browse all 33 guides.
The 5 picks, ranked
1Best Overall
It earns Best Overall with a one-piece maple neck, a rosewood fretboard, pearl dot inlay and 4 strings.
Who it suits
- Players who want a one-piece maple neck
- Players who want a rosewood fretboard with pearl dot inlay
Skip it if
- You want a bass under 9 pounds
- You want a warranty longer than 1 year
It has a one-piece maple neck and a rosewood fretboard with pearl dot inlay. It has 4 strings, a black powder-coated finish and a 6.35mm jack. The body uses basswood with a poplar top, and the strings are nickel. It weighs 9 pounds and carries a 1-year warranty.
2Lightest Pick
Ibanez GSRM20 SLB Starlight Blue Mikro Compact
- Strings: 4
- Pickup layout: Magnetic Combination
- 1-year warranty stated
- 6.9 lb, the lightest here
It holds its rank at 6.9 pounds with a magnetic combination pickup layout, medium frets and a 28.6 scale length.
Who it suits
- Players who want a 6.9-pound bass guitar
- Players who want a magnetic combination pickup layout
Skip it if
- You want a bass under 6.9 pounds
- You want a warranty longer than 1 year
It has medium frets and a jatoba fretboard with white dot inlay. It has a B10 bridge with 19mm string spacing and a Dynamix P neck pickup. It has a magnetic combination pickup layout, a maple neck and a starlight blue finish. It weighs 6.9 pounds and carries a 1-year warranty.
3Also Great
Sterling by Music Man StingRay Ray4 Bass
- Strings: 4
- 1-year warranty stated
It holds Also Great with a basswood body, a maple neck, a jatoba fretboard and a 2-band active preamp.
Who it suits
- Players who want a basswood body with a maple neck
- Players who want a 2-band active preamp
Skip it if
- You want a bass under 9 pounds
- You want a warranty longer than 1 year
It has a basswood body with a maple neck and a jatoba fretboard in a walnut satin finish. It has a black pickguard and a ceramic pickup with a 2-band active preamp. The preamp gives volume, treble and bass controls. It weighs 9 pounds and carries a 1-year warranty.
4Also Great
Yamaha TRBX304 CAR 4-String Electric Bass Guitar
- Strings: 4
- 1 year warranty stated
It holds Also Great with a solid mahogany body, a five-piece maple and mahogany neck and active electronics.
Who it suits
- Players who want a solid mahogany body
- Players who want a five-piece maple and mahogany neck
Skip it if
- You want a bass under 9.3 pounds
- You want a warranty longer than 1 year
It has a solid mahogany body and a five-piece maple and mahogany neck. It has active electronics and a performance EQ switch. It has 4 strings in candy apple red with a 1/4-inch jack. It weighs 9.3 pounds and carries a 1-year warranty.
5Also Great
Fender Squier Affinity Series Precision Bass
- Strings: 4
- Pickup layout: PJ
- 1-year warranty stated
It holds Also Great with a thin body, a slim C-shaped neck profile, a PJ pickup configuration and a 4-saddle bass bridge.
Who it suits
- Players who want a PJ pickup configuration
- Players who want open-gear tuning machines
Skip it if
- You want a bass under 10 pounds
- You want a warranty longer than 1 year
It has a thin body and a slim C-shaped neck profile. It has a PJ pickup configuration, open-gear tuning machines and a 4-saddle bass bridge. It has 4 strings in Olympic white with a glossy finish and a 6.35mm jack. It weighs 10 pounds and carries a 1-year warranty.
Side by side
| Product | Amp included | Frets | Case or gig bag included | Strings | Pickup layout | Weight | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ibanez 4-String Bass Guitar | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | 4 | Not stated | 9 lb | 1-year |
| Ibanez GSRM20 SLB Starlight Blue Mikro Compact | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | 4 | Magnetic Combination | 6.9 lb | 1-year |
| Sterling by Music Man StingRay Ray4 Bass | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | 4 | Not stated | 9 lb | 1-year |
| Yamaha TRBX304 CAR 4-String Electric Bass Guitar | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | 4 | Not stated | 9.3 lb | 1 year |
| Fender Squier Affinity Series Precision Bass | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | 4 | PJ | 10 lb | 1-year |
How we ranked these bass guitars
Every pick has at least 100 customer ratings on Amazon and a listing with real specifications. The order mixes two things: how each model compares on the specs below (higher share of the best value in this group scores more), and how widely it is bought. The spec score runs from 9.0 to 9.8 and only compares these picks with each other. A spec the listing does not state is left out and the other specs are re-weighted; a listing with fewer than 2 stated specs is scored at half. We do not test gear in person. Full method.
- Amp included weight 2
- Frets weight 1
- Case or gig bag included weight 1
Buying advice: 4 string bass guitar
Count the strings first
This search asks for a 4-string bass, and all five basses here have 4 strings. String count decides the notes available on the neck, so start there and then compare neck and body materials. The Ibanez 4-String Bass Guitar has a one-piece maple neck, while the Yamaha TRBX304 has a five-piece maple and mahogany neck.
Compare neck and body materials
Neck and body materials shape the build of each bass. The Ibanez 4-String Bass Guitar pairs a maple neck with a basswood body and a poplar top. The Sterling by Music Man StingRay Ray4 Bass pairs a maple neck with a basswood body and a jatoba fretboard. The Yamaha TRBX304 pairs a maple and mahogany neck with a solid mahogany body. Compare these materials side by side before you choose.
Check weight and warranty before buying
Weight and warranty length differ across these basses, so check both before you choose. The Ibanez GSRM20 weighs 6.9 pounds, while the Fender Squier Affinity Series Precision Bass weighs 10 pounds. All five basses here carry a 1-year warranty.
Frequently asked questions
Are all five basses here 4-string bass guitars?
Yes. All five basses here have 4 strings and a right-hand orientation, so string count does not separate them. Compare neck materials, body materials and weight instead.
What is a 2-band active preamp on a bass?
A 2-band active preamp gives bass and treble controls with active electronics. The Sterling by Music Man StingRay Ray4 Bass has a 2-band active preamp with volume, treble and bass controls.
How much do these bass guitars weigh?
The Ibanez GSRM20 weighs 6.9 pounds, and the Fender Squier Affinity Series Precision Bass weighs 10 pounds. The Ibanez 4-String Bass Guitar and the Sterling by Music Man StingRay Ray4 Bass each weigh 9 pounds, and the Yamaha TRBX304 weighs 9.3 pounds.
Gear that goes with it
Best Bass AmpTop pick: Fender Rumble 25 V3 Bass Guitar Amplifier
Best TunersTop pick: KLIQ UberTuner-MAX USB Rechargeable Clip On Guitar
Best Guitar StrapTop pick: Levy's Leathers 3" Wide Amped Leather Series
Best Guitar CordTop pick: JSAUX Guitar Cable 10 ftMore bass guitars guides
Specifications and availability come from each Amazon listing on Oct 24, 2026 and can change. Check the listing before you buy.