Best Beginner 4 String Bass Guitar (2026): 4 Picks Compared
Updated Nov 1, 2026 · By 
Jonah Mercer · Ranked from listed specifications · How we rank
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The Donner earns Best Overall as a 4-string beginner kit with a gig bag, strap and cable in the box. The Squier holds Runner-Up with a split single-coil pickup and a maple fingerboard, while the Bullstar and Grote hold Also Great with PJ and dual humbucking layouts. All four are 4-string basses, and the Donner weighs 13.9 lb against 9.9 lb for the Squier and 5.3 lb for the Grote.
The picks at a glance
Which one should you buy?
- New players who want a gig bag, strap and cable included: Donner Electric Bass 4 Strings Full-Size Guitar See pick 1
- New players who want a maple fingerboard and California Blue finish: Fender Squier Squier Sonic Precision Bass See pick 2
- Players who want a PJ pickup layout on a 4-string bass: Bullstar Electric Bass Guitar 4 Strings Full-Size See pick 3More picks: Best 4 String Bass Guitar
- Players who want dual humbucking pickups on a solid body bass: Grote Solid Body Electric Single-cutaway Bass Guitar See pick 4
Want the full range? Best Bass Guitar ranks the top bass guitars for every buyer, or browse all 33 guides.
The 4 picks, ranked
1Best Overall
Donner Electric Bass 4 Strings Full-Size Guitar
- Case or gig bag included
- 1-year warranty stated
It earns Best Overall as a full-size 4-string beginner kit that ships with a gig bag, strap and cable in the box.
Who it suits
- New players who want a gig bag, strap and cable included
- Players who want 21 frets with position marks on the neck
Skip it if
- You want more than 21 frets on the neck
- You want a PJ pickup layout on the bass
The PB-style bass has classic pickups, a 4-saddle bridge and open-gear tuning machines. It has 1 volume knob, 1 tone knob and 21 copper-nickel alloy frets with marks on the neck and fingerboard. The neck is Canadian maple with a purpleheart fingerboard and a Modern C-shaped profile. A gig bag, guitar strap and guitar cable come in the box, and the bass weighs 13.9 lb with a 1-year warranty.
2Runner-Up
Fender Squier Squier Sonic Precision Bass
- Strings: 4
- Pickup layout: Single-Coil
- 2-year warranty stated
It holds Runner-Up as a 4-string beginner bass with a split single-coil pickup and a maple fingerboard.
Who it suits
- New players who want a maple fingerboard and California Blue finish
- Players who want 30 days of free lessons with the bass
Skip it if
- You want a warranty longer than 2 years
- You want a PJ pickup layout on the bass
The bass has a split single-coil pickup, a maple fingerboard and a California Blue finish. It comes with a 30-day free subscription to Fender Play with free lessons. Chrome hardware and a durable finish round out the build, and the bass weighs 9.9 lb with a 2-year warranty.
3Also Great
Bullstar Electric Bass Guitar 4 Strings Full-Size
- Strings: 4
- Pickup layout: PJ
It holds Also Great as a full-size 4-string bass with a PJ pickup layout and a 34 inch scale length.
Who it suits
- Players who want a PJ pickup layout on a 4-string bass
- Players who want a 34 inch scale length on the bass
Skip it if
- You want a scale length shorter than 34 inches
- You want a single-coil pickup layout on the bass
The bass has a solid wood body with a 34 inch scale length and a PJ pickup layout. It has a purpleheart fingerboard and a Canadian maple neck with a Modern C-shaped profile. The polished surface covers the wood body, and the bass is built to stand up to years of wear.
4Also Great
Grote Solid Body Electric Single-cutaway Bass Guitar
- Strings: 4
- Pickup layout: Humbucker
It holds Also Great as a solid body 4-string bass with dual humbucking pickups and a single-cutaway shape.
Who it suits
- Players who want dual humbucking pickups on a solid body bass
- Players who want a bass weighing 5.3 lb
Skip it if
- You want a bass heavier than 5.3 lb
- You want a PJ pickup layout on the bass
The bass has a solid body with a single-cutaway shape and dual humbucking pickups. A vintage-look control plate pairs with the pickups for flexible sound adjustment. The solid body build keeps the weight at 5.3 lb, and the bass is a 4-string model for beginners and adults.
Side by side
| Product | Amp included | Frets | Case or gig bag included | Strings | Pickup layout | Weight | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Donner Electric Bass 4 Strings Full-Size Guitar | Not stated | Not stated | Yes | Not stated | Not stated | 13.9 lb | 1-year |
| Fender Squier Squier Sonic Precision Bass | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | 4 | Single-Coil | 9.9 lb | 2-year |
| Bullstar Electric Bass Guitar 4 Strings Full-Size | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | 4 | PJ | Not stated | Not stated |
| Grote Solid Body Electric Single-cutaway Bass Guitar | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | 4 | Humbucker | 5.3 lb | Not stated |
How we ranked these bass guitars
Every pick ranks in Amazon's best-seller list for its category and has 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: beginner 4 string bass guitar
Compare pickup layouts across the four basses
Pickup layout shapes what the bass sends to the amp. The Donner uses classic PB-style pickups, the Squier uses a split single-coil pickup, the Bullstar uses a PJ layout and the Grote uses dual humbucking pickups. Compare the four layouts and pick the one that matches the basses you already know.
Weigh the bass and check what ships with it
Weight affects carrying the bass from place to place. The Donner weighs 13.9 lb, the Squier weighs 9.9 lb and the Grote weighs 5.3 lb. The Donner kit ships with a gig bag, strap and cable, while the Squier adds 30 days of free lessons through Fender Play. Check the weight and the included items before you decide.
Check frets, scale length and fingerboard wood
Frets mark note positions along the neck, and scale length measures the sounding length of the strings. The Donner has 21 frets with marks on the neck and fingerboard, and the Bullstar has a 34 inch scale length. The Donner and Bullstar both use a purpleheart fingerboard with a Canadian maple neck, while the Squier uses a maple fingerboard. Compare these three specs side by side before you choose.
Frequently asked questions
Which basses come with a gig bag in the box?
The Donner kit ships with a gig bag, a guitar strap and a guitar cable in the box.
Do all four basses have 4 strings?
Yes. The Donner, Squier, Bullstar and Grote are each 4-string basses, so the string count does not separate them.
What scale length does the Bullstar bass have?
The Bullstar has a 34 inch scale length on a solid wood body with a PJ pickup layout.
Which bass weighs 5.3 lb?
The Grote weighs 5.3 lb with a solid body, a single-cutaway shape and dual humbucking pickups.
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 Nov 1, 2026 and can change. Check the listing before you buy.