What is the best 4-string bass guitar for beginners?
| Product ⇅ | Price ⇅ | Number of Frets ⇅ | Scale Length (inch) ⇅ | Body Material ⇅ | Neck Material ⇅ | Fingerboard Material ⇅ | Pickup Configuration ⇅ | Tuner Type ⇅ | Bridge Type ⇅ |
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Ibanez GSR200 (Gio Series)
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£171.22 ≈ | 22 | 864mm / 34 in | Poplar | Maple | Jatoba | P + J | Ibanez die-cast | B10 |
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Entry-level 4-string bass with a slim maple neck, 22 frets, PJ passive pickups and Phat II EQ for punchy, flexible tones. Suits beginners and gigging players seeking a lightweight, affordable Soundgear-style bass.
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Gretsch G2220 Junior Jet Bass II
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£223.33 ≈ | 20 | 30.3 in | Basswood | Maple | Laurel | SS | Die-Cast | 4-Saddle Adjustable |
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Short-scale 30.3 in bass with a basswood body, bolt-on maple neck and 20-fret laurel fingerboard. It has two Gretsch single-coil bass pickups, die-cast tuners and a four-saddle adjustable bridge, suited to beginners and players wanting a compact, vintage-styled short-scale bass.
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Squier Affinity Series Precision Bass PJ (Made in Indonesia)
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£197.29 ≈ | 20 | 34 in | Poplar | Maple | Indian Laurel | PJ | Vintage-Style open-gear | 4-Saddle Standard |
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The Squier Affinity Series Precision Bass PJ is an entry-level 4-string bass with a poplar body, slim C-shaped maple neck, and Indian laurel fingerboard. Its PJ pickup combo and 4-saddle bridge deliver versatile tones suited to beginners and gigging players on a budget.
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Squier Affinity Series Jazz Bass
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£372.23 ≈ | 20 | 34 in | Poplar | Maple | Indian Laurel | Two Squier single-coil Jazz Bass pickups | Die-Cast sealed tuning machines | Vintage-style bridge (17mm string spacing) |
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A value-focused 6-string Jazz Bass VI in the Affinity line with a slim C maple neck, Indian laurel fingerboard, dual single-coil Jazz Bass pickups and vintage-style hardware. Suited for players wanting extended-range bass tones and classic Jazz Bass feel at an affordable price.
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Sterling by Music Man SUB Ray4
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£238.22 ≈ | 21 | 34 in | Basswood | Hard Maple | Hard Maple | H - 1 Ceramic Humbucker | Open Gear | Fixed Bridge |
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The SUB Ray4 is a budget-friendly StingRay-style 4-string bass with a single ceramic humbucking pickup, 9V active preamp/2-band EQ, and a fully adjustable fixed bridge. It suits beginners and gigging players seeking classic StingRay tones at an affordable price.
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Yamaha BB234
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£268.00 ≈ | 21 | 34 in | Alder | Maple | Rosewood | SS | Lightweight Open Gear | Vintage style bridge |
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The BB234 is a straightforward, passive 4-string bass with alder body, maple neck, and rosewood fingerboard, offering P/J-style tonal versatility from two ceramic pickups. It suits beginners and gigging players seeking a comfortable thin-profile neck and classic solid-body bass tones.
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Yamaha TRBX174
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£215.89 ≈ | 24 | 34 in | Mahogany | Maple | Rosewood | P-J | Covered | Vintage Style |
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The TRBX174 is a 4-string solid-body bass with a 34 in scale, 24 frets, mahogany body, maple neck and rosewood fingerboard. It uses a P-J pickup layout with ceramic pickups, vintage-style fixed bridge and covered tuners, making it suitable for beginners and intermediate players seeking versatile tones and solid build quality.
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