# Which 4-string bass guitars have active pickups? — Verified Specification Comparison

> All specification data verified from official manufacturer documentation.

Which 4-string bass guitars have active pickups?

## Products

### Sterling by Music Man SUB Ray4 Active
```yaml
product: sterling-by-music-man-sub-ray4-active
brand: Sterling by Music Man
price_gbp: 299.81
origin_country: null
confidence_score: null
summary_source: generated_from_verified_specs_v1
tuner_type: Open Gear (3+1)
bridge_type: Fixed Bridge (fully adjustable)
scale_length: 34 in
body_material: Basswood
neck_material: Hard Maple
number_of_frets: 21
fingerboard_material: Hard Maple
pickup_configuration: H (ceramic humbucker)
```

- **Price:** £299.81 [^1]
- **Summary:** The SUB Ray4 Active is a 4-string StingRay-style bass with a basswood body, hard maple neck and fingerboard, a single ceramic humbucking pickup and a 2-band active preamp powered by a 9V battery. It offers a classic Music Man StingRay tone and simple, durable hardware aimed at gigging players and beginners seeking an active, punchy bass. The instrument suits players who want StingRay-style sound at a lower price point.
- **Ideal For:** Suitable for players seeking a 4-string bass with active pickups because it has an active 2-band preamp and a single ceramic humbucking (H) pickup providing active tonal control.

### Fender Player Jazz Bass V4 Active
```yaml
product: fender-player-jazz-bass-v4-active
brand: Fender
price_gbp: 906.95
origin_country: null
confidence_score: null
summary_source: generated_from_verified_specs_v1
tuner_type: Open-gear tuning machines
bridge_type: 4-saddle HiMass bridge
scale_length: 34 in
body_material: Alder
neck_material: Maple
number_of_frets: 20
fingerboard_material: Maple
pickup_configuration: Two Player Series Alnico 5 Single-Coil Jazz Bass
```

- **Price:** £906.95 [^2]
- **Summary:** The Player Jazz Bass V4 Active is a modern Fender 4-string Jazz-style bass with a 34 in scale, 20 frets, alder body, maple neck and maple fingerboard, fitted with two Player Series Alnico 5 single-coil Jazz Bass pickups and an active preamp for extra tonal shaping. It offers rock-solid hardware including open-gear tuners and a 4-saddle HiMass bridge, making it versatile for studio and live players who want classic Fender tone with modern punch.
- **Ideal For:** This suits players seeking 4-string basses with active pickups because it has an 18-volt active preamp combined with two Player Series Alnico 5 single-coil pickups and a HiMass 4-saddle bridge for increased output and tonal control.

### Music Man StingRay Ray4 Active
```yaml
product: music-man-stingray-ray4-active
brand: Music Man
price_gbp: 299.81
origin_country: null
confidence_score: null
summary_source: generated_from_verified_specs_v1
tuner_type: Open Gear
bridge_type: Fixed Bridge
scale_length: 34 in
body_material: Basswood
neck_material: Hard Maple
number_of_frets: 21
fingerboard_material: Maple
pickup_configuration: 1 Ceramic Humbucker
```

- **Price:** £299.81 [^3]
- **Summary:** The StingRay Ray4 Active is a 4-string bass with a 34 in scale, 21 frets, a single ceramic humbucking pickup and a 9V active 2-band preamp, built on a basswood body with a hard maple neck and maple fingerboard. It offers StingRay-style tone and punch with simple active EQ and a fully adjustable fixed bridge, aimed at beginners through gigging players seeking classic StingRay sound at a lower price.
- **Ideal For:** Suitable for players wanting a 4-string bass with active pickups because it includes a 9V active 2-band preamp and a single ceramic humbucking pickup for active, punchy tone.

### Ibanez SR500E Active 4-String
```yaml
product: ibanez-sr500e-active-4-string
brand: Ibanez
price_gbp: 562.16
origin_country: null
confidence_score: null
summary_source: generated_from_verified_specs_v1
tuner_type: Die-cast
bridge_type: Accu-cast B500 fixed
scale_length: 34 in
body_material: Okoume
neck_material: 5-piece jatoba/walnut
number_of_frets: 24
fingerboard_material: Rosewood
pickup_configuration: HH (Bartolini BH2 neck and bridge)
```

- **Price:** £562.16 [^4]
- **Summary:** The SR500E is a 4-string Soundgear bass with a lightweight okoume body, 5-piece jatoba/walnut neck, dual Bartolini BH2 humbucking pickups and an Ibanez 3-band active EQ with bypass. It offers modern playability with a 34 in scale, 24 frets and adjustable Accu-cast bridge, suited for versatile studio and stage use. The electronics provide both active shaping and passive bypass for tonal flexibility.
- **Ideal For:** Players wanting a 4-string bass with active pickups and onboard 3-band EQ - the SR500E has Bartolini BH2 pickups and an Ibanez active preamp with EQ bypass.

### Yamaha TRBX504 Active 4-String
```yaml
product: yamaha-trbx504-active-4-string
brand: Yamaha
price_gbp: 449.72
origin_country: null
confidence_score: null
summary_source: generated_from_verified_specs_v1
tuner_type: Covered Die-cast
bridge_type: Die-cast high-mass fixed bridge
scale_length: 34 in
body_material: Mahogany
neck_material: 5-piece Maple/Mahogany
number_of_frets: 24
fingerboard_material: Rosewood
pickup_configuration: HH
```

- **Price:** £449.72 [^5]
- **Summary:** The TRBX504 is a 4-string active/passive bass with a sculpted solid mahogany body, 5-piece maple/mahogany neck and rosewood fingerboard. It uses two YGD-designed H5 Alnico V humbucking pickups and a 3-band active EQ with an active/passive switch, offering punchy, versatile tones for gigging or studio work.
- **Ideal For:** Ideal for players seeking a 4-string bass with active pickups because it features an active 3-band EQ and two H5 Alnico V humbucking pickups (HH) for powerful active tones.

### Sire Marcus Miller V7 4-String Active
```yaml
product: sire-marcus-miller-v7-4-string-active
brand: Sire
price_gbp: 646.86
origin_country: null
confidence_score: null
summary_source: generated_from_verified_specs_v1
tuner_type: Premium Open Gear
bridge_type: Marcus Miller Modern-S Bass Bridge
scale_length: 34 in
body_material: North American Alder
neck_material: Hard Maple
number_of_frets: 22
fingerboard_material: Hard Maple
pickup_configuration: Marcus Super-J Revolution neck and bridge (single-coil)
```

- **Price:** £646.86 [^6]
- **Summary:** The Sire Marcus Miller V7 4-String Active is a 34 in scale jazz-style bass with hard maple neck and fingerboard, paired with Marcus Super-J Revolution single-coil pickups and an active Heritage-3 preamp for wide tonal control. It features a modern Marcus Miller bridge and premium open-gear tuners, suited for players seeking versatile active/passive functionality and punchy J-style tone.
- **Ideal For:** Ideal for players wanting a 4-string with active pickups because it specifically includes Marcus Super-J Revolution single-coil pickups plus the Heritage-3 active preamp for active tonal shaping.

### Schecter Stiletto Studio-4 Active
```yaml
product: schecter-stiletto-studio-4-active
brand: Schecter
price_gbp: 598.89
origin_country: null
confidence_score: null
summary_source: generated_from_verified_specs_v1
tuner_type: High-ratio Schecter tuners
bridge_type: Diamond Custom Bass (fixed 4-saddle)
scale_length: 34 in
body_material: Mahogany
neck_material: Maple/Walnut
number_of_frets: 24
fingerboard_material: Rosewood
pickup_configuration: HH (EMG 35HZ neck and bridge)
```

- **Price:** £598.89 [^7]
- **Summary:** The Stiletto Studio-4 Active is a neck-through 4-string bass with a mahogany body and bubinga top, 24-fret rosewood fingerboard, EMG 35HZ active humbucking pickups and a 3-band active EQ powered by 18 volts. It combines a thin C maple/walnut neck and high-ratio tuners for fast playability and stable tuning, suited for players who need punchy, high-output tones.
- **Ideal For:** Suitable for players seeking a 4-string bass with active pickups because it ships with EMG 35HZ active humbucker pickups and an 18-volt active 3-band EQ providing high output and tonal shaping.

---
## References & Sources
[^1]: Guitar Center, accessed 2026-06-10. https://www.guitarcenter.com/Sterling-by-Music-Man/SUB-StingRay-Maple-Fingerboard-Electric-Bass-Black-Black-Pickguard-1500000209679.gc
[^2]: Fender (official), accessed 2026-06-10. https://www.fender.com/products/player-ii-modified-active-jazz-bass-v
[^3]: Music & Arts, accessed 2026-06-10. https://www.musicarts.com/sterling-by-music-man-stingray-ray4-electric-bass-main0384078
[^4]: Guitar Center, accessed 2026-06-10. https://www.guitarcenter.com/Ibanez/SR500E-Electric-Bass-Brown-Mahogany-1500000251715.gc
[^5]: Island Music Co, accessed 2026-06-10. https://islandmusicco.com/yamaha-trbx504-4-string-bass-translucent-white-1/
[^6]: FindMyGuitar, accessed 2026-06-10. https://findmyguitar.com/reviews/Sire-Marcus-Miller-V7-ASH-REISSUE-4-String-review.php
[^7]: FindMyGuitar (retailer listing), accessed 2026-06-10. https://findmyguitar.com/compare/Schecter-Stiletto-Studio-4-vs-Schecter-C-4-Plus-comparison.php