{"niche":"What is the best 4-string bass guitar for beginners?","description":"What is the best 4-string bass guitar for beginners?","products":[{"brand":"Ibanez","model":"GSR200 (Gio Series)","price_gbp":171.22,"origin_country":null,"specs":{"tuner_type":"Ibanez die-cast","bridge_type":"B10","scale_length":"864mm / 34 in","body_material":"Poplar","neck_material":"Maple","number_of_frets":"22","fingerboard_material":"Jatoba","pickup_configuration":"P + J"},"confidence_score":null,"summary":"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.","pros":null,"cons":null,"ideal_for":null,"sources":[{"label":"Ibanez (official)","url":"https://www.ibanez.com/usa/products/detail/gsr200_10.html","currency":"USD","source_country":"US","price":229.99,"price_gbp":171.22,"scraped_at":"2026-06-06T03:01:37.581755"},{"label":"Adorama","url":"https://www.adorama.com/ibagsr200jb.html","currency":"USD","source_country":"US","price":249.99,"price_gbp":186.11,"scraped_at":"2026-06-06T03:01:40.340453"},{"label":"FindMyGuitar","url":"https://findmyguitar.com/compare/Ibanez-GSR200B-vs-Ibanez-GSR200-comparison.php","currency":"USD","source_country":"US","price":229.99,"price_gbp":171.22,"scraped_at":"2026-06-06T03:01:43.100064"}]},{"brand":"Gretsch","model":"G2220 Junior Jet Bass II","price_gbp":223.33,"origin_country":null,"specs":{"tuner_type":"Die-Cast","bridge_type":"4-Saddle Adjustable","scale_length":"30.3 in","body_material":"Basswood","neck_material":"Maple","number_of_frets":"20","fingerboard_material":"Laurel","pickup_configuration":"SS"},"confidence_score":null,"summary":"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.","pros":null,"cons":null,"ideal_for":null,"sources":[{"label":"Gretsch (manufacturer)","url":"https://www.gretschguitars.com/gear/build/bass/g2220-electromatic-junior-jet-bass-ii-short-scale/2514730552","currency":"USD","source_country":"US","price":299.99,"price_gbp":223.33,"scraped_at":"2026-06-06T03:02:21.869997"},{"label":"Guitar Center","url":"https://www.guitarcenter.com/Gretsch-Guitars/G2220-Electromatic-Junior-Jet-Bass-II-Short-Scale-Bass-Black-1500000280329.gc","currency":"USD","source_country":"US","price":299.99,"price_gbp":223.33,"scraped_at":"2026-06-06T03:02:24.745741"},{"label":"West Music","url":"https://www.westmusic.com/gretsch-g2220-electromatic-junior-jet-bass-ii-short-scale-black-walnut-fingerboard-walnut-stain-306535","currency":"USD","source_country":"US","price":299.99,"price_gbp":223.33,"scraped_at":"2026-06-06T03:02:27.562939"}]},{"brand":"Squier","model":"Affinity Series Precision Bass PJ (Made in Indonesia)","price_gbp":197.29,"origin_country":null,"specs":{"tuner_type":"Vintage-Style open-gear","bridge_type":"4-Saddle Standard","scale_length":"34 in","body_material":"Poplar","neck_material":"Maple","number_of_frets":"20","fingerboard_material":"Indian Laurel","pickup_configuration":"PJ"},"confidence_score":null,"summary":"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.","pros":null,"cons":null,"ideal_for":null,"sources":[{"label":"West Music","url":"https://www.westmusic.com/squier-affinity-series-precision-bass-pj-pack-laurel-fingerboard-3-color-sunburst-307505","currency":"USD","source_country":"US","price":429.99,"price_gbp":320.12,"scraped_at":"2026-06-06T03:01:07.589205"},{"label":"Fender (UK shop)","url":"https://uk.fender.com/products/affinity-series-precision-bass-pj-1","currency":"USD","source_country":"US","price":265.0,"price_gbp":197.29,"scraped_at":"2026-06-06T03:01:10.407168"},{"label":"ThomSun Music","url":"https://www.thomsunmusic.com/fender-squier-affinity-series-precision-bass-pj-pack-brown-sunburst","currency":"USD","source_country":"US","price":1496.25,"price_gbp":1113.92,"scraped_at":"2026-06-06T03:01:13.171459"}]},{"brand":"Squier","model":"Affinity Series Jazz Bass","price_gbp":372.23,"origin_country":null,"specs":{"tuner_type":"Die-Cast sealed tuning machines","bridge_type":"Vintage-style bridge (17mm string spacing)","scale_length":"34 in","body_material":"Poplar","neck_material":"Maple","number_of_frets":"20","fingerboard_material":"Indian Laurel","pickup_configuration":"Two Squier single-coil Jazz Bass pickups"},"confidence_score":null,"summary":"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.","pros":null,"cons":null,"ideal_for":null,"sources":[{"label":"Chicago Music Exchange","url":"https://www.chicagomusicexchange.com/products/squier-affinity-series-jazz-bass-vi-black-metallic-2079505","currency":"USD","source_country":"US","price":499.99,"price_gbp":372.23,"scraped_at":"2026-06-06T03:01:23.904810"},{"label":"Music & Arts","url":"https://www.musicarts.com/squier-affinity-series-jazz-bass-vi-main0537855","currency":"USD","source_country":"US","price":499.99,"price_gbp":372.23,"scraped_at":"2026-06-06T03:01:26.778455"}]},{"brand":"Sterling by Music Man","model":"SUB Ray4","price_gbp":238.22,"origin_country":null,"specs":{"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":"Hard Maple","pickup_configuration":"H - 1 Ceramic Humbucker"},"confidence_score":null,"summary":"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.","pros":null,"cons":null,"ideal_for":null,"sources":[{"label":"Sterling by Music Man","url":"https://sterlingbymusicman.com/products/stingray-ray4-black-bass","currency":"USD","source_country":"US","price":399.99,"price_gbp":297.78,"scraped_at":"2026-06-06T03:01:53.847744"},{"label":"Guitar Center","url":"https://www.guitarcenter.com/Sterling-by-Music-Man/StingRay-Ray4-Electric-Bass-194744461064.gc","currency":"USD","source_country":"US","price":319.99,"price_gbp":238.22,"scraped_at":"2026-06-06T03:01:56.599862"}]},{"brand":"Yamaha","model":"BB234","price_gbp":268.0,"origin_country":null,"specs":{"tuner_type":"Lightweight Open Gear","bridge_type":"Vintage style bridge","scale_length":"34 in","body_material":"Alder","neck_material":"Maple","number_of_frets":"21","fingerboard_material":"Rosewood","pickup_configuration":"SS"},"confidence_score":null,"summary":"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.","pros":null,"cons":null,"ideal_for":null,"sources":[{"label":"Ted Brown Music","url":"https://tedbrownmusic.com/yamaha-bb234-4-string-electric-bass-guitar/","currency":"USD","source_country":"US","price":359.99,"price_gbp":268.0,"scraped_at":"2026-06-06T03:00:56.530138"}]},{"brand":"Yamaha","model":"TRBX174","price_gbp":215.89,"origin_country":null,"specs":{"tuner_type":"Covered","bridge_type":"Vintage Style","scale_length":"34 in","body_material":"Mahogany","neck_material":"Maple","number_of_frets":"24","fingerboard_material":"Rosewood","pickup_configuration":"P-J"},"confidence_score":null,"summary":"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.","pros":null,"cons":null,"ideal_for":null,"sources":[{"label":"Sam Ash","url":"https://www.samash.com/yamaha-trbx174-bass-guitar-ytrbx174r","currency":"USD","source_country":"US","price":289.99,"price_gbp":215.89,"scraped_at":"2026-06-06T03:02:08.149386"},{"label":"FindMyGuitar","url":"https://findmyguitar.com/reviews/Yamaha-TRBX174-review.php","currency":"USD","source_country":"US","price":289.99,"price_gbp":215.89,"scraped_at":"2026-06-06T03:02:11.081893"}]}]}