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Best 5-String Basses 2025

Top-rated 5-string basses 2025 - expert picks for every budget and skill level

Last updated: November 19, 2025 • Next update: November 26, 2025

PRICE RANGES: Under $300 Under $500 Under $800 Under $1,000 Under $2,000 Under $5,000
SKILL LEVELS: For Beginner For Intermediate For Professional For Advanced
GENRES & STYLES: For Extended Range For Unique Designs For Experimental Music For Custom Features For Alternative Styles For Professional Use
BRANDS: Sadowsky Ibanez Warwick Marcus Miller Yamaha Harley Benton Sterling by Music Man Spector Lakland Music Man Sandberg Cort Fodera Marleaux
Solar Guitars AB2.5BOP - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Solar Guitars AB2.5BOP

by Solar Guitars
Experimental Music Professional Use Unique Designs
Key Feature:
• Versatile pickup configurations available
✓ PROS
  • • Modern extended range capabilities
  • • Extended low-end range with low B string
✗ CONS
  • • Higher learning curve vs 4-string
  • • String spacing may feel cramped

Solar Guitars Solar Guitars AB2.5BOP5-String Electric BassBody: Swamp ashBolt-on 5-piece neck: MaplejatobaFretboard:...

⭐ 4.9/5 (34 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 552044
$1,044
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sterling by Music Man S.U.B Sting Ray5 HH ST BLK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Sterling by Music Man S.U.B Sting Ray5 HH ST BLK

by Sterling by Music Man
Unique Designs Custom Features Experimental Music
Key Feature:
• Modern extended range capabilities
✓ PROS
  • • Professional versatility
  • • Modern extended range capabilities
✗ CONS
  • • String spacing may feel cramped
  • • May need specialized strings and setup

Sterling by Music Man S.U.B Sting Ray5 HH ST BLK5 String Electric BassBody: JabonNeck: Bolt-on mapleFingerboard:...

⭐ 4.8/5 (53 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 585179
$692
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sterling by Music Man DarkRay 5 Black - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Sterling by Music Man DarkRay 5 Black

by Sterling by Music Man
Experimental Music Unique Designs Custom Features
Key Feature:
• Extended low-end range with low B string
✓ PROS
  • • Professional versatility
  • • Versatile pickup configurations available
✗ CONS
  • • More complex muting techniques required
  • • Higher learning curve vs 4-string

Sterling by Music Man DarkRay 5 Black5-String Electric BassBody: NyatohBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard:...

⭐ 4.6/5 (49 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 612237
$2,463
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton BZ-5000 II NT - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Harley Benton BZ-5000 II NT

by Harley Benton
Custom Features Extended Range Professional Use
Key Feature:
• Modern extended range capabilities
✓ PROS
  • • Extended low-end range with low B string
  • • Professional versatility
✗ CONS
  • • Higher learning curve vs 4-string
  • • String spacing may feel cramped

Harley Benton BZ-5000 II NT5-String Electric BassDeluxe SeriesBody: Mahogany / Ash / Mahogany / AshTop: AAA flamed...

⭐ 4.6/5 (55 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 521703
$549
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sterling by Music Man StingRay RAY35HH BOB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Sterling by Music Man StingRay RAY35HH BOB

by Sterling by Music Man
Unique Designs Experimental Music Professional Use
Key Feature:
• Modern extended range capabilities
✓ PROS
  • • Modern extended range capabilities
  • • Extended low-end range with low B string
✗ CONS
  • • Wider neck requires adjustment
  • • May need specialized strings and setup

Sterling by Music Man StingRay RAY35HH BOB5 String Electric BassBody: NyatohTop: spalted maple veneerBolt-on neck:...

⭐ 5.0/5 (35 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 585174
$1,594
Buy at Thomann View Details
Marcus Miller Z3-5 Silver Sparkle - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Marcus Miller Z3-5 Silver Sparkle

by Marcus Miller
Extended Range Professional Use Experimental Music
Key Feature:
• Modern extended range capabilities
✓ PROS
  • • Versatile pickup configurations available
  • • Extended low-end range with low B string
✗ CONS
  • • Wider neck requires adjustment
  • • More complex muting techniques required

Marcus Miller Z3-5 Silver Sparkle5-String Electric BassBody: MahoganyBolt-on neck: MapleEdgeless fingerboard:...

⭐ 4.5/5 (29 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 610515
$549
Buy at Thomann View Details
Solar Guitars E2.5BOP - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Solar Guitars E2.5BOP

by Solar Guitars
Professional Use Alternative Styles Experimental Music
Key Feature:
• Modern extended range capabilities
✓ PROS
  • • Versatile pickup configurations available
  • • Perfect for contemporary music styles
✗ CONS
  • • May need specialized strings and setup
  • • Higher learning curve vs 4-string

Solar Guitars E2.5BOP5-String Electric BassBody: SungkaiSet-in neck: MapleFingerboard: RosewoodSide Dot fingerboard...

⭐ 4.8/5 (34 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 603539
$1,319
Buy at Thomann View Details
Marcus Miller Z7-5 Natural Swamp Ash - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Marcus Miller Z7-5 Natural Swamp Ash

by Marcus Miller
Professional Use Experimental Music Unique Designs
Key Feature:
• Modern extended range capabilities
✓ PROS
  • • Modern extended range capabilities
  • • Versatile pickup configurations available
✗ CONS
  • • May need specialized strings and setup
  • • Higher learning curve vs 4-string

Marcus Miller Z7-5 Natural Swamp AshElectric BassBody: Swamp AshBolt-on neck: roasted mapleFingerboard: roasted...

⭐ 4.9/5 (46 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 584230
$879
Buy at Thomann View Details
Marcus Miller Z3-5 Blue - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Marcus Miller Z3-5 Blue

by Marcus Miller
Extended Range Alternative Styles Unique Designs
Key Feature:
• Versatile pickup configurations available
✓ PROS
  • • Versatile pickup configurations available
  • • Professional versatility
✗ CONS
  • • More complex muting techniques required
  • • May need specialized strings and setup

Marcus Miller Z3-5 Blue5-String Electric BassBody: MahoganyBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: MapleNeck profile: CEdgeless...

⭐ 5.0/5 (7 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 600592
$527
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sadowsky MetroLine 21 MJ LTD 5 NTS - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Sadowsky MetroLine 21 MJ LTD 5 NTS

by Sadowsky
Alternative Styles Unique Designs Professional Use
Key Feature:
• Professional versatility
✓ PROS
  • • Modern extended range capabilities
  • • Perfect for contemporary music styles
✗ CONS
  • • Wider neck requires adjustment
  • • String spacing may feel cramped

Sadowsky MetroLine 21 MJ LTD 5 NTS5 String Electric BassLimited Edition - limited to 135 pieces worldwide2024...

⭐ 5.0/5 (41 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 592641
$4,728
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sadowsky MetroExp24 Modern 5 RM TSB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Sadowsky MetroExp24 Modern 5 RM TSB

by Sadowsky
Unique Designs Alternative Styles Custom Features
Key Feature:
• Versatile pickup configurations available
✓ PROS
  • • Extended low-end range with low B string
  • • Professional versatility
✗ CONS
  • • Higher learning curve vs 4-string
  • • String spacing may feel cramped

Sadowsky MetroExp24 Modern 5 RM TSB5-String Electric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard: Roasted...

⭐ 4.9/5 (8 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 599735
$1,286
Buy at Thomann View Details
Music Man Bongo 5 HH Stealth Black - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Music Man Bongo 5 HH Stealth Black

by Music Man
Alternative Styles Experimental Music Unique Designs
Key Feature:
• Modern extended range capabilities
✓ PROS
  • • Professional versatility
  • • Versatile pickup configurations available
✗ CONS
  • • More complex muting techniques required
  • • May need specialized strings and setup

Music Man Bongo 5 HH Stealth Black5-String Electric BassBody: Basswood5-Piece bolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard:...

⭐ 4.9/5 (9 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 589738
$3,574
Buy at Thomann View Details
Spector Euro 5 RST LTD Turquoise - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Spector Euro 5 RST LTD Turquoise

by Spector
Alternative Styles Extended Range Unique Designs
Key Feature:
• Professional versatility
✓ PROS
  • • Versatile pickup configurations available
  • • Modern extended range capabilities
✗ CONS
  • • More complex muting techniques required
  • • Higher learning curve vs 4-string

Spector Euro 5 RST LTD Turquoise5-String Electric BassBody: PaulowniaTop: Flamed maple3-Piece neck: Flamed maplewith...

⭐ 4.8/5 (8 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 529639
$3,255
Buy at Thomann View Details
Lakland Skyline 55-01 5-String 3TSB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Lakland Skyline 55-01 5-String 3TSB

by Lakland
Unique Designs Extended Range Alternative Styles
Key Feature:
• Professional versatility
✓ PROS
  • • Perfect for contemporary music styles
  • • Extended low-end range with low B string
✗ CONS
  • • Higher learning curve vs 4-string
  • • More complex muting techniques required

Lakland Skyline 55-01 5-String 3TSB5 String Electric BassBody: AshBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: MapleBlack dot...

⭐ 4.6/5 (20 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 574767
$1,539
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vintage MJ5 RM CH - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vintage MJ5 RM CH

by Sadowsky
Experimental Music Custom Features Alternative Styles
Key Feature:
• Professional versatility
✓ PROS
  • • Perfect for contemporary music styles
  • • Professional versatility
✗ CONS
  • • Wider neck requires adjustment
  • • More complex muting techniques required

Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vintage MJ5 RM WH5-String Electric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard: Roasted...

⭐ 4.5/5 (47 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 597252
$1,319
Buy at Thomann View Details

How to Choose the Best 5-String Basses

Budget Planning

  • • Under $200: Entry-level
  • • $200-$500: Intermediate
  • • $500-$1000: Advanced
  • • $1000+: Professional

Quality Check

  • • Sound clarity & tone
  • • Build materials & finish
  • • Hardware durability
  • • Overall craftsmanship

Key Features

  • • Your musical style
  • • Skill level match
  • • Intended use case
  • • Brand reputation

Frequently Asked Questions

Key factors include build quality, sound characteristics, playability, brand reputation, warranty coverage, and value for money. Consider your musical style, skill level, and intended use to find the best match.
Budget depends on your needs and experience level. Beginners can find quality options for $200-500, intermediate players should consider $500-1500 range, while professionals often invest $1500+ for premium features.
Higher-priced 5-string basses typically offer better materials, craftsmanship, and performance. They're worth it if you're serious about music, perform regularly, or need professional-grade features.
Top brands combine quality, innovation, and reliability. We evaluate brands based on build quality, sound performance, durability, and customer satisfaction to recommend the best options for different budgets.
Both have advantages. Online offers better prices and selection, while stores allow hands-on testing. We recommend researching online first, then testing in stores if possible. Many online retailers offer excellent return policies.

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