Best 5-String Basses 2026
Top-rated 5-string basses 2026 - expert picks for every budget and skill level
Last updated: January 14, 2026 • Next update: January 21, 2026
#1
⭐
4.6/5
(49 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Sterling by Music Man DarkRay 5 Black
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
#2
⭐
4.9/5
(53 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Sterling by Music Man StingRay RAY35 Dorado Green
Alternative Styles
Experimental Music
Professional Use
Key Feature:
• Perfect for contemporary music styles
✓ PROS
- • Perfect for contemporary music styles
- • Modern extended range capabilities
✗ CONS
- • More complex muting techniques required
- • Higher learning curve vs 4-string
Sterling by Music Man StingRay RAY35 Dorado Green5 String Electric BassBody: NyatohBolt-on neck: roasted...
⭐
4.9/5
(53 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 585184
$1,297
#3
⭐
4.5/5
(11 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Sterling by Music Man S.U.B. Sting Ray 5 BK
Experimental Music
Extended Range
Professional Use
Key Feature:
• Versatile pickup configurations available
✓ PROS
- • Perfect for contemporary music styles
- • Professional versatility
✗ CONS
- • May need specialized strings and setup
- • Wider neck requires adjustment
Sterling by Music Man S.U.B. Sting Ray 5 BK5-String Electric BassBody: BasswoodNeck: MapleFretboard: Maple21 FretsNut...
⭐
4.5/5
(11 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 435208
$593
#4
⭐
4.6/5
(15 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Sterling by Music Man S.U.B. Sting Ray5 Chopper Blue
Custom Features
Alternative Styles
Professional Use
Key Feature:
• Professional versatility
✓ PROS
- • Professional versatility
- • Modern extended range capabilities
✗ CONS
- • May need specialized strings and setup
- • Wider neck requires adjustment
Sterling by Music Man S.U.B. Sting Ray5 Chopper Blue5 String Electric BassBody: JabonNeck: Bolt-on mapleFingerboard:...
⭐
4.6/5
(15 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 585164
$604
#5
⭐
5.0/5
(7 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Marcus Miller Z3-5 Blue
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
#6
⭐
4.9/5
(2 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Marcus Miller M2 5 TBK 2nd Gen
Professional Use
Custom Features
Extended Range
Key Feature:
• Modern extended range capabilities
✓ PROS
- • Extended low-end range with low B string
- • Professional versatility
✗ CONS
- • String spacing may feel cramped
- • Wider neck requires adjustment
Marcus Miller M2 5 TBK 2nd Gen5-String Electric BassBody: Mahogany (Toona sureni)Neck: MapleFretboard: Rosewood...
⭐
4.9/5
(2 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 446383
$472
#7
⭐
4.8/5
(37 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Franz Bassguitars Merak 5 Spalted Alder LTD 2024
Unique Designs
Experimental Music
Professional Use
Key Feature:
• Extended low-end range with low B string
✓ PROS
- • Versatile pickup configurations available
- • Perfect for contemporary music styles
✗ CONS
- • More complex muting techniques required
- • String spacing may feel cramped
Franz Bassguitars Merak 5 Spalted Alder LTD 20245-String Electric Bass2024 Limited RunBody: European alderTop:...
⭐
4.8/5
(37 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 609758
$4,114
#8
⭐
4.8/5
(20 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Ulrich Bass Retro57 M 5 Black Relic
by
Ulrich Bass
Professional Use
Alternative Styles
Experimental Music
Key Feature:
• Perfect for contemporary music styles
✓ PROS
- • Versatile pickup configurations available
- • Professional versatility
✗ CONS
- • Higher learning curve vs 4-string
- • String spacing may feel cramped
Ulrich Bass Retro57 M 5 Black Relic5 String Electric BassBody: WalnutNeck: Bolt-on mapleFingerboard: MapleFingerboard...
⭐
4.8/5
(20 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 590355
$3,849
#9
⭐
4.8/5
(33 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Human Base BaseX.oc5 OPNT
by
Human Base
Unique Designs
Extended Range
Custom Features
Key Feature:
• Professional versatility
✓ PROS
- • Professional versatility
- • Perfect for contemporary music styles
✗ CONS
- • May need specialized strings and setup
- • Higher learning curve vs 4-string
Human Base BaseX.oc5 OPNTElectric BassBody: Swamp ashBolt-onn: MpaleeckFingerboard: RosewoodGraphite nut with zero...
⭐
4.8/5
(33 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 277758
$1,958
#10
⭐
4.5/5
(29 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Marcus Miller Z3-5 Silver Sparkle
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
#11
⭐
4.7/5
(33 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Marleaux Contra 5
by
Marleaux
Custom Features
Experimental Music
Extended Range
Key Feature:
• Modern extended range capabilities
✓ PROS
- • Versatile pickup configurations available
- • Professional versatility
✗ CONS
- • Higher learning curve vs 4-string
- • More complex muting techniques required
Marleaux Contra 55-String Electric BassFlamed maple bodyMountain spruce top3-Piece continuous (neck-thru-body) flamed...
⭐
4.7/5
(33 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 444418
$10,010
#12
⭐
4.8/5
(32 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Marleaux Consat 33-5 Buckeyeburl
by
Marleaux
Professional Use
Unique Designs
Custom Features
Key Feature:
• Modern extended range capabilities
✓ PROS
- • Perfect for contemporary music styles
- • Extended low-end range with low B string
✗ CONS
- • String spacing may feel cramped
- • Higher learning curve vs 4-string
Marleaux Consat 33-5 Buckeyeburl5-String Electric BassBody: AlderPremium Signature top: Buckeye BurlBolt-on neck:...
⭐
4.8/5
(32 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 579717
$6,281
#13
⭐
5.0/5
(56 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Sandberg California Supreme 35th RDB 5
by
Sandberg
Professional Use
Alternative Styles
Extended Range
Key Feature:
• Versatile pickup configurations available
✓ PROS
- • Versatile pickup configurations available
- • Modern extended range capabilities
✗ CONS
- • May need specialized strings and setup
- • Wider neck requires adjustment
Sandberg California Supreme 35th RDB 55-String Electric Bass35th Anniversary ModelChambered body: AlderTop: Quilted...
⭐
5.0/5
(56 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 512386
$4,399
#14
⭐
5.0/5
(53 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Music Man Stingray 5 Sp HH Frost Green
by
Music Man
Unique Designs
Alternative Styles
Experimental Music
Key Feature:
• Perfect for contemporary music styles
✓ PROS
- • Extended low-end range with low B string
- • Modern extended range capabilities
✗ CONS
- • May need specialized strings and setup
- • More complex muting techniques required
Music Man Stingray 5 Sp HH Frost Green5-String Electric BassSelected hardwood body5-Piece bolt-on maple neckMaple...
⭐
5.0/5
(53 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 531835
$4,069
#15
⭐
5.0/5
(35 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Sterling by Music Man StingRay RAY35HH BOB
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
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.
