Best 5-String Basses 2026
Top-rated 5-string basses 2026 - expert picks for every budget and skill level
Last updated: February 4, 2026 • Next update: February 11, 2026
#1
⭐
4.9/5
(26 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Sterling by Music Man StingRay RAY25CA Olympic White
Unique Designs
Professional Use
Experimental Music
Key Feature:
• Modern extended range capabilities
✓ PROS
- • Modern extended range capabilities
- • Extended low-end range with low B string
✗ CONS
- • May need specialized strings and setup
- • Wider neck requires adjustment
Sterling by Music Man StingRay RAY25CA Olympic White5-String Electric BassBody: NyatohBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard:...
⭐
4.9/5
(26 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 585270
$824
#2
⭐
4.6/5
(8 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Marcus Miller Z7-5 Skyburst Sparkle
Extended Range
Custom Features
Experimental Music
Key Feature:
• Versatile pickup configurations available
✓ PROS
- • Extended low-end range with low B string
- • Perfect for contemporary music styles
✗ CONS
- • Wider neck requires adjustment
- • More complex muting techniques required
Marcus Miller Z7-5 Skyburst Sparkle5-String Electric BassBody: AlderBolt-on neck: MapleEdgeless fingerboard: MapleBlack...
⭐
4.6/5
(8 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 610505
$769
#3
⭐
4.9/5
(14 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Sterling by Music Man StingRay RAY35HH Charc Frost
Alternative Styles
Professional Use
Unique Designs
Key Feature:
• Perfect for contemporary music styles
✓ PROS
- • Perfect for contemporary music styles
- • Modern extended range capabilities
✗ CONS
- • More complex muting techniques required
- • May need specialized strings and setup
Sterling by Music Man StingRay RAY35HH Charc Frost5 String Electric BassBody: NyatohBolt-on neck: roasted...
⭐
4.9/5
(14 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 585180
$1,528
#4
⭐
4.5/5
(29 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Marcus Miller Z3-5 Sparkle Black
Custom Features
Experimental Music
Professional Use
Key Feature:
• Versatile pickup configurations available
✓ PROS
- • Perfect for contemporary music styles
- • Professional versatility
✗ CONS
- • Higher learning curve vs 4-string
- • May need specialized strings and setup
Marcus Miller Z3-5 Sparkle Black5-String Electric BassZ SeriesBody: MahoganyBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: MapleBlack...
⭐
4.5/5
(29 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 584183
$549
#5
⭐
4.9/5
(35 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Marcus Miller Z3-5 Antique White
Custom Features
Unique Designs
Alternative Styles
Key Feature:
• Professional versatility
✓ PROS
- • Versatile pickup configurations available
- • Extended low-end range with low B string
✗ CONS
- • May need specialized strings and setup
- • Higher learning curve vs 4-string
Marcus Miller Z3-5 Antique White5-String Electric BassZ SeriesBody: MahoganyBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: MapleBlack...
⭐
4.9/5
(35 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 584185
$549
#6
⭐
4.8/5
(33 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Human Base Max 5 Quilted EB
by
Human Base
Professional Use
Custom Features
Experimental Music
Key Feature:
• Perfect for contemporary music styles
✓ PROS
- • Professional versatility
- • Versatile pickup configurations available
✗ CONS
- • String spacing may feel cramped
- • May need specialized strings and setup
Human Base Max 5 Quilted EB5-String Electric BassAsh bodyQuilted maple top3-Piece through-body maple neckEbony...
⭐
4.8/5
(33 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 502043
$3,849
#7
⭐
4.8/5
(34 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Solar Guitars E2.5BOP
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
#8
⭐
4.5/5
(40 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Sterling by Music Man S.U.B. Sting Ray 5 WS
Professional Use
Experimental Music
Custom Features
Key Feature:
• Perfect for contemporary music styles
✓ PROS
- • Versatile pickup configurations available
- • Extended low-end range with low B string
✗ CONS
- • Higher learning curve vs 4-string
- • More complex muting techniques required
Sterling by Music Man S.U.B. Sting Ray 5 WS5-String Electric BassBody: BasswoodNeck: MapleFretboard: Jatoba21 FretsNut...
⭐
4.5/5
(40 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 435219
$593
#9
⭐
4.5/5
(33 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Music Man Stingray 5 Special Burnt Ends
by
Music Man
Experimental Music
Professional Use
Unique Designs
Key Feature:
• Professional versatility
✓ PROS
- • Modern extended range capabilities
- • Extended low-end range with low B string
✗ CONS
- • Higher learning curve vs 4-string
- • More complex muting techniques required
Music Man Stingray 5 Special Burnt Ends5-String Electric BassBody: Ash5-Bolt bolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFretboard:...
⭐
4.5/5
(33 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 513774
$3,959
#10
⭐
4.7/5
(18 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Sadowsky MetroExp24 Mod 5 Morado SGR
by
Sadowsky
Professional Use
Unique Designs
Experimental Music
Key Feature:
• Professional versatility
✓ PROS
- • Perfect for contemporary music styles
- • Professional versatility
✗ CONS
- • May need specialized strings and setup
- • Higher learning curve vs 4-string
Sadowsky MetroExp24 Mod 5 Morado SGR5-String Electric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard:...
⭐
4.7/5
(18 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 599530
$1,319
#11
⭐
4.4/5
(23 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Sadowsky MetroExp24 Mod 5 Morado TSB
by
Sadowsky
Experimental Music
Unique Designs
Alternative Styles
Key Feature:
• Extended low-end range with low B string
✓ PROS
- • Versatile pickup configurations available
- • Perfect for contemporary music styles
✗ CONS
- • Higher learning curve vs 4-string
- • May need specialized strings and setup
Sadowsky MetroExp24 Mod 5 Morado TSB5-String Electric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard:...
⭐
4.4/5
(23 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 599732
$1,319
#12
⭐
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
#13
⭐
4.7/5
(4 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Warwick Masterbuilt Thumb Bass NT 5
by
Warwick
Professional Use
Custom Features
Experimental Music
Key Feature:
• Versatile pickup configurations available
✓ PROS
- • Professional versatility
- • Extended low-end range with low B string
✗ CONS
- • More complex muting techniques required
- • String spacing may feel cramped
Warwick Masterbuilt Thumb Bass NT 55-String electric bassBody: bubinga pommeléNeck: continuous neck-thru(-body) 4-ply...
⭐
4.7/5
(4 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 397447
$8,249
#14
⭐
4.8/5
(30 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Music Man Stingray 5 Special HH Burnt
by
Music Man
Experimental Music
Professional Use
Alternative Styles
Key Feature:
• Extended low-end range with low B string
✓ PROS
- • Perfect for contemporary music styles
- • Versatile pickup configurations available
✗ CONS
- • String spacing may feel cramped
- • Wider neck requires adjustment
Music Man Stingray 5 Special HH Burnt5-String Electric BassBody: Ash5-bolt-on neck: roasted mapleFingerboard:...
⭐
4.8/5
(30 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 531862
$4,069
#15
⭐
4.6/5
(16 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Warwick Pro Series Corvette $$ 5 NBTS
by
Warwick
Custom Features
Unique Designs
Alternative Styles
Key Feature:
• Modern extended range capabilities
✓ PROS
- • Perfect for contemporary music styles
- • Extended low-end range with low B string
✗ CONS
- • More complex muting techniques required
- • Wider neck requires adjustment
Warwick Pro Series Corvette $$ 5 NBTS5-String Electric BassBody: US Swamp ashNeck: 4-Piece laminated ovangkolNeck...
⭐
4.6/5
(16 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 489069
$3,299
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.
