AudioFu

Best 5-String Basses for Alternative Styles 2025

Perfect 5-string basses for alternative-styles - easy to play and learn on

Last updated: October 29, 2025 • Next update: November 5, 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
Marcus Miller Z7-5 Burgundy - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Marcus Miller Z7-5 Burgundy

by Marcus Miller
Alternative Styles Custom Features Experimental Music
Key Feature:
• Extended low-end range with low B string
✓ PROS
  • • Extended low-end range with low B string
  • • Modern extended range capabilities
✗ CONS
  • • Wider neck requires adjustment
  • • String spacing may feel cramped

Marcus Miller Z7-5 Burgundy5-String Electric BassBody: AlderBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: EbonyEdgeless fingerboard...

⭐ 4.6/5 (15 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 602786
$769
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sadowsky MetroExp24 Mod 5 Morado CH - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Sadowsky MetroExp24 Mod 5 Morado CH

by Sadowsky
Experimental Music Alternative Styles Professional Use
Key Feature:
• Professional versatility
✓ PROS
  • • Modern extended range capabilities
  • • Professional versatility
✗ CONS
  • • Higher learning curve vs 4-string
  • • Wider neck requires adjustment

Sadowsky MetroExp24 Mod 5 Morado WH5-String Electric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard:...

⭐ 5.0/5 (36 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 599522
$1,264
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sadowsky MetroExp24 Modern 5 RM WH - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Sadowsky MetroExp24 Modern 5 RM WH

by Sadowsky
Custom Features Alternative Styles Professional Use
Key Feature:
• Extended low-end range with low B string
✓ PROS
  • • Professional versatility
  • • Extended low-end range with low B string
✗ CONS
  • • May need specialized strings and setup
  • • More complex muting techniques required

Sadowsky MetroExp24 Modern 5 RM WH5-String Electric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard: Roasted...

⭐ 4.6/5 (54 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 599584
$1,286
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sadowsky MetroExp24 Mod 5 Morado BK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Sadowsky MetroExp24 Mod 5 Morado BK

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

Sadowsky MetroExp24 Mod 5 Morado BK5-String Electric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard:...

⭐ 5.0/5 (46 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 599733
$1,264
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sadowsky MetroExpress 24-5 Fret MA OW - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Sadowsky MetroExpress 24-5 Fret MA OW

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

Sadowsky MetroExpress 24-5 Fret MA OW5-String Electric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: roasted mapleFingerboard: roasted...

⭐ 4.6/5 (5 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 599445
$1,286
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sadowsky MetroExp24 Mod 5 Morado SGR - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

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
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sadowsky MetroExpress 24-5 Fret MA CAO - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Sadowsky MetroExpress 24-5 Fret MA CAO

by Sadowsky
Experimental Music Alternative Styles Professional Use
Key Feature:
• Versatile pickup configurations available
✓ PROS
  • • Perfect for contemporary music styles
  • • Modern extended range capabilities
✗ CONS
  • • More complex muting techniques required
  • • May need specialized strings and setup

Sadowsky MetroExpress 24-5 Fret MA CAO5-String Electric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard:...

⭐ 4.9/5 (18 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 598896
$1,286
Buy at Thomann View Details
Ibanez SR405EQM-SCB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Ibanez SR405EQM-SCB

by Ibanez
Professional Use Alternative Styles Experimental Music
Key Feature:
• Extended low-end range with low B string
✓ PROS
  • • Modern extended range capabilities
  • • Professional versatility
✗ CONS
  • • May need specialized strings and setup
  • • Higher learning curve vs 4-string

Ibanez SR405EQM-SCB5-String Electric BassBody: NyatohTop: Quilted mapleBolt-on 5-Piece neck: Maple/WalnutFingerboard:...

⭐ 4.5/5 (56 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 606643
$703
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sadowsky MetroExp24 Mod 5 Morado SIL - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Sadowsky MetroExp24 Mod 5 Morado SIL

by Sadowsky
Experimental Music Custom Features Extended Range
Key Feature:
• Modern extended range capabilities
✓ PROS
  • • Extended low-end range with low B string
  • • Modern extended range capabilities
✗ CONS
  • • Wider neck requires adjustment
  • • Higher learning curve vs 4-string

Sadowsky MetroExp24 Mod 5 Morado SIL5-String Electric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard:...

⭐ 4.8/5 (34 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 599528
$1,319
Buy at Thomann View Details
Ibanez BTB945-COL - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Ibanez BTB945-COL

by Ibanez
Professional Use Alternative Styles Experimental Music
Key Feature:
• Perfect for contemporary music styles
✓ PROS
  • • Perfect for contemporary music styles
  • • Versatile pickup configurations available
✗ CONS
  • • String spacing may feel cramped
  • • Wider neck requires adjustment

Ibanez BTB945-COL5-String Electric BassBody: Okoume/ AshTop: Poplar burl5-Piece neck-thru-body with graphite...

⭐ 4.9/5 (50 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 606697
$1,484
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sadowsky MetroExp24 Modern 5 RM SGR - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Sadowsky MetroExp24 Modern 5 RM SGR

by Sadowsky
Professional Use Alternative Styles Custom Features
Key Feature:
• Versatile pickup configurations available
✓ PROS
  • • Extended low-end range with low B string
  • • Professional versatility
✗ CONS
  • • Wider neck requires adjustment
  • • More complex muting techniques required

Sadowsky MetroExp24 Modern 5 RM SGR5-String Electric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard: Roasted...

⭐ 4.6/5 (37 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 599529
$1,286
Buy at Thomann View Details
Lakland Skyline 55-02 Custom WPG - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Lakland Skyline 55-02 Custom WPG

by Lakland
Professional Use Custom Features Alternative Styles
Key Feature:
• Modern extended range capabilities
✓ PROS
  • • Versatile pickup configurations available
  • • Perfect for contemporary music styles
✗ CONS
  • • More complex muting techniques required
  • • Wider neck requires adjustment

Lakland Skyline 55-02 Custom WPG5-String Electric BassBody: AshBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: MaplePearl block...

⭐ 5.0/5 (52 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 602294
$2,409
Buy at Thomann View Details
Hagstrom Nekromant 5 White Gloss - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Hagstrom Nekromant 5 White Gloss

by Hagstrom
Custom Features Extended Range Unique Designs
Key Feature:
• Extended low-end range with low B string
✓ PROS
  • • Professional versatility
  • • Modern extended range capabilities
✗ CONS
  • • More complex muting techniques required
  • • Wider neck requires adjustment

Hagstrom Nekromant 5 White Gloss5-String Electric BassBody: MahoganySet-in neck: MahoganyFingerboard: ResinatorTruss...

⭐ 4.4/5 (28 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 600990
$1,297
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sadowsky MetroExp24 Modern 5 RM CAR - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Sadowsky MetroExp24 Modern 5 RM CAR

by Sadowsky
Alternative Styles Extended Range Unique Designs
Key Feature:
• Modern extended range capabilities
✓ PROS
  • • Perfect for contemporary music styles
  • • Versatile pickup configurations available
✗ CONS
  • • String spacing may feel cramped
  • • May need specialized strings and setup

Sadowsky MetroExp24 Modern 5 RM CAR5-String Electric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard: Roasted...

⭐ 4.6/5 (52 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 599737
$1,286
Buy at Thomann View Details
Yamaha TRBX 605FM Indigo Blue - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Yamaha TRBX 605FM Indigo Blue

by Yamaha
Unique Designs Experimental Music Professional Use
Key Feature:
• Versatile pickup configurations available
✓ PROS
  • • Extended low-end range with low B string
  • • Versatile pickup configurations available
✗ CONS
  • • String spacing may feel cramped
  • • May need specialized strings and setup

Yamaha TRBX 605FM Indigo Blue5-String Electric BassBody: AlderTop: Flamed maple5-Piece neck: maple/mahoganyFingerboard:...

⭐ 4.5/5 (56 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 605630
$912
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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