Best 5-String Basses for Alternative Styles 2026
Perfect 5-string basses for alternative-styles - easy to play and learn on
Last updated: January 14, 2026 • Next update: January 21, 2026
#1
⭐
4.6/5
(37 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
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
#2
⭐
4.6/5
(15 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Marcus Miller Z7-5 Burgundy
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
#3
⭐
5.0/5
(33 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Spector Euro 5 CST Nat Violet Burst
by
Spector
Unique Designs
Extended Range
Alternative Styles
Key Feature:
• Professional versatility
✓ PROS
- • Professional versatility
- • Perfect for contemporary music styles
✗ CONS
- • String spacing may feel cramped
- • Wider neck requires adjustment
Spector Euro 5 CST Nat Violet Burst5-String Electric BassBody: European ash with a walnut stripeTop: European poplar...
⭐
5.0/5
(33 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 603231
$3,409
#4
⭐
4.8/5
(29 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Ibanez SR305E-DOT
by
Ibanez
Professional Use
Unique Designs
Experimental Music
Key Feature:
• Professional versatility
✓ PROS
- • Versatile pickup configurations available
- • Modern extended range capabilities
✗ CONS
- • More complex muting techniques required
- • May need specialized strings and setup
Ibanez SR305E-DOT5-String Electric BassBody: NyatohBolt-on 5-Piece neck: Maple/WalnutFingerboard: JatobaWhite dot...
⭐
4.8/5
(29 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 606651
$483
#5
⭐
5.0/5
(46 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
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
#6
⭐
4.9/5
(32 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Sadowsky MetroExp24 Mod 5 Morado OBL
by
Sadowsky
Extended Range
Professional Use
Custom Features
Key Feature:
• Perfect for contemporary music styles
✓ PROS
- • Modern extended range capabilities
- • Perfect for contemporary music styles
✗ CONS
- • Higher learning curve vs 4-string
- • May need specialized strings and setup
Sadowsky MetroExp24 Mod 5 Morado OBL5-String Electric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard:...
⭐
4.9/5
(32 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 599585
$1,319
#7
⭐
4.9/5
(18 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
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
#8
⭐
4.8/5
(19 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Hagstrom Nekromant 5 Tobacco Sunburst
by
Hagstrom
Professional Use
Alternative Styles
Extended Range
Key Feature:
• Professional versatility
✓ PROS
- • Perfect for contemporary music styles
- • Extended low-end range with low B string
✗ CONS
- • More complex muting techniques required
- • May need specialized strings and setup
Hagstrom Nekromant 5 Tobacco Sunburst5-String Electric BassBody: MahoganySet-in neck: MahoganyTruss rod:...
⭐
4.8/5
(19 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 600994
$1,297
#9
⭐
4.5/5
(56 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
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
#10
⭐
5.0/5
(24 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Lakland Skyline 55-02 Deluxe 5 NG
by
Lakland
Custom Features
Unique Designs
Professional Use
Key Feature:
• Extended low-end range with low B string
✓ PROS
- • Perfect for contemporary music styles
- • Modern extended range capabilities
✗ CONS
- • May need specialized strings and setup
- • Higher learning curve vs 4-string
Lakland Skyline 55-02 Deluxe 5 NG5-String Electric BassBody: AshTop: Quilted mapleBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard:...
⭐
5.0/5
(24 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 602288
$2,409
#11
⭐
5.0/5
(52 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
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
#12
⭐
4.7/5
(15 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Ibanez SR4505-DST Prestige
by
Ibanez
Custom Features
Professional Use
Unique Designs
Key Feature:
• Professional versatility
✓ PROS
- • Modern extended range capabilities
- • Versatile pickup configurations available
✗ CONS
- • May need specialized strings and setup
- • Wider neck requires adjustment
Ibanez SR4505-DST Prestige5-String Electric BassBody: AshBolt-on 5-Piece neck: Maple/WalnutFingerboard: Roasted...
⭐
4.7/5
(15 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 606709
$2,859
#13
⭐
4.9/5
(50 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
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
#14
⭐
4.4/5
(28 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
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
#15
⭐
4.6/5
(52 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
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
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.
