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Best 5-String Basses for Intermediate 2025

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

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
Sadowsky MetroExp24 Mod 5 Morado OBL - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

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
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sadowsky MetroExp24 Mod 5 Morado BK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

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
Ibanez SR305EDX-WZM - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Ibanez SR305EDX-WZM

by Ibanez
Experimental Music Extended Range Professional Use
Key Feature:
• Professional versatility
✓ PROS
  • • Extended low-end range with low B string
  • • Professional versatility
✗ CONS
  • • More complex muting techniques required
  • • Wider neck requires adjustment

Ibanez SR305EDX-WZM5-String Electric BassBody: NyatohBolt-on 5-Piece neck: Maple/WalnutFingerboard: JatobaWhite dot...

⭐ 4.7/5 (20 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 606646
$582
Buy at Thomann View Details
Ibanez SR305EB-WNF - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Ibanez SR305EB-WNF

by Ibanez
Extended Range Custom Features Unique Designs
Key Feature:
• Modern extended range capabilities
✓ PROS
  • • Extended low-end range with low B string
  • • Professional versatility
✗ CONS
  • • More complex muting techniques required
  • • Higher learning curve vs 4-string

Ibanez SR305EB-WNF5-String Electric BassBody: NyatohBolt-on 5-Piece neck: Maple/WalnutFingerboard: JatobaWhite dot...

⭐ 4.4/5 (9 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 606656
$483
Buy at Thomann View Details
Hagstrom Nekromant 5 Black Gloss - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Hagstrom Nekromant 5 Black Gloss

by Hagstrom
Unique Designs Alternative Styles Extended Range
Key Feature:
• Versatile pickup configurations available
✓ PROS
  • • Perfect for contemporary music styles
  • • Modern extended range capabilities
✗ CONS
  • • May need specialized strings and setup
  • • Higher learning curve vs 4-string

Hagstrom Nekromant 5 Black Gloss5-String Electric BassBody: MahoganySet-in neck: MahoganyFingerboard: ResinatorPearloid...

⭐ 4.6/5 (29 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 600992
$1,297
Buy at Thomann View Details
Ibanez SR4505-DST Prestige - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

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
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sadowsky MetroExp24 Modern 5 RM CAR - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

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
Ibanez SR305E-DOT - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

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
Buy at Thomann View Details
Hagstrom Nekromant 5 White Gloss - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

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
#10

Sadowsky MetroExp24 Modern 5 RM CAR

by Sadowsky
Experimental Music Unique Designs Extended Range
Key Feature:
• Modern extended range capabilities
✓ PROS
  • • Extended low-end range with low B string
  • • Perfect for contemporary music styles
✗ CONS
  • • May need specialized strings and setup
  • • String spacing may feel cramped

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

⭐ 4.9/5 (48 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 599739
$1,319
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sadowsky MetroExp24 Modern 5 RM BK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Sadowsky MetroExp24 Modern 5 RM BK

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

Sadowsky MetroExp24 Modern 5 RM BK5-String Electric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard: Roasted...

⭐ 4.5/5 (34 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 599521
$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
Ibanez BTB945-COL - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

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
#14

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
Ibanez SRD905-CTL - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Ibanez SRD905-CTL

by Ibanez
Unique Designs Experimental Music Alternative Styles
Key Feature:
• Professional versatility
✓ PROS
  • • Extended low-end range with low B string
  • • Modern extended range capabilities
✗ CONS
  • • String spacing may feel cramped
  • • Higher learning curve vs 4-string

Ibanez SRD905-CTL5-String Electric BassBody: OkoumeTop: Exotic mapleBolt-on 5-Piece neck: Maple/WalnutFingerboard:...

⭐ 4.6/5 (31 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 606604
$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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