Best 5-String Basses for Unique Designs 2026
Perfect 5-string basses for unique-designs - easy to play and learn on
Last updated: January 14, 2026 • Next update: January 21, 2026
#1
⭐
5.0/5
(36 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
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
#2
⭐
4.9/5
(48 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
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
#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
⭐
4.7/5
(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
#5
⭐
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
#6
⭐
4.6/5
(54 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
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
#7
⭐
4.9/5
(32 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Ibanez TMB425B-BKF
by
Ibanez
Alternative Styles
Experimental Music
Professional Use
Key Feature:
• Modern extended range capabilities
✓ PROS
- • Modern extended range capabilities
- • Perfect for contemporary music styles
✗ CONS
- • May need specialized strings and setup
- • String spacing may feel cramped
Ibanez TMB425B-BKF5-String Electric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard: EbonolFingerboard radius:...
⭐
4.9/5
(32 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 606839
$494
#8
⭐
4.4/5
(9 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
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
#9
⭐
4.7/5
(20 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
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
#10
⭐
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
#11
⭐
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
#12
⭐
4.8/5
(34 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
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
#13
⭐
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
#14
⭐
4.6/5
(5 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
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
#15
⭐
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
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.
