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Best Sadowsky 5-String Basses 2025

Premium Sadowsky 5-string basses - legendary tone and craftsmanship

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
Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vint M5 Morado OBL - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vint M5 Morado OBL

by Sadowsky
Experimental Music Alternative Styles Custom Features
Key Feature:
• Extended low-end range with low B string
✓ PROS
  • • Versatile pickup configurations available
  • • Modern extended range capabilities
✗ CONS
  • • String spacing may feel cramped
  • • More complex muting techniques required

Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vint M5 Morado OBL5-String Electric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard:...

⭐ 4.6/5 (29 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 598324
$1,308
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vintage M5 RM TSB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vintage M5 RM TSB

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

Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vintage M5 RM TSB5-String Electric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard: Roasted...

⭐ 4.9/5 (49 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 598295
$1,275
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sadowsky MetroExpress 24-5 Fret MA OB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Sadowsky MetroExpress 24-5 Fret MA OB

by Sadowsky
Alternative Styles Unique Designs Professional Use
Key Feature:
• Versatile pickup configurations available
✓ PROS
  • • Modern extended range capabilities
  • • Perfect for contemporary music styles
✗ CONS
  • • Wider neck requires adjustment
  • • Higher learning curve vs 4-string

Sadowsky MetroExpress 24-5 Fret MA OB5-String Electric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard:...

⭐ 4.7/5 (37 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 598849
$1,286
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vint M5 Morado SGR - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vint M5 Morado SGR

by Sadowsky
Extended Range Custom Features Experimental Music
Key Feature:
• Perfect for contemporary music styles
✓ PROS
  • • Extended low-end range with low B string
  • • Versatile pickup configurations available
✗ CONS
  • • May need specialized strings and setup
  • • String spacing may feel cramped

Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vint M5 Morado SGR5-String Electric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard:...

⭐ 4.8/5 (8 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 598333
$1,308
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sadowsky MetroExp24 Mod 5 Morado CH - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

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 Mod 5 Morado OBL - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

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 MetroExpress 24-5 Fret MA OW - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

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 MetroExp21 Vintage M5 RM SGR - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vintage M5 RM SGR

by Sadowsky
Unique Designs Extended Range Alternative Styles
Key Feature:
• Extended low-end range with low B string
✓ PROS
  • • Modern extended range capabilities
  • • Versatile pickup configurations available
✗ CONS
  • • Higher learning curve vs 4-string
  • • Wider neck requires adjustment

Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vintage M5 RM SGR5-String Electric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard: Roasted...

⭐ 4.9/5 (11 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 598325
$1,275
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vintage M5 RM SIL - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vintage M5 RM SIL

by Sadowsky
Extended Range Unique Designs Alternative Styles
Key Feature:
• Modern extended range capabilities
✓ PROS
  • • Extended low-end range with low B string
  • • Versatile pickup configurations available
✗ CONS
  • • May need specialized strings and setup
  • • More complex muting techniques required

Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vintage M5 RM SIL5-String Electric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard: Roasted...

⭐ 4.9/5 (51 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 598350
$1,275
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vint M5 Morado TSB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vint M5 Morado TSB

by Sadowsky
Custom Features Experimental Music Unique Designs
Key Feature:
• Versatile pickup configurations available
✓ PROS
  • • Perfect for contemporary music styles
  • • Extended low-end range with low B string
✗ CONS
  • • String spacing may feel cramped
  • • May need specialized strings and setup

Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vint M5 Morado TSB5-String Electric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard:...

⭐ 4.9/5 (17 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 598298
$1,308
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
Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vintage M5 RM CAO - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vintage M5 RM CAO

by Sadowsky
Professional Use Alternative Styles Custom Features
Key Feature:
• Professional versatility
✓ PROS
  • • Extended low-end range with low B string
  • • Professional versatility
✗ CONS
  • • String spacing may feel cramped
  • • Wider neck requires adjustment

Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vintage M5 RM CAO5-String Electric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard: Roasted...

⭐ 5.0/5 (28 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 598300
$1,044
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sadowsky MetroExpress 24-5 Fret MA CAO - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

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
Sadowsky MetroExpress 24-5 Fret MO CAO - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Sadowsky MetroExpress 24-5 Fret MO CAO

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

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

⭐ 4.8/5 (51 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 598821
$1,209
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sadowsky MetroExp24 Modern 5 RM CAR - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

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

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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