Best Sadowsky 5-String Basses 2026
Premium Sadowsky 5-string basses - legendary tone and craftsmanship
Last updated: January 14, 2026 • Next update: January 21, 2026
#1
⭐
4.9/5
(17 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
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
#2
⭐
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
#3
⭐
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
#4
⭐
4.5/5
(34 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
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
#5
⭐
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
#6
⭐
4.5/5
(19 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vint M5 Morado CAO
by
Sadowsky
Experimental Music
Professional Use
Unique Designs
Key Feature:
• Perfect for contemporary music styles
✓ PROS
- • Modern extended range capabilities
- • Versatile pickup configurations available
✗ CONS
- • Wider neck requires adjustment
- • More complex muting techniques required
Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vint M5 Morado CAO5-String Electric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard:...
⭐
4.5/5
(19 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 598303
$1,308
#7
⭐
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
#8
⭐
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
#9
⭐
4.9/5
(30 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vint M5 Morado CH
by
Sadowsky
Extended Range
Experimental Music
Custom Features
Key Feature:
• Modern extended range capabilities
✓ PROS
- • Extended low-end range with low B string
- • Modern extended range capabilities
✗ CONS
- • Wider neck requires adjustment
- • More complex muting techniques required
Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vint M5 Morado WH5-String Electric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard:...
⭐
4.9/5
(30 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 598339
$1,308
#10
⭐
4.6/5
(45 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Sadowsky MetroExpress 21-5 Vin MO CAR
by
Sadowsky
Unique Designs
Experimental Music
Professional Use
Key Feature:
• Extended low-end range with low B string
✓ PROS
- • Versatile pickup configurations available
- • Perfect for contemporary music styles
✗ CONS
- • More complex muting techniques required
- • String spacing may feel cramped
Sadowsky MetroExpress 21-5 Vin MO CAR5-String Electric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard:...
⭐
4.6/5
(45 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 598302
$1,308
#11
⭐
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
#12
⭐
4.6/5
(23 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Sadowsky MetroExpress 24-5 Modern MA SS
by
Sadowsky
Experimental Music
Unique Designs
Professional Use
Key Feature:
• Modern extended range capabilities
✓ PROS
- • Professional versatility
- • Perfect for contemporary music styles
✗ CONS
- • String spacing may feel cramped
- • More complex muting techniques required
Sadowsky MetroExpress 24-5 Modern MA SS5-String Electric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard:...
⭐
4.6/5
(23 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 598710
$1,286
#13
⭐
4.7/5
(9 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vintage M5 RM OBL
by
Sadowsky
Alternative Styles
Custom Features
Experimental Music
Key Feature:
• Versatile pickup configurations available
✓ PROS
- • Versatile pickup configurations available
- • Perfect for contemporary music styles
✗ CONS
- • String spacing may feel cramped
- • Higher learning curve vs 4-string
Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vintage M5 RM OBL5-String Electric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard: Roasted...
⭐
4.7/5
(9 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 598323
$1,275
#14
⭐
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
#15
⭐
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
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.
