Best 5-String Basses Under $2,000 2026
Affordable 5-string basses under $2,000 - great value without compromising quality
Last updated: January 21, 2026 • Next update: January 28, 2026
#1
⭐
5.0/5
(35 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Sterling by Music Man StingRay RAY35HH BOB
Unique Designs
Experimental Music
Professional Use
Key Feature:
• Modern extended range capabilities
✓ PROS
- • Modern extended range capabilities
- • Extended low-end range with low B string
✗ CONS
- • Wider neck requires adjustment
- • May need specialized strings and setup
Sterling by Music Man StingRay RAY35HH BOB5 String Electric BassBody: NyatohTop: spalted maple veneerBolt-on neck:...
⭐
5.0/5
(35 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 585174
$1,594
#2
⭐
4.9/5
(53 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Sterling by Music Man StingRay RAY35 Dorado Green
Alternative Styles
Experimental Music
Professional Use
Key Feature:
• Perfect for contemporary music styles
✓ PROS
- • Perfect for contemporary music styles
- • Modern extended range capabilities
✗ CONS
- • More complex muting techniques required
- • Higher learning curve vs 4-string
Sterling by Music Man StingRay RAY35 Dorado Green5 String Electric BassBody: NyatohBolt-on neck: roasted...
⭐
4.9/5
(53 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 585184
$1,297
#3
⭐
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
#4
⭐
4.9/5
(51 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
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
#5
⭐
4.9/5
(14 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Warwick RB StarBass 5 Solid Black HP
by
Warwick
Extended Range
Professional Use
Experimental Music
Key Feature:
• Professional versatility
✓ PROS
- • Perfect for contemporary music styles
- • Extended low-end range with low B string
✗ CONS
- • String spacing may feel cramped
- • Higher learning curve vs 4-string
Warwick RB StarBass 5 Solid Black HP5-String Electric Basssides and back: Maple4-Piece laminated neck: Maple with...
⭐
4.9/5
(14 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 449591
$1,154
#6
⭐
4.9/5
(18 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Human Base BaseX.oc5 Black
by
Human Base
Extended Range
Alternative Styles
Professional Use
Key Feature:
• Perfect for contemporary music styles
✓ PROS
- • Versatile pickup configurations available
- • Perfect for contemporary music styles
✗ CONS
- • More complex muting techniques required
- • May need specialized strings and setup
Human Base BaseX.oc5 Black5-String Electric BassBody: AshThree-piece bolt-on neck: MapleDual action truss...
⭐
4.9/5
(18 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 528596
$1,958
#7
⭐
4.6/5
(29 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
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
#8
⭐
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
#9
⭐
5.0/5
(11 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Warwick RB Streamer NT 5 HV HP
by
Warwick
Unique Designs
Professional Use
Custom Features
Key Feature:
• Perfect for contemporary music styles
✓ PROS
- • Professional versatility
- • Perfect for contemporary music styles
✗ CONS
- • Wider neck requires adjustment
- • Higher learning curve vs 4-string
Warwick RB Streamer NT 5 HV HP5-String Electric BassBody: Alder4-Piece neck-thru-body: Maple with Ekanga veneer...
⭐
5.0/5
(11 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 451984
$1,154
#10
⭐
4.5/5
(14 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Ibanez SR5FMDX2-NTL
by
Ibanez
Custom Features
Experimental Music
Alternative Styles
Key Feature:
• Modern extended range capabilities
✓ PROS
- • Perfect for contemporary music styles
- • Modern extended range capabilities
✗ CONS
- • Wider neck requires adjustment
- • Higher learning curve vs 4-string
Ibanez SR5FMDX2-NTL5-String Electric BassBody: African mahogany5-Piece bolt-on neck: Panga Panga /...
⭐
4.5/5
(14 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 557371
$1,814
#11
⭐
4.6/5
(16 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vint MJ5 Morado CAO
by
Sadowsky
Extended Range
Alternative Styles
Professional Use
Key Feature:
• Modern extended range capabilities
✓ PROS
- • Extended low-end range with low B string
- • Modern extended range capabilities
✗ CONS
- • May need specialized strings and setup
- • Higher learning curve vs 4-string
Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vint MJ5 Morado CAO5-String Electric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard:...
⭐
4.6/5
(16 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 597244
$1,352
#12
⭐
4.6/5
(8 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vint MJ5 Morado BK
by
Sadowsky
Unique Designs
Extended Range
Professional Use
Key Feature:
• Professional versatility
✓ PROS
- • Versatile pickup configurations available
- • Modern extended range capabilities
✗ CONS
- • Higher learning curve vs 4-string
- • May need specialized strings and setup
Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vint MJ5 Morado BK5-String Electric bassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard:...
⭐
4.6/5
(8 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 597200
$1,352
#13
⭐
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
#14
⭐
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
#15
⭐
4.8/5
(54 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Yamaha BB735 AIDB Fired Red
by
Yamaha
Alternative Styles
Unique Designs
Extended Range
Key Feature:
• Perfect for contemporary music styles
✓ PROS
- • Professional versatility
- • Modern extended range capabilities
✗ CONS
- • More complex muting techniques required
- • String spacing may feel cramped
Yamaha BB735 AIDB Fired Red5-String Electric Bass3-Piece body: alder / maple / alderBolt-on 5-piece neck:...
⭐
4.8/5
(54 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 605560
$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.
