AudioFu

Best 5-String Basses Under $2,000 2025

Affordable 5-string basses under $2,000 - great value without compromising quality

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
Sterling by Music Man StingRay RAY35 Dorado Green - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Sterling by Music Man StingRay RAY35 Dorado Green

by Sterling by Music Man
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
Buy at Thomann View Details
Solar Guitars AB2.5BOP - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Solar Guitars AB2.5BOP

by Solar Guitars
Experimental Music Professional Use Unique Designs
Key Feature:
• Versatile pickup configurations available
✓ PROS
  • • Modern extended range capabilities
  • • Extended low-end range with low B string
✗ CONS
  • • Higher learning curve vs 4-string
  • • String spacing may feel cramped

Solar Guitars Solar Guitars AB2.5BOP5-String Electric BassBody: Swamp ashBolt-on 5-piece neck: MaplejatobaFretboard:...

⭐ 4.9/5 (34 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 552044
$1,044
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sterling by Music Man StingRay RAY35HH Charc Frost - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Sterling by Music Man StingRay RAY35HH Charc Frost

by Sterling by Music Man
Alternative Styles Professional Use Unique Designs
Key Feature:
• Perfect for contemporary music styles
✓ PROS
  • • Perfect for contemporary music styles
  • • Modern extended range capabilities
✗ CONS
  • • More complex muting techniques required
  • • May need specialized strings and setup

Sterling by Music Man StingRay RAY35HH Charc Frost5 String Electric BassBody: NyatohBolt-on neck: roasted...

⭐ 4.9/5 (14 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 585180
$1,528
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vintage MJ5 RM CAO - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vintage MJ5 RM CAO

by Sadowsky
Experimental Music Alternative Styles Unique Designs
Key Feature:
• Professional versatility
✓ PROS
  • • Professional versatility
  • • Perfect for contemporary music styles
✗ CONS
  • • May need specialized strings and setup
  • • Higher learning curve vs 4-string

Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vintage MJ5 RM CAO5-String Electric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard: Roasted...

⭐ 4.4/5 (4 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 597241
$1,319
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sadowsky MetroExp24 Mod 5 Morado SGR - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

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
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vint M5 Morado CAO - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

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

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
Buy at Thomann View Details
Marcus Miller M7 Swamp Ash 5st TBK 2nd Gen - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Marcus Miller M7 Swamp Ash 5st TBK 2nd Gen

by Marcus Miller
Experimental Music Extended Range Alternative Styles
Key Feature:
• Perfect for contemporary music styles
✓ PROS
  • • Perfect for contemporary music styles
  • • Versatile pickup configurations available
✗ CONS
  • • More complex muting techniques required
  • • Higher learning curve vs 4-string

Marcus Miller M7 Swamp Ash 5st TBK 2nd Gen.5-String Electric BassBody: Swamp ashFlamed maple topBolt-on neck: MapleNeck...

⭐ 4.5/5 (23 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 446252
$1,054
Buy at Thomann View Details
Human Base BaseX.oc5 Black - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

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
Buy at Thomann View Details
Lakland Skyline 55-01 5-String NAT - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Lakland Skyline 55-01 5-String NAT

by Lakland
Experimental Music Unique Designs Alternative Styles
Key Feature:
• Extended low-end range with low B string
✓ PROS
  • • Extended low-end range with low B string
  • • Versatile pickup configurations available
✗ CONS
  • • More complex muting techniques required
  • • Higher learning curve vs 4-string

Lakland Skyline 55-01 5-String NAT5-String Electric BassBody: AshNeck: Bolt-on mapleFingerboard: MapleFingerboard...

⭐ 4.8/5 (10 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 574851
$1,539
Buy at Thomann View Details
Yamaha TRB1005J NA - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Yamaha TRB1005J NA

by Yamaha
Unique Designs Experimental Music Custom Features
Key Feature:
• Perfect for contemporary music styles
✓ PROS
  • • Professional versatility
  • • Modern extended range capabilities
✗ CONS
  • • Wider neck requires adjustment
  • • More complex muting techniques required

Yamaha TRB1005J NAElectric Bass5-StringAlder body with quilted maple topMaple/Mahogany (5-piece) neck with rosewood...

⭐ 4.8/5 (40 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 239727
$1,429
Buy at Thomann View Details
Warwick RB Star Bass 5 VSTHP - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Warwick RB Star Bass 5 VSTHP

by Warwick
Professional Use Unique Designs Experimental Music
Key Feature:
• Perfect for contemporary music styles
✓ PROS
  • • Extended low-end range with low B string
  • • Modern extended range capabilities
✗ CONS
  • • May need specialized strings and setup
  • • Wider neck requires adjustment

Warwick RB Star Bass 5 VSTHP5-String Electric Bassback and sides: Flamed mapleSet-in4-piece neck: Maple with Ekanga...

⭐ 4.4/5 (18 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 450755
$1,209
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sadowsky MetroExp24 Mod 5 Morado CH - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

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
Warwick RB Star Bass 5 SDBHP - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Warwick RB Star Bass 5 SDBHP

by Warwick
Extended Range Custom Features Unique Designs
Key Feature:
• Modern extended range capabilities
✓ PROS
  • • Professional versatility
  • • Versatile pickup configurations available
✗ CONS
  • • Higher learning curve vs 4-string
  • • May need specialized strings and setup

Warwick RB Star Bass 5 SDBHP5-String Electric BassMaple topback and sidesSet-in 4-strip laminated maple neck with...

⭐ 4.9/5 (54 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 450666
$1,154
Buy at Thomann View Details
Ibanez BTB625EX-BKF - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Ibanez BTB625EX-BKF

by Ibanez
Professional Use Custom Features Experimental Music
Key Feature:
• Extended low-end range with low B string
✓ PROS
  • • Perfect for contemporary music styles
  • • Professional versatility
✗ CONS
  • • More complex muting techniques required
  • • Higher learning curve vs 4-string

Ibanez BTB625EX-BKF5-String Electric BassIron Label seriesBody: OkumeNeck-through five-piece neck: Maple/walnutNeck...

⭐ 4.9/5 (51 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 522181
$1,033
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.

Related Best Lists

POPULAR

Best ST Style Guitars

TOP

Best Humbucker Pickups

POPULAR

Best Distortion Pedals

POPULAR

Best Single Cut Guitars

RELATED

Best Dreadnought Acoustic Guitars

TOP

Best 4/4 Size Classical Guitars

We use cookies to improve your experience. Learn more