Best 5-String Basses Under $2,000 2026
Affordable 5-string basses under $2,000 - great value without compromising quality
Last updated: January 14, 2026 • Next update: January 21, 2026
#1
⭐
4.5/5
(23 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Marcus Miller M7 Swamp Ash 5st TBK 2nd Gen
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
#2
⭐
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
#3
⭐
4.9/5
(43 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Sterling by Music Man StingRay RAY35 Spalted 3TSB
Unique Designs
Alternative Styles
Extended Range
Key Feature:
• Modern extended range capabilities
✓ PROS
- • Extended low-end range with low B string
- • Perfect for contemporary music styles
✗ CONS
- • More complex muting techniques required
- • String spacing may feel cramped
Sterling by Music Man StingRay RAY35 Spalted 3TSB5-String Electric BassBody: NyatohTop: spalted mapleBolt-on neck:...
⭐
4.9/5
(43 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 585243
$1,484
#4
⭐
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
#5
⭐
4.5/5
(47 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vintage MJ5 RM CH
by
Sadowsky
Experimental Music
Custom Features
Alternative Styles
Key Feature:
• Professional versatility
✓ PROS
- • Perfect for contemporary music styles
- • Professional versatility
✗ CONS
- • Wider neck requires adjustment
- • More complex muting techniques required
Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vintage MJ5 RM WH5-String Electric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard: Roasted...
⭐
4.5/5
(47 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 597252
$1,319
#6
⭐
4.8/5
(36 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Sadowsky MetroExpress 21-5 Vin MA CAR
by
Sadowsky
Experimental Music
Custom Features
Professional Use
Key Feature:
• Extended low-end range with low B string
✓ PROS
- • Perfect for contemporary music styles
- • Modern extended range capabilities
✗ CONS
- • More complex muting techniques required
- • Higher learning curve vs 4-string
Sadowsky MetroExpress 21-5 Vin MA CAR5-String Electric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard: Roasted...
⭐
4.8/5
(36 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 598296
$1,275
#7
⭐
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
#8
⭐
5.0/5
(41 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Warwick RB Streamer LX 5 SW HP
by
Warwick
Extended Range
Professional Use
Alternative Styles
Key Feature:
• Modern extended range capabilities
✓ PROS
- • Versatile pickup configurations available
- • Professional versatility
✗ CONS
- • May need specialized strings and setup
- • More complex muting techniques required
Warwick RB Streamer LX 5 SW HP5-String Electric BassArched body: CarolinaBolt-on 4-piece neck: Maple with Ekanga veneer...
⭐
5.0/5
(41 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 452565
$1,044
#9
⭐
4.8/5
(40 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
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
#10
⭐
4.9/5
(44 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vint MJ5 Morado CAR
by
Sadowsky
Alternative Styles
Unique Designs
Professional Use
Key Feature:
• Extended low-end range with low B string
✓ PROS
- • Extended low-end range with low B string
- • Perfect for contemporary music styles
✗ CONS
- • More complex muting techniques required
- • May need specialized strings and setup
Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vint MJ5 Morado CAR5-String Electric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard:...
⭐
4.9/5
(44 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 597227
$1,352
#11
⭐
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
#12
⭐
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
#13
⭐
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
#14
⭐
4.9/5
(38 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Warwick RB Streamer NT I 5 NTHP
by
Warwick
Experimental Music
Alternative Styles
Extended Range
Key Feature:
• Professional versatility
✓ PROS
- • Versatile pickup configurations available
- • Modern extended range capabilities
✗ CONS
- • More complex muting techniques required
- • Wider neck requires adjustment
Warwick RB Streamer NT I 5 NTHP5-string electric bassBody: alderNeck-through construction4-piece laminated neck: maple...
⭐
4.9/5
(38 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 421845
$1,099
#15
⭐
4.6/5
(18 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Marcus Miller F10-5 NT
Custom Features
Alternative Styles
Extended Range
Key Feature:
• Perfect for contemporary music styles
✓ PROS
- • Professional versatility
- • Versatile pickup configurations available
✗ CONS
- • More complex muting techniques required
- • Higher learning curve vs 4-string
Marcus Miller F10-5 NT5-String Electric BassNew high-end bass model from Sireusing only high-quality woods and parts...
⭐
4.6/5
(18 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 584432
$1,759
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.
