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Best 5-String Basses Under $500 2025

Affordable 5-string basses under $500 - 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
Marcus Miller M2 5 WHP 2nd Gen - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Marcus Miller M2 5 WHP 2nd Gen

by Marcus Miller
Unique Designs Extended Range Custom Features
Key Feature:
• Modern extended range capabilities
✓ PROS
  • • Perfect for contemporary music styles
  • • Modern extended range capabilities
✗ CONS
  • • Wider neck requires adjustment
  • • May need specialized strings and setup

Marcus Miller M2 5 WHP 2nd Gen5-String Electric BassBody: Mahogany (Swietenia)Neck: MapleFretboard: Rosewood (Dalbergia...

⭐ 4.9/5 (17 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 446385
$461
Buy at Thomann View Details
Jackson JS3Q V Spectra Bass Prpl.Phaze - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Jackson JS3Q V Spectra Bass Prpl.Phaze

by Jackson
Alternative Styles Unique Designs Extended Range
Key Feature:
• Perfect for contemporary music styles
✓ PROS
  • • Extended low-end range with low B string
  • • Modern extended range capabilities
✗ CONS
  • • Wider neck requires adjustment
  • • More complex muting techniques required

Jackson JS3Q V Spectra Bass Prpl.Phaze5-String Electric BassJS seriesBody: PoplarTop: Quilted mapleBolt-on neck:...

⭐ 4.7/5 (17 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 485563
$472
Buy at Thomann View Details
Marcus Miller M2 5 TBK 2nd Gen - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Marcus Miller M2 5 TBK 2nd Gen

by Marcus Miller
Professional Use Custom Features Extended Range
Key Feature:
• Modern extended range capabilities
✓ PROS
  • • Extended low-end range with low B string
  • • Professional versatility
✗ CONS
  • • String spacing may feel cramped
  • • Wider neck requires adjustment

Marcus Miller M2 5 TBK 2nd Gen5-String Electric BassBody: Mahogany (Toona sureni)Neck: MapleFretboard: Rosewood...

⭐ 4.9/5 (2 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 446383
$472
Buy at Thomann View Details
Ibanez SR305E-PW - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Ibanez SR305E-PW

by Ibanez
Experimental Music Alternative Styles Unique Designs
Key Feature:
• Perfect for contemporary music styles
✓ PROS
  • • Versatile pickup configurations available
  • • Modern extended range capabilities
✗ CONS
  • • Wider neck requires adjustment
  • • May need specialized strings and setup

Ibanez SR305E-PW5-String Electric BassBody: NyatohBolt-on 5-piece neck: Maple/WalnutNeck profile: SR4Fingerboard:...

⭐ 4.6/5 (53 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 520399
$461
Buy at Thomann View Details
Marcus Miller M2 5 TBL 2nd Gen - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Marcus Miller M2 5 TBL 2nd Gen

by Marcus Miller
Extended Range Unique Designs Alternative Styles
Key Feature:
• Modern extended range capabilities
✓ PROS
  • • Perfect for contemporary music styles
  • • Professional versatility
✗ CONS
  • • Higher learning curve vs 4-string
  • • Wider neck requires adjustment

Marcus Miller M2 5 TBL 2nd Gen5-String Electric BassBody: Mahogany (Swietenia)Neck: MapleFretboard: MapleNeck profile:...

⭐ 4.8/5 (51 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 446435
$472
Buy at Thomann View Details
Ibanez TMB35-MGR Talman Short Scale - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Ibanez TMB35-MGR Talman Short Scale

by Ibanez
Extended Range Unique Designs Alternative Styles
Key Feature:
• Professional versatility
✓ PROS
  • • Professional versatility
  • • Modern extended range capabilities
✗ CONS
  • • May need specialized strings and setup
  • • Higher learning curve vs 4-string

Ibanez TMB35-MGR Talman Short Scale5-String Electric BassBody: PoplarNeck: TMB5 mapleFretboard: JatobaWhite fretboard...

⭐ 4.7/5 (28 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 481492
$307
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton MB-5 SBK Deluxe Series Set 2 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Harley Benton MB-5 SBK Deluxe Series Set 2

by Harley Benton
Extended Range Professional Use Alternative Styles
Key Feature:
• Professional versatility
✓ PROS
  • • Versatile pickup configurations available
  • • Modern extended range capabilities
✗ CONS
  • • May need specialized strings and setup
  • • String spacing may feel cramped

Harley Benton MB-5 SBK Deluxe Series Set 2*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton MB-5 SBK Deluxe Series*5 String...

⭐ 4.9/5 (28 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 519755
$347
Buy at Thomann View Details
Ibanez SR305E-MSS - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Ibanez SR305E-MSS

by Ibanez
Extended Range Experimental Music Custom Features
Key Feature:
• Professional versatility
✓ PROS
  • • Versatile pickup configurations available
  • • Modern extended range capabilities
✗ CONS
  • • Wider neck requires adjustment
  • • More complex muting techniques required

Ibanez SR305E-MSS5-String Electric BassSoundgear SeriesBody: NyatohBolt-on 5-piece neck: Maple/WalnutNeck profile:...

⭐ 4.9/5 (21 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 518056
$472
Buy at Thomann View Details
Ibanez SR305EB-WNF - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Ibanez SR305EB-WNF

by Ibanez
Extended Range Custom Features Unique Designs
Key Feature:
• Modern extended range capabilities
✓ PROS
  • • Extended low-end range with low B string
  • • Professional versatility
✗ CONS
  • • More complex muting techniques required
  • • Higher learning curve vs 4-string

Ibanez SR305EB-WNF5-String Electric BassBody: NyatohBolt-on 5-Piece neck: Maple/WalnutFingerboard: JatobaWhite dot...

⭐ 4.4/5 (9 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 606656
$483
Buy at Thomann View Details
Ibanez GSR205PC-TMU Gio - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Ibanez GSR205PC-TMU Gio

by Ibanez
Unique Designs Professional Use Custom Features
Key Feature:
• Perfect for contemporary music styles
✓ 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

Ibanez GSR205PC-TMU Gio5-String Electric BassBody: OkoumeTop: Okoume with PB Canvas Art GrainBolt-on neck:...

⭐ 4.6/5 (35 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 620881
$417
Buy at Thomann View Details
Ibanez GSR205SM-NGT - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Ibanez GSR205SM-NGT

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

Ibanez GSR205SM-NGTElectric BassBody: PoplarTop: Spalted MapleBolt-on neck: MapleFretboard: JatobaWhite dot fretboard...

⭐ 4.9/5 (36 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 481764
$395
Buy at Thomann View Details
Ibanez GSR205B-WNF - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Ibanez GSR205B-WNF

by Ibanez
Alternative Styles Unique Designs Custom Features
Key Feature:
• Perfect for contemporary music styles
✓ PROS
  • • Extended low-end range with low B string
  • • Professional versatility
✗ CONS
  • • Higher learning curve vs 4-string
  • • May need specialized strings and setup

Ibanez GSR205B-WNF5-String Electric BassBody: OkoumeNeck: MapleFretboard: New Zealand pineFretboard inlays: White...

⭐ 4.5/5 (24 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 356131
$340
Buy at Thomann View Details
Cort C5 Deluxe Candy Red - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Cort C5 Deluxe Candy Red

by Cort
Unique Designs Alternative Styles Custom Features
Key Feature:
• Modern extended range capabilities
✓ PROS
  • • Versatile pickup configurations available
  • • Professional versatility
✗ CONS
  • • String spacing may feel cramped
  • • Wider neck requires adjustment

Cort C5 Deluxe Candy Red5 String Electric BassBody: PoplarNeck: Bolt-on mapleFingerboard: JatobaFingerboard radius: 400...

⭐ 4.8/5 (14 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 587154
$439
Buy at Thomann View Details
Ibanez SR305E-DOT - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Ibanez SR305E-DOT

by Ibanez
Professional Use Unique Designs Experimental Music
Key Feature:
• Professional versatility
✓ PROS
  • • Versatile pickup configurations available
  • • Modern extended range capabilities
✗ CONS
  • • More complex muting techniques required
  • • May need specialized strings and setup

Ibanez SR305E-DOT5-String Electric BassBody: NyatohBolt-on 5-Piece neck: Maple/WalnutFingerboard: JatobaWhite dot...

⭐ 4.8/5 (29 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 606651
$483
Buy at Thomann View Details
Cort C5 Deluxe Black - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Cort C5 Deluxe Black

by Cort
Experimental Music Unique Designs Professional Use
Key Feature:
• Modern extended range capabilities
✓ PROS
  • • Modern extended range capabilities
  • • Perfect for contemporary music styles
✗ CONS
  • • String spacing may feel cramped
  • • May need specialized strings and setup

Cort C5 Deluxe Black5 String Electric BassBody: PoplarNeck: Bolt-on mapleFingerboard: JatobaFingerboard radius: 400 mm...

⭐ 4.5/5 (29 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 587144
$461
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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