Best 5-String Basses Under $500 2026
Affordable 5-string basses under $500 - great value without compromising quality
Last updated: January 14, 2026 • Next update: January 21, 2026
#1
⭐
4.9/5
(17 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Marcus Miller M2 5 WHP 2nd Gen
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
#2
⭐
4.9/5
(2 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Marcus Miller M2 5 TBK 2nd Gen
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
#3
⭐
4.7/5
(17 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
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
#4
⭐
4.6/5
(53 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
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
#5
⭐
4.9/5
(28 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Harley Benton MB-5 SBK Deluxe Series Set 2
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
#6
⭐
4.9/5
(21 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
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
#7
⭐
4.5/5
(24 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
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
#8
⭐
4.4/5
(9 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
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
#9
⭐
4.8/5
(29 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
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
#10
⭐
4.6/5
(35 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
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
#11
⭐
4.8/5
(14 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
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
#12
⭐
4.5/5
(2 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Cort C5 Deluxe Candy Blue
by
Cort
Professional Use
Custom Features
Experimental Music
Key Feature:
• Professional versatility
✓ PROS
- • Professional versatility
- • Perfect for contemporary music styles
✗ CONS
- • More complex muting techniques required
- • String spacing may feel cramped
Cort C5 Deluxe Candy Blue5 String Electric BassBody: PoplarNeck: Bolt-on mapleFingerboard: JatobaFingerboard radius:...
⭐
4.5/5
(2 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 587152
$439
#13
⭐
4.9/5
(32 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Ibanez TMB425B-BKF
by
Ibanez
Alternative Styles
Experimental Music
Professional Use
Key Feature:
• Modern extended range capabilities
✓ PROS
- • Modern extended range capabilities
- • Perfect for contemporary music styles
✗ CONS
- • May need specialized strings and setup
- • String spacing may feel cramped
Ibanez TMB425B-BKF5-String Electric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard: EbonolFingerboard radius:...
⭐
4.9/5
(32 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 606839
$494
#14
⭐
4.8/5
(51 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Marcus Miller M2 5 TBL 2nd Gen
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
#15
⭐
4.7/5
(28 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
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
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.
