Best 5-String Basses Under $5,000 2026
Affordable 5-string basses under $5,000 - great value without compromising quality
Last updated: January 14, 2026 • Next update: January 21, 2026
#1
⭐
4.6/5
(49 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Sterling by Music Man DarkRay 5 Black
Experimental Music
Unique Designs
Custom Features
Key Feature:
• Extended low-end range with low B string
✓ PROS
- • Professional versatility
- • Versatile pickup configurations available
✗ CONS
- • More complex muting techniques required
- • Higher learning curve vs 4-string
Sterling by Music Man DarkRay 5 Black5-String Electric BassBody: NyatohBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard:...
⭐
4.6/5
(49 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 612237
$2,463
#2
⭐
4.8/5
(37 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Franz Bassguitars Merak 5 Spalted Alder LTD 2024
Unique Designs
Experimental Music
Professional Use
Key Feature:
• Extended low-end range with low B string
✓ PROS
- • Versatile pickup configurations available
- • Perfect for contemporary music styles
✗ CONS
- • More complex muting techniques required
- • String spacing may feel cramped
Franz Bassguitars Merak 5 Spalted Alder LTD 20245-String Electric Bass2024 Limited RunBody: European alderTop:...
⭐
4.8/5
(37 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 609758
$4,114
#3
⭐
4.8/5
(30 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Music Man Stingray 5 Special HH Burnt
by
Music Man
Experimental Music
Professional Use
Alternative Styles
Key Feature:
• Extended low-end range with low B string
✓ PROS
- • Perfect for contemporary music styles
- • Versatile pickup configurations available
✗ CONS
- • String spacing may feel cramped
- • Wider neck requires adjustment
Music Man Stingray 5 Special HH Burnt5-String Electric BassBody: Ash5-bolt-on neck: roasted mapleFingerboard:...
⭐
4.8/5
(30 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 531862
$4,069
#4
⭐
4.5/5
(33 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Music Man Stingray 5 Special Burnt Ends
by
Music Man
Experimental Music
Professional Use
Unique Designs
Key Feature:
• Professional versatility
✓ PROS
- • Modern extended range capabilities
- • Extended low-end range with low B string
✗ CONS
- • Higher learning curve vs 4-string
- • More complex muting techniques required
Music Man Stingray 5 Special Burnt Ends5-String Electric BassBody: Ash5-Bolt bolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFretboard:...
⭐
4.5/5
(33 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 513774
$3,959
#5
⭐
4.7/5
(27 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Sadowsky MetroLine 21-5 Vin MM MO LPBL
by
Sadowsky
Alternative Styles
Professional Use
Extended Range
Key Feature:
• Extended low-end range with low B string
✓ PROS
- • Modern extended range capabilities
- • Perfect for contemporary music styles
✗ CONS
- • String spacing may feel cramped
- • Wider neck requires adjustment
Sadowsky MetroLine 21-5 Vin MM MO LPBL5-String Electric BassType: Slightly reduced J-style bodyBody: American...
⭐
4.7/5
(27 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 527707
$3,849
#6
⭐
4.7/5
(29 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Spector Euro Classic 5 SMGG
by
Spector
Extended Range
Alternative Styles
Unique Designs
Key Feature:
• Versatile pickup configurations available
✓ PROS
- • Perfect for contemporary music styles
- • Extended low-end range with low B string
✗ CONS
- • More complex muting techniques required
- • May need specialized strings and setup
Spector Euro Classic 5 SMGG5 String Electric BassBody: Maple3 Piece maple neckFingerboard: RosewoodPickups: EMG...
⭐
4.7/5
(29 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 577373
$3,289
#7
⭐
4.5/5
(37 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Sandberg Panther Special 5 Thuya
by
Sandberg
Unique Designs
Professional Use
Experimental Music
Key Feature:
• Modern extended range capabilities
✓ PROS
- • Versatile pickup configurations available
- • Extended low-end range with low B string
✗ CONS
- • Higher learning curve vs 4-string
- • String spacing may feel cramped
Sandberg Panther Special 5 Thuya5-String Electric BassBody: MahoganyTop: ThujaBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: Pau...
⭐
4.5/5
(37 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 558953
$3,189
#8
⭐
4.7/5
(15 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Ibanez SR4505-DST Prestige
by
Ibanez
Custom Features
Professional Use
Unique Designs
Key Feature:
• Professional versatility
✓ PROS
- • Modern extended range capabilities
- • Versatile pickup configurations available
✗ CONS
- • May need specialized strings and setup
- • Wider neck requires adjustment
Ibanez SR4505-DST Prestige5-String Electric BassBody: AshBolt-on 5-Piece neck: Maple/WalnutFingerboard: Roasted...
⭐
4.7/5
(15 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 606709
$2,859
#9
⭐
5.0/5
(24 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Lakland Skyline 55-02 Deluxe 5 NG
by
Lakland
Custom Features
Unique Designs
Professional Use
Key Feature:
• Extended low-end range with low B string
✓ PROS
- • Perfect for contemporary music styles
- • Modern extended range capabilities
✗ CONS
- • May need specialized strings and setup
- • Higher learning curve vs 4-string
Lakland Skyline 55-02 Deluxe 5 NG5-String Electric BassBody: AshTop: Quilted mapleBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard:...
⭐
5.0/5
(24 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 602288
$2,409
#10
⭐
4.6/5
(33 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Music Man Stingray 5 Sp H MN Frost Green
by
Music Man
Alternative Styles
Professional Use
Experimental Music
Key Feature:
• Perfect for contemporary music styles
✓ PROS
- • Professional versatility
- • Modern extended range capabilities
✗ CONS
- • More complex muting techniques required
- • May need specialized strings and setup
Music Man Stingray 5 Sp H MN Frost Green5-String Electric BassBody: selected hardwood5-Bolt neck: Roasted...
⭐
4.6/5
(33 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 525204
$3,959
#11
⭐
4.5/5
(7 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Warwick Pro S. Corvette $$ 5 NBTS BLK
by
Warwick
Extended Range
Custom Features
Alternative Styles
Key Feature:
• Extended low-end range with low B string
✓ PROS
- • Modern extended range capabilities
- • Professional versatility
✗ CONS
- • Higher learning curve vs 4-string
- • Wider neck requires adjustment
Warwick Pro S. Corvette $$ 5 NBTS BLK5-String Electric BassBody: US swamp ashBolt-on neck: 4-Piece laminated...
⭐
4.5/5
(7 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 524560
$3,299
#12
⭐
4.6/5
(5 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Spector NS Ethos HP 5 Plum Crazy
by
Spector
Unique Designs
Extended Range
Custom Features
Key Feature:
• Modern extended range capabilities
✓ PROS
- • Extended low-end range with low B string
- • Versatile pickup configurations available
✗ CONS
- • String spacing may feel cramped
- • Wider neck requires adjustment
Spector NS Ethos HP 5 Plum Crazy5-String Electric BassBody: Alder3-Piece neck-thru-body: MapleFingerboard:...
⭐
4.6/5
(5 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 575217
$2,199
#13
⭐
4.7/5
(4 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Warwick Pro Series Thumb BO 5
by
Warwick
Professional Use
Alternative Styles
Extended Range
Key Feature:
• Perfect for contemporary music styles
✓ PROS
- • Professional versatility
- • Perfect for contemporary music styles
✗ CONS
- • More complex muting techniques required
- • Wider neck requires adjustment
Warwick Pro Series Thumb BO 55-String Electric BassBody: OvangkolBolt-on neck: OvangkolFretboard: WengeScale: 864 mm...
⭐
4.7/5
(4 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 489065
$3,629
#14
⭐
4.9/5
(45 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Lakland Skyline 55-02 Custom 5 BKS
by
Lakland
Professional Use
Experimental Music
Alternative Styles
Key Feature:
• Extended low-end range with low B string
✓ PROS
- • Modern extended range capabilities
- • Extended low-end range with low B string
✗ CONS
- • String spacing may feel cramped
- • May need specialized strings and setup
Lakland Skyline 55-02 Custom 5 BKS5-String Electric BassBody: AshBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: EbonyPearl block...
⭐
4.9/5
(45 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 574856
$2,199
#15
⭐
4.5/5
(37 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Music Man Stingray 5 Special Raspberry
by
Music Man
Custom Features
Professional Use
Extended Range
Key Feature:
• Perfect for contemporary music styles
✓ PROS
- • Professional versatility
- • Versatile pickup configurations available
✗ CONS
- • More complex muting techniques required
- • String spacing may feel cramped
Music Man Stingray 5 Special Raspberry5-String Electric BassBody: selected hardwoodBolt-on neck: Roasted...
⭐
4.5/5
(37 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 531863
$3,959
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.
