AudioFu

Best 5-String J-Basses 2026

Top-rated 5-string j-basses 2026 - expert picks for every budget and skill level

Last updated: January 14, 2026 • Next update: January 21, 2026

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 Modern Rock For Metal For Progressive For Fusion For Contemporary Jazz For Session Work
BRANDS: Marcus Miller Sadowsky Sandberg Harley Benton Fender Squier
Marcus Miller V7 Alder-5 Tide Pool 2nd Gen - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Marcus Miller V7 Alder-5 Tide Pool 2nd Gen

by Marcus Miller
Metal Session Work Contemporary Jazz
Key Feature:
• Bright Jazz Bass character
✓ PROS
  • • Extended low-end range
  • • Great for modern playing styles
✗ CONS
  • • String spacing differences
  • • More complex fingering patterns

Marcus Miller V7 Alder-5 Tide Pool 2nd GenElectric BassBody: AlderBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: MapleRounded...

⭐ 4.7/5 (6 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 610562
$659
Buy at Thomann View Details
Marcus Miller V5 Alder-5 TS - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Marcus Miller V5 Alder-5 TS

by Marcus Miller
Modern Rock Metal Fusion
Key Feature:
• Bright Jazz Bass character
✓ PROS
  • • Great for modern playing styles
  • • Extended low-end range
✗ CONS
  • • More expensive than 4-string
  • • More complex fingering patterns

Marcus Miller V5 Alder-5 TS5-String Electric BassBody: AlderOne-piece maple neckFretboard: Roasted mapleNeck profile:...

⭐ 4.7/5 (4 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 492595
$498
Buy at Thomann View Details
Marcus Miller V8-5 TS - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Marcus Miller V8-5 TS

by Marcus Miller
Progressive Metal Fusion
Key Feature:
• Professional studio sound
✓ PROS
  • • Professional studio sound
  • • Versatile pickup combinations
✗ CONS
  • • More complex fingering patterns
  • • More expensive than 4-string

Marcus Miller V8-5 TS5-String Electric BassBody: Swamp AshBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard: MapleWhite abalone...

⭐ 4.7/5 (26 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 553401
$1,099
Buy at Thomann View Details
Marcus Miller V6-5 Sandblasted OTB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Marcus Miller V6-5 Sandblasted OTB

by Marcus Miller
Fusion Session Work Metal
Key Feature:
• Great for modern playing styles
✓ PROS
  • • Great for modern playing styles
  • • Bright Jazz Bass character
✗ CONS
  • • Wider neck requires adjustment
  • • More complex fingering patterns

Marcus Miller V6 Sandblasted 5 OTB5-String Electric GuitarBody: MahoganyTop: Swamp ashBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard:...

⭐ 4.6/5 (38 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 610793
$824
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton Enhanced MJ-5EB Lake Bl w/Bag - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Harley Benton Enhanced MJ-5EB Lake Bl w/Bag

by Harley Benton
Modern Rock Session Work Metal
Key Feature:
• Extended low-end range
✓ PROS
  • • Extended low-end range
  • • Versatile pickup combinations
✗ CONS
  • • More expensive than 4-string
  • • Wider neck requires adjustment

Harley Benton Enhanced MJ-5EB Lake Bl w/Bag*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton Enhanced MJ-5EB Lake Blue*5-String...

⭐ 4.9/5 (19 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 468356
$402
Buy at Thomann View Details
Marcus Miller V10-5 TBK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Marcus Miller V10-5 TBK

by Marcus Miller
Fusion Modern Rock Metal
Key Feature:
• Professional studio sound
✓ PROS
  • • Bright Jazz Bass character
  • • Great for modern playing styles
✗ CONS
  • • More expensive than 4-string
  • • Wider neck requires adjustment

Marcus Miller V10-5 TBK5 String Electric BassBody: Swamp AshTop: solid poplar burlBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard:...

⭐ 4.9/5 (50 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 584413
$1,429
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sandberg California TM5 MR - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Sandberg California TM5 MR

by Sandberg
Session Work Progressive Modern Rock
Key Feature:
• Professional studio sound
✓ PROS
  • • Extended low-end range
  • • Professional studio sound
✗ CONS
  • • More expensive than 4-string
  • • String spacing differences

Sandberg California TM5 MR5 String Electric BassBody: AlderNeck: MapleFingerboard: EbonyScale: 34" longscale22...

⭐ 4.7/5 (7 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 577834
$3,024
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sandberg California II TT 5 MN NT - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Sandberg California II TT 5 MN NT

by Sandberg
Fusion Contemporary Jazz Metal
Key Feature:
• Extended low-end range
✓ PROS
  • • Extended low-end range
  • • Versatile pickup combinations
✗ CONS
  • • Wider neck requires adjustment
  • • Higher string tension

Sandberg California II TT 5 MN NT5-String electric bassBody: AshBolted neck: MapleFretboard: MapleNut width: 45 mm...

⭐ 4.8/5 (23 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 439387
$2,254
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vint JJ5 Morado TSB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vint JJ5 Morado TSB

by Sadowsky
Fusion Contemporary Jazz Metal
Key Feature:
• Great for modern playing styles
✓ PROS
  • • Professional studio sound
  • • Extended low-end range
✗ CONS
  • • More expensive than 4-string
  • • Wider neck requires adjustment

Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vint JJ5 Morado TSB5-String Electric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard:...

⭐ 4.6/5 (5 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 599212
$1,099
Buy at Thomann View Details
Marcus Miller V7 Alder-5 BUR 2nd Gen - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Marcus Miller V7 Alder-5 BUR 2nd Gen

by Marcus Miller
Progressive Fusion Metal
Key Feature:
• Versatile pickup combinations
✓ PROS
  • • Bright Jazz Bass character
  • • Extended low-end range
✗ CONS
  • • More complex fingering patterns
  • • String spacing differences

Marcus Miller V7 Alder-5 BUR 2nd Gen.5-String Electric BassBody: AlderOne-piece neck: MapleFretboard: EbonyNeck...

⭐ 4.9/5 (6 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 460013
$604
Buy at Thomann View Details
Marcus Miller V5 Alder-5 NT - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Marcus Miller V5 Alder-5 NT

by Marcus Miller
Contemporary Jazz Fusion Metal
Key Feature:
• Bright Jazz Bass character
✓ PROS
  • • Professional studio sound
  • • Extended low-end range
✗ CONS
  • • Wider neck requires adjustment
  • • More complex fingering patterns

Marcus Miller V5 Alder-5 NT5-String Electric BassBody: AlderOne-piece maple neckFretboard: Roasted mapleNeck profile:...

⭐ 5.0/5 (15 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 492594
$549
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton HBZ-2005 Deluxe Series - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Harley Benton HBZ-2005 Deluxe Series

by Harley Benton
Progressive Session Work Metal
Key Feature:
• Extended low-end range
✓ PROS
  • • Bright Jazz Bass character
  • • Professional studio sound
✗ CONS
  • • String spacing differences
  • • More expensive than 4-string

Harley Benton HBZ-2005 Deluxe Series5-String Electric BassSides: Ovangkol7-Piece neck-thru-body: Mahogany / maple /...

⭐ 4.9/5 (5 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 264960
$373
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vintage JJ5 RM CH - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vintage JJ5 RM CH

by Sadowsky
Contemporary Jazz Fusion Modern Rock
Key Feature:
• Extended low-end range
✓ PROS
  • • Great for modern playing styles
  • • Extended low-end range
✗ CONS
  • • More expensive than 4-string
  • • Higher string tension

Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vintage JJ5 RM WH5-String Electric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard: Roasted...

⭐ 4.8/5 (4 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 599279
$1,176
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sadowsky MetroLine 21-5 Vin MO OW - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Sadowsky MetroLine 21-5 Vin MO OW

by Sadowsky
Fusion Session Work Modern Rock
Key Feature:
• Extended low-end range
✓ PROS
  • • Professional studio sound
  • • Great for modern playing styles
✗ CONS
  • • Higher string tension
  • • Wider neck requires adjustment

Sadowsky MetroLine 21-5 Vin MO OW5-String Electric BassBody: American red alderNeck: MapleNeck attachment:...

⭐ 4.4/5 (50 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 493524
$3,959
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sadowsky MetroLine 24-5 Vin ´59 Burst - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Sadowsky MetroLine 24-5 Vin ´59 Burst

by Sadowsky
Modern Rock Progressive Contemporary Jazz
Key Feature:
• Extended low-end range
✓ PROS
  • • Extended low-end range
  • • Bright Jazz Bass character
✗ CONS
  • • String spacing differences
  • • Higher string tension

Sadowsky MetroLine 24-5 Vin ´59 Burst5-String Electric BassAmerican swamp ash bodyBolt-on maple neckMaple...

⭐ 4.5/5 (37 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 515947
$3,904
Buy at Thomann View Details

How to Choose the Best 5-String J-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 j-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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