AudioFu

Best 5-String J-Basses for Contemporary Jazz 2026

Perfect 5-string j-basses for contemporary-jazz - easy to play and learn on

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 V10-5 TBK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

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
Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vintage JJ5 RM OBL - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vintage JJ5 RM OBL

by Sadowsky
Fusion Progressive Modern Rock
Key Feature:
• Bright Jazz Bass character
✓ PROS
  • • Versatile pickup combinations
  • • Great for modern playing styles
✗ CONS
  • • More expensive than 4-string
  • • String spacing differences

Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vintage JJ5 RM OBL5-String Electric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard: Roasted...

⭐ 4.5/5 (41 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 599275
$1,176
Buy at Thomann View Details
Fender Am Ultra II J Bass V MN SRD - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Fender Am Ultra II J Bass V MN SRD

by Fender
Session Work Contemporary Jazz Metal
Key Feature:
• Great for modern playing styles
✓ PROS
  • • Extended low-end range
  • • Great for modern playing styles
✗ CONS
  • • More complex fingering patterns
  • • More expensive than 4-string

Fender Am Ultra II J Bass V MN SRD5-String Electric BassBody: AlderBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: MapleFingerboard...

⭐ 4.4/5 (38 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 596131
$2,823
Buy at Thomann View Details
Markbass MB GV5 Gloxy Val Cream - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Markbass MB GV5 Gloxy Val Cream

by Markbass
Modern Rock Progressive Fusion
Key Feature:
• Professional studio sound
✓ PROS
  • • Extended low-end range
  • • Bright Jazz Bass character
✗ CONS
  • • Higher string tension
  • • Wider neck requires adjustment

Markbass MB GV5 Gloxy Val Cream5 String Electric BassBody: BasswoodNeck: MapleNeck prodile: CFingerboard: MapleBlock...

⭐ 4.8/5 (55 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 579090
$802
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vintage JJ5 RM OWH - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vintage JJ5 RM OWH

by Sadowsky
Progressive Modern Rock Session Work
Key Feature:
• Versatile pickup combinations
✓ PROS
  • • Bright Jazz Bass character
  • • Extended low-end range
✗ CONS
  • • More complex fingering patterns
  • • More expensive than 4-string

Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vintage JJ5 RM OWH5-String Electric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: roasted mapleFingerboard: Roasted...

⭐ 4.9/5 (52 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 599164
$1,176
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vint JJ5 Morado SIL - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vint JJ5 Morado SIL

by Sadowsky
Metal Progressive Fusion
Key Feature:
• Bright Jazz Bass character
✓ PROS
  • • Great for modern playing styles
  • • Extended low-end range
✗ CONS
  • • Higher string tension
  • • More complex fingering patterns

Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vint JJ5 Morado SIL5-String Electric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard:...

⭐ 4.8/5 (47 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 599282
$1,099
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vintage JJ5 RM BK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vintage JJ5 RM BK

by Sadowsky
Modern Rock Metal Fusion
Key Feature:
• Versatile pickup combinations
✓ PROS
  • • Extended low-end range
  • • Bright Jazz Bass character
✗ CONS
  • • Wider neck requires adjustment
  • • More complex fingering patterns

Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vintage JJ5 RM BK5-String Electric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard: Roasted...

⭐ 4.7/5 (47 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 599068
$1,176
Buy at Thomann View Details
Fender Player II Mod J Bass V RW ELB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Fender Player II Mod J Bass V RW ELB

by Fender
Fusion Session Work Metal
Key Feature:
• Great for modern playing styles
✓ PROS
  • • Versatile pickup combinations
  • • Extended low-end range
✗ CONS
  • • More complex fingering patterns
  • • More expensive than 4-string

Fender Player II Mod J Bass V RW ELB5-String Electric BassBody: AlderBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: RosewoodWhite dot...

⭐ 4.7/5 (39 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 609189
$1,269
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vintage JJ5 RM CAR - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vintage JJ5 RM CAR

by Sadowsky
Progressive Modern Rock Contemporary Jazz
Key Feature:
• Extended low-end range
✓ PROS
  • • Great for modern playing styles
  • • Extended low-end range
✗ CONS
  • • String spacing differences
  • • Higher string tension

Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vintage JJ5 RM CAR5-String Electric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: roasted mapleFingerboard: roasted...

⭐ 4.8/5 (20 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 599170
$1,176
Buy at Thomann View Details
Markbass MB GV5 Gloxy Met Yellow - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Markbass MB GV5 Gloxy Met Yellow

by Markbass
Modern Rock Fusion Contemporary Jazz
Key Feature:
• Extended low-end range
✓ PROS
  • • Professional studio sound
  • • Extended low-end range
✗ CONS
  • • String spacing differences
  • • Higher string tension

Markbass MB GV5 Gloxy Met Yellow5-String Electric BassBody: BasswoodNeck: MapleFingerboard: RosewoodBlock fingerboard...

⭐ 4.9/5 (5 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 611642
$755
Buy at Thomann View Details
Marcus Miller V10-5 NT - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Marcus Miller V10-5 NT

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

Marcus Miller V10-5 NT5-String Electric BassBody: Swamp AshTop: solid poplar burlBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard:...

⭐ 4.6/5 (43 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 584406
$1,319
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vint JJ5 Morado CAR - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vint JJ5 Morado CAR

by Sadowsky
Contemporary Jazz Metal Session Work
Key Feature:
• Great for modern playing styles
✓ PROS
  • • Bright Jazz Bass character
  • • Professional studio sound
✗ CONS
  • • Wider neck requires adjustment
  • • More complex fingering patterns

Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vint JJ5 Morado CAR5-String Electric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard:...

⭐ 5.0/5 (51 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 599178
$1,154
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vint JJ5 Morado WHM - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vint JJ5 Morado WHM

by Sadowsky
Contemporary Jazz Progressive Modern Rock
Key Feature:
• Bright Jazz Bass character
✓ PROS
  • • Professional studio sound
  • • Versatile pickup combinations
✗ CONS
  • • More expensive than 4-string
  • • More complex fingering patterns

Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vint JJ5 Morado WH5-String Electric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard:...

⭐ 4.7/5 (17 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 599280
$1,099
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vintage JJ5 RM CAO - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vintage JJ5 RM CAO

by Sadowsky
Session Work Progressive Contemporary Jazz
Key Feature:
• Professional studio sound
✓ PROS
  • • Versatile pickup combinations
  • • Great for modern playing styles
✗ CONS
  • • More complex fingering patterns
  • • String spacing differences

Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vintage JJ5 RM CAO5-String Electric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard: Roasted...

⭐ 4.9/5 (5 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 599211
$1,077
Buy at Thomann View Details
FGN J-Standard Mighty Jazz OPBL - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

FGN J-Standard Mighty Jazz OPBL

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

FGN J-Standard Mighty Jazz OPBL5 String Electric BassBody: AshNeck: Bolt-on mapleFingerboard: MapleFingerboard inlays:...

⭐ 4.5/5 (2 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 591638
$1,704
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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