AudioFu

Best 5-String J-Basses for Metal 2026

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

Last updated: January 21, 2026 • Next update: January 28, 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 NT - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

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 BK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vint JJ5 Morado BK

by Sadowsky
Modern Rock Session Work Metal
Key Feature:
• Extended low-end range
✓ PROS
  • • Versatile pickup combinations
  • • Professional studio sound
✗ CONS
  • • Higher string tension
  • • String spacing differences

Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vint JJ5 Morado BK5-String Electric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: roasted mapleFingerboard:...

⭐ 4.9/5 (35 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 599162
$1,154
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vint JJ5 Morado TSB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

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
Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vint JJ5 Morado SIL - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

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
Squier CV Act 70s J Bass V LRL SSB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Squier CV Act 70s J Bass V LRL SSB

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

Squier CV Act 70s J Bass V LRL SSB5-String Electric BassBody: PoplarBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: Indian...

⭐ 4.8/5 (14 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 619756
$604
Buy at Thomann View Details
Squier CV Act 70s J Bass V MN PPG OCT - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Squier CV Act 70s J Bass V MN PPG OCT

by Squier
Modern Rock Progressive Metal
Key Feature:
• Bright Jazz Bass character
✓ PROS
  • • Extended low-end range
  • • Great for modern playing styles
✗ CONS
  • • More expensive than 4-string
  • • Wider neck requires adjustment

Squier CV Act 70s J Bass V MN PPG OCT5-String Electric BassBody: PoplarBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: MapleFingerboard...

⭐ 4.6/5 (19 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 619755
$604
Buy at Thomann View Details
Lakland Skyline Darryl Jones 5 NAT - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Lakland Skyline Darryl Jones 5 NAT

by Lakland
Metal Fusion Session Work
Key Feature:
• Versatile pickup combinations
✓ PROS
  • • Versatile pickup combinations
  • • Bright Jazz Bass character
✗ CONS
  • • String spacing differences
  • • More complex fingering patterns

Lakland Skyline Darryl Jones 5 NAT5 String Electric BassBody: AshBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: MapleBlack block...

⭐ 4.5/5 (50 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 575684
$2,199
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vintage JJ5 RM TSB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vintage JJ5 RM TSB

by Sadowsky
Session Work Modern Rock Progressive
Key Feature:
• Bright Jazz Bass character
✓ PROS
  • • Versatile pickup combinations
  • • Great for modern playing styles
✗ CONS
  • • Higher string tension
  • • More expensive than 4-string

Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vintage JJ5 RM TSB5-String Electric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard: Roasted...

⭐ 4.9/5 (56 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 599214
$1,176
Buy at Thomann View Details
Lakland Skyline Darryl Jones 5 LPB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Lakland Skyline Darryl Jones 5 LPB

by Lakland
Metal Fusion Contemporary Jazz
Key Feature:
• Extended low-end range
✓ PROS
  • • Great for modern playing styles
  • • Professional studio sound
✗ CONS
  • • More complex fingering patterns
  • • Higher string tension

Lakland Skyline Darryl Jones 5 LPB5-String Electric BassBody: AshBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: RosewoodPearl Block...

⭐ 4.7/5 (22 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 575681
$2,299
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vint JJ5 Morado WHM - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

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
Fender Player II Mod J Bass V RW ELB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

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
Fender Am Ultra II J Bass V MN SRD - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

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
Lakland Skyline Darryl Jones 5 WHP - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Lakland Skyline Darryl Jones 5 WHP

by Lakland
Fusion Contemporary Jazz Metal
Key Feature:
• Professional studio sound
✓ PROS
  • • Extended low-end range
  • • Great for modern playing styles
✗ CONS
  • • Higher string tension
  • • Wider neck requires adjustment

Lakland Skyline Darryl Jones 5 WHP5 String Electric BassBody: AshNeck: Bolt-on mapleFingerboard: MaplePearl Block...

⭐ 4.6/5 (8 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 575686
$2,199
Buy at Thomann View Details
Markbass MB GV5 Gloxy Val Cream - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

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
Marcus Miller V10-5 TBK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

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

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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