AudioFu

Best 5-String J-Basses for Session Work 2026

Perfect 5-string j-basses for session-work - 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 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 MetroExpress 21 Vint 5 MO OW - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Sadowsky MetroExpress 21 Vint 5 MO OW

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

Sadowsky MetroExpress 21 Vint 5 MO OW5-String Electric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard:...

⭐ 4.9/5 (48 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 598462
$1,209
Buy at Thomann View Details
Markbass MB GV5 Gloxy Met Yellow - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

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
Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vintage JJ5 RM CAO - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

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
Lakland Skyline Darryl Jones 5 LPB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

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
Squier CV Act 70s J Bass V LRL SSB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

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
Harley Benton MV-5JB Natural w/Case - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Harley Benton MV-5JB Natural w/Case

by Harley Benton
Progressive Fusion Modern Rock
Key Feature:
• Bright Jazz Bass character
✓ PROS
  • • Extended low-end range
  • • Bright Jazz Bass character
✗ CONS
  • • More expensive than 4-string
  • • String spacing differences

Harley Benton MV-5JB Natural w/Case*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton MV-5JB Natural*5 String Electric...

⭐ 4.8/5 (27 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 597048
$325
Buy at Thomann View Details
Fender Am Ultra II J Bass V EB UBST - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Fender Am Ultra II J Bass V EB UBST

by Fender
Metal Contemporary Jazz Fusion
Key Feature:
• Bright Jazz Bass character
✓ PROS
  • • Professional studio sound
  • • Bright Jazz Bass character
✗ CONS
  • • More complex fingering patterns
  • • String spacing differences

Fender Am Ultra II J Bass V EB UBST5-String Electric BassBody: AlderBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: EbonyWhite Pearloid...

⭐ 4.4/5 (44 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 596128
$2,914
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vint JJ5 Morado SGR - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vint JJ5 Morado SGR

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

Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vint JJ5 Morado SGR5-String Electric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard:...

⭐ 4.4/5 (20 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 599276
$1,209
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vint JJ5 Morado CAR - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

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
Squier CV Act 70s J Bass V MN PPG OCT - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

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 WHP - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

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
FGN J-Standard Mighty Jazz OPBL - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

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
Fender Am Ultra II J Bass V MN SRD - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

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 NAT - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

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

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.

Related Best Lists

POPULAR

Best ST Style Guitars

TOP

Best Humbucker Pickups

POPULAR

Best Distortion Pedals

POPULAR

Best Single Cut Guitars

RELATED

Best Dreadnought Acoustic Guitars

TOP

Best 4/4 Size Classical Guitars

We use cookies to improve your experience. Learn more