Best Marcus Miller 5-String J-Basses 2026

Premium Marcus Miller 5-string j-basses - legendary tone and craftsmanship

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

Marcus Miller V5 Alder-5 TS - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Marcus Miller V5 Alder-5 TS

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
Marcus Miller V7 Alder-5 Tide Pool 2nd Gen - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Marcus Miller V7 Alder-5 Tide Pool 2nd Gen

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
Marcus Miller V6-5 Sandblasted OTB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Marcus Miller V6-5 Sandblasted OTB

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
Marcus Miller V10-5 TBK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Marcus Miller V10-5 TBK

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
Marcus Miller V5 Alder-5 NT - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Marcus Miller V5 Alder-5 NT

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
Marcus Miller V10-5 NT - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Marcus Miller V10-5 NT

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
Marcus Miller V10DX-5 TS - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Marcus Miller V10DX-5 TS

Progressive Metal Fusion
Key Feature:
• Versatile pickup combinations
✓ PROS
  • • Versatile pickup combinations
  • • Extended low-end range
✗ CONS
  • • String spacing differences
  • • More expensive than 4-string

Marcus Miller V10DX-5 TS5-String Electric BassBody: Swamp ashTop: solid flamed mapleBolt-on neck: roasted mapleNeck...

4.9/5 (7 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Marcus Miller V8-5 NT - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Marcus Miller V8-5 NT

Session Work Progressive Metal
Key Feature:
• Extended low-end range
✓ PROS
  • • Extended low-end range
  • • Great for modern playing styles
✗ CONS
  • • More expensive than 4-string
  • • String spacing differences

Marcus Miller V8-5 NT5-String Electric BassBody: Swamp ashBolt-on neck: roasted mapleFingerboard: MapleWhite abalone...

4.8/5 (56 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Marcus Miller V5R Alder-5 TS - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Marcus Miller V5R Alder-5 TS

Fusion Modern Rock Metal
Key Feature:
• Professional studio sound
✓ PROS
  • • Bright Jazz Bass character
  • • Extended low-end range
✗ CONS
  • • String spacing differences
  • • Wider neck requires adjustment

Marcus Miller V5R Alder-5 TS5-String Electric BassAlder bodyRoasted maple neckRosewood fingerboardWhite Perloid Blocks...

4.9/5 (12 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Marcus Miller V5 Alder-5 Tidepool - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Marcus Miller V5 Alder-5 Tidepool

Modern Rock Fusion Metal
Key Feature:
• Great for modern playing styles
✓ PROS
  • • Extended low-end range
  • • Versatile pickup combinations
✗ CONS
  • • String spacing differences
  • • More complex fingering patterns

Marcus Miller V5 Alder-5 Tidepool5-String Electric BasssBody: AlderBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: MapleBlock...

4.6/5 (4 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Marcus Miller V5 24-5 MLG - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Marcus Miller V5 24-5 MLG

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

Marcus Miller V5 24-5 MLG5-String Electric BassBody: AlderBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleNeck profile: CFingerboard:...

4.6/5 (23 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Marcus Miller V7 Alder-5 BK Sparkle 2nd Gen - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Marcus Miller V7 Alder-5 BK Sparkle 2nd Gen

Contemporary Jazz Metal Session Work
Key Feature:
• Extended low-end range
✓ PROS
  • • Versatile pickup combinations
  • • Bright Jazz Bass character
✗ CONS
  • • More expensive than 4-string
  • • Higher string tension

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

4.6/5 (34 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Marcus Miller V10-5 TGR - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Marcus Miller V10-5 TGR

Fusion Session Work Progressive
Key Feature:
• Extended low-end range
✓ PROS
  • • Extended low-end range
  • • Great for modern playing styles
✗ CONS
  • • More expensive than 4-string
  • • String spacing differences

Marcus Miller V10-5 TGR5-String Electric BassBody: Swamp AshTop: Solid burl poplarBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard:...

4.7/5 (49 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Marcus Miller V5 Alder-5 VWH - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Marcus Miller V5 Alder-5 VWH

Contemporary Jazz Session Work Progressive
Key Feature:
• Professional studio sound
✓ PROS
  • • Great for modern playing styles
  • • Bright Jazz Bass character
✗ CONS
  • • Higher string tension
  • • More expensive than 4-string

Marcus Miller V5 Alder-5 VWH5-String Electric BassAlder bodyOne-piece maple neckRoasted maple fretboardNeck profile:...

4.5/5 (43 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Marcus Miller V3 5 AWH 2nd Gen - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Marcus Miller V3 5 AWH 2nd Gen

Progressive Modern Rock Session Work
Key Feature:
• Professional studio sound
✓ PROS
  • • Extended low-end range
  • • Bright Jazz Bass character
✗ CONS
  • • More complex fingering patterns
  • • String spacing differences

Marcus Miller V3 5 AWH 2nd Gen5-String Electric BassBody: MahoganyNeck: MapleFretboard: RosewoodFretboard inlays: White...

4.7/5 (29 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10

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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