Best Sadowsky 5-String J-Basses 2026
Premium Sadowsky 5-string j-basses - legendary tone and craftsmanship
Last updated: January 14, 2026 • Next update: January 21, 2026
GENRES & STYLES:
For Modern Rock
For Metal
For Progressive
For Fusion
For Contemporary Jazz
For Session Work
#1
⭐
4.6/5
(5 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
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
#2
⭐
4.8/5
(4 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
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
#3
⭐
4.9/5
(41 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Sadowsky MetroLine 21-5 Vin MM Blue T
by
Sadowsky
Modern Rock
Progressive
Metal
Key Feature:
• Great for modern playing styles
✓ PROS
- • Great for modern playing styles
- • Versatile pickup combinations
✗ CONS
- • Higher string tension
- • String spacing differences
Sadowsky MetroLine 21-5 Vin MM Blue T5-String Electric BassSlightly scaled-down J-style body made of American swamp...
⭐
4.9/5
(41 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 526126
$3,519
#4
⭐
4.5/5
(37 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
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
#5
⭐
4.7/5
(17 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
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
#6
⭐
4.9/5
(5 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
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
#7
⭐
4.6/5
(44 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vintage JJ5 RM SIL
by
Sadowsky
Metal
Fusion
Contemporary Jazz
Key Feature:
• Professional studio sound
✓ PROS
- • Great for modern playing styles
- • Bright Jazz Bass character
✗ CONS
- • More complex fingering patterns
- • More expensive than 4-string
Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vintage JJ5 RM SIL5-String Electric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard: Roasted...
⭐
4.6/5
(44 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 599281
$1,099
#8
⭐
4.7/5
(47 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
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
#9
⭐
4.8/5
(34 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Sadowsky MetroLine 24-5 Vintage BK
by
Sadowsky
Session Work
Metal
Fusion
Key Feature:
• Great for modern playing styles
✓ PROS
- • Bright Jazz Bass character
- • Extended low-end range
✗ CONS
- • More expensive than 4-string
- • Higher string tension
Sadowsky MetroLine 24-5 Vintage BK5-String Electric BassBody: American swamp ashNeck: MapleNeck attachment:...
⭐
4.8/5
(34 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 489361
$3,849
#10
⭐
4.5/5
(15 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vint JJ5 Morado OBL
by
Sadowsky
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
Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vint JJ5 Morado OBL5-String Electric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard:...
⭐
4.5/5
(15 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 599273
$1,154
#11
⭐
5.0/5
(18 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Sadowsky MetroLine 21-5 Vin MM 59´Burst
by
Sadowsky
Fusion
Progressive
Modern Rock
Key Feature:
• Bright Jazz Bass character
✓ PROS
- • Great for modern playing styles
- • Versatile pickup combinations
✗ CONS
- • Higher string tension
- • String spacing differences
Sadowsky MetroLine 21-5 Vin MM 59´Burst5-String Electric BassScale: 34" (864 mm)Bolt-on neckSlightly scaled down...
⭐
5.0/5
(18 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 526123
$4,069
#12
⭐
4.8/5
(22 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Sadowsky MetroLine 21-5 Vin MN BKS
by
Sadowsky
Progressive
Modern Rock
Metal
Key Feature:
• Versatile pickup combinations
✓ PROS
- • Professional studio sound
- • Extended low-end range
✗ CONS
- • More expensive than 4-string
- • String spacing differences
Sadowsky MetroLine 21-5 Vin MN BKS5-String Electric BassBody: American swamp ashNeck: MapleNeck attachment:...
⭐
4.8/5
(22 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 493536
$3,739
#13
⭐
4.5/5
(41 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
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
#14
⭐
4.4/5
(20 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
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
#15
⭐
4.9/5
(52 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
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
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.
