AudioFu

Best 5-String J-Basses Under $2,000 2026

Affordable 5-string j-basses under $2,000 - great value without compromising quality

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 V10DX-5 TS - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Marcus Miller V10DX-5 TS

by Marcus Miller
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
Art. 553490
$1,759
Buy at Thomann View Details
Marcus Miller V10-5 TBK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

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
Marcus Miller V10-5 NT - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

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
Marcus Miller V10DX-5 NT - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Marcus Miller V10DX-5 NT

by Marcus Miller
Fusion Progressive Session Work
Key Feature:
• Versatile pickup combinations
✓ PROS
  • • Great for modern playing styles
  • • Bright Jazz Bass character
✗ CONS
  • • More complex fingering patterns
  • • Wider neck requires adjustment

Marcus Miller V10DX-5 NT5-String Electric BassBody: Swamp ashTop: solidflamed mapleBolt-on neck: roasted mapleNeck...

⭐ 5.0/5 (36 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 553489
$1,539
Buy at Thomann View Details
Fender MonoNeon Jazz Bass V NY - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Fender MonoNeon Jazz Bass V NY

by Fender
Session Work Fusion Contemporary Jazz
Key Feature:
• Great for modern playing styles
✓ PROS
  • • Great for modern playing styles
  • • Professional studio sound
✗ CONS
  • • Wider neck requires adjustment
  • • More expensive than 4-string

Fender MonoNeon Jazz Bass V NY5-String Electric BassMonoNeon Signature ModelBody: AlderBolt-on neck: Roasted...

⭐ 4.9/5 (45 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 554577
$1,726
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vint JJ5 Morado CAO - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vint JJ5 Morado CAO

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

Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vint JJ5 Morado CAO5-String Electric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: roasted mapleFingerboard:...

⭐ 4.5/5 (27 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 599215
$1,154
Buy at Thomann View Details
Fender Player II Mod J Bass V MN DSK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Fender Player II Mod J Bass V MN DSK

by Fender
Progressive Session Work Modern Rock
Key Feature:
• Versatile pickup combinations
✓ PROS
  • • Extended low-end range
  • • Great for modern playing styles
✗ CONS
  • • String spacing differences
  • • More expensive than 4-string

Fender Player II Mod J Bass V MN DSK5-String Electric BassBody: AlderBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: MapleBlack dot...

⭐ 4.7/5 (40 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 609193
$1,273
Buy at Thomann View Details
Marcus Miller V8-5 TS - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Marcus Miller V8-5 TS

by Marcus Miller
Progressive Metal Fusion
Key Feature:
• Professional studio sound
✓ PROS
  • • Professional studio sound
  • • Versatile pickup combinations
✗ CONS
  • • More complex fingering patterns
  • • More expensive than 4-string

Marcus Miller V8-5 TS5-String Electric BassBody: Swamp AshBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard: MapleWhite abalone...

⭐ 4.7/5 (26 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 553401
$1,099
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vint JJ5 Morado OBL - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

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
Buy at Thomann View Details
FGN J-Standard Mighty Jazz OPBL - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

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
Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vint JJ5 Morado BK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

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 MetroExpress 21 Vint 5 MO OW - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

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
Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vintage JJ5 RM CH - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

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
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vintage JJ5 RM TSB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

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
Sadowsky MetroExp21 Vintage JJ5 RM OBL - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

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

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