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Best 5-String J-Basses Under $5,000 2025

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

Last updated: October 29, 2025 • Next update: November 5, 2025

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
Sandberg California TM5 MR - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Sandberg California TM5 MR

by Sandberg
Session Work Progressive Modern Rock
Key Feature:
• Professional studio sound
✓ PROS
  • • Extended low-end range
  • • Professional studio sound
✗ CONS
  • • More expensive than 4-string
  • • String spacing differences

Sandberg California TM5 MR5 String Electric BassBody: AlderNeck: MapleFingerboard: EbonyScale: 34" longscale22...

⭐ 4.7/5 (7 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 577834
$3,024
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sandberg California II TM5 RW NT - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Sandberg California II TM5 RW NT

by Sandberg
Metal Contemporary Jazz Fusion
Key Feature:
• Professional studio sound
✓ PROS
  • • Bright Jazz Bass character
  • • Great for modern playing styles
✗ CONS
  • • Higher string tension
  • • Wider neck requires adjustment

Sandberg California II TM5 RW NT5-String Electric BassBody: AshNeck: MapleFretboard: Rosewood (Dalbergia...

⭐ 4.5/5 (29 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 363353
$2,089
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sadowsky MetroLine 21-5 Vin MM 59´Burst - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

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
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sadowsky MetroLine 21-5 Vin MN BKS - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

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
Buy at Thomann View Details
Lakland Skyline Darryl Jones 5 WHP - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

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
Fender Am Ultra II J Bass V MN AVL - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Fender Am Ultra II J Bass V MN AVL

by Fender
Progressive Fusion Session Work
Key Feature:
• Versatile pickup combinations
✓ PROS
  • • Extended low-end range
  • • Versatile pickup combinations
✗ CONS
  • • More complex fingering patterns
  • • String spacing differences

Fender Am Ultra II J Bass V MN AVL5-String Electric BassBody: AlderBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: MapleFingerboard...

⭐ 4.8/5 (2 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 596129
$2,914
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sandberg California II TM5 RW BKB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Sandberg California II TM5 RW BKB

by Sandberg
Contemporary Jazz Session Work Modern Rock
Key Feature:
• Versatile pickup combinations
✓ PROS
  • • Extended low-end range
  • • Versatile pickup combinations
✗ CONS
  • • More complex fingering patterns
  • • More expensive than 4-string

Sandberg California II TM5 RW BKB5-String Electric BassBody: AshNeck: MapleFretboard: RosewoodScale: 34" (long...

⭐ 4.7/5 (22 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 363354
$2,089
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sandberg California II SL TM 5 BK MN - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Sandberg California II SL TM 5 BK MN

by Sandberg
Modern Rock Session Work Contemporary Jazz
Key Feature:
• Great for modern playing styles
✓ PROS
  • • Extended low-end range
  • • Versatile pickup combinations
✗ CONS
  • • More complex fingering patterns
  • • Higher string tension

Sandberg California II SL TM 5 BK MN5-String Electric BassPaulownia bodyBolt-on neck: MapleMaple fretboardFretboard...

⭐ 4.5/5 (31 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 477450
$2,199
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sandberg California II TT 5 BK 35" - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Sandberg California II TT 5 BK 35"

by Sandberg
Fusion Modern Rock Contemporary Jazz
Key Feature:
• Extended low-end range
✓ PROS
  • • Extended low-end range
  • • Professional studio sound
✗ CONS
  • • More expensive than 4-string
  • • Higher string tension

Sandberg California II TT 5 BK 35"5-String Electric BassBody: AlderBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: EbonyWhite...

⭐ 4.6/5 (11 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 554549
$3,189
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sandberg California II TM5 MN BKB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Sandberg California II TM5 MN BKB

by Sandberg
Modern Rock Contemporary Jazz Progressive
Key Feature:
• Versatile pickup combinations
✓ PROS
  • • Bright Jazz Bass character
  • • Professional studio sound
✗ CONS
  • • Higher string tension
  • • More expensive than 4-string

Sandberg California II TM5 MN BKB5-String Electric BassBody: AshNeck: MapleFretboard: MapleScale: 34" (long...

⭐ 4.8/5 (37 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 363370
$2,089
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sadowsky MetroLine 24-5 Vintage BK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

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
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sandberg California II TM 5 PF BLB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Sandberg California II TM 5 PF BLB

by Sandberg
Contemporary Jazz Session Work Fusion
Key Feature:
• Extended low-end range
✓ PROS
  • • Extended low-end range
  • • Great for modern playing styles
✗ CONS
  • • Wider neck requires adjustment
  • • Higher string tension

Sandberg California II TM 5 PF BLBElectric bass5-StringBody: AshNeck: MapleNeck attachment: BoltedFretboard: Pau...

⭐ 4.7/5 (56 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 439407
$2,309
Buy at Thomann View Details
Lakland Skyline Darryl Jones 5 LPB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

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
Lakland Skyline Darryl Jones 5 NAT - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

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 MetroLine 22 Will Lee 59 Burst - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Sadowsky MetroLine 22 Will Lee 59 Burst

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

Sadowsky MetroLine 22 Will Lee 59 Burst5-String Electric BassWill Lee Artist Line ModelAmerican swamp ash bodyBolt-on...

⭐ 4.8/5 (25 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 491587
$4,894
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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