Best 5-String J-Basses Under $5,000 2026
Affordable 5-string j-basses under $5,000 - great value without compromising quality
Last updated: February 4, 2026 • Next update: February 11, 2026
GENRES & STYLES:
For Modern Rock
For Metal
For Progressive
For Fusion
For Contemporary Jazz
For Session Work
#1
⭐
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
#2
⭐
4.6/5
(56 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Sandberg California II TM 5 EB NT 35"
by
Sandberg
Modern Rock
Contemporary Jazz
Fusion
Key Feature:
• Bright Jazz Bass character
✓ PROS
- • Great for modern playing styles
- • Versatile pickup combinations
✗ CONS
- • More expensive than 4-string
- • Higher string tension
Sandberg California II TM 5 EB NT 35"Electric bass5-StringBody: AlderNeck: MapleNeck attachment: BoltedFretboard:...
⭐
4.6/5
(56 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 439464
$2,749
#3
⭐
4.8/5
(39 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Sadowsky MetroLine 24-5 Modern 59`Burst
by
Sadowsky
Metal
Progressive
Fusion
Key Feature:
• Extended low-end range
✓ PROS
- • Professional studio sound
- • Versatile pickup combinations
✗ CONS
- • Wider neck requires adjustment
- • String spacing differences
Sadowsky MetroLine 24-5 Modern 59`Burst5-String Electric BassBody: American swamp ashBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard:...
⭐
4.8/5
(39 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 541459
$4,069
#4
⭐
4.8/5
(23 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Sandberg California II TT 5 MN NT
by
Sandberg
Fusion
Contemporary Jazz
Metal
Key Feature:
• Extended low-end range
✓ PROS
- • Extended low-end range
- • Versatile pickup combinations
✗ CONS
- • Wider neck requires adjustment
- • Higher string tension
Sandberg California II TT 5 MN NT5-String electric bassBody: AshBolted neck: MapleFretboard: MapleNut width: 45 mm...
⭐
4.8/5
(23 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 439387
$2,254
#5
⭐
4.4/5
(44 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
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
#6
⭐
4.6/5
(47 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Sadowsky MetroLine 24-5 Vin Olympic WH
by
Sadowsky
Session Work
Progressive
Metal
Key Feature:
• Versatile pickup combinations
✓ PROS
- • Versatile pickup combinations
- • Bright Jazz Bass character
✗ CONS
- • Wider neck requires adjustment
- • More expensive than 4-string
Sadowsky MetroLine 24-5 Vin Olympic WH5-String Electric BassAmerican swamp ash bodyBolt-on maple neckMaple...
⭐
4.6/5
(47 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 515954
$4,069
#7
⭐
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
#8
⭐
4.9/5
(40 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Sadowsky MetroLine 22 Will Lee 5 NT MN
by
Sadowsky
Fusion
Metal
Session Work
Key Feature:
• Extended low-end range
✓ PROS
- • Bright Jazz Bass character
- • Professional studio sound
✗ CONS
- • More expensive than 4-string
- • More complex fingering patterns
Sadowsky MetroLine 22 Will Lee 5 NT MN5-String Electric Bass34" (864 mm) Scale lengthBolt-on neck (bolt-on...
⭐
4.9/5
(40 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 510722
$3,628
#9
⭐
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
#10
⭐
4.9/5
(16 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Sadowsky MetroLine 21-5 Vin MM MO BK
by
Sadowsky
Fusion
Contemporary Jazz
Metal
Key Feature:
• Great for modern playing styles
✓ PROS
- • Bright Jazz Bass character
- • Extended low-end range
✗ CONS
- • String spacing differences
- • More complex fingering patterns
Sadowsky MetroLine 21-5 Vin MM MO BK5-String Electric BassScale: 864 mm (34")Slightly reduced J-style body made...
⭐
4.9/5
(16 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 526144
$3,849
#11
⭐
4.9/5
(29 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Sadowsky MetroLine 21-5 Vin Mo Candy
by
Sadowsky
Progressive
Fusion
Contemporary Jazz
Key Feature:
• Great for modern playing styles
✓ PROS
- • Great for modern playing styles
- • Bright Jazz Bass character
✗ CONS
- • More expensive than 4-string
- • Wider neck requires adjustment
Sadowsky MetroLine 21-5 Vin Mo Candy5-String Electric BassAmerican alder bodyBolt-on maple neckMorado...
⭐
4.9/5
(29 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 518435
$4,399
#12
⭐
4.9/5
(44 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Sandberg California II TM 5 HCA Orange
by
Sandberg
Session Work
Metal
Contemporary Jazz
Key Feature:
• Bright Jazz Bass character
✓ PROS
- • Bright Jazz Bass character
- • Professional studio sound
✗ CONS
- • Higher string tension
- • Wider neck requires adjustment
Sandberg California II TM 5 HCA Orange5-String Electric BassBody: AlderBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard:...
⭐
4.9/5
(44 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 523791
$3,189
#13
⭐
4.8/5
(9 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Fender AM Pro II Jazz Bass V MYST SFG
by
Fender
Modern Rock
Fusion
Session Work
Key Feature:
• Great for modern playing styles
✓ PROS
- • Bright Jazz Bass character
- • Extended low-end range
✗ CONS
- • More expensive than 4-string
- • String spacing differences
Fender AM Pro II Jazz Bass V MYST SFG5-String Electric BassBody: AlderNeck: MapleFretboard: MapleNeck profile: Slim...
⭐
4.8/5
(9 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 501244
$2,386
#14
⭐
4.7/5
(7 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
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
#15
⭐
4.5/5
(31 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
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
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.
