AudioFu

Best 5-String P-Basses for Funk 2026

Perfect 5-string p-basses for funk - easy to play and learn on

Last updated: January 21, 2026 • Next update: January 28, 2026

PRICE RANGES: Under $200 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 Rock For Metal For Funk For R&B For Gospel For Modern Music
BRANDS: Sadowsky Harley Benton Marcus Miller Sandberg
Marcus Miller P8-5 NT - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Marcus Miller P8-5 NT

by Marcus Miller
Modern Music Gospel Rock
Key Feature:
• Versatile across multiple genres
✓ PROS
  • • Extended low B string range
  • • Classic P-Bass punch and growl
✗ CONS
  • • May overpower in some musical contexts
  • • Heavier instrument overall

Marcus Miller P8-5 NT5 String Electric BassBody: Swamp AshBolt-on roasted maple neckFingerboard: MapleWhite Perloid...

⭐ 4.9/5 (52 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 553657
$989
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sadowsky MetroExp 21 HybPJ 5 Morado SIL - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Sadowsky MetroExp 21 HybPJ 5 Morado SIL

by Sadowsky
Modern Music R&B Metal
Key Feature:
• Extended low B string range
✓ PROS
  • • Great for drop tunings
  • • Versatile across multiple genres
✗ CONS
  • • More expensive than 4-string P-Bass
  • • Heavier instrument overall

Sadowsky MetroExp 21 HybPJ 5 Morado SIL5-String Electric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard:...

⭐ 4.5/5 (36 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 596988
$1,209
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sadowsky MetroLine 21-5 Hyb Solid Black - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Sadowsky MetroLine 21-5 Hyb Solid Black

by Sadowsky
Rock Modern Music R&B
Key Feature:
• Great for drop tunings
✓ PROS
  • • Extended low B string range
  • • Great for drop tunings
✗ CONS
  • • May overpower in some musical contexts
  • • Heavier instrument overall

Sadowsky MetroLine 21-5 Hyb Solid Black5-String Electric BassAmerican swamp ash bodyBolt-on maple neckMaple...

⭐ 4.9/5 (10 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 515941
$3,739
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sadowsky MetroExp 21 HybPJ 5 Morado OBL - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Sadowsky MetroExp 21 HybPJ 5 Morado OBL

by Sadowsky
R&B Rock Gospel
Key Feature:
• Extended low B string range
✓ PROS
  • • Versatile across multiple genres
  • • Classic P-Bass punch and growl
✗ CONS
  • • Higher string tension than 4-string
  • • Wider neck requires hand adjustment

Sadowsky MetroExp 21 HybPJ 5 Morado OBL5-String Electric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard: Morado...

⭐ 4.9/5 (3 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 596863
$1,099
Buy at Thomann View Details
Marcus Miller P7 Alder 5 Black 2nd Gen - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Marcus Miller P7 Alder 5 Black 2nd Gen

by Marcus Miller
Modern Music Funk Metal
Key Feature:
• Classic P-Bass punch and growl
✓ PROS
  • • Extended low B string range
  • • Versatile across multiple genres
✗ CONS
  • • Higher string tension than 4-string
  • • More expensive than 4-string P-Bass

Marcus Miller P7 Alder 5 Black 2nd Gen5-String Electric BassAlder bodyBolt-on neck: MapleFretboard: EbonyWhite pearloid...

⭐ 4.9/5 (10 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 446195
$692
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sadowsky MetroLine 21 5 Vintage PJ BK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Sadowsky MetroLine 21 5 Vintage PJ BK

by Sadowsky
Funk Metal Rock
Key Feature:
• Extended low B string range
✓ PROS
  • • Versatile across multiple genres
  • • Great for drop tunings
✗ CONS
  • • More expensive than 4-string P-Bass
  • • Wider neck requires hand adjustment

Sadowsky MetroLine 21 4 Vintage MO BK5-String Electric BassBody: American swamp ashBolt-on neck: MapleFretboard:...

⭐ 4.7/5 (54 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 511222
$3,959
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sadowsky MetroLine 21-5 Vin P/J MO BK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Sadowsky MetroLine 21-5 Vin P/J MO BK

by Sadowsky
Rock Gospel Metal
Key Feature:
• Thick, powerful low-end foundation
✓ PROS
  • • Thick, powerful low-end foundation
  • • Extended low B string range
✗ CONS
  • • Heavier instrument overall
  • • More expensive than 4-string P-Bass

Sadowsky MetroLine 21-5 Vin P/J MO BK5-String Electric BassBody: american red alderBolt-on neck: mapleFretboard:...

⭐ 4.5/5 (16 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 516049
$3,409
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sadowsky MetroExp 21 Hyb PJ 5 Morado CH - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Sadowsky MetroExp 21 Hyb PJ 5 Morado CH

by Sadowsky
Modern Music Rock Metal
Key Feature:
• Classic P-Bass punch and growl
✓ PROS
  • • Versatile across multiple genres
  • • Classic P-Bass punch and growl
✗ CONS
  • • Wider neck requires hand adjustment
  • • May overpower in some musical contexts

Sadowsky MetroExp 21 Hyb PJ 5 Morado WH5-String Electric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard: Morado...

⭐ 4.4/5 (52 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 596883
$1,209
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sadowsky MetroExp21 HybPJ5 Morado BK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Sadowsky MetroExp21 HybPJ5 Morado BK

by Sadowsky
Metal Funk Gospel
Key Feature:
• Classic P-Bass punch and growl
✓ PROS
  • • Versatile across multiple genres
  • • Thick, powerful low-end foundation
✗ CONS
  • • More expensive than 4-string P-Bass
  • • Wider neck requires hand adjustment

Sadowsky MetroExp21 HybPJ5 Morado BK5-String Electric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard: Morado...

⭐ 4.8/5 (39 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 596275
$1,154
Buy at Thomann View Details
Yamaha BB435 TBS - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Yamaha BB435 TBS

by Yamaha
Metal Funk Rock
Key Feature:
• Versatile across multiple genres
✓ PROS
  • • Extended low B string range
  • • Thick, powerful low-end foundation
✗ CONS
  • • Heavier instrument overall
  • • Wider neck requires hand adjustment

Yamaha BB435 TBS5-String Electric BassBody: Alder5-Piece neck: Maple / MahoganyFretboard: Rosewood21 Medium fretsScale:...

⭐ 4.5/5 (36 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 462989
$868
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sadowsky MetroExp 21 HybPJ 5 Morado TSB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Sadowsky MetroExp 21 HybPJ 5 Morado TSB

by Sadowsky
Metal Funk Rock
Key Feature:
• Versatile across multiple genres
✓ PROS
  • • Great for drop tunings
  • • Thick, powerful low-end foundation
✗ CONS
  • • May overpower in some musical contexts
  • • More expensive than 4-string P-Bass

Sadowsky MetroExp 21 HybPJ 5 Morado TSB5-String Electric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard: Morado...

⭐ 4.6/5 (31 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 596864
$1,209
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sadowsky MetroExp 21 HybPJ 5 Morado CAO - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Sadowsky MetroExp 21 HybPJ 5 Morado CAO

by Sadowsky
Rock Gospel Funk
Key Feature:
• Extended low B string range
✓ PROS
  • • Extended low B string range
  • • Thick, powerful low-end foundation
✗ CONS
  • • Wider neck requires hand adjustment
  • • Higher string tension than 4-string

Sadowsky MetroExp 21 HybPJ 5 Morado CAO5-String Electric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard: Morado...

⭐ 4.7/5 (25 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 596858
$1,209
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sadowsky MetroExp 21 HybPJ 5 Morado CAR - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Sadowsky MetroExp 21 HybPJ 5 Morado CAR

by Sadowsky
Funk Modern Music Metal
Key Feature:
• Versatile across multiple genres
✓ PROS
  • • Great for drop tunings
  • • Classic P-Bass punch and growl
✗ CONS
  • • Heavier instrument overall
  • • Higher string tension than 4-string

Sadowsky MetroExp 21 HybPJ 5 Morado CAR5-String Electric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard: Morado...

⭐ 4.9/5 (27 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 596856
$1,209
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sadowsky MetroExp21 HybPJ5 RM OWH - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Sadowsky MetroExp21 HybPJ5 RM OWH

by Sadowsky
Gospel Modern Music Metal
Key Feature:
• Classic P-Bass punch and growl
✓ PROS
  • • Versatile across multiple genres
  • • Classic P-Bass punch and growl
✗ CONS
  • • Wider neck requires hand adjustment
  • • Heavier instrument overall

Sadowsky MetroExp21 HybPJ5 RM OWH5-String Electric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard: Roasted...

⭐ 4.4/5 (14 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 596276
$1,176
Buy at Thomann View Details
Fender AM Pro II P Bass V MN DK NIT - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Fender AM Pro II P Bass V MN DK NIT

by Fender
Modern Music Rock Funk
Key Feature:
• Classic P-Bass punch and growl
✓ PROS
  • • Thick, powerful low-end foundation
  • • Versatile across multiple genres
✗ CONS
  • • More expensive than 4-string P-Bass
  • • Higher string tension than 4-string

Fender AM Pro II P Bass V MN DK NIT5-String Electric BassAlder bodyMaple neckMaple fretboardNeck profile: 1963 CScale:...

⭐ 4.7/5 (3 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 501197
$2,386
Buy at Thomann View Details

How to Choose the Best 5-String P-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 p-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