Best 5-String P-Basses for Gospel 2026

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

Last updated: January 14, 2026 • Next update: January 21, 2026

Sadowsky MetroExp 21 Hyb PJ 5 RM CH - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Sadowsky MetroExp 21 Hyb PJ 5 RM CH

R&B Funk Gospel
Key Feature:
• Versatile across multiple genres
✓ PROS
  • • Thick, powerful low-end foundation
  • • Extended low B string range
✗ CONS
  • • More expensive than 4-string P-Bass
  • • May overpower in some musical contexts

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

4.4/5 (37 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Sadowsky MetroExp 21 Hyb PJ 5 RM CAR - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Sadowsky MetroExp 21 Hyb PJ 5 RM CAR

Rock Gospel R&B
Key Feature:
• Thick, powerful low-end foundation
✓ PROS
  • • Versatile across multiple genres
  • • Extended low B string range
✗ CONS
  • • May overpower in some musical contexts
  • • Wider neck requires hand adjustment

Sadowsky MetroExp 21 Hyb PJ 5 RM CAR5-String Electric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard: Roasted...

4.8/5 (54 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Sadowsky MetroExp21 HybPJ5 RM OWH - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Sadowsky MetroExp21 HybPJ5 RM OWH

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
Sadowsky MetroExp 21 HybPJ 5 Morado OBL - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Sadowsky MetroExp 21 HybPJ 5 Morado OBL

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
Marcus Miller P5R Alder-5 TS - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Marcus Miller P5R Alder-5 TS

Funk Metal Modern Music
Key Feature:
• Versatile across multiple genres
✓ PROS
  • • Classic P-Bass punch and growl
  • • Great for drop tunings
✗ CONS
  • • Heavier instrument overall
  • • May overpower in some musical contexts

Marcus Miller P5R Alder-5 TS5 String Electric BassBody: AlderNeck: roasted mapleFingerboard: RosewoodNeck profile:...

4.8/5 (16 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Sadowsky MetroExp 21 Hyb PJ 5 Morado CH - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Sadowsky MetroExp 21 Hyb PJ 5 Morado CH

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
Sadowsky MetroExp 21 HybPJ 5 Morado CAR - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Sadowsky MetroExp 21 HybPJ 5 Morado CAR

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
Marcus Miller P8-5 NT - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Marcus Miller P8-5 NT

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
Marcus Miller P7 Alder 5 Black 2nd Gen - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Marcus Miller P7 Alder 5 Black 2nd Gen

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
Sadowsky MetroExp 21 Hyb PJ 5 RM CAO - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Sadowsky MetroExp 21 Hyb PJ 5 RM CAO

Metal Modern Music Gospel
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
  • • Heavier instrument overall

Sadowsky MetroExp 21 Hyb PJ 5 RM CAO5-String Electric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard: Roasted...

4.5/5 (12 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Harley Benton Enhanced MP-5MN Natural w/Bag - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Harley Benton Enhanced MP-5MN Natural w/Bag

Funk R&B Metal
Key Feature:
• Classic P-Bass punch and growl
✓ PROS
  • • Extended low B string range
  • • Classic P-Bass punch and growl
✗ CONS
  • • May overpower in some musical contexts
  • • Heavier instrument overall

Harley Benton Enhanced MP-5MN Natural w/Bag*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton Enhanced MP-5MN Natural*5-String...

4.9/5 (3 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Sadowsky MetroExp 21 HybPJ 5 Morado CAO - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Sadowsky MetroExp 21 HybPJ 5 Morado CAO

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
Sadowsky MetroExp 21 HybPJ 5 Morado SIL - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Sadowsky MetroExp 21 HybPJ 5 Morado SIL

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
Sadowsky MetroLine 21 5 Vintage PJ BK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Sadowsky MetroLine 21 5 Vintage PJ BK

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
Yamaha BB435 TBS - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Yamaha BB435 TBS

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

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.

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