Best Sadowsky 5-String P-Basses 2025

Premium Sadowsky 5-string p-basses - legendary tone and craftsmanship

Last updated: November 5, 2025 • Next update: November 12, 2025

Sadowsky MetroExp 21 HybPJ 5 Morado OBL - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

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
Sadowsky MetroExp 21 Hyb PJ 5 Morado CH - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

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 MetroLine 21 5 Vintage PJ BK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

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
Sadowsky MetroExp 21 Hyb PJ 5 RM CH - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

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 HybPJ 5 Morado TSB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Sadowsky MetroExp 21 HybPJ 5 Morado TSB

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
Sadowsky MetroExp21 HybPJ5 RM OWH - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

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 MetroLine 21-5 Vin P/J MO BK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Sadowsky MetroLine 21-5 Vin P/J MO BK

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
Sadowsky MetroExp 21 Hyb PJ 5 RM SIL - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Sadowsky MetroExp 21 Hyb PJ 5 RM SIL

Funk R&B Metal
Key Feature:
• Great for drop tunings
✓ PROS
  • • Extended low B string range
  • • Versatile across multiple genres
✗ CONS
  • • May overpower in some musical contexts
  • • Wider neck requires hand adjustment

Sadowsky MetroExp 21 Hyb PJ 5 RM SIL5-String Electric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard: Roasted...

4.8/5 (9 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Sadowsky MetroLine 21-5 Hyb Solid Black - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Sadowsky MetroLine 21-5 Hyb Solid Black

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
Sadowsky MetroExp21 HybPJ5 RM BK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Sadowsky MetroExp21 HybPJ5 RM BK

R&B Gospel Funk
Key Feature:
• Great for drop tunings
✓ PROS
  • • Classic P-Bass punch and growl
  • • Thick, powerful low-end foundation
✗ CONS
  • • Heavier instrument overall
  • • Higher string tension than 4-string

Sadowsky MetroExp21 HybPJ5 RM BKElectric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard: Roasted...

4.5/5 (13 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Sadowsky MetroExp 21 HybPJ 5 Morado SGR - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Sadowsky MetroExp 21 HybPJ 5 Morado SGR

Funk Rock Modern Music
Key Feature:
• Thick, powerful low-end foundation
✓ PROS
  • • Extended low B string range
  • • Classic P-Bass punch and growl
✗ CONS
  • • Heavier instrument overall
  • • More expensive than 4-string P-Bass

Sadowsky MetroExp 21 HybPJ 5 Morado SGR5-String Electric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard:...

4.9/5 (43 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Sadowsky MetroExp 21 Hyb PJ 5 RM TSB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Sadowsky MetroExp 21 Hyb PJ 5 RM TSB

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

Sadowsky MetroExp 21 Hyb PJ 5 RM TSB5-String Electric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard: Roasted...

4.8/5 (19 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Sadowsky MetroExp21 HybPJ5 Morado BK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Sadowsky MetroExp21 HybPJ5 Morado BK

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
Sadowsky MetroExp 21 HybPJ 5 Morado SIL - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

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 MetroExp 21 Hyb PJ 5 RM OBL - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Sadowsky MetroExp 21 Hyb PJ 5 RM OBL

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

Sadowsky MetroExp 21 Hyb PJ 5 RM OBL5-String Electric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: roasted mapleFingerboard: roasted...

4.7/5 (36 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
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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