Best 5-String P-Basses Under $2,000 2025

Affordable 5-string p-basses under $2,000 - great value without compromising quality

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

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

Sadowsky MetroExp 21 Hyb PJ 5 RM CAR - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.8/5 (54 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

6/10

Sadowsky MetroExp 21 Hyb PJ 5 RM CAR

by Sadowsky

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

Art. 596814

$1,176

Buy at Thomann View Details

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

⭐ 4.4/5 (52 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

8/10

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 MetroExp 21 HybPJ 5 Morado OBL - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.9/5 (3 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

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

Sadowsky MetroExp 21 Hyb PJ 5 Morado OW - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.4/5 (25 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

7/10

Sadowsky MetroExp 21 Hyb PJ 5 Morado OW

by Sadowsky

Gospel Metal Modern Music

Key Feature:

• Great for drop tunings

✓ PROS

• Versatile across multiple genres
• Extended low B string range

✗ CONS

• Wider neck requires hand adjustment
• Higher string tension than 4-string

Sadowsky MetroExp 21 Hyb PJ 5 Morado OW5-String Electric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard:...

⭐ 4.4/5 (25 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 596812

$1,209

Buy at Thomann View Details

Sadowsky MetroExp 21 HybPJ 5 Morado CAO - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.7/5 (25 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

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 TSB - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.6/5 (31 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

6/10

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 SIL - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.5/5 (36 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

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 MetroExp 21 HybPJ 5 Morado CAR - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.9/5 (27 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

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 MetroExp 21 Hyb PJ 5 RM SGR - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.4/5 (9 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

7/10

Sadowsky MetroExp 21 Hyb PJ 5 RM SGR

by Sadowsky

Gospel Modern Music Metal

Key Feature:

• Classic P-Bass punch and growl

✓ PROS

• Classic P-Bass punch and growl
• Extended low B string range

✗ CONS

• Heavier instrument overall
• May overpower in some musical contexts

Sadowsky MetroExp 21 Hyb PJ 5 RM SGR5-String Electric BassBody: OkoumeBolt-on neck: Roasted mapleFingerboard: Roasted...

⭐ 4.4/5 (9 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 596878

$1,176

Buy at Thomann View Details

Sadowsky MetroExp21 HybPJ5 Morado BK - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#10

⭐ 4.8/5 (39 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

7/10

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

Sadowsky MetroExp21 HybPJ5 RM OWH - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#11

⭐ 4.4/5 (14 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

7/10

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

Sadowsky MetroExp 21 HybPJ 5 Morado SGR - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#12

⭐ 4.9/5 (43 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

7/10

Sadowsky MetroExp 21 HybPJ 5 Morado SGR

by Sadowsky

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

Art. 596886

$1,209

Buy at Thomann View Details

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

#13

⭐ 4.8/5 (9 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

8/10

Sadowsky MetroExp 21 Hyb PJ 5 RM SIL

by Sadowsky

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

Art. 596887

$1,176

Buy at Thomann View Details

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

#14

⭐ 4.7/5 (36 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

7/10

Sadowsky MetroExp 21 Hyb PJ 5 RM OBL

by Sadowsky

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

Art. 596876

$1,044

Buy at Thomann View Details

Sadowsky MetroExp 21 Hyb PJ 5 RM TSB - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#15

⭐ 4.8/5 (19 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

8/10

Sadowsky MetroExp 21 Hyb PJ 5 RM TSB

by Sadowsky

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

Art. 596817

$1,176

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.

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Best 5-String P-Basses Under $2,000 2025

Sadowsky MetroExp 21 Hyb PJ 5 RM CAR

Sadowsky MetroExp 21 Hyb PJ 5 Morado CH

Sadowsky MetroExp 21 HybPJ 5 Morado OBL

Sadowsky MetroExp 21 Hyb PJ 5 Morado OW

Sadowsky MetroExp 21 HybPJ 5 Morado CAO

Sadowsky MetroExp 21 HybPJ 5 Morado TSB

Sadowsky MetroExp 21 HybPJ 5 Morado SIL

Sadowsky MetroExp 21 HybPJ 5 Morado CAR

Sadowsky MetroExp 21 Hyb PJ 5 RM SGR

Sadowsky MetroExp21 HybPJ5 Morado BK

Sadowsky MetroExp21 HybPJ5 RM OWH

Sadowsky MetroExp 21 HybPJ 5 Morado SGR

Sadowsky MetroExp 21 Hyb PJ 5 RM SIL

Sadowsky MetroExp 21 Hyb PJ 5 RM OBL

Sadowsky MetroExp 21 Hyb PJ 5 RM TSB

How to Choose the Best 5-String P-Basses

Budget Planning

Quality Check

Key Features

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I look for when buying 5-string p-basses?

How much should I spend on 5-string p-basses?

Are expensive 5-string p-basses worth the investment?

What are the best brands for 5-string p-basses?

Should I buy 5-string p-basses online or in-store?

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