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Best 5-String P-Basses Under $500 2025

Affordable 5-string p-basses under $500 - 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
Harley Benton MV-5PJ Natural w/Case - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Harley Benton MV-5PJ Natural w/Case

by Harley Benton
Modern Music R&B Funk
Key Feature:
• Great for drop tunings
✓ PROS
  • • Classic P-Bass punch and growl
  • • Extended low B string range
✗ CONS
  • • Higher string tension than 4-string
  • • Wider neck requires hand adjustment

Harley Benton MV-5PJ Natural w/Case*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton MV-5PJ Natural*5-String Electric...

⭐ 4.8/5 (21 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 597072
$325
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton Enhanced MP-5EB Creme - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Harley Benton Enhanced MP-5EB Creme

by Harley Benton
Metal R&B Gospel
Key Feature:
• Extended low B string range
✓ PROS
  • • Thick, powerful low-end foundation
  • • Versatile across multiple genres
✗ CONS
  • • More expensive than 4-string P-Bass
  • • Higher string tension than 4-string

Harley Benton Enhanced MP-5EB Cream5-String Electric BassConstruction: PB-StyleErgonomically shaped alder bodyMatching...

⭐ 5.0/5 (55 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 443502
$384
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton Enhanced MP-5EB Creme w/Bag - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Harley Benton Enhanced MP-5EB Creme w/Bag

by Harley Benton
Metal Rock Funk
Key Feature:
• Great for drop tunings
✓ PROS
  • • Extended low B string range
  • • Thick, powerful low-end foundation
✗ CONS
  • • More expensive than 4-string P-Bass
  • • Heavier instrument overall

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

⭐ 4.7/5 (52 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 539089
$413
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton Enhanced MP-5MN Natural w/Bag - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Harley Benton Enhanced MP-5MN Natural w/Bag

by Harley Benton
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
Art. 468352
$402
Buy at Thomann View Details
Marcus Miller P5 Alder-5 TS - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Marcus Miller P5 Alder-5 TS

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

Marcus Miller P5 Alder-5 TS5 String Electric BassBody: AlderOne-piece neck: roasted mapleFingerboard: roasted mapleNeck...

⭐ 4.8/5 (27 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 531093
$494
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton Enhanced MP-5MN Natural - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Harley Benton Enhanced MP-5MN Natural

by Harley Benton
Gospel Rock Metal
Key Feature:
• Classic P-Bass punch and growl
✓ PROS
  • • Great for drop tunings
  • • Thick, powerful low-end foundation
✗ CONS
  • • May overpower in some musical contexts
  • • Higher string tension than 4-string

Harley Benton Enhanced MP-5MN Natural5-String Electric BassConstruction: PB-StyleErgonomically shaped swamp ash...

⭐ 4.7/5 (9 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 443506
$384
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton MV-5PJ Daphne Blue w/Case - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Harley Benton MV-5PJ Daphne Blue w/Case

by Harley Benton
Funk Rock Metal
Key Feature:
• Thick, powerful low-end foundation
✓ PROS
  • • Extended low B string range
  • • Classic P-Bass punch and growl
✗ CONS
  • • Higher string tension than 4-string
  • • More expensive than 4-string P-Bass

Harley Benton MV-5PJ Daphne Blue w/Case*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton MV-5PJ Daphne Blue*5-String Electric...

⭐ 4.8/5 (37 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 597064
$325
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton MV-5PJ Black w/Case - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Harley Benton MV-5PJ Black w/Case

by Harley Benton
R&B Metal Funk
Key Feature:
• Versatile across multiple genres
✓ PROS
  • • Versatile across multiple genres
  • • Classic P-Bass punch and growl
✗ CONS
  • • More expensive than 4-string P-Bass
  • • Wider neck requires hand adjustment

Harley Benton MV-5PJ Black w/Case*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton MV-5PJ Black*5-String Electric Bass*Deluxe...

⭐ 4.8/5 (7 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 597052
$325
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton Enhanced MP-5EB Creme Bundle - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Harley Benton Enhanced MP-5EB Creme Bundle

by Harley Benton
Metal Gospel Funk
Key Feature:
• Versatile across multiple genres
✓ PROS
  • • Thick, powerful low-end foundation
  • • Versatile across multiple genres
✗ CONS
  • • More expensive than 4-string P-Bass
  • • Heavier instrument overall

Harley Benton Enhanced MP-5EB Creme Bundle*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton Enhanced MP-5EB Creme*5-String...

⭐ 4.7/5 (3 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 539091
$428
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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