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

Affordable 5-string p-basses under $5,000 - 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 MetroLine 21-5 Hyb Solid Black - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

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
Sandberg California II VM 5 BM HCAR VW - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Sandberg California II VM 5 BM HCAR VW

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

Sandberg California II VM 5 BM HCAR VWElectric bass5-StringBody: Alder (thermo-treated)Neck: MapleNeck attachment:...

⭐ 4.9/5 (14 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 439982
$3,629
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sandberg California II VM 5 MN BKB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Sandberg California II VM 5 MN BKB

by Sandberg
R&B Funk Gospel
Key Feature:
• Classic P-Bass punch and growl
✓ 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

Sandberg California II VM 5 MN BKBElectric bass5-StringBody: AshNeck: MapleNeck attachment: BoltedFretboard: MapleBlack...

⭐ 4.6/5 (17 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 439975
$2,089
Buy at Thomann View Details
Fender AM Pro II P Bass V RW OWT - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Fender AM Pro II P Bass V RW OWT

by Fender
R&B Modern Music Gospel
Key Feature:
• Great for drop tunings
✓ PROS
  • • Extended low B string range
  • • Thick, powerful low-end foundation
✗ CONS
  • • May overpower in some musical contexts
  • • Heavier instrument overall

Fender AM Pro II P Bass V RW OWT5-String Electric BassAlder bodyMaple neckRosewood fretboardNeck profile: 1963 CScale:...

⭐ 4.4/5 (35 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 501194
$2,386
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sandberg California II VM5 RW CR HG - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Sandberg California II VM5 RW CR HG

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

Sandberg California II VM5 RW CR HG5-String Electric BassBody: AlderNeck: MapleFretboard: RosewoodScale: 34" (long...

⭐ 4.6/5 (2 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 363201
$2,199
Buy at Thomann View Details
Fender AM Pro II P Bass V MN DK NIT - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

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
Sandberg California II VM 5 EB BLB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Sandberg California II VM 5 EB BLB

by Sandberg
Metal Rock Funk
Key Feature:
• Classic P-Bass punch and growl
✓ PROS
  • • Versatile across multiple genres
  • • Great for drop tunings
✗ CONS
  • • More expensive than 4-string P-Bass
  • • Wider neck requires hand adjustment

Sandberg California II VM 5 EB BLB5-String Electric BassBody: AshBolt-on neck: MapleFretboard: EbonyFretboard inlays:...

⭐ 4.4/5 (24 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 439978
$2,474
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sadowsky MetroLine 21 5 Vintage PJ BK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

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
#9

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
Sandberg California II VM5 Nighthawk - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Sandberg California II VM5 Nighthawk

by Sandberg
Rock Metal Gospel
Key Feature:
• Great for drop tunings
✓ PROS
  • • Classic P-Bass punch and growl
  • • Great for drop tunings
✗ CONS
  • • More expensive than 4-string P-Bass
  • • Heavier instrument overall

Sandberg California II VM5 Nighthawk5-String Electric BassAlder bodyBolt-on maple neckPau ferro fretboard22 Frets864 mm...

⭐ 4.6/5 (40 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 505107
$2,199
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sandberg California II VS 5 PF SA CW - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Sandberg California II VS 5 PF SA CW

by Sandberg
Gospel R&B Metal
Key Feature:
• Thick, powerful low-end foundation
✓ PROS
  • • Versatile across multiple genres
  • • Classic P-Bass punch and growl
✗ CONS
  • • May overpower in some musical contexts
  • • Wider neck requires hand adjustment

Sandberg California II VS 5 PF SA CW5-String Electric BassBody: AlderBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: Pau...

⭐ 4.6/5 (41 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 559369
$2,474
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sandberg California II VM 5 PF MR HG - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Sandberg California II VM 5 PF MR HG

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

Sandberg California II VM 5 PF MR HG5-String Electric BassBody: AlderBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: Pau...

⭐ 4.4/5 (24 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 559567
$2,254
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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