Best Basses Under $5,000 2026
Affordable basses under $5,000 - great value without compromising quality
Last updated: January 21, 2026 • Next update: January 28, 2026
GENRES & STYLES:
For Folk
For Unplugged
For Acoustic Sessions
For Singer-Songwriter
For Jazz
For World Music
BRANDS:
Höfner
#1
⭐
4.7/5
(38 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
National Reso-Phonic Raw Steel Single Cone 12 Fret
Americana
Country
Bluegrass
Key Feature:
• Perfect for slide guitar playing
✓ PROS
- • Great volume and projection
- • Unique visual and sonic character
✗ CONS
- • Requires different playing approach
- • May not suit all musical styles
National Reso-Phonic Raw Steel Single Cone 12 FretResonator GuitarType: Roundneck with slotted headstock and flat cut...
⭐
4.7/5
(38 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 519963
$3,738
#2
⭐
4.7/5
(10 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
National Reso-Phonic Raw Steel SingCone 14 Fr. LH
Folk
Blues
Bluegrass
Key Feature:
• Perfect for slide guitar playing
✓ PROS
- • Perfect for slide guitar playing
- • Great volume and projection
✗ CONS
- • Can be heavy and uncomfortable
- • Requires different playing approach
National Reso-Phonic Raw Steel SingCone 14 Fr. LHResonator GuitarLeft-handed modelStyle: Round neckCone: Single...
⭐
4.7/5
(10 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 614399
$3,629
#3
⭐
4.6/5
(14 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Morgan Amplification MVP66 Combo Twilight
Expressive Playing
Blues
Jazz
Key Feature:
• Preferred by professional musicians
✓ PROS
- • Warm, natural tube saturation and overdrive
- • Natural compression and harmonic richness
✗ CONS
- • More expensive than solid-state amps
- • Requires regular tube maintenance
Morgan Amplification MVP66 Combo TwilightTube Combo for Electric GuitarChannels: 1Power: 50 wattsBig KT66 tube sound...
⭐
4.6/5
(14 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 534527
$2,639
#4
⭐
5.0/5
(6 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Franz Bassguitars Sirius 5 FL Maple Burl Premium
Experimental
Fusion
Jazz
Key Feature:
• Great for expressive playing
✓ PROS
- • Great for expressive playing
- • Unique fretless character
✗ CONS
- • Fingerboard wear over time
- • Limited for some musical styles
Franz Bassguitars Sirius 5 FL Maple Burl Premium5-String Electric BassFretlessBody: WalnutTop: Grained maple in premium...
⭐
5.0/5
(6 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 537483
$4,708
#5
⭐
4.8/5
(56 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Sheeran by Lowden Stadium Edition
Indie
Singer-Songwriter
Acoustic Pop
Key Feature:
• Clear note separation
✓ PROS
- • Great for fingerpicking
- • Balanced tone across frequencies
✗ CONS
- • Not ideal for band situations
- • Less bass response than dreadnought
Sheeran by Lowden Stadium EditionAcoustic Guitar with PickupDesign: WL (Wee Lowden) with custom thin bodyExact...
⭐
4.8/5
(56 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 586852
$4,399
#6
⭐
4.9/5
(30 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Mayones Guitars Duvell Elite 6 TD Red Burst
Studio Recording
Master Craftsmanship
High-End Collection
Key Feature:
• Professional appointments and features
✓ PROS
- • Superior tone and playability
- • Professional appointments and features
✗ CONS
- • Very high price point
- • Insurance considerations
Mayones Guitars Duvell Elite 6 TDBS; Electric Guitar; Body: Mahogany (Khaya Ivorensis); Top: Birdseye Poplar; Neck:...
⭐
4.9/5
(30 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 618527
$4,069
#7
⭐
4.7/5
(4 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Timberline Guitars T20HGC-e Harp Guitar
Specialty Applications
Experimental Music
Unique Designs
Key Feature:
• Alternative body shapes and sizes
✓ PROS
- • Unique design and construction features
- • Stand-out visual appeal
✗ CONS
- • Specialized maintenance requirements
- • Less familiar to most players
Timberline Guitars T20HGC-e Harp GuitarHarp GuitarType: AuditoriumBody: solid mahoganyFingerboardbridge and headstock:...
⭐
4.7/5
(4 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 568747
$3,078
#8
⭐
4.8/5
(54 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Victory Amplifiers V30 The Jack MKII Compa Bundle
Studio Recording
Jazz
Vintage Tones
Key Feature:
• Classic vintage tone
✓ PROS
- • Natural compression and warmth
- • Professional sound quality
✗ CONS
- • Heat generation during use
- • Requires tube maintenance
Victory Amplifiers V30 The Jack MKII Compa Bundle*Bundle offer comprising*, Victory Amplifiers V30 The Jack MKII...
⭐
4.8/5
(54 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 604384
$2,496
#9
⭐
4.8/5
(35 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Franz Bassguitars Sirius 4 R. Gauck Signature FL
Progressive
Experimental
World Music
Key Feature:
• Great for expressive playing
✓ PROS
- • Unique fretless character
- • Professional jazz sound
✗ CONS
- • Limited for some musical styles
- • May not suit all players
Franz Bassguitars Sirius 4 R. Gauck Signature FLElectric BassBody: Walnut5-Piece neck-thru-body thermo ash...
⭐
4.8/5
(35 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 378245
$4,389
#10
⭐
5.0/5
(35 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Juan Hernandez Luthier Flamenca SP
Traditional Music
Spanish Classical
Latin
Key Feature:
• Lower string action for speed
✓ PROS
- • Bright, percussive flamenco tone
- • Lower string action for speed
✗ CONS
- • Requires specific playing technique
- • May buzz with heavy playing
Juan Hernandez Luthier Flamenca SPFlamenco Concert GuitarTop: Solid spruceBack and sides: Solid Special CypressNeck:...
⭐
5.0/5
(35 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 515911
$4,068
#11
⭐
4.7/5
(32 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Martin Guitar D-18 Satin LH
Natural Playing
Comfort
Correct Technique
Key Feature:
• Natural playing position and comfort
✓ PROS
- • Correct string arrangement
- • Natural playing position and comfort
✗ CONS
- • Fewer options in each price range
- • Limited selection compared to right-handed
Martin Guitar D-18 Satin LHSteel-String Guitar2025 modelLeft-handed modelType: DreadnoughtTop: Solid spruceBack and...
⭐
4.7/5
(32 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 605818
$3,574
#12
⭐
4.5/5
(28 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Martin Guitar Grand J-16E 12-String
Campfire Sessions
Jangle Pop
Acoustic Rock
Key Feature:
• Great for rhythm guitar work
✓ PROS
- • Natural octave doubling
- • Rich, shimmering chorus effect
✗ CONS
- • Heavier neck and higher action
- • Higher string tension and effort
Martin Guitar Grand J-16E 12-String 202412-String Acoustic Guitar with PickupStyle: Grand JTop: Solid SpruceBack and...
⭐
4.5/5
(28 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 592687
$3,299
#13
⭐
4.7/5
(26 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Heritage Guitar H-150 DLB Bigsby
Jazz
Hard Rock
Classic Rock
Key Feature:
• Great for overdriven tones
✓ PROS
- • Great for overdriven tones
- • Thick, sustaining humbucker tone
✗ CONS
- • Heavier than other guitar types
- • May lack brightness for some styles
Heritage Guitar H-150 DLB BigsbyElectric GuitarBody: MahoganyTop: Flamed mapleBolt-on neck: MapleCream...
⭐
4.7/5
(26 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 619379
$2,859
#14
⭐
4.8/5
(43 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Mayones Guitars Duvell Elite 4Ever 6 PB
Blues
Rock
Funk
Key Feature:
• Versatile 5-way pickup switching
✓ PROS
- • Comfortable body contours
- • Great for clean and overdriven tones
✗ CONS
- • Single-coils can pick up interference
- • Requires quality amplifier
Mayones Guitars Duvell Elite 4Ever 6 PBElectric GuitarBody: MahoganyTop: Master grade birds eye poplarBolt-on 5-piece...
⭐
4.8/5
(43 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 607675
$4,949
#15
⭐
4.6/5
(12 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
National Reso-Phonic Style O
Slide Guitar
Americana
Bluegrass
Key Feature:
• Unique visual and sonic character
✓ PROS
- • Cuts through acoustic ensembles
- • Perfect for slide guitar playing
✗ CONS
- • Requires different playing approach
- • Can be heavy and uncomfortable
National Reso-Phonic Style OResonator GuitarNickel-plated brass bodyHandmade resonator 9.5" (24.1 cm)Slotted...
⭐
4.6/5
(12 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 260767
$4,948
How to Choose the Best 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 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.
