Best Multi-scale Basses Under $5,000 2026
Affordable multi-scale basses under $5,000 - great value without compromising quality
Last updated: January 14, 2026 • Next update: January 21, 2026
#1
⭐
4.6/5
(34 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Strandberg Boden Bass Standard 4 CH
by
Strandberg
Professional Use
Extended Range
Ergonomic Playing
Key Feature:
• Modern innovative construction
✓ PROS
- • Improved string tension balance
- • Modern innovative construction
✗ CONS
- • May feel unusual initially
- • More expensive than traditional basses
Strandberg Boden Bass Standard 4 CHHeadless Electric BassBody: BasswoodTop: Flamed maple veneerBolt-on neck:...
⭐
4.6/5
(34 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 609739
$2,837
#2
⭐
4.6/5
(48 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Dingwall D-Roc Standard 5 Aquamarine
by
Dingwall
Ergonomic Playing
Modern Design
Professional Use
Key Feature:
• Enhanced ergonomics
✓ PROS
- • Great for extended range basses
- • Better intonation across all strings
✗ CONS
- • Limited availability
- • Not traditional bass design
Dingwall D-Roc Standard 5 Aquamarine5-String Multiscale Electric BassBody: MahoganyBolt-on neck: MapleFretboard: Pau...
⭐
4.6/5
(48 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 523052
$2,694
#3
⭐
4.5/5
(15 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Dingwall John Taylor Signature 4 BK
by
Dingwall
Modern Design
Professional Use
Ergonomic Playing
Key Feature:
• Better intonation across all strings
✓ PROS
- • Enhanced ergonomics
- • Great for extended range basses
✗ CONS
- • May feel unusual initially
- • Limited availability
Dingwall John Taylor Signature 4 BKElectric BassJohn Taylor (Duran Duran) Signature BassPreamplifier developed and...
⭐
4.5/5
(15 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 586483
$3,574
#4
⭐
4.8/5
(18 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Dingwall CB3 Combustion 5 BK Burst MN
by
Dingwall
Modern Design
Extended Range
Ergonomic Playing
Key Feature:
• Better intonation across all strings
✓ PROS
- • Improved string tension balance
- • Enhanced ergonomics
✗ CONS
- • Not traditional bass design
- • More expensive than traditional basses
Dingwall CB3 Combustion 5 Black Burst5-String Multi-Scale Electric BassBody: Swamp ashTop: Quilted mapleNeck:...
⭐
4.8/5
(18 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 485295
$3,244
#5
⭐
4.4/5
(41 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Dingwall CB3 Combustion 5 Natural
by
Dingwall
Ergonomic Playing
Progressive Music
Modern Design
Key Feature:
• Enhanced ergonomics
✓ PROS
- • Better intonation across all strings
- • Enhanced ergonomics
✗ CONS
- • Not traditional bass design
- • Requires adjustment period
Dingwall CB3 Combustion 5 Natural5-String Multi-Scale Electric BassBody: Swamp ashNeck: MapleFretboard: MapleNeck...
⭐
4.4/5
(41 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 485302
$2,969
#6
⭐
4.5/5
(33 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Dingwall SP1 4 Bass VB
by
Dingwall
Progressive Music
Extended Range
Technical Performance
Key Feature:
• Great for extended range basses
✓ PROS
- • Great for extended range basses
- • Improved string tension balance
✗ CONS
- • Requires adjustment period
- • Limited availability
Dingwall SP1 4 Bass VBMulti-Scale Electric BassBody: AlderBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: RosewoodNeck profile:...
⭐
4.5/5
(33 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 606022
$2,694
#7
⭐
4.5/5
(17 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Dingwall SP1 4 Bass DCG
by
Dingwall
Professional Use
Extended Range
Progressive Music
Key Feature:
• Improved string tension balance
✓ PROS
- • Improved string tension balance
- • Great for extended range basses
✗ CONS
- • More expensive than traditional basses
- • May feel unusual initially
Dingwall SP1 4 Bass DCGMulti-Scale Electric BassBody: AlderBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: RosewoodNeck profile:...
⭐
4.5/5
(17 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 606017
$2,694
#8
⭐
4.8/5
(44 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Dingwall NG3 Nolly Sig.6 Metallic Black
by
Dingwall
Ergonomic Playing
Extended Range
Professional Use
Key Feature:
• Enhanced ergonomics
✓ PROS
- • Improved string tension balance
- • Modern innovative construction
✗ CONS
- • More expensive than traditional basses
- • May feel unusual initially
Dingwall NG3 Nolly Sig.6 Metallic Black6-String Multi-Scale Electric BassBody: AlderNeck: MapleFretboard: MapleNeck...
⭐
4.8/5
(44 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 485240
$3,519
#9
⭐
4.5/5
(54 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Dingwall NG3 Nolly Sig.5 Ferrari Green
by
Dingwall
Modern Design
Extended Range
Professional Use
Key Feature:
• Enhanced ergonomics
✓ PROS
- • Great for extended range basses
- • Modern innovative construction
✗ CONS
- • Limited availability
- • Requires adjustment period
Dingwall NG3 Nolly Sig.5 Ferrari Green5-String Multi-Scale Electric BassBody: AlderBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard:...
⭐
4.5/5
(54 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 609584
$3,409
#10
⭐
4.7/5
(20 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Dingwall NG3 Nolly Sig.6 Fiesta Red
by
Dingwall
Extended Range
Ergonomic Playing
Progressive Music
Key Feature:
• Better intonation across all strings
✓ PROS
- • Improved string tension balance
- • Modern innovative construction
✗ CONS
- • Limited availability
- • More expensive than traditional basses
Dingwall NG3 Nolly Sig.6 Fiesta Red6-String Multiscale Electric BassBody: AlderBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard:...
⭐
4.7/5
(20 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 561413
$3,299
#11
⭐
4.5/5
(39 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Dingwall NG3 Nolly 4 Laguna Seca Blue
by
Dingwall
Progressive Music
Professional Use
Extended Range
Key Feature:
• Improved string tension balance
✓ PROS
- • Improved string tension balance
- • Enhanced ergonomics
✗ CONS
- • Limited availability
- • Not traditional bass design
Dingwall NG3 Nolly 4 Laguna Seca BlueMulti-Scale Electric BassAdam "Nolly" Getgood (Periphery) Signature...
⭐
4.5/5
(39 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 613932
$3,189
#12
⭐
5.0/5
(14 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Strandberg Boden Bass Standard 5 NA
by
Strandberg
Progressive Music
Ergonomic Playing
Technical Performance
Key Feature:
• Better intonation across all strings
✓ PROS
- • Great for extended range basses
- • Better intonation across all strings
✗ CONS
- • More expensive than traditional basses
- • Requires adjustment period
Strandberg Boden Bass Standard 5 NA5-String Electric BassBody: BasswoodTop: Flamed maple veneerBolt-on neck:...
⭐
5.0/5
(14 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 605783
$3,057
#13
⭐
4.9/5
(53 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Dingwall D-Roc Standard AM Metalflake
by
Dingwall
Technical Performance
Extended Range
Progressive Music
Key Feature:
• Modern innovative construction
✓ PROS
- • Better intonation across all strings
- • Improved string tension balance
✗ CONS
- • May feel unusual initially
- • More expensive than traditional basses
Dingwall D-Roc Standard AM MetalflakeMulti-Scale Electric BassBody: MahoganyBolt-on neck: MapleFretboard: Pau FerroNeck...
⭐
4.9/5
(53 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 485337
$2,584
#14
⭐
4.6/5
(37 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Dingwall John Taylor Sign. 5 Stealth BK
by
Dingwall
Progressive Music
Modern Design
Professional Use
Key Feature:
• Better intonation across all strings
✓ PROS
- • Great for extended range basses
- • Better intonation across all strings
✗ CONS
- • More expensive than traditional basses
- • May feel unusual initially
Dingwall John Taylor Sign. 5 Stealth BK5-String Multi-Scale Electric BassJohn Taylor (Duran Duran) Signature ModelBody:...
⭐
4.6/5
(37 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 613619
$3,794
#15
⭐
4.5/5
(34 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Dingwall NG3 Nolly Sig.5 Gold Matte
by
Dingwall
Modern Design
Ergonomic Playing
Extended Range
Key Feature:
• Modern innovative construction
✓ PROS
- • Modern innovative construction
- • Enhanced ergonomics
✗ CONS
- • More expensive than traditional basses
- • Limited availability
Dingwall NG3 Nolly Sig.5 Gold Matte5-String Electric BassAdam "Nolly" Getgood (Periphery) Signature...
⭐
4.5/5
(34 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 565122
$3,409
How to Choose the Best Multi-scale 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 multi-scale 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.
