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JS Series Spectra Bass JS3QV 5-String Guitar Laurel Neck
$549.99The Jackson JS Series Spectra Bass JS3QV is an all-new 5-string leviathan instrument where versatile style and enormous sound collide. JS Series Spectra Bass JS3QV 5-String Guitar Features 35” scale l...8 Payments of $68.75
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Michael Kelly Pinnacle 5 Bass 5-String Bass Guitar
$899.99The Michael Kelly Pinnacle 5 is designed for today’s demanding bass player. Thoughtful design details created an evenly balanced instrument which feels comfortable whether you play standing or sitting. The deep cut ...12 Payments of $75.00
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Schecter C-5 Standard 5-String Bass Guitar
$499.00Low end thunder, the Schecter C-5 Standard 5-string bass, where affordability meets exceptional performance, style, and playability. Whether you’re a beginner looking for your first axe or a seasoned professional n...8 Payments of $62.38
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Ibanez Gio GSR205PC 5-String Bass Guitar
$379.99For 30 years the SR has given bass players a modern alternative. With its continued popularity, Ibanez is constantly endeavoring to answer the wider needs of a variety of players, at a variety of budgets. But no mat...8 Payments of $47.50
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Charvel Pro Mod San Dimas Bass PJ V 5-String Bass Guitar
$1,099.99Combining modern appointments with throwback Charvel DNA, the Pro-Mod San Dimas® Bass PJ V meets the needs of seasoned players who defy the status quo and demand more from a high-performance hot rod bass. Cha...12 Payments of $91.67
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Ernie Ball Music Man Bongo 5 HH 5-String Bass Guitar with MONO Bag
$3,199.00The Bongo 5 represents everything a modern bass should be: well balanced, comfortable, resonant, and expressive with effortless playability. The double-cutaway basswood body design is of superior construction and al...12 Payments of $250.00
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Ernie Ball Music Man DarkRay 5 5-String Bass Guitar with Mono Softshell Case
$3,099.00DarkRay 5: A Symphony of Destruction This, my friends, is what happens when you let the mad scientists from Music Man and Darkglass Electronics lock themselves in a lab together. The DarkRay 5 is not just a StingRa...12 Payments of $250.00
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Ernie Ball Music Man DarkRay 5 Bass Guitar with MONO Bag
$3,099.00Low End Thunder - DarkRay 5 Bass! Designed in collaboration with world-renowned bass accessory manufacturer Darkglass Electronics, the DarkRay unlocks a whole new range of sonic capabilities. At the heart of every i...12 Payments of $250.00
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Ernie Ball Music Man DarkRay 5 Bass with MONO Bag
$3,099.00Designed in collaboration with world-renowned bass accessory manufacturer Darkglass Electronics, the DarkRay unlocks a whole new range of sonic capabilities. At the heart of every instrument is its tone: in this...12 Payments of $250.00
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Ernie Ball Music Man StingRay Special 5 5-String Bass Guitar with MONO Bag
$2,549.00 - $2,899.00The first bass designed by Ernie Ball Music Man, the StingRay 5 was unveiled in 1987 and has been an industry standard for extended range basses ever since. With its powerful punchy sound, the added flexibility of a...12 Payments of $212.42
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Ernie Ball Music Man StingRay Special 5 5-String Bass Guitar with Mono Case
$2,549.00 - $3,049.00The Ernie Ball Music Man StingRay Special 5-String combines classic tone with modern upgrades for maximum performance. Its ash body, roasted maple neck, and 22 stainless steel frets provide durability, resonance, an...12 Payments of $212.42
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Ernie Ball Music Man StingRay Special 5 HH 5-String Bass Guitar with Mono Case
$2,649.00 - $3,099.00The Ernie Ball Music Man StingRay Special 5-String combines classic tone with modern upgrades for maximum performance. Its ash body, roasted maple neck, and 22 stainless steel frets provide durability, resonance, an...12 Payments of $220.75
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5 String Electric Bass Guitars
Explore the Deep End with Our 5-String Bass Guitar Selection
If you like your tone deep enough to rattle the walls, this is your playground. American Musical Supply carries one of the most versatile lineups of 5-string bass guitars you’ll find anywhere online. We stock everything from studio-ready five-string bass models by Ibanez, Yamaha, Sire, and Schecter to powerhouse options from Fender, Music Man, and Warwick.
Some are sculpted for slick modern tone, others lean vintage and vibey, but all of them keep that tight B-string punch that players crave. Whether you’re crafting studio grooves or moving air at a gig, AMS keeps the good stuff in stock and ready to ship fast, so you can stop scrolling and start playing.
Bassists Everywhere Are Making the Move to Five Strings
The extra string isn’t just for show. A 5-string bass opens up a bigger tonal world, giving you that deep-end control that a four-string can’t quite reach. It’s a favorite among session players, modern metalheads, funk technicians, and anyone who wants to lock tighter with the kick.
Here’s why so many players make the switch:
- Expanded range: Drop lower without re-tuning or switching instruments
- Smooth transitions: Fewer position shifts when moving across octaves
- Studio versatility: Easily blend low frequencies into layered mixes
- Live flexibility: Handle dropped tunings and genre changes mid-set
- Creative freedom: Write riffs that sit deeper and hit harder
Once you play a five-string bass, it’s tough to go back.
The Best 5-String Bass Guitars Worth Plugging in at American Musical Supply
From slick modern builds to stage-tested classics, our 5-string electric bass selection covers every playing style and setup. Here are a few standouts you'll find in our massive lineup.
Ibanez SR405E 5-String Bass
Fast, slim, and ridiculously comfortable, the Ibanez SR405E shows why Ibanez rules the modern bass scene. The PowerSpan Dual Coil pickups and rich Nyatoh body make it a perfect pick for session players and live performers who need clarity and punch without extra weight.
Music Man StingRay5
A legend for a reason. The StingRay5 is all about raw power and presence, anchored by its signature humbucker and 3-band preamp. From slap-heavy funk to heavy rock, it cuts through every mix with authority.
Schecter Stiletto Studio-5
For players who crave boutique tone without the boutique price, the Stiletto Studio-5 is a gem. Neck-through construction, EMG pickups, and premium finishes give this 5-string bass guitar a smooth feel and articulate voice that shines on any stage.
Sire Marcus Miller M7
Tone, playability, and bold looks: the Sire Marcus Miller M7 is built to play. With its top-of-the-line hardware and gorgeous Ash or Alder body, it’s ready to make a statement on stage, in the studio, or really anywhere you take it out of the case.
Ibanez SR1425BCGL Premium Bass: They Don't Call It Premium For Nothing
Get your hands on the next evolution of the SR legacy. In this AMS exclusive playthrough, the Ibanez SR1425BCGL Premium 5-String Bass shows off its signature speed, sleek body design, and crystal-clear tone. Hear how the upgraded Nordstrand pickups and active electronics shape everything from punchy funk lines to deep, melodic grooves.
Modern Players Use 5-String Basses to Rule Every Genre
The beauty of a 5-string bass is that it doesn’t lock you into one sound; it expands your whole toolkit. Modern players use that low B to reshape the feel of everything from pop to prog. If you’re ready to stretch your sound, here’s how it plays out across styles:
- Rock and metal: Hit crushing lows without drop-tuning every song
- Jazz and fusion: Slide between registers with fluid phrasing and chord work
- Gospel and R&B: Add soulful depth that fills the room
- Pop and funk: Nail tight grooves that drive hooks and choruses
One instrument, endless ways to shake the stage.
Frequently Asked Questions About 5-String Bass Guitars
Are 5-string bass guitars harder to play?
They take a little getting used to, but the wider neck and added string quickly feel natural. Many players find the added notes make it easier to move around the fretboard efficiently.
What tuning does a 5-string bass use?
Most are tuned B-E-A-D-G, but alternate tunings are common depending on genre or preference. Versatility is one of the biggest reasons players make the switch.
What string gauge works best on a five-string bass?
Medium to heavy gauge sets help control the tension on the low B string. Roundwounds are most common for brightness and sustain.
Find Your Next 5-String Bass at AMS
When you’re ready to add some serious low-end authority to your setup, American Musical Supply is the place to make it happen. We keep a huge selection of 5-string bass guitars from the biggest names in the game, ready to ship VERY fast, with 0% interest payment plans that make upgrading painless.
Not sure which model fits your playing style? Our gear experts are musicians too, and they’re always ready to help you find your perfect match. Whether you’re chasing subsonic rumble, smooth studio tone, or that punchy live feel, AMS has the bass that’ll speak your language.
