Best 5 String Bass Guitar (2026): 5 Picks Compared
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The Ktaxon Electric Bass Guitar 5 String Bass leads this list for beginners: it pairs a 5-string bass with a 20 watt amplifier, a maple neck, and a basswood body in one kit. The other four basses are also 5-string basses, so the choice turns on frets, pickups, weight, and warranty.
The picks at a glance
Which one should you buy?
- Beginners who want a bass and an amplifier in one kit: Ktaxon Electric Bass Guitar 5 String Bass See pick 1More picks: Best Bass Guitar for Beginners
- Players who want a 5-string bass with 22 frets: Ibanez GSRM25BK MiKro See pick 2
- Players who want an H pickup layout on a 5-string bass: Ibanez Gio SR 5 String Electric Bass See pick 3
- Players who want active electronics and a Performance EQ switch: Yamaha TRBX305 WH 5-String Electric Bass Guitar See pick 4
- Beginners who want a 5-string Jazz Bass with a maple fingerboard: Fender Squier Classic Vibe 70s 5-String Jazz Bass See pick 5More picks: Best Bass Guitar for Jazz
Want the full range? Best Bass Guitar ranks the top bass guitars for every buyer, or browse all 33 guides.
The 5 picks, ranked
1Best Overall
Ktaxon Electric Bass Guitar 5 String Bass
- Amp included
- Strings: 5
- 30-day warranty stated
It holds Best Overall with a 5-string bass, a 20 watt amplifier, a maple neck, and a basswood body.
Who it suits
- Beginners who want a bass and an amplifier in one kit
- Players who want a maple neck and a rosewood fretboard
Skip it if
- You want a bass without an amplifier in the kit
- You want a warranty longer than 30 days
The kit includes a 5-string electric bass with a basswood body, a maple neck, and a rosewood fretboard. It includes a 20 watt amplifier with eight safety corners, and the bass has 2 single pickups with 2 volume knobs and 2 control knobs. It carries a 30-day warranty.
2Runner-Up
Ibanez GSRM25BK MiKro
- Frets: 22
- Strings: 5
- Pickup layout: Single-Coil
- 1-year warranty stated
It holds Runner-Up with a 5-string bass, a maple neck, 22 frets, and single-coil pickups.
Who it suits
- Players who want a 5-string bass with 22 frets
- Players who want single-coil pickups and a maple neck
Skip it if
- You want a bass that weighs less than 7 lb
- You want a warranty longer than 1 year
The bass is a 5-string electric bass with a maple neck and 22 frets. It has single-coil pickups and a fixed bridge. It weighs 7 lb and carries a 1-year warranty.
3Also Great
Ibanez Gio SR 5 String Electric Bass
- Strings: 5
- Pickup layout: H
- 1-year warranty stated
It holds Also Great with a 5-string bass, a maple neck, an H pickup layout, and a fixed bridge.
Who it suits
- Players who want an H pickup layout on a 5-string bass
- Players who want a maple neck and a fixed bridge
Skip it if
- You want a bass that weighs less than 8.4 lb
- You want a warranty longer than 1 year
The bass is a 5-string electric bass with a maple neck and an H pickup layout. It has a fixed bridge and a right-hand orientation. It weighs 8.4 lb and carries a 1-year warranty.
4Also Great
Yamaha TRBX305 WH 5-String Electric Bass Guitar
- Strings: 5
- 1 year warranty stated
It holds Also Great with a 5-string bass, a mahogany body, a five-piece maple and mahogany neck, and active electronics.
Who it suits
- Players who want active electronics and a Performance EQ switch
- Players who want a mahogany body and a five-piece neck
Skip it if
- You want a bass that weighs less than 9.9 lb
- You want a warranty longer than 1 year
The bass is a 5-string electric bass with a solid mahogany body and a five-piece maple and mahogany neck. It has active electronics and a Performance EQ switch. A Player Port app offers a digital tuner and tips for players starting out. It weighs 9.9 lb and carries a 1-year warranty.
5Also Great
Fender Squier Classic Vibe 70s 5-String Jazz Bass
- Strings: 5
- Pickup layout: Single-Coil
- 1-year warranty stated
It holds Also Great with a 5-string Jazz Bass, a maple fingerboard, Fender-designed alnico pickups, and nickel-plated hardware.
Who it suits
- Beginners who want a 5-string Jazz Bass with a maple fingerboard
- Players who want Fender-designed alnico pickups and nickel-plated hardware
Skip it if
- You want a bass that weighs less than 11 lb
- You want a warranty longer than 1 year
The bass is a 5-string Jazz Bass inspired by 1970s-era Jazz Bass models. It has a maple fingerboard, Fender-designed alnico pickups, and a vintage-tinted gloss neck finish. Nickel-plated hardware is included, and it weighs 11 lb and carries a 1-year warranty.
Side by side
| Product | Amp included | Frets | Case or gig bag included | Strings | Pickup layout | Weight | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ktaxon Electric Bass Guitar 5 String Bass | Yes | Not stated | Not stated | 5 | Not stated | Not stated | 30-day |
| Ibanez GSRM25BK MiKro | Not stated | 22 | Not stated | 5 | Single-Coil | 7 lb | 1-year |
| Ibanez Gio SR 5 String Electric Bass | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | 5 | H | 8.4 lb | 1-year |
| Yamaha TRBX305 WH 5-String Electric Bass Guitar | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | 5 | Not stated | 9.9 lb | 1 year |
| Fender Squier Classic Vibe 70s 5-String Jazz Bass | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | 5 | Single-Coil | 11 lb | 1-year |
How we ranked these bass guitars
Every pick has at least 100 customer ratings on Amazon and a listing with real specifications. The order mixes two things: how each model compares on the specs below (higher share of the best value in this group scores more), and how widely it is bought. The spec score runs from 9.0 to 9.8 and only compares these picks with each other. A spec the listing does not state is left out and the other specs are re-weighted; a listing with fewer than 2 stated specs is scored at half. We do not test gear in person. Full method.
- Amp included weight 2
- Frets weight 1
- Case or gig bag included weight 1
Buying advice: 5 string bass guitar
Check strings, frets, and pickups
Start with strings, frets, and pickups. All five basses here are 5-string basses. The Ibanez MiKro bass has 22 frets, the Ktaxon bass has 2 single pickups, the Ibanez Gio bass has an H pickup layout, and the Fender bass has single-coil pickups. Compare frets and pickup layout with the bass you already play.
Compare weight and warranty
Weight and warranty help separate similar 5-string basses. The Ibanez MiKro bass weighs 7 lb, the Ibanez Gio bass weighs 8.4 lb, the Yamaha bass weighs 9.9 lb, and the Fender bass weighs 11 lb. The Ktaxon bass carries a 30-day warranty, and the Ibanez MiKro, Ibanez Gio, Yamaha, and Fender basses carry a 1-year warranty. Compare weight and warranty with the bass you already play.
Check the kit and the extras
Kit extras decide what else you need to buy. The Ktaxon kit includes a 20 watt amplifier, and the Yamaha bass includes a Player Port app with a digital tuner. The Ktaxon bass has a maple neck and a basswood body, the Yamaha bass has a mahogany body and a five-piece neck, and the Fender bass has a maple fingerboard and nickel-plated hardware. Compare kit extras with the items you already own.
Frequently asked questions
Are these basses 5-string basses?
Yes. Each bass here is a 5-string bass with five strings.
Which bass includes an amplifier?
The Ktaxon bass includes a 20 watt amplifier in its kit.
What is the warranty on the Ktaxon bass?
The Ktaxon bass carries a 30-day warranty.
How much does the Fender bass weigh?
The Fender bass weighs 11 lb and carries a 1-year warranty.
Gear that goes with it
Best Bass AmpTop pick: Fender Rumble 25 V3 Bass Guitar Amplifier
Best TunersTop pick: KLIQ UberTuner-MAX USB Rechargeable Clip On Guitar
Best Guitar StrapTop pick: Levy's Leathers 3" Wide Amped Leather Series
Best Guitar CordTop pick: JSAUX Guitar Cable 10 ftMore bass guitars guides
Specifications and availability come from each Amazon listing on Oct 24, 2026 and can change. Check the listing before you buy.