Guitar Center logo
Try Lessons
New Arrivals
Riffs Blog
  1. Home
  2. Bass
  3. Electric Bass
  4. ...5 String Electric Bass

5 String Electric Bass

959 matches found

Top-Seller

Sterling by Music Man StingRay Ray5HH Limited-Edition 5-String Bass Guitar Ruby Red Burst Satin

Sterling by Music Man StingRay Ray5HH Limited-Edition 5-String Bass Guitar Ruby Red Burst Satin

(29)
$449.99
Special Financing Available
Learn More

Top-Seller

Ibanez GSR205SM 5-String Electric Bass Brown Burst Rosewood fretboard

Ibanez GSR205SM 5-String Electric Bass Brown Burst Rosewood fretboard

(29)
$349.99
Special Financing Available
Learn More

Top-Seller

Ibanez SR305E 5-String Electric Bass Midnight Gray Burst

Ibanez SR305E 5-String Electric Bass Midnight Gray Burst

(24)
$399.99
Special Financing Available
Learn More

Top-Seller

Ibanez BTB745 5-String Electric Bass Guitar Low Gloss Natural

Ibanez BTB745 5-String Electric Bass Guitar Low Gloss Natural

(11)
$949.99
Special Financing Available
Learn More
Ibanez SR405EPBDX 5-String Electric Bass Guitar Mars Gold Metallic Burst

Ibanez SR405EPBDX 5-String Electric Bass Guitar Mars Gold Metallic Burst

(1)
$599.99
Special Financing Available
Learn More

Top-Seller

Ibanez SR505E 5-String Electric Bass Guitar Brown Mahogany

Ibanez SR505E 5-String Electric Bass Guitar Brown Mahogany

(14)
$749.99
Special Financing Available
Learn More

Top-Rated

Ibanez SR405EQM Quilted Maple 5-String Electric Bass Guitar Dragon Eye Burst

Ibanez SR405EQM Quilted Maple 5-String Electric Bass Guitar Dragon Eye Burst

(25)
$529.99
Special Financing Available
Learn More

Top-Seller

Ibanez GSR205 5-String Bass Roadster Orange Metallic

Ibanez GSR205 5-String Bass Roadster Orange Metallic

(14)
$279.99
Special Financing Available
Learn More
Fender American Ultra II Jazz Bass V Maple Fingerboard Avalanche

Fender American Ultra II Jazz Bass V Maple Fingerboard Avalanche

(2)
$2,399.99
Special Financing Available
Learn More

Top-Seller

Ernie Ball Music Man Stingray Special 5 HH Limited-Edition Rosewood Fingerboard Electric Bass Guitar Black

Ernie Ball Music Man Stingray Special 5 HH Limited-Edition Rosewood Fingerboard Electric Bass Guitar Black

$2,799.00$2,949.00

Price Drop

$59.49/mo.‡ with 48-month financing*
Learn More

Top-Seller

Fender American Ultra Jazz Bass V 5-String Maple Fingerboard Arctic Pearl

Fender American Ultra Jazz Bass V 5-String Maple Fingerboard Arctic Pearl

(12)
$2,159.99

Save 10%

Special Financing Available
Learn More

Top-Seller

Ibanez Gio GSR105EX 5-String Bass Guitar Black

Ibanez Gio GSR105EX 5-String Bass Guitar Black

(24)
$249.99
Special Financing Available
Learn More

Top-Seller

Fender Player Plus Jazz Bass V Maple Fingerboard Opal Spark

Fender Player Plus Jazz Bass V Maple Fingerboard Opal Spark

(3)
$949.99

Save 10%

Special Financing Available
Learn More

Top-Rated

Yamaha BBNE2 Nathan East Signature Model Electric Bass White

Yamaha BBNE2 Nathan East Signature Model Electric Bass White

(6)
$3,199.99
Special Financing Available
Learn More

Top-Seller

Fender American Professional II Jazz Bass V Roasted Pine Natural

Fender American Professional II Jazz Bass V Roasted Pine Natural

(1)
$2,049.99

Save 10%

Special Financing Available
Learn More
Ibanez BTB605MLM 5-String Multi-Scale Electric Bass Guitar Pearl White Matte

Ibanez BTB605MLM 5-String Multi-Scale Electric Bass Guitar Pearl White Matte

(1)
$1,149.99
Special Financing Available
Learn More

Top-Seller

Schecter Guitar Research Omen Elite-5 5-String Electric Bass Black Cherry Burst

Schecter Guitar Research Omen Elite-5 5-String Electric Bass Black Cherry Burst

(13)
$649.00
Special Financing Available
Learn More

Demo Gear

Ibanez Bass Workshop SRMS805 Multi-Scale 5-String Electric Bass Deep Twilight

Ibanez Bass Workshop SRMS805 Multi-Scale 5-String Electric Bass Deep Twilight

(1)
$1,049.99

Save 10% In Cart

Special Financing Available
Learn More

Top-Rated

Ibanez SRD905F 5-String Fretless Electric Bass Guitar Brown Topaz Burst Low Gloss

Ibanez SRD905F 5-String Fretless Electric Bass Guitar Brown Topaz Burst Low Gloss

(4)
$1,299.99
Special Financing Available
Learn More
Ernie Ball Music Man StingRay5 Special H 5-String Electric Bass Guitar Jackpot

Ernie Ball Music Man StingRay5 Special H 5-String Electric Bass Guitar Jackpot

From $2,599.00
$55.24/mo.‡ with 48-month financing*
Learn More

Top-Seller

Squier Classic Vibe '70s Jazz Bass V 5-String Natural

Squier Classic Vibe '70s Jazz Bass V 5-String Natural

(4)
$479.99

Save 10%

Special Financing Available
Learn More

Top-Seller

Schecter Guitar Research Limited-Edition Stiletto Studio-5 5-String Bass Transparent Purple Burst

Schecter Guitar Research Limited-Edition Stiletto Studio-5 5-String Bass Transparent Purple Burst

(13)
$1,149.00
Special Financing Available
Learn More

Top-Seller

Sire Marcus Miller P7 Alder 5-String Bass Antique White

Sire Marcus Miller P7 Alder 5-String Bass Antique White

(7)
$753.00
Special Financing Available
Learn More
Yamaha BB735A Limited Edition 5-String Electric Bass Indigo Blue

Yamaha BB735A Limited Edition 5-String Electric Bass Indigo Blue

$869.99
Special Financing Available
Learn More
The standard bass guitar is one of the music world's most commonly-used and well-loved instruments, played in virtually every genre to contribute the deep, resonant background adding energy to any song. If you're a musician who wants to take things up a notch, however, even an instrument as popular as the bass has room for change. With the 5-string electric bass, that change comes in the form of an added string. This variation on the bass guitar was pioneered in the mid-60s by Fender and quickly began to make waves in the funk, metal and rock scenes, among others. By installing a fifth string, the range of the instrument is expanded, allowing the 5-string bass to play an even bigger role in a melody than its 4-string cousins. Not only does this give you access to more chords and allow you to play higher melodies, it also gives you a wider range that can translate to some amazing bass solos. Like any bass guitar, the selection of tonewood is an important part of shaping the instrument's overall sound. Alder remains the classic choice, giving full, clear and balanced tones for versatility that easily adapts to any genre.

To take full advantage of the 5-string bass' harmonic overtones, ash wood is another great option. Consider basswood if you like your sustain low, or maple if you like it high. Ultimately, the tonewood is a personal choice and it's a good idea to listen to different guitars to let your ear tell you which one is right for your own. Where the wood is one half of the bass' tonal equation, its pickups are the other half. Your 5-string bass guitar will come with either passive or active pickups, and while both types sound great, there is a difference in character to take into account. If you're looking to overdrive your amp for big distortion while maintaining tight control over the sound, you'll want to look at some active pickups. These contain their own mini-preamp to put a big punch behind the signal before it even gets to the main amp. On the other hand, if you want your tone to have classic warmth and fullness or vintage bass sound, passive pickups should top your list. When all is said and done, your goal is to find the 5-string electric bass guitar that perfectly matches your own preferences and is a great fit for the genres you play. Think about the wood and pickups you'd like as well as the wide variety of styles available and you'll find your instrument at the sweet spot where they all come together.

Be the first to know about exclusive offers, tips and more.
866-498-7882 English
877-687-5402 Español
Better Business Bureau (opens in new window) Click for the BBB Business Review

Copyright © Guitar Center Inc.