New guy 4 or 5 string?

Jeff B · #1 01-31-2008, 10:13 PM

I am getting ready to buy my first bass and I can't decide on a 4 or 5 string. I like the extra low of a 5 string, but fear it would be too much for a beginner to pick up. I've never played before. Would it be that much harder to learn a 5 string from the get go?

Chad Michael · #2 01-31-2008, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff B

... Would it be that much harder to learn a 5 string from the get go?

No. I would not hesitate to recommend that a beginner start out with a 4 or 5 string.

meev992 · #3 01-31-2008, 10:24 PM

pick a 4 and 5 stringer. whichever one feels right, go for it, no matter how many strings.

madbassplaya · #4 01-31-2008, 10:32 PM

The first bass that I bought was a 5 string. Peavey Millenium BXP. Great starter bass!

ksandvik · #5 01-31-2008, 10:34 PM

Yes, try out four and five strings and then select the one you like to play. There should be no peer pressure to use five-strings or four-strings. It's your choice.

Long term, depending on your gig situation, you might need both.

--Kent

Jeff B · #6 01-31-2008, 11:01 PM

Thanks for the quick replys. Looks like I will start focusing my search on a 5 string.

Mike Shevlin · #7 01-31-2008, 11:34 PM

[quote=Jeff B;5243083] I like the extra low of a 5 stringQUOTE]

You answered your own question - some players are called to those lower notes more than others. You may also be one of the F# guys. Good Luck. By the way, Dingwall is coming out with a new Afterburner that I saw at NAMM that is incredible - it you REALLY want to hear those lower notes!

Infernal Affair · #8 02-01-2008, 01:36 AM

At first I started out on a 5 since I thought that since it had one more string it'd be cooler and I'd need it for lots of stuff, but the more I played the more I realized I liked four strings. I do plan on getting a fiver eventually though. After gaining some experience I think I'd be comfortable on both.

I say try both kinds out and pick which one you'd be more comfortable with. Put some thought into it, and go for it!

Jeff B · #9 02-02-2008, 01:10 PM

I just bought a used Ibanez SR-405 5 string off ebay. I figure I'll try it out for a while and see how it goes. Thanks for the advice.

bassphreak · #10 02-03-2008, 05:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff B

I just bought a used Ibanez SR-405 5 string off ebay. I figure I'll try it out for a while and see how it goes. Thanks for the advice.

Very cool! Now comes the LONG wait for the bass to arrive. I have a 4 stringer in the mail and can't wait. Pick up a book or two to help the learning process while you're waiting. Several good books recommended at the top of this thread.

bchamorro · #11 02-03-2008, 08:01 AM

Go 5!

then you'll know if you prefer 5 or 4

jinithith2 · #12 02-03-2008, 09:29 AM

5 string was my first bass. I was extremely happy until I bought a 4 string, which after that, I was ridiculously happy. I found myself using both for different styles, my bongo 4 for slap and rock and my cort 5 string for jazz.

in my opinion, the 5 string took longer to get fluent with (an issue for me was that since I taught myself bass through songs that I liked, none of them really had B string parts in it so it took me a while before I became fluent with the B string) a 5 string because of the muting the B string business and closer string spacing business for slap. I don't think you can go wrong with either of them really...

JohnBarr · #13 02-03-2008, 06:21 PM

5. Five. Definately for learning.
I started on a 4 and if I had it to do over I wouldn't

My instructor incouraged me to get a 5. It's actually easier. You can visualize better how the music is constructed (the changes, the relationships) when you can move across the neck instead of up and down.

Some keys are way nicer to play, notably Eb.

It's also easier to move from 5 to 4 than the opposite.

All that said, after you learn and get comfortable with the instrument you'll probalby own a couple and you may come to prefer 4. Or just love both. But starting out, go for 5.

Keith Richard M · #14 02-03-2008, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnBarr

5. Five. Definately for learning.
I started on a 4 and if I had it to do over I wouldn't

My instructor incouraged me to get a 5. It's actually easier. You can visualize better how the music is constructed (the changes, the relationships) when you can move across the neck instead of up and down.

Some keys are way nicer to play, notably Eb.

It's also easier to move from 5 to 4 than the opposite.

All that said, after you learn and get comfortable with the instrument you'll probalby own a couple and you may come to prefer 4. Or just love both. But starting out, go for 5.

I totally agree with your statement! I played bass for 20+ years and everything you stated is 100% true. Actually wish I would have started out on a 5 string. If it wasn't for playing standup bass I would never play a four string anymore.