Picking up Bass... 4 or 5?

[Zevered]

Hey guys, quick question-

I plan on buying a bass shortly, probably this weekend. I've been playing guitar for some time now, so I do have a decent knowledge of musical theory and how a fretboard works and stuff like that.

However, I'm not sure if I should go for a four or a five string to start. Basically, the way I see things, it would be a lot smarter to start on a 5 than a 4... I imagine it would be a lot easier to move down and lose a string than to adapt to adding a whole new one that you are unfamiliar with. I'm planning on taking the process of learning the instrument very seriously, so I am buying a good quality bass (most likely a Fender), and I don't want to find myself 6 months down the road feeling limited and wishing I'd made a different decision.

Essentially I'm just asking, for those of you started with a 4 and moved up, if you could go back in time, would it have been easier to start on a 5 rather than a 4? Do you find yourself using the Low B enough for it to be worthwhile?

I do enjoy heavier music, and it's what I play most on guitar, so I imagine it's probably the right way to go, but I would love to get some input from all you bass junkies

thanks guys!

[bassybill]

You may think this is dodging the issue a bit, but it really doesn't matter what you choose to learn on, imo. Go and try out a few basses in your budget and pick one that makes you want to play it and play it.

Sounds to me like you're already pretty sure that you want a 5 string. All you need to do now is check that you feel comfortable with one that seems right for you. If you're not comfortable with any of them, then a 4 string may be a better way to go. The music you end up making is the important thing; feeling "limited" is more of a state of mind than a real issue, apart from the most obvious differences.

[derekd]

As a guitarist who has played bass off and on for many years, I think it is easier at first to stick with a 4. You don't have to think about the fretboard, and can instead just worry about thinking/playing like a bass player.

I have played 5 some, but have always gone back to a 4. I like 5 just fine, and dig having the low B, but not enough that it warranted me ditching one of the basses I have for one. YMMV

[PBass101]

It all depends on whether or not you think you'll ever need the fifth string. Do you want to play songs that need those extra low notes?

[bass12]

I agree with Bill - I don't think it really matters whether you start with a four or five (unless the music you want to be playing incorporates a lot of notes lower than what you'll get out of a four). Either one is easy enough to adjust to. More important is finding a bass that you are comfortable on. I'm primarily a four-string player, but I've played sixers that are more comfortable for me than are some of the fours out there.

[electracoyote]

Originally Posted by PBass101

It all depends on whether or not you think you'll ever need the fifth string. Do you want to play songs that need those extra low notes?

+1

Has your ear developed enough to determine when a player is using the 5th string? 5-string players have pretty much spread into almost all genres of music by now, but can you hear it? Does it have a positive influence on you?

If you answered "yes," and you intend to make this part of your long-term goals and playing style, go for the fiver. If you still can't tell the difference, it probably doesn't matter much and you could get up and running on a 4-string and make the switch later, if you so desire.

Based on your preference for "heavier music," if that means contemporary hard rock, metal, etc., you probably need the fiver.

[dave64o]

I agree with bassybill that it sounds like you're leaning toward a five string. There are a lot of people who always say that you should start on a four and then move up, but the rationale always seemed weak to me. That's not saying it four strings are a bad idea, they're not. But neither is a five. The first bass I bought was a four but while still within my return window I took it back and got a five and I've stuck with fives ever since. I can't say it's hindered me at all. A lack of practice time and a lack of talent have, but not my choice of basses.

For what it's worth, I chose a five not for the extra five notes, but for the ability to play more notes in a given position. Also, every time I get seriously tempted to buy a four string just to have one, I eventually remember that there's nothing I could do on a four that I can't do EXACTLY the same way on a five, so I never bothered.

The decision is yours though, not ours. Definitely go to as many stores as you can and try as many four and five strings as you can (hell, throw in any sixes you might see as well). You'll eventually figure out what's comfortable to you and what makes the most sense for what you play. Then go with that gut feeling.

Also, if you buy used here then even a bad purchase decision can be undone with minimal, if any, loss. Simply sell it for what you paid for it, buy another used bass, and give that one a good workout. I did that with about eight basses and now have two that I fit me well in terms of sound, playability, and even looks.

[MNAirHead]

Sounds like you're leaning toward 5 sting..

you could always BEAD tune a 4

[Zevered]

I guess it did sound like I was leaning towards the five, I guess what I was trying to say is it seemed like the logical route to me... I may not even use the B much at first but why not have it there for the future, right?

The reason I asked is because I've never paid much attention to bass up until recently, so I wanted to know if you guys thought it really added a new dimension to your playing or is it more of a rarely used novelty that might get in the way a lot, that sort of thing.

Also Derekd - I'm not afraid about having to rethink the fretboard, and I'm not looking to pick it up and be comfortable right away, I'm much more concerned with what will work best in the long run.

So far I have messed around with a couple of friend's 4's, but I will definitely try to troll around some stores in the next couple days and give both a shot. I don't have gigantic hands, so we'll see!

[BobaFret]

The B string can be used for more than just the lower notes. It's also a way people stay in one position but have access to more notes in it. I agree that it doesn't matter for learning purposes what you go with.

[mambo4]

I once asked a much more experienced player, one who really knew his stuff, why he didn't use a 5 string. He said "I'm not done learning these four yet"

That idea, combined with the extra costs (more strings, a decent rig that can handle a low B, a bass with a truly decent low B) has helped me avoid a 5 for decades.

some day I may switch, but I have yet to feel any necessity. YMMV.

[Phalex]

I started out on four, switched to a five for about three years, and went back to four.

How bad do you want those extra five notes?

A set of strings for a four string is a lot cheaper IME. Not sure if that's influences your decision or not, but there it is.

[tobie]

My only bass related regret is that I have not started with a fiver.

Bass' low resale values prevents me from selling mine (other than the fact that I became way too attached to it!). And I can not afford a 2nd bass. Tuning to BEAD was my solution, but as soon as I can afford it I'll get a 5 string.

[PlanetEarth]

Originally Posted by Zevered

However, I'm not sure if I should go for a four or a five string to start. Basically, the way I see things, it would be a lot smarter to start on a 5 than a 4...

Go with what the musician in your mind is hearing - is a question of expression and what sound your trying to get out. I played 4 string for 20+ years and never questioned it... Overnight, the sounds I started hearing for things departed from 4 string and moved into the realm of 6, that's when I made the switch FWIW.

[Chris K]

[quote=BobaFret;8226780]The B string can be used for more than just the lower notes. It's also a way people stay in one position but have access to more notes in it. QUOTE]

+1
That's exactly how I use it and why it is my main (it's a G&L L2500 fretless).

Nonetheless, in one (street) band I play a 4-stringer (a cheapo Dean Edge 4 fretless) and the sudden feeling of comfort and control strikes me every time.

[Bass Junkie]

I also started out on 4 strings, went to 5 and then back to 4. The 4 string was more fun to play! I also agree with every other reason posted so far why you should go with a 4 string.

[Zevered]

Just being difficult for the sake of being difficult here, but if I decided later on 4 was the way to go, why not just take the low B off? No big deal right?

And uh, my theory is if I start with a five, it'll feel natural because that's what I learned on, and I'll have that sense of comfort and control on a fiver. I could be crazy though. ;P

Mambo/Phalex - I'm not worried about the cost of strings so much. I certainly don't think that'd be something that influences my choice at the very least. As for the guy who said "I haven't finished learning these 4 yet", again I'm being difficult but that really sounds to me like a stubborn old-timer thing to say. A humble musician acknowledges he'll never truely master his instrument, but I don't think that means you should stick to one thing your whole life.

[DudeistMonk]

A few questions to help you decide:

1) Do you plan on slapping?

Yes- You'll probably like the wider string spacing on a 4, and find that the low B gets in the way a lot.

No- Next question

2) Do you already know the fingerboard?

No - You'll find the 5 makes fingerings "too easy" and might have a hard time finding new combinations of notes ext.

Yes - Next question

3) Do you care how heavy your bass is?

Yes - 5s tend to weigh a lot

No - next question

4) Does your rig have good clean lows and a lot of headroom?

No - You might find your low notes sound like crap

Yes - Get a 5er

[nutso42]

Most bass players I know agree 4-strings are better to learn on... I'd recommend that as well. However, if you're likely to be playing in a funk or a metal band, you'll probably find having the fifth string helps mucho. So it all depends on you weighing your needs.