Swapping between different types of basses...

[blastoff99]

I try to go back and forth between 4 and 5, and have a lot of trouble with going to the 5 after playing the 4. (Going to the 4 after playing the 5 is easy.) Maybe this is because I'm not a very good player in general.

The choir I play for has delivered me a bunch of music that really clamors for the 5er this quarter, so I'm going with it exclusively and have come to the conclusion that I'm a really lousy 5-string player even when I'm not trying to mix in the 4. Sigh.

[Joedog]

Yep it's all is summed up in the P word (practice), at least for me. While I normally play 5'ers these days, I still pick up my 4 banger at least once a week, so my brain stays used to both, without thinking. My 5's have quite diff. neck widths, but no problems (I play them both on a regular basis as well). It did take my brain a while to get used to my first 5'er. Keep at it.....after a while it get's easier, and eventually it feels natural.

P.S. Spend the most time on that which you feel least comfortable.

[Bob Gross]

I've been a 4 string player for over fifty years. Last year I got a six string. At first I was worried about switching back and forth, but I've found it no problem. I still use the fours often for blues, old style R&B etc. And I use the six every week for other stuff. I kind of think of the six of something like a Cadillac and the fours as a Vette. They both have their plusses and minuses.

[deeptubes]

My P Elite II has a 1.75" nut. It was my #1 until I picked up my Dimension, which has a 1.5" nut. My Elite is the only one I have with a P neck. The rest are J. Going from the P to the Dimension was no problem. Last week, I pulled the P off the wall for the first time since Spring setup and completely missed hitting and fingering some strings. After a couple of minutes, no issues. I think as long as you continue to play both, it shouldn't be a problem.

[sstbo]

I seem to agree with most. Practice on both instruments and you'll do fine live. For one of the groups I'm playing in I used to switch between guitar and bass regularly during live shows. It wasn't any problem at all. Mainly because I was so used to the specific guitar and the specific bass.

[thunderbird66]

I tried to step up to a fiver. It was a disaster for me. Fingering hand was no problem, picking hand was the problem. I kinda describe it as " home row" from typing class. It thru me off BAD. But i am also usually a lead singer to so my playing is on "auto pilot". Having said that though i have been eye balling them again and thinkin about giving it another shot. But drop D usually works out great.

[RickRocks]

I always played 4 strings, but had to get a 5 for a few tunes with the band I'm in.
I think if you're going from a 4 to a 5 you should get a 5 with a slender neck which means smaller string spacing. I started with a Warwick corvette 5 (going from Jazzes and MusicMan Sterling). It took a little getting used to, but its not bad. I didn't like the sound o the MEC pickups and ended up getting rid of the Vette for cheaper Squire deluxe V Jazz. That big Fender 5 string neck sucks! It's so damn wide and makes my hand hurt.
I went from a great playing bass that didn't sound good to a hard playing bass that does sound good. Now I'm thinking of either a sterling by musicman ray35 or a Spector legend 5. Both are great sounding, great feeling, and affordable basses. I don't play 5 much so I don't like to have a lot invested
It's all a feel thing. Everyone is different. Just stick with it and you'll get used to it. I've found it easiest to rest my thumb on or under the B when not playing on it, and have to cramp my left hand to wrap my thumb around to mute the B when slapping or using a pick. But I try not to slap or pick on my five for those reasons.
Oh and I switch between the 2 live all the time. I prefer my 4 string and I've gotten to the point where I only pick up the five as needed. I used to tough it out with the 5, but I only have like 2 or 3 songs I need it on now so i just set I down...