So I started playing bass about a month ago on a 5 string. However, I have found little to no use for the 5th string (tuned BEADG). I know that it does provide a wider range of sound, but I haven't found use for it. I want to get a 4 string to better play slap-pop with. (not replace the 5 just buy a 4) Am I better off saving my money or is it worth owning a 4 string? And which is better overall, 4 string or 5 string?
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4 string vs 5 string newbie questions
- Thread starter kaos186
- Start date
- Jun 19, 2004
- 4,782
- 83
- 42
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist, Schroeder Cabinets
What kind of music do you play?
Personally, I can't stand 4-strings. I started on 5s and have never felt right on a 4. A lot of people seem to like them. I don't think it would hurt you to have a 4-string, but if you don't already have a decent amp, you might save for that first.
Personally, I can't stand 4-strings. I started on 5s and have never felt right on a 4. A lot of people seem to like them. I don't think it would hurt you to have a 4-string, but if you don't already have a decent amp, you might save for that first.
It's just a matter of preference and what kind of range you need. It can be worth it to have both at your disposal. If you don't play the B string at all, a 4 string is probably what you're looking for. If you can, hang on to it and get a 4 string. You may find yourself wanting to play the 5 string later on.
If you don't use the B string the best option would just be to grab a 4. I play 6's and 4's. 6er's because of the range i can get to and the options it opens me up to and 4's for simplicity and ease of play. I have a use for both but i feel most comfortable on a 4, though i hope to be as comfortable on a 6 as a play it more.
5 strings suck!
real bassists only play with their fingers!
how do i sound like tim commerford?
in all seriousness, if you feel a 4 string would be better for you just go try a few and see how they feel then go from there
real bassists only play with their fingers!
how do i sound like tim commerford?
in all seriousness, if you feel a 4 string would be better for you just go try a few and see how they feel then go from there
There's no one right answer to this question, but there are at least a gazillion threads out there struggling to find one.
Me, I'd rather slap on a 4 but I'm a one-bass guy and I like the range so I play 5. I can easily make it work fine for my meager slapping needs.
One problem with being a newbie on a 5 is it demands 20% more muting, and muting is one of the tougher things to learn.
Me, I'd rather slap on a 4 but I'm a one-bass guy and I like the range so I play 5. I can easily make it work fine for my meager slapping needs.
One problem with being a newbie on a 5 is it demands 20% more muting, and muting is one of the tougher things to learn.
You already have a four string. So you don't use the fifth string, big deal. If you need it it's there. If you don't need it, use it as a thumb rest.
That being said, I only play fours -- have no use for 5s with what I play. But that doesn't mean I can't appreciate the beauty and utility of a 5 string.
Practice on the 5. When you get better at it you can decide if you really don't need or like it.
That being said, I only play fours -- have no use for 5s with what I play. But that doesn't mean I can't appreciate the beauty and utility of a 5 string.
Practice on the 5. When you get better at it you can decide if you really don't need or like it.
in my opinion I think it depends on what you are trying to play.
For example with a 5 string I would play:
- Korn or Tool or Metallica
With a 4 string I would play:
- Punk or Jazz
The 5th string has obviously a lower sound, like heavy rock or metal. If you listen to a Tool song you would see he either detune the 4 string so it sounds lower or use a 5 string.
If you listen to Green Day, I think it sounds brighter so you wouldn't need a 5 string.
If you already paid sweet money for it, then you could learn to love it. Or return it (if you are in the US), everything can be returned here.
For example with a 5 string I would play:
- Korn or Tool or Metallica
With a 4 string I would play:
- Punk or Jazz
The 5th string has obviously a lower sound, like heavy rock or metal. If you listen to a Tool song you would see he either detune the 4 string so it sounds lower or use a 5 string.
If you listen to Green Day, I think it sounds brighter so you wouldn't need a 5 string.
If you already paid sweet money for it, then you could learn to love it. Or return it (if you are in the US), everything can be returned here.
I think you said enough when you mentioned that you had no use for the B string. Don't feel bad about it. Just sell the 5 stringer and get yourself a good 4. I'm in your same situation..or rather, I was. I use to JUST play 5 stringers until I noticed that I barely played on the G string. So now I play a 4 stringer tuned BEAD. I feel right at home now. 
Man, it's way too soon to decide, stick with what you have for the moment and enjoy your playing. At one month playing, you'll probably not be very comfortable in any gear. It just takes time.
If, after a year of playing (or something like that), you decide that the 4 is better for your needs than the 5, that that might be the time for a change.
The electric bass isn't the hardest instrument to play, specially to begin (i used to play slide trombone, so i know what i'm talking about...), but that doesn't mean you'll know your instrument upside down in a couple of months.
Just my 2 cents,
J
Since you're a newbie and you already have a 5, you will be better off learning to play it...including how to use the B string. I would strongly recommend finding a good teacher and taking lessons.
Other than the few weeks I owned my first bass before taking back and exchanging it for another bass, I've only played five string basses. In all that time, I've found that I rarely use those extra low notes a 5 string gives you. However, I do use the B string to help me stay in one position more often than I could on a four string, so that's what keeps me on a 5. Then on those rare occasions when I do want an Eb or lower I have them.
That being said, if you're more comfortable on a four, stick with a four. You can always change your mind later if you're curious.
That being said, if you're more comfortable on a four, stick with a four. You can always change your mind later if you're curious.
+1
exactly the same here. whenever i play a 4-string (like at a friend's house) it just doesn't feel right.
when you start writing your own material (assuming you want to), you will definately find use for the b-string, even if it's just when you want to play the low notes a bit ''higher'' (as in towards the bridge) on the fretboard. (that also helps in solos)
I'll also say go with the 5 string option,...taking into account so long as your comfortable enough with it of course... if you want to ever expand into it I think better to start with a 5,... I started with a 5 string, then acquired a fretless jazz 4 string (everyone says, get a 4 string, get a fretless, get a jazz,... I just combined them 
)... starting with the 5 string helped because from the get to I had to shut up the B string with good technique... I think my time was better spent starting on a 5 (I don't use the B string all the time even now when I play in a metal band) as it made playing my other bass so much easier,... depending on your bass slapping is still something you can do on a 5 string so long as you mute properly,... took a lot of practice but I can slap on my 5 string reasonably well now! all that said, get something that YOU are comfortable on,... I believe Justin Chancellor from tool said that he has no need for a 5 string as he still hasn't explored enough territory with a 4 string!
)... starting with the 5 string helped because from the get to I had to shut up the B string with good technique... I think my time was better spent starting on a 5 (I don't use the B string all the time even now when I play in a metal band) as it made playing my other bass so much easier,... depending on your bass slapping is still something you can do on a 5 string so long as you mute properly,... took a lot of practice but I can slap on my 5 string reasonably well now! all that said, get something that YOU are comfortable on,... I believe Justin Chancellor from tool said that he has no need for a 5 string as he still hasn't explored enough territory with a 4 string!
Being a "new" bass player you might consider learning all your fundamentals on a 4 string.....altho if you learn on a 5 string you'd be that much better off having gotten use to the string spacing on a 5 string.As for the "B" string ?...I love it there I can get such great low end on it...I use it alot of times as an "accent" string...highlighting a lowend at certains times.sounds nice to when its played correctly.My backup bass is a 4 string. my main oncert bass is a 5 string and won't use anything else.......sooooo to answer your post...get a 4 string...learn all you can on it..... then venture over to the "dark side" on a fiver!.........
I would say stick with the 5 string,just for the simple fact you never know when you might go up on the neck to the B.
I rarely use my fifth string (hardly ever in cover songs),but whenever we do an original,my hand always seems to go to the B string,even if it's just for a groove or two.
But take this into consideration:
I didn't even originaly by the primary bass I use because it was a 5 string,I just liked the tones it had,and it played very,very,easy in my hands.
My suggestion would be to not even worry about how many strings the bass you're looking at buying has.
If you like the way it feels and plays,that should be what matters most.
Whether it has 4,5,6, or even more strings than that,in my opinion, should be secondary to the sound and feel of the instrument.
On the flip side,it woudn't hurt to have a 4 string just to get used to how different it feels to not have an extra string.
I own 2 5 strings and 2 four strings and the string difference doesn't bother me anymore,but when I first started playing a five string it really threw me off.
The fat B seemed to really confuse me when playing.I would lose posistion easy,and not know were I was on the fretboard.
After a while I finaly got past this,and it no longer bothers me.
I say just get a bass that feels comfertable and plays good though.
I rarely use my fifth string (hardly ever in cover songs),but whenever we do an original,my hand always seems to go to the B string,even if it's just for a groove or two.
But take this into consideration:
I didn't even originaly by the primary bass I use because it was a 5 string,I just liked the tones it had,and it played very,very,easy in my hands.
My suggestion would be to not even worry about how many strings the bass you're looking at buying has.
If you like the way it feels and plays,that should be what matters most.
Whether it has 4,5,6, or even more strings than that,in my opinion, should be secondary to the sound and feel of the instrument.
On the flip side,it woudn't hurt to have a 4 string just to get used to how different it feels to not have an extra string.
I own 2 5 strings and 2 four strings and the string difference doesn't bother me anymore,but when I first started playing a five string it really threw me off.
The fat B seemed to really confuse me when playing.I would lose posistion easy,and not know were I was on the fretboard.
After a while I finaly got past this,and it no longer bothers me.
I say just get a bass that feels comfertable and plays good though.
Most people probably don't use the "B" for the extra 5 notes it gives you; however, it allows you to "play in the box" and avoid open strings. That makes it much easier to transpose to a different key (should the need arise) and you can choose the area of the neck that is most comfortable to you.
