5/6 String for beginner?

Wow! good story! I wouldnt bother with a 5 or 6 string. Just get used to playing the 4 in your unique technique. Perhaps grab a 4 string with 24 frets.

 

Stingray 5? Tight spacing there.

 

If you do go for anything, I might suggest either a 5 string strung E-A-D-G-C, or a six strung normal.

I under stand the reach problem you have, but the only benefit you are going to have with more strings, is you will be faster moving up 4ths and so on....

Just practice, and get a slim necked bass... Pedulla maybe?

 

I'd go to a music store and try a few basses.

Do you find crossing the neck to work better than shifting up or down?
If so, a 5 or 6 string is for you.

How does the height of action or type of string affect your technique?
Have you considered going lefty and playing thumb/slap style, which would
not really use your index finger or pinky on your left hand at all?

Also, if you describe your technique in more detail, perhaps others could
suggest some more adaptations/instruments.

 

I'd suggest a 5str. It allows more comfortable positions and it's narrower that a 6 str, (talking about same brand and model between 5 and 6 str)

 

OK, I have a small hand - I was getting pains in my hand playing a wide-fretboard Yamaha RBX2375, so I eventually found a Hohner Pro B Bass V. This is a decent instrument manufactured by Cort in Korea with a thru' neck and EMG pickups - although it has a pre-amp, but this can be switched in or out.

I find that playing with the traditional BEADG tuning I can play up the neck, reducing the stretch - eg I can play E on 5th string, 5th fret, G on 7th fret etc.

This makes working across the neck easier which suits me.

 

Just thinking "outside the box", but have you considered switching to a left hand bass (assuming you are a righty)? I know it's pretty drastic, but perhaps your skill level ceiling would be much higher in the long run. Still able to pluck with 2 fingers (or use a pick) and still able to fret with 4 fingers. It would be difficult at first, I'm sure...I don't know, I'm just speculating.