5 strings

It should work. Some basses are even sold that way, like the Schecter (sp?) Scorpion. One thing you might have to consider is that the grooves in the nut might not be the right size for the larger strings, in which case you can have a repair person file them to the correct width and depth.

 

You might have problems with the extra tension of the B also.

 

Depends on the bass. I have a 34" scale fiver and the B is not loose at all.

But the floppy B may be one of the problems you run into ith your idea - the bass is not designed for a B (headstock tilt angle, among other considerations).

Another problem you may enounter is string vibration causing intonation or sustain weirdness because the nuts aren't cut for the typical diameters of those strings, nor are the bridge saddles.

You're also going to be putting more stress on your neck, so don't be surprised if a major adjustment is needed.

 

Aaaahhh, yes ... the ol' "floppy B string." An urban legend.