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Getting a Bass Guitar for the first time: How many strings should it have?

ScarletViper

ScarletViper

Jun 11, 2014
4
0
35
#1
Hello, I am hoping to get a bass guitar, but I am under a conundrum as to how many strings I should learn to start playing on. I have done a bit of research and I know I want to do either a 5 string or a 4 string.

I am hoping to play these three genres primarily with it:
  • Soft Rock
  • Pop
  • Jazz
So which would be best for it? Why? All answers are appreciated.

Edit: I left out some details.

I have very (very) large hands, so either one would be versatile enough for me, I am generally more comfortable with stringed instruments with more.. spaced out strings.

I have experience on the banjo and a little tiny bit on the guitar and I found banjo a lot more comfortable (and fun :D) simply because of how far the strings are spaced (as I said, large hands).
 
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#2
Do you currently play any stringed instruments, particularly guitar?

I played guitar for years before I got a bass. I started and have stuck with a 4-string but sometimes wish I had a 5. However, as I slowly progress in skill, I'm finding the 4-string is sufficient for my band's style of Americana.
 
#7
ScarletViper said:
Thanks for the advice guys! One thing I don't understand though.. what exactly is the disadvantage to having a 5 string? It seems like it would allow more versatility and have a bit more uses...
Click to expand...
Easier to master good technique and there's less temptation to develop bad habits on a 4. Not to say that plenty of people haven't learned well on a 5, or that 5 string players are bad players. But a 4 makes it much easier to get your bearings.

That way you can also learn what you like in a bass and whether you feel the need for a 5 in the future, so your next bass will be perfect for you and you'll be fully equipped for future gigs!
 
#8
ozzyismetal said:
Easier to master good technique and there's less temptation to develop bad habits on a 4. Not to say that plenty of people haven't learned well on a 5, or that 5 string players are bad players. But a 4 makes it much easier to get your bearings.

That way you can also learn what you like in a bass and whether you feel the need for a 5 in the future, so your next bass will be perfect for you and you'll be fully equipped for future gigs!
Click to expand...

It just seems like it would be easier to switch from a 5 to a 4 than vice versa.
 
#10
I started on a jazz 5. .... Lol ... :)

But I went to a 4 string after ten years because the fender 5 was pretty heavy

I don't think it really matters if you start on a 4 or 5 except that a lot of books are written for 4 strings

I think what matters more is that you are happy from the outset with whatever you choose

Rossa
 
#12
You are correct. A 5 string is more versatile. You get 5 more lower octave notes and you can hit more lower octaves in all positions. If you feel you're going to need that, then get a 5. In fact, if you want versatility, why not get a 6, 8, or 12 string? Why stop at 5?

I generally play a 4 string because I consider a bass a mid-range instrument even though it's called a "bass". A low B sounds strange to my ear after playing all the other strings. It sounds like it's struggling to do something that it wasn't meant to do. But that's my own personal feeling. A lot of players love that low frequency. In fact, there are bands that play almost all of their songs tuned down lower than standard "E" and a 5 will make that easier for you.
 
#13
I disagree with some of this. I would say start with a 5. You have some experience with stringed instruments so you are no stranger to a fretboard, and I believe that starting on a 5 right off the bat would not hurt you at all. Like some have said though you should get a long scale bass with 19mm spacing like a MTD Kingston or one of the offerings from Fender/Squire ... I think you would be better served cutting to the chase so to speak and starting on a 5 right off the bat. Good luck whatever you decide.
 
#14
I started with a 4 then bought a 5 with a full 2 octave neck. I tried it for awhile but being a guitar player the B string confused me on stage. I think of other stuff when playing, "look at the time" "check out the chick" "how fast is the drummer going to play this song" and the "OH CRAP, I'M PLAYING THE WRONG SONG". Going from guitar to bass, I like the top string to be an E.

With that said, if you don't have a lot of time on a fret board like a guitar, go with the 5 and practice it. For me I like to kick it into autopilot and have fun. Even the 24 frets screwed with my head on some songs. So I'm more comfortable with my top string being an E. Besides, most the songs we play ,where played on a 4 string.
 
#15
I would recommend a 4 stringer to any student starting out. That being said, I wouldn't tell a student who had a 5 to sell it and get a 4 since they are starting out.

My reason for avoiding 5 strings is that the B string is a tricky beast and a cheap bass probably has a weak B string. A weak B string can steer you away from B strings in general and that is not good.
 
#16
I think a lot of you are overestimating my experience with guitar. I know VERY little about it, I don't even really play it, because I never really liked it or found it that comfortable in my hands. Plus, where is the fun of an instrument where you can go around the block and find 20 other people who play it? However I do still practice a lot of banjo simply because it is a unique, fun, happy, and above all a comfortable instrument (plus, I have only been playing it for 6 months..). Why?

  • Well, there is the string spacing, which allows my big hands to fret things easier, something bass shares with banjo.
  • The style: Not a lot of chords, I am much more coordinated with my right hand then my left hand, which works really well on instruments that play notes singularly.
Conclusively, I think a 5 string bass would suffice because I don't think the width of the neck would not hurt me, like, at all. I can bear a bit of extra weight too, I just really like the sound of the versatility the 5 string has to offer.
 
#17
Don't underestimate the dragging power of weight sitting on the shoulder.

I'm sure my opinion will change tomorrow but today I would probably suggest a serious newbie look at buying a squier jaguar VM short scale. No its not perfect but seems like it has a lot to offer, including the short scale, pickup configuration (P/J) and weight (~7.5lbs). Only complaint you might have with it is the narrow-ish nut width (1.5").

If the nut width thing is a big deal for you, then you'll generally want to stick with a precision bass style. Test driving string spacing is pretty easy at a local GC or equivalent. If you are going to go 5er then go wide...on the squier side that would be like an squier deluxe active jazz V or something (2" nut).

Really I should sell you my 4 string SX pbass which I've been fine tuning action wise, but that's off topic (and you'd have to be local).
 
#20
There really isn't any disadvantage to learning to play a 5 that I can think of. I do own a 4 as well as my 5s and enjoy it, but it's not like the extra string makes things terribly complicated or anything. Guitarists somehow manage SIX strings, imagine! (actually, so do some bassists...). The question is whether you anticipate having any USE for the extra string, since most 5ers cost a little more than the 4string equivalent. The only time I really want to stick to just 4 is when I'm playing slap (or attempting to). That's because I'm sloppy. For the styles of music you mention, I doubt you'll have any great need for the 5th string. So it's completely up to you.
 

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