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

[Levin]

Haha I started on a fiver and have not fully got used to fourstringers even though some years of playing, just feels like something is missing.
Start with a fiver! Heck, you don't really need it but it's fun AND of course if you are one of many who rest their thumb on a lower string then a fiver will be great because of all the e-string-playing will be really easy.
Try many styles! ...but get a jazz, hehe. It works in much more situations than a precision, unless you really like the sound of precision.
There is a great many great replies here! Wonderful to read, thanks for the question that started it all

 

[walldaja]

Recommend a 4 simply because most books assume you're playing a 4. I have and play a 4 and 5. I started on the 4 and went completely to 5s then picked up a 4 because it was a unique bass. No one has mentioned it, but neck radius is something to consider too. I find a smaller radius makes my life easier on the 4 or 5. Fender typically has a 9.5" radius, Ibanez typically has 12" and really tight string spacing. I started on Ibbys and played them for several years. I have all Fenders now and feel much more at home with the string spacing and radius.

 

[rafitoprtx]

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...

I started in a 4 string but I love rock and all of them use detune basses and I don't like the hassle of detune the bass or have multiple basses. I bought a 5 string and problem solved. It's a preference thing!

 

[west al]

A four string, with a fairly flat radius on the fretboard.

 

[Hopkins]

I don't think it is any more difficult to play a 5 string than it is a 4 string. A 5 string makes some songs easier to play because the low B will allow you to keep your fretting hand in one place instead of having to slide down to catch that note on the E string, but some people find the low B confusing. Personally I prefer a 4 string, until I am playing a song where the low B comes in handy, so I have both