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How to approach choosing my bass?

Kraku

Kraku

Commercial User
Sep 5, 2025
33
16
Finland / Oulu
soundcloud.com
Disclosures
Decyne4 Music Oy
#1
I'm fairly new to playing bass. I started playing bass about half a year ago and just a week ago started "that" well regarded online bass course, which shall remain unnamed so no-one can accuse me of being an advertisement plant for any company.

So. I currently have a 4 string Jazz clone (single coils) which feels fun to play in general. I like it when playing finger style and thumbing & plucking feels great also, as well as it sounds great for my use.

I also have a 5 string (humbuckers) with much tighter string spacing. There are some issues with its sound, including its lowest string not having as tight sounding low end as I would like it to have. The 5 string feels fun to play finger style, and OK when thumbing & plucking. I seem to have use for the B string quite often, so that is a nice feature.

So all this got me thinking how I could choose the minimum amount of electric basses to cover all my needs because I don't want to have a huge bass collection:
- I would be playing thumbing & plucking very often.
- I need the B-string for softer finger style and for playing with a pick very often.
- I need the B-string for thumbing and plucking occasionally.
- The B-string needs to produce tight and well defined low end.
- The sounds should be usable in industrial-metal and industrial-rock type of music. Think of Nine Inch Nails, Rammstein, Rage Against The Machine.

The first obvious thought that came to my mind is buying a 5 string with about the same string spacing as my 4 string jazz clone. But would the much wider neck cause trouble for thumbing & plucking when the B-string needs to be muted with the fretting hand thumb, or by some other means? Will the wide neck cause some other issues for that kind of playing style? Also having the extra string probably makes playing feel very different, regardless of the string spacing?

Also the need for a better sounding B-string pointed me into the direction of multiscale basses. So that's one extra variable in this equation.

So I guess the ultimate question here is that should I ditch the idea of owning any 4 string basses and just get two multiscale ones with 5 strings each: one with wider string spacing for thumbing and plucking and another with shorter string spacing for finger style + pick playing? Pickups for each bass would be chosen for their respective playing styles: single coils for thumbing & plucking (wider string space) and humbuckers for finger style + pick playing (shorter string space).

Or maybe one bass should be a multiscale 4 string tuned to BEAD as standard and with the same string spacing as my Jazz clone?

One big issue here is that I don't have good music stores anywhere near me where I could test such basses. So I would probably just need to do my research without trying them out and order online and hope for the best. That is one of the reasons I'm asking here what I am potentially missing and what things would be a good idea to take into consideration.

As you can see there are many moving variables which I'm trying to figure out how to sort into order of importance so I can make some valid decisions. Help would be appreciated from those who have been through this type of dilemma before.
 
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#4
You've only been playing for half a year, it's not time to start planning your arsenal yet because you haven't been playing long enough to know what fits you best.

For now, stick with what you have at home but go out and try out a lot of basses at stores whenever you can. If something doesn't feel good, it doesn't matter how it sounds or how it looks, just put it back and try something else. And remember that in a couple months it might happen that the bass that didn't feel good before suddenly clicks for you and it's the best thing ever. Humans are kinda like that sometimes.

Five-strings tend to have narrower spacing than four-strings. Sometimes by only a little bit, sometimes pretty drastically. But also it's a matter of personal adaptability. Some people will only play fours or only play fives, some of us need playing time to adapt whenever we switch from a four-string to a five-string and back. Only you will know what kind of player you are, but it might still be too early to be sure.
 
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#5
I agree that you should play what you’ve got unless what you’ve got is grossly deficient (doubtful.) It’s fun to buy new stuff, but it’s a trap and a waste of money and focus. Keep trying new basses whenever possible if you want, but don’t buy one for the foreseeable future. It’s difficult to try basses @ big box stores because they’ve often set up poorly, sometimes to the point of being unplayable. Even fairly expensive ones. It can be hard even for an experienced player to judge a poorly set up instrument. Most basses will benefit dramatically from a got set up, probably even the ones you currently have. A good setup is subjective. That’s difficult for you because you don’t know what you want, need or like yet. Learn how to perform basic setups yourself and then you can make changes so you can experience different possibilities.

Sounds like you want/need a 5 string, so play your 5 string.
 
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#6
Agree with what’s been said here.

Your tastes are still developing and what you need and want from a bass is ever changing especially at this stage of your playing.

Most of us suffer from GAS (Gear Acquisition Syndrome if you didn’t already know) regardless and are always thinking about the next thing. Learning to curb that and work with what you have and work on your deficiencies rather than focusing on perceived shortcomings of a piece of gear will be much better for you in the long run.

All that being said, if you have the expendable dollars and are set on upgrading gear, the best thing is to get out and play as many things as you can, more than once. If something sticks out to you as a possible winner, go back and play it again. Don’t feel hurried to get the first thing you touch.
 
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#7
You've mentioned the B string and wide spacing a few times, so I would recommend looking into getting an Ibanez BTB.

Wide necks across the nut, but shallow front to back, very comfortable, at least to me.

Absolutely thunderous B string.

Many others here who have them favorably compare them to much more expensive basses.

Brand new, they're in the $1,000 to $2,000 range, but you can find deals on them used.

If you buy new, make sure you can return it if you don't like it.

I think you'll love them.

Good luck.

Mike ;)
 
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#8
Kraku said:
I'm fairly new to playing bass. I started playing bass about half a year ago and just a week ago started "that" well regarded online bass course, which shall remain unnamed so no-one can accuse me of being an advertisement plant for any company.

So. I currently have a 4 string Jazz clone (single coils) which feels fun to play in general. I like it when playing finger style and thumbing & plucking feels great also, as well as it sounds great for my use.

I also have a 5 string (humbuckers) with much tighter string spacing. There are some issues with its sound, including its lowest string not having as tight sounding low end as I would like it to have. The 5 string feels fun to play finger style, and OK when thumbing & plucking. I seem to have use for the B string quite often, so that is a nice feature.

So all this got me thinking how I could choose the minimum amount of electric basses to cover all my needs because I don't want to have a huge bass collection:
- I would be playing thumbing & plucking very often.
- I need the B-string for softer finger style and for playing with a pick very often.
- I need the B-string for thumbing and plucking occasionally.
- The B-string needs to produce tight and well defined low end.
- The sounds should be usable in industrial-metal and industrial-rock type of music. Think of Nine Inch Nails, Rammstein, Rage Against The Machine.

The first obvious thought that came to my mind is buying a 5 string with about the same string spacing as my 4 string jazz clone. But would the much wider neck cause trouble for thumbing & plucking when the B-string needs to be muted with the fretting hand thumb, or by some other means? Will the wide neck cause some other issues for that kind of playing style? Also having the extra string probably makes playing feel very different, regardless of the string spacing?

Also the need for a better sounding B-string pointed me into the direction of multiscale basses. So that's one extra variable in this equation.

So I guess the ultimate question here is that should I ditch the idea of owning any 4 string basses and just get two multiscale ones with 5 strings each: one with wider string spacing for thumbing and plucking and another with shorter string spacing for finger style + pick playing? Pickups for each bass would be chosen for their respective playing styles: single coils for thumbing & plucking (wider string space) and humbuckers for finger style + pick playing (shorter string space).

Or maybe one bass should be a multiscale 4 string tuned to BEAD as standard and with the same string spacing as my Jazz clone?

One big issue here is that I don't have good music stores anywhere near me where I could test such basses. So I would probably just need to do my research without trying them out and order online and hope for the best. That is one of the reasons I'm asking here what I am potentially missing and what things would be a good idea to take into consideration.

As you can see there are many moving variables which I'm trying to figure out how to sort into order of importance so I can make some valid decisions. Help would be appreciated from those who have been through this type of dilemma before.
Click to expand...
You may be overthinking it...

First question: how would you rate your technical facility on the instrument?
Second: What's your budget?
Third: What kind of amp/cab setup do you have?

Some expectation-setters:

- There's no such thing as a one-arrow quiver; an Ibanez SG Premium is about as close as you'll get without breaking the bank.
- There's no such thing as a good sounding B. There are ok ones, but to get one that doesn't sound like fart-like, the instrument scale length would be unplayable (think 5 1/2 feet). The best you can do is settle - the problem is physics, not quality. Also, you'll need an amp and cab than can actually reproduce those frequencies. Again, physics.
 
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#10
It would help if you state what you actually own and what your budget is.

For the style of music you mentioned, there are two bass styles that come to mind. First, for NiN and Rammstein type of music the ideal would be a P-bass. You also mention RATM, which means a StingRay. I personally don't love the StingRay sound for everything, though for certain songs and genres it sounds fantastic. I think a P-bass will always fit with whatever genre you play.

That being said, I used to own a 5-string EBMM StingRay, and the B-string was really good.

I currently own a 5-string Fender P-bass, and the B-string is mediocre at best. I put in a Nordstrand pickup recently and that really helps it, though.

Sadowsky P/J basses have an excellent B-string, even the relatively inexpensive MetroExpress.

If you are interested in multiscale, and have the budget, I think a Dingwall SP-1 would be a fabulous choice. Otherwise, I'd look for a 35" scale or a Sadowsky as mentioned above.
 
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#12
Don't overthink it. Stick with the gear you've got and work on technique. When you get to the point that your instruments are holding you back (which might not ever happen), think about what exactly is holding you back and let that inform your step-up instrument choice.
 
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#13
Step #1: Set yourself a budget. The more you are willing to spend, the better an instrument you can buy, in general (this is very controverisal here at TB, many claim their budget basses are better than very expensive ones).

Step #2: Decide 4 or 5 string, based on how you are currently using your 4 and 5. If you are already finding uses for the B string, get a 5.

Step #3: Do not jump the gun, wasting money on something that isn't exactly what you want just because it’s cheaper. Just keep saving your money.

You mentioned there are no good music stores near you…where do you live?
 
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#15
Sounds like there is no need to rush. My advice is take your time and go play a bunch of basses. While you are at it, play a bunch of amps and cabs. Eventually you will stumble across gear you really like. When that occurs, you shouldn't necessarily pull out your wallet right away, unless you find something extraordinary and rare.

IME, the lower you play, the harder it tends to be to get a really good sound. The bass is not the sole determining factor for the resulting tone. Other factors include the amp, cab, and acoustics. You also need to consider the strings type, how fresh the strings are, and how the bass is set up and adjusted. You also have to consider how the bass rig is set up and adjusted. Your technique is also a factor.
 
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#16
You aren’t real happy with the five string, sell or trade it. Because everyone should experience how much harder it is to get rid of gear, compared to acquisitions. Something to remember going forward. Stuff just seems to pile up.

You mentioned string spacing. For slap, and everything else, I like 19mm or 3/4” string spacing. So that’s one box a bass must check for me.

The other things, and this is a list after 40 odd years of basses coming and going:
19mm string spacing
Four string
Under 8.5 lbs, preferably under 8
34” or longer scale, multi scale is fine.
It’s probably going to be a Dingwall.
Passive
Not picky about colors

And whatever it is, it will get light gauge low tension strings, with nickel or alloy outer wraps for rounds, and a set or TI jazz flats.

I never felt like the B string was a huge bonus, but by the time five strings showed up, I already had 20 some years on a 4. I’ve played fives, usually strung E-C, and six’s. I went back to four. There are plenty of ways to get those few lower notes, unless you live on the B. Octave pedal, detuner….

You’ll develop your own list over the years. Basses will come and go, that’s part of the journey.

My biggest tip: buy used. Private party sales are often your best deals. The TB community is awesome, look in the classifieds. Since you are searching for what you really like, buy used from a place like GC or MF, and use that 30 day return policy.

While you think that through and handle lots of basses, make your own list. Take notes of what you like and don’t like. Take a small fishing scale to the stores, weigh basses.

Meanwhile, spend some time and money exploring strings and doing set ups on what you have. That B string you don’t like might just be the string. String it E-C, a single C string is just $5. See what you think about having more top end. String your four string B-D. Try that out.

And I’ll throw out a suggestion for an inexpensive multi fx like the Zoom B3n to learn about fx and amp modeling, plus it’s just a great practice tool.. used of course!

Good hunting!
 
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#19
brianrost said:
Step #3: Do not jump the gun, wasting money on something that isn't exactly what you want just because it’s cheaper. Just keep saving your money.
Click to expand...
This ^

Back in the day I settled for an E-mu Proteus/1 instead of continuing to save for the Roland U-220 that I wanted (there was a good reason the Roland never went on sale but they were almost giving away the E-mu). Once I'd spent the money, the Roland was out of reach.

I kept the E-mu as a stark reminder of that lesson!
 

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