Is a 5-string fretless easier to play than a 4-string fretless?

[Spacewoman]

Currently, I own an Ibanez SR705F Portamento tuned EADGC. It's the only fretless I have ever owned.

The advantage of the 5-string, I find, is fewer position shifts and therefore fewer opportunities to miss nailing my intonations.

The disadvantage is that it's a 5-string and therefore inherently a bit more difficult to play than a 4-string.

What do others think? Which fretless is easier to play? 4 or 5?

For me, playing a fretless is hard enough, so I would like to make it as easy possible.

Since extra range is not a factor (though narrower string spacing is a small issue for me), should I go for a 4-stringer instead, despite requiring more position shifts?

 

[ahbass2500]

I have owned 4 and 5 string fretless basses. Never found one easier to play than the other. Wound up sticking with 5 strings, but that is my preference on fretted as well. Ultimately I would suggest playing whatever you are comfortable with. If you prefer a certain string count on fretted, good chance you will like the same on fretless.

 

[Docduval]

I try to take advantage of fretless by doing a lot of glis, so switching positions is the fun part for me. Therefor, for me a 4 string is easier/requires less thinking/less effort.

 

[tb-player]

Whatever bass is more comfortable to you with frets will be the most comfortable without frets.

 

[Lo-E]

No. Whichever you’re most used to is easier to play.

 

[onda'bass]

No difference

 

[Michedelic]

Currently, I own an Ibanez SR705F Portamento tuned EADGC. It's the only fretless I have ever owned.

The advantage of the 5-string, I find, is fewer position shifts and therefore fewer opportunities to miss nailing my intonations.

The disadvantage is that it's a 5-string and therefore inherently a bit more difficult to play than a 4-string.

What do others think? Which fretless is easier to play? 4 or 5?

For me, playing a fretless is hard enough, so I would like to make it as easy possible.

Since extra range is not a factor (though narrower string spacing is a small issue for me), should I go for a 4-stringer instead, despite requiring more position shifts?

Not really for me, the neck is wider in the first place, and my fives, fretted and fretless, are identical…

…for continuity, but the only reason I have them is for the low B, otherwise I wouldn’t bother.

 

[Kael]

I find that the standard Fender 4 string Jazz is the most ergonomic for me on fretless. It's pretty predictable, but it just works.