so i got a set of d'addario .045-.130 stings for a 5 string bass for christmas... well when i asked for them i was planning on buying an Ibanez SR505 (5 string)... turns out i wasnt able to buy the bass... so i have my 4 string
first question: is it the same if i use the e-g strings and leave the b out?
second question: if i use b-d is like like a 5 string without the botto, string???.. or would that even work at all??
You can string a four string bass either way: E, A, D, G, or B, E, A, D.
The one issue in doing the B - D stringing would be that a four string bass' nut is slotted for E, A, D, and G string diameters and not for the thicker B, E, A, and D string widths.
The nut slots would have to be widened via careful use of a rat tail file. If you've no experience doing this then it's better to have a qualified guitar tech do the job. It's
very easy to accidentally remove too much material or file the slots improperly so that the open strings will buzz and/or play out-of-tune in relation to fretted notes.
In case you're interested in learning more about
filing nut slots and
setting up a bass.
If you decide to tackle any of this stuff yourself then please study the how-to's in those links carefully
before you do anything to your bass. And even then take it slow & easy. (As in carpentry: measure twice, cut once.)
BTW the G string is actually considered to be the top string. Why? Because it's pitched higher than the others.
