On how many strings did you start?

[crispygoat]

** Hopefully this has not been done before ?

So, how many strings did your first bass had ?

 

[Superpang]

5

 

[CharlyG]

My first response when just reading the title was, I always start on one of them, and then move to the others as needed.

After reading your post, I will say 4.

 

[meev992]

I was going to vote 6, because I started on guitar. But I read your post before voting, so I put 4.

I find it hard to fathom an individual starting on more than 4. Since 5 and 6, and above, aren't exactly cheap, and it's no easy task, to even begin playing 4 strings with any sort of competency.

 

[Thunderitter]

I'm not that old(!) but there weren't many 5s available when I took up the bass!

 

[doctorjazz]

4. I knew right off that I wanted to play 6 eventually, but I figured I'd start with 4 just to get my feet wet and master the basics before adding strings. Part of me wishes I had bought the SR506 instead of the 500, just because now I'd have a fretted and a fretless 6 instead of just a fretless one.

 

[CharlyG]

OSHA WARNING! Not a good idea to play with electronic equipment with wet feet!!

 

[meev992]

OSHA WARNING! Not a good idea to play with electronic equipment with wet feet!!

loooool

In either case, this poll got me thinking....about the notion of starting with less than 4 strings. The "Wasthub" bass comes to mind...as well as the 2 and 3 string basses from "krappy guitars". I suppose it wouldn't be such a bad thing, to start with just 3 strings, or even 2, as you could start getting your feet wet for about 50 bucks...or however cheap the "krappy guitars" basses go for.

 

[Tom Howland]

Started on 4.
Went to 6.

Now play, 4 and 5.

 

[Mystic Michael]

Four. There was no such thing as a five-string or six-string (at least in mass production) when I started playing...

MM

 

[ehque]

I find it hard to fathom an individual starting on more than 4. Since 5 and 6, and above, aren't exactly cheap, and it's no easy task, to even begin playing 4 strings with any sort of competency.

Well, in this day and age, 5 strings really aren't that much more expensive than their 4 string counterparts. I started on a 5, cos my teacher played a 5. Now i'm on a 6.

 

[meev992]

Well, in this day and age, 5 strings really aren't that much more expensive than their 4 string counterparts. I started on a 5, cos my teacher played a 5. Now i'm on a 6.

ahhh, the whole, nurture aspect

I might just jump straight to 6, if I ever make the decision to acquire more basses.

 

[Bryan R. Tyler]

Couldn't find any fives in my (low) price range when I started (1996), so I got a four. Went to a five as soon as I could (a year later) when I put together five bills.

 

[markjazzbassist]

4.

 

[Ryan L.]

4. There wasn't much available for 5's when I started, at least not in my area.

 

[fullrangebass]

I started out on a 5er and never looked back

 

[Mikeus]

4 strings. but doesnt feel like enough now. strangely though, thats part of the reason i began playing keyboards. i am moving up to a 5er.

 

[Gegatso]

Four for many years, then added a 6. Had that for about 3 years and went back to 4 only, then about 2 years ago got a 5 in the herd..geez, what next?

 

[Deluge Of Sound]

I've never felt the need to have more than four strings.

 

[tat2jim]

From what I remember it was a Red Univox circa 1970