Start with a five string?

[dougazbass]

For those who play 5s. Did you start playing with a 5 string or start on a 4 and change over at some point?

 

[awilkie84]

I started with a 4, as that's the most common bass around.
For a new player, I'd suggest starting with a 5er. Most people seem to have issues switching from a 4 to a 5, although I didn't.

 

[SoVeryTired]

I had a 4 for the first 5 or 6 months, then switched.

 

[Huge]

I started on a 4, but I see no reason not to start on a 5 if that's what you want to play.

 

[RedMoses]

Start on a 4, get your fingers working, then move to 5.

 

[MarTONEbass]

I started on a 4 and play 5s now, but if you think you'll end up on 5, there is no reason not to start on a 5. Go for it.

 

[AQUANOVA]

When starting out, the fretting hand needs to develop stretch and strength.
This will be easier on a four string.
Even easier on a short scale.

It will reduce the learning curve in the physical aspect of playing.

 

[awilkie84]

When starting out, the fretting hand needs to develop stretch and strength.
This will be easier on a four string.
Even easier on a short scale.

It will reduce the learning curve in the physical aspect of playing.

I'd disagree. By going with a narrow neck & shorter scale, you're limiting your growth.

I'd say start with a standard scale & get used to stretching.
Keep in mind that most songs are played on the EADG, anyways, so the stretch that way is no different than a 4 string.

 

[K-Frog]

Started with a 4 because in the mid 80s, in a small town and no internet, that's what was readily available.

nowadays, you could easily start with a 4, 5 or 6 due to availability.

Nothing "wrong" with starting with any number of strings. As i translated my knowledge of a 4 to the 5 and 6 strings i've owned over the years, I see no reason why you couldn't adapt to a 4 after starting on a 5. Same thing i do when i switch off my primary 5 to a 4 string about once a month

 

[Dave W]

I started with a 35" scale 5er, now I mainly play 4s.

 

[Sid Fang]

I started on a 4 waaay before 5s became popular - though I've had a vintage 6 for many years that I've used on odd projects. I like my 5 (and I recently picked up a 7-string guitar so that I can apply the same techniques in that register), but as to whether it's an appropriate platform to learn bass really depends on the styles one thinks one might play. If you have any interest in ultimately playing upright double bass for jazz or classical music, I'd suggest learning on on a 4-string, to avoid having a "baked-in" assumption that there's a B string available for your technique.

 

[thisSNsucks]

I started on a 5 but now play 4's.

 

[El-Bob]

I started with a 4, but that's not necessarily what I would recommend. You're best off to go straight for 5 if you think you will end up there. The arguments against doing so are largely fallacious.

 

[jmattbassplaya]

I started on a 5. Wish I had started on a 4. But overall, it really doesn't matter too much.

 

[hibachiduck]

If you want to play 5 play 5. Just go into it expecting to pay a bit more. There are some really crappy 5'ers out there if you skrimp too much. There's also some great 5'ers for cheap as well, such as the Ray35. I started out on an Ibanez SR-605 5'er which is about the same price as a Ray35, but I wish I would've gone with the Ray35 instead. That said, both are really good basses. I mainly play 4's now mainly due to the band I'm playing not really needing 5 strings, but adding that extra string isn't going to be somehow harder as a beginner since even if it's difficult to play the B string in the beginning, you basically have 4 string on top of it. Good news is usually the string spacing is a bit tighter on a 5, so it might actually help you if you have small hands (as funny as that sounds).

 

[therhodeo]

If you want a 5 then start on a 5. 5 string basses baffling 4 string players just amazes me. Maybe getting used to the slight mechanical differences with that extra string makes sense but if it throws you for a loop on the theory/note placement side of things then you have a hole in your music theory.

 

[somegeezer]

I didn't know much about bass at the time of starting. If I had known 5s and 6 strings and more even really existed, I probably would have gone with more. My 5 string is definitely my most loved for the feel of it. But I still give a lot of love to my 4 for its sound. =]

 

[J Posega]

Started on 5, went up to 6, down to 4, now mainly play 4 & 5 about 50/50. Start on five if you want, but be prepared to play some crappy, floppy low B's once you get good enough to notice.

 

[iriegnome]

I played a 4 banger for 25 years before I made the switch... Glad I did. It was time to learn a new instrument

 

[phillybass101]

I'm probably one of the older guys on TB. They didn't make 5 strings when I started playing bass LOL!!!!When I made the transition it took a couple of months of playing for me to feel comfortable. Even that was years ago. I now easily go back and forth between a 4 and 5 string with no problem. Note that I always have a bass in my hand when I get home from work. I see nothing wrong with you starting out on a 5 string. Find a good teacher, and apply yourself and you'll be playing in no time. It's the stuff that happens after you can play a littlle that that gets you. I have been playing the bass for about 42 years and still have not mastered it.