Which String is the "First" String?

[Schemaman]

I was following a Fender article on setting up basses (Invalid Link Removed) and they reference the "first" string. Being a computer guy I have trouble with undefined variables - can somebody tell me what the "first" string is on a four string bass? I can make the case for the E or the G string since the E is the first string I see when I look down, but the G string could be the first string because it's the highest pitch, but I am not sure what is meant here. Who knows? I googled to see if "first" was defined anywhere else and found that some people referenced E and others referenced G as the "first" string.

If I knew more about the topic, I could possibly figure it out from context . The closest clue I think I have is that they reference a second string at .060 "...For example, if the second string is .060" (1.5 mm), you would move the second-string saddle back...", which I am guessing could be a D string in which case the "first" string would likely be the G string. I feel like I am over-complicating this somehow or just completely missing something in which case I will stand in the corner for 5 minutes and practice C Major scales at 40 bpm.

 

[Nashrakh]

In the Fender article, the first string must be G because later on, it says "For five-string basses, cut the fifth string[...]". Five string basses have a G string like fours, they add a B string. Since fours always have Gs and assuming they order the strings in either ascending or descending fashion (diameter), it would follow that the fifth string (B) must be next in order to the second-biggest diameter, thus E, which is #4.

So:
1 G
2 D
3 A
4 E
(5 B)

What you'll notice is that it looks like the beginning of a TAB transcription.

However, there's no standard to this. Around here most call the E string the first, but whenever possible I would call the string by its pitch and not some undefined number. As you see, it already gets messy if you go beyond 4. Around here, you'll also find 6 or 7 string basses, that'd be pretty hard to fit into.

 

[Schemaman]

... Since fours always have Gs and assuming they order the strings in either ascending or descending fashion (diameter), it would follow that the fifth string (B) must be next in order to the second-biggest diameter, thus E, which is #4....

That makes sense to me too - thanks! Reading that article made me feel like I was doing one of those, "Train A leaves Chicago travelling 60 miles an hour, Train B leaves New York travelling 47 miles an hour. Who is the bus driver and what is the Azimuth of Saturn relative to Earth's equator during the mid-point of the Vernal Equinox?" kind of questions. Thanks again for helping.

 

[rickster4003]

Opposite the 4th string.

 

[lowplaces]

Always the smallest string.

 

[JRA]

"Train A leaves Chicago travelling 60 miles an hour, Train B leaves New York travelling 47 miles an hour. Who is the bus driver and what is the Azimuth of Saturn relative to Earth's equator during the mid-point of the Vernal Equinox?"

the guy's name was bill. i don't know enough to comment on the other. good luck with that first string!

 

[lz4005]

I feel like I am over-complicating this somehow or just completely missing something in which case I will stand in the corner for 5 minutes and practice C Major scales at 40 bpm.

It's an incredibly dumb way to refer to strings. Thinnest and thickest, or even closest to your feet/closest to your head would be better.

Same thing happens when people talk about "higher" frets or strings. Are they talking about pitch (they should be) or distance from the floor (a mistake new players often make)?

 

[jw23mind]

It's a BASS, so the first string is the LOWEST (pitch). Or is the G (on a 4-string) the lowest (height)? LOL

 

[Tommyc]

On violins, guitars, mandolins etc. Highest to lowest is always 1st string.

 

[Drucifer]

The first string on guitar or bass is the highest one in pitch.

 

[Drucifer]

Here's some arguements for another convention to increase the confusion: Common sense string numbering order for Bass [email protected]

 

[Kukulkan61]

G-STRING

 

[Passinwind]

Here's some arguments for another convention to increase the confusion: Common sense string numbering order for Bass [email protected]

Makes sense to me. Pitches go from 0 for the lowest audible one then sequentially up: E0, E1, E2, etc. [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[grinx]

God Bless
even the easy questions aren't easy

 

[Guitalia]

And while we're on the subject, which is the "front" pickup, and why?

 

[nilorius]

On a four string bass:
1-G
2-D
3-A
4-E
I don't really see any problem in numbering string but knowing the pitch, you have problems with.

 

[southpaw723]

If you’re describing how to play something do you say “go up” if you’re starting at the E string then to the D? I know directionally you’re going down but from a pitch standpoint it’s “up” lol this confuses people sometimes

 

[OptimalOptimus]

If you’re describing how to play something do you say “go up” if you’re starting at the E string then to the D? I know directionally you’re going down but from a pitch standpoint it’s “up” lol this confuses people sometimes

read music and no one will be confused

 

[red_rhino]

It's the first one I touch.

 

[Thumpin6string]

G-STRING

I like G-strings.