Which String is the "First" String?

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.

 

Opposite the 4th string.

 

Always the smallest string.

 

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

 

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)?

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

G-STRING

 

Makes sense to me. Pitches go from 0 for the lowest audible one then sequentially up: E0, E1, E2, etc. Frequencies of Musical Notes, A4 = 440 Hz

 

God Bless
even the easy questions aren't easy

 

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

 

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.

 

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

 

It's the first one I touch.

 

I like G-strings.