4 or 5 string bass?

Fugdup · May 16th, 2012, 06:00 AM

I'm about to get myself a bass, but i have no idea if i should get a 4 or 5 string bass.

The thing is, i switch alot between tunings on my guitar.
Sometimes i'm in E standard, while sometimes i'm in B standard.

Would a 4 string bass work for songs in B tuning?

If i got a 5 string bass, can i just leave the thickest string alone when playing E tuning stuff?

What would you guys recommend?
I'm a big noob when it comes to bass, so any help is appreciated!

Trevoire520 · May 16th, 2012, 07:53 AM

Buy a 5 string.

Adrian Warren · May 16th, 2012, 08:02 AM

If you buy a 5 string it will probably come tuned to B-E-A-D-G which is the standard tuning with an additional low b. With this you will be able to play in e standard and b standard tunings.

Severu · May 16th, 2012, 08:41 AM

If you want to use 120 gauge string for the B string, you can use a 4-string. If you want to go thicker than that, you must file the nut on a 4-string so might as well get a 5-string. But the fact is that 4-stringers are more comfortable to play (for me at least). I play in drop C and use only 4 string basses (including some vintage Fenders, I would never file the nuts on those) and it works great with no mods. Haven't tried BEAD though...

LoftMusicRob · May 16th, 2012, 08:49 AM

I would get the 5 in your case. Lots of good affordable options out there.

Fugdup · May 16th, 2012, 09:03 AM

If a 5 string comes tuned with B-E-A-D-G, it seems like a good choice as i wouldn't have to change anything when switching between B and E.
Guess i'll start looking for 5 string basses then

Severu: How is 4strings more comfortable? Is it because of the neck, or?

Loren Littlejohn · May 16th, 2012, 09:07 AM

I have both, the 5 is much more versatile.

Djentkitty · May 16th, 2012, 11:57 AM

A 5-string BTB

Headof75 · May 16th, 2012, 12:11 PM

Leon-- · May 16th, 2012, 12:36 PM

5 For me.
First of all it's better for low tunings,and secondly if you play fast/technical stuff it's much easier since the strings are closer to each other

Jordon · May 17th, 2012, 05:56 PM

I'm gonna be that guy: 4

The number of strings doesn't matter in terms of how low you can tune, it's all about the scale length. A 35 inch scale 4 string will hold lower tunings better than a 34 inch scale 5 string.

Rex Rocker · May 17th, 2012, 06:19 PM

I play 5-strings and have for a while...

... and quite honestly, I regret ever getting a 5 string bass instead of a 4-string and having it down-tuned. I've tried to sell it and get myself a 4-string, but the used market's kinda shitty here...

I personally always felt a 5-string just has an extra string that I never use that's just "in the way". IMO, of course.

5-string sets are more expensive and you've got an extra string to worry about keeping quiet when you're not playing it. Plus I personally like the feel of the smaller necks on 4-strings.

Hell, if they made 3-string basses, I'd probably want one of those, lol.

egan. · May 17th, 2012, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jordon

The number of strings doesn't matter in terms of how low you can tune, it's all about the scale length. A 35 inch scale 4 string will hold lower tunings better than a 34 inch scale 5 string.

If you are just buying it and leaving it in a tuning that makes sense but since he's switching between B and E the 5 seems like a no brainer.
I don't know of any off the shelf 35" 4 strings. Is anyone making one?

lelahel · May 17th, 2012, 08:03 PM

Maybelater · May 17th, 2012, 08:12 PM

5 string is a no brainer for me.

colonel kurtz · May 17th, 2012, 08:56 PM

i do the same myself with the whole changing tunings thing, and have a 5 string schecter i use for my bass tracks...glad i have it, life would be that much more a PITA with a 4 string!

DanLights · May 18th, 2012, 01:47 AM

For both tunings, 5 is the best option by far. I've used a five string for years and I no longer play in any bands where I actually need the low B, I'm just used to it. But when I had two bands, one tuned in D and the other in A, buying a 5 stringer was my savior

AD Chaos · May 18th, 2012, 03:18 AM

I bought a 5 string bass mostly because I didn't want to feel 'second class citizen'

with only 4 strings. Even though I use just the bottom two

Srsly though, 5 strings for drop tunings and such, as has been mentioned.

May 16th, 2012, 06:00 AM	#1 (permalink)
Fugdup Fus Ro Dah Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Oslo, Norway Posts: 112	4 or 5 string bass? I'm about to get myself a bass, but i have no idea if i should get a 4 or 5 string bass. The thing is, i switch alot between tunings on my guitar. Sometimes i'm in E standard, while sometimes i'm in B standard. Would a 4 string bass work for songs in B tuning? If i got a 5 string bass, can i just leave the thickest string alone when playing E tuning stuff? What would you guys recommend? I'm a big noob when it comes to bass, so any help is appreciated!

May 16th, 2012, 08:41 AM	#4 (permalink)
Severu No SSL for you! Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Bucharest Posts: 211	If you want to use 120 gauge string for the B string, you can use a 4-string. If you want to go thicker than that, you must file the nut on a 4-string so might as well get a 5-string. But the fact is that 4-stringers are more comfortable to play (for me at least). I play in drop C and use only 4 string basses (including some vintage Fenders, I would never file the nuts on those) and it works great with no mods. Haven't tried BEAD though... __________________

May 16th, 2012, 08:49 AM	#5 (permalink)
LoftMusicRob Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 126	I would get the 5 in your case. Lots of good affordable options out there. __________________ I am abomination

May 16th, 2012, 12:11 PM	#9 (permalink)
Headof75 Somewhere in Brum Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 227	5 __________________ Oceans rise to swallow the land

May 17th, 2012, 06:19 PM	#12 (permalink)
Rex Rocker Call me Hugo! Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Mexico Posts: 1,914	I play 5-strings and have for a while... ... and quite honestly, I regret ever getting a 5 string bass instead of a 4-string and having it down-tuned. I've tried to sell it and get myself a 4-string, but the used market's kinda shitty here... I personally always felt a 5-string just has an extra string that I never use that's just "in the way". IMO, of course. 5-string sets are more expensive and you've got an extra string to worry about keeping quiet when you're not playing it. Plus I personally like the feel of the smaller necks on 4-strings. Hell, if they made 3-string basses, I'd probably want one of those, lol. __________________

May 16th, 2012, 08:02 AM	#3 (permalink)
Adrian Warren Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 222	If you buy a 5 string it will probably come tuned to B-E-A-D-G which is the standard tuning with an additional low b. With this you will be able to play in e standard and b standard tunings.

May 16th, 2012, 09:03 AM	#6 (permalink)
Fugdup Fus Ro Dah Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Oslo, Norway Posts: 112	If a 5 string comes tuned with B-E-A-D-G, it seems like a good choice as i wouldn't have to change anything when switching between B and E. Guess i'll start looking for 5 string basses then Severu: How is 4strings more comfortable? Is it because of the neck, or?

May 16th, 2012, 11:57 AM	#8 (permalink)
Djentkitty Senior Member Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 291	A 5-string BTB

May 16th, 2012, 12:36 PM	#10 (permalink)
Leon-- Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: London Posts: 280	5 For me. First of all it's better for low tunings,and secondly if you play fast/technical stuff it's much easier since the strings are closer to each other

May 17th, 2012, 08:03 PM	#14 (permalink)
lelahel Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Algiers, Algeria Posts: 452	5 __________________ https://www.facebook.com/Lelahell

May 17th, 2012, 08:12 PM	#15 (permalink)
Maybelater Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Long Beach, CA Posts: 134	5 string is a no brainer for me.

May 17th, 2012, 08:56 PM	#16 (permalink)
colonel kurtz Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 3,969	i do the same myself with the whole changing tunings thing, and have a 5 string schecter i use for my bass tracks...glad i have it, life would be that much more a PITA with a 4 string!

May 18th, 2012, 01:47 AM	#17 (permalink)
DanLights A Venezuelan in Europe Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: A Coruña, Spain Posts: 6,670	Re: 4 or 5 string bass? For both tunings, 5 is the best option by far. I've used a five string for years and I no longer play in any bands where I actually need the low B, I'm just used to it. But when I had two bands, one tuned in D and the other in A, buying a 5 stringer was my savior __________________ http://www.facebook.com/adintra Weekly Favorites - Currently Listening

May 18th, 2012, 03:18 AM	#18 (permalink)
AD Chaos Big Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: In a mental institution Posts: 1,187	I bought a 5 string bass mostly because I didn't want to feel 'second class citizen' with only 4 strings. Even though I use just the bottom two Srsly though, 5 strings for drop tunings and such, as has been mentioned. __________________