4 string or 5 string bass?

Haze · Post by **Haze** » Wed Aug 24, 2011 2:12 am

So I want to start learning bass seriously, actually learn some proper technique. I've gotten bare basics down, but I'm fixing to really dive into it.

My question is, if I'm going to sit down and learn bass, why not learn on a 5 string? I know we have a fair amount of bass players around but idk if anyone plays 5 strings.

Thanks!

hotrodperlmutter · Post by **hotrodperlmutter** » Wed Aug 24, 2011 2:20 am

4 strang

Haze · Post by **Haze** » Wed Aug 24, 2011 2:50 am

BUT 5 IS MOAR

Billy3000 · Post by **Billy3000** » Wed Aug 24, 2011 2:58 am

I've never really liked the feel of 5 string basses. The only one I've ever played with any sort of ease has been my boss's 5 string Ernie Ball MusicMan stingray. All the 5 string fenders I've played have felt like the necks were way too big.

Haze · Post by **Haze** » Wed Aug 24, 2011 3:13 am

Id spring for an ernie ball or g&l. Some ibanez sound gear stuff is great too even, esecially on the cheaper side.

gaybear · Post by **gaybear** » Wed Aug 24, 2011 3:17 am

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4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4
4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4
4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4
4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4
4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4
4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4
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4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4
4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4
4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4
4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4

but really, get whatever the hell you want. though, if i were trying to properly learn an instrument, i'd want to learn standard.

StevePirates · Post by **StevePirates** » Wed Aug 24, 2011 4:30 am

I like five string basses.

The fact that I like five string basses should be enough to convince you to get a four string bass.

BillClay · Post by **BillClay** » Wed Aug 24, 2011 4:35 am

If you play a five string then you probably play really shitty music. Sorry brah, that's just how it is. Def. something to consider.

gaybear · Post by **gaybear** » Wed Aug 24, 2011 5:16 am

StevePirates wrote:I like five string basses.

The fact that I like five string basses should be enough to convince you to get a four string bass.

yup! you also like china hats! =]

BillClay · Post by **BillClay** » Wed Aug 24, 2011 5:37 am

^
Exactly. If you get a 5 string, then your drummer had better think Dave mathews' drummer is the shit.

Billy3000 · Post by **Billy3000** » Wed Aug 24, 2011 6:32 am

5 strings aren't only useful in shitty metal and dave matthewsy shit. It's also very useful for jazz music. That being said, I can't say that any time during my years as a bassist, I've ever felt as though I needed to play any lower notes necessitating a low B string. I also have never felt that I needed a high C string in the case of the Fender bass V's.

Although since I've never really spent any real time playing a 5 string, I imagine it would be fun to have one to just play around on from time to time, but if I were to choose just one, I would go with a 4 string. If you are interested in a 5 string I would spring for the Ernie Ball, but I haven't played any of the Ibanezes. I hear they are pretty nice though, so they could be worth a shot.

wwrrss · Post by **wwrrss** » Wed Aug 24, 2011 7:10 am

44444
44444
44444
44444
44444

gaybear · Post by **gaybear** » Wed Aug 24, 2011 7:11 am

the man has a point

awfurby · Post by **awfurby** » Wed Aug 24, 2011 7:52 am

Four strings. Five string basses make the baby Jesus weep.

Viljami · Post by **Viljami** » Wed Aug 24, 2011 9:09 am

I, too, never found the extra string on a 5-stringer all that useful. It just sounds like crap. The idea is all cool, but when it comes to actual playing, not so hot. Unless you want to play aforementioned jazz/shitmetal/shitmatthews/prog. In that case just get a six-string like this:

and die.

EDIT:

OK, you can get away with jazz, but it better be just Miles Davis covers. And you do not need such monstrosities for that.

iCEByTes · Post by **iCEByTes** » Wed Aug 24, 2011 9:15 am

4 String
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5 string

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Fretless

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Viljami · Post by **Viljami** » Wed Aug 24, 2011 9:49 am

OH SHIT ICEY HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD,

pumpkin · Post by **pumpkin** » Wed Aug 24, 2011 11:00 am

BillClay wrote:^
Exactly. If you get a 5 string, then your drummer had better think Dave mathews' drummer is the shit.

Came here to say that.

4 Strings is plenty for a Bass.

George · Post by **George** » Wed Aug 24, 2011 11:20 am

The only bass I own is a 5 string Ibanez I'm still borrowing off my old bassist. I have it set up with 4 but remember it with 5. It's not unweildly or anything, though a Fender might be. I guess you'll have to make the call oh whether you'll actually use the extra. 4's will be cheaper and easier to come by, modify, buy new strings for etc.

robroe · Post by **robroe** » Wed Aug 24, 2011 12:02 pm