4 vs 5 string bass OMG

[Mikael Dez]

The vast majority of songs I want to learn are in standard tuning - most of it is Opeth to be honest. There are a select few songs that Mendez uses a 5 string on, and even though I've seen him play Ghost of Perdition live using a 4 string there are 4 and 5 string version tabs out there.

I've got it pinned down to a Squier Affinity series 4 string P bass with PJ pickups, or their 5 string Jazz bass. I will likely buy another bass down the line, so if I get a 4 I'll get a 5 someday and vice versa. What are y'alls thoughts? My gut tells me to stick with a 4 string and transpose any notes that I might encounter below E.

 

[laxu]

My only bass is a 5-string, and I don't mind that at all. The P/J combination is nice though so I'd probably lean towards that.

 

[metropolis_4]

I enjoy playing 4 so much more, and I think the E usually sounds better on a 4 than a 5.

My favorite approach is to use a 4 and use a pitch shifter down a 4th to shift it to the bottom 4 of a 5 string when needed. But a 5 is handy and necessary sometimes. And technically anything you can play on a 4 you can play on a 5, so if you’re only gonna have one the 5 is probably more versatile.

If you can swing a Classic Vibe they’re very good for the price!

 

[Mikael Dez]

I actually got a bit more from selling gear than I expected, so I started looking at used Fenders on Reverb. I love maple fretboards and this one caught my eye, costed me $600 and it seems to be in mint condition:

 

[Mikael Dez]

My drama in buying a bass, omg. There were 3 total P basses on reverb last night with a maple fretboard and sunburst finish. The first one I asked him if he’d take $50 off, he messaged me this morning saying it sold. That left 2. I bought the one I posted above so I could secure the maple fretboard this morning. He refunded me saying that one also just sold last night. I bought the 3rd one

 

[Mikael Dez]

Omg, the third guy refunded me.

 

[FuzzyAce]

Omg, the third guy refunded me.

 

[Alex Kenivel]

 

[Mikael Dez]

I ain’t posting anything else until I get this mf in my hands lmao

 

[Richard_G]

My main bass is a 4 string Music Man StingRay. I also have a budget bass (Yamaha BB414) as a backup, but that has spent most of the time I’ve owned it at a friend’s place. I’d like to replace the BB414 with one of those P basses you posted!

 

[SymphonicDischord]

I have an Epiphone TBird 4 string and a Warwick Rockbass Corvette 5 string. It took me a long time to find a 5 string that I found comfortable to play that was in my price range. I found I struggled with adapting to the spacing across the 5 strings. I either found them to close together or to far apart.

I found the Warwick used at a local store and I think I spent about 45 minutes test driving it and found it the most effortless one for me to move across the strings.

 

[Sleezy E]

3 strikes and the 4 string is OUT I say

 

[Mikael Dez]

3 strikes and the 4 string is OUT I say

I have one last shot, which apparently turned out alright. It’s an actual guitar store, and it had stock photos but they confirmed that they had it in stock and the order went through fine. Fingers crossed I’ll be have a NBD post later this week.

 

[Chocol8]

Four isn’t working out, so I say skip the 5 and go right to the Fender/Squier Bass VI.

 

[Mikael Dez]

Four isn’t working out, so I say skip the 5 and go right to the Fender/Squier Bass VI.

While those look cool, idk if it’s my style. My buddy has one, I should at least try it out sometime!

 

[Chocol8]

While those look cool, idk if it’s my style. My buddy has one, I should at least try it out sometime!

They are a good bass for a guitarist just dabbling in bass in my opinion because they are 6 strings and shorter scale and you can almost play it like a guitar. For the same reasons, bassist will generally not like them as much.

The string spacing does make them much easier to play with a pick FWIW.

 

[Mikael Dez]

I asked the shop for a non-stock photo and they sent this, saying it's on the way today. Strange they cropped it like that.

 

[DrewJD82]

At this point i won’t bother with a 5 unless it’s a 35” or more neck, it’s a fucking nightmare finding the right gauge string for those low B’s that don’t create a stupidly unusable sub bass frequency.

 

[maddnotez]

Omg, the third guy refunded me.

The Warwick gods have spoken

 

[Mikael Dez]

The Warwick gods have spoken

I need that Fender style headstock, idk why.