4 vs 5 string bass OMG

Mikael Dez

Rock Star
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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.
 
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.
 
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!
 
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:

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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 🤞😬🫠

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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!
 
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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.
 
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.
 
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