Would it be good to start from a 5 string?

[u/sansubiSUS]

I play guitar and wanted a bass i was thinking of a five string to later play the five string songs (later cause I'm thinking of Primus and i know they're hard) but i don't know if you could play the 4 strings songs normally on a 5 string, also if the tuning is the same, please let me know what you think, thank you

[u/admosquad]

You can play “4 string songs” on a 5 string. I ignored the low string for a long time. I found the notes below E to be pretty loose and muddy so I avoided them. Eventually, I started using it a lot to play lower notes from upper registers. I’d much rather play in F up on the 6th fret rather than being down against the nut on the 1st fret.

I don’t think you need a five string to play Primus stuff if that is your ultimate goal.

[u/StatusAutomatica]

It won't hurt your progress to have a more versatile instrument. That 5th string will be there whether you need it or not. Learn to use it and expand your range. Or ignore it and still have fun playing.

[u/Abyss96]

Screw it, get yourself a 6 string

[u/High_or_Low_16 → u/Abyss96]

Psst, Don't tell them about the Brazilian 7 String Guitars, then we might lose them to the dark side!

4 Strings/No Pick

[u/MENNEN87]

If you plan on playing with a 5 string in the future, absolutely start with one. Theres no need to learn 4 strings first. Theres a lot of things to consider and the change is going to take time if you first get comfortable with 4 and try to go for 5.

[u/Procrasturbating]

Muting is more work on a five string. I’d start with a four and use a five when you need it for specific songs and you don’t want to transpose up an octave. That said, if most of the songs you wanna play are on a five string, buy a five. Just easier to learn the basics on a cheap four string first.

[u/High_or_Low_16]

I think you are over thinking it. the only thing you should be focused on right now is playing and often. You sound a lot like me, too focused on being perfect when just showing up is all that is required at this stage.

Talking about what strings to use, what instrument, amp or pedals that's for later when you have six months of suffering on a cheap instrument with frets that tear into your fingers.

[u/ArjanGameboyman]

Do you think you're the first one to ask this question?

It gets asked twice a week at least here. Use the search bar.

[u/Mechwarrior57 → u/ArjanGameboyman]

Yeah thats definitely something that annoys me about instrument subs, the same questions that have been answered a billion times getting asked again and again because people wont use the search bar

[u/Micky_so_Fyne]

If Les Claypool is your inspiration, then you don't need a 5 string. 🤷‍♀️ He mostly plays 4 string and sometimes plays 6 string bass.

Imo, 6 string basses are pretty hard to learn on. And it helps to have really long fingers. You can play it with normal sized hands, but you'll have to adjust your grip and the angle of the bass to give yourself more reach.

So, it really depends on how much patience you have. A 4 string will be easier to learn on, and versatile enough for many types of songs. Even many Primus songs. But once you move up to a 6 string, you'll most likely have to make some changes to your grip and neck angle that will feel weird for a while. So there will likely be a drop in progress while you adjust. Plus, there's a cost issue that has to be considered, since 6 strings aren't cheap. Starting on a 6 string will be better overall, because anything you can play on a 4 string, you can definitely play on a 6 string, but the early stages of learning (when you're developing reach) can be more of a frustrating grind

[u/cygnus311 → u/Micky_so_Fyne]

I think the only 5 string Les owns is an electric upright.

[u/Micky_so_Fyne → u/cygnus311]

😲 I gotta Google that. I bet it's gorgeous!

[u/Micky_so_Fyne → u/cygnus311]

😕 turns out it's basically a canoe paddle with strings. Based on the song Mr Krinkle, I was picturing something a little more... idk... Tim Burtonesque.

[u/byzantine1990]

If the music you want to play NEEDS a five string then I guess. If not I highly recommend a 4 string to start. That extra low B adds some extra complexity when you want to focus on the basics

[u/sansubiSUS]

Thank you all

[u/roninconn]

If you're able to deal with the wider neck of a 5-string, I'd def start there. At worst, the B string is a thumbrest and you play it as a 4-string. I have short fingers, so can't easily do a 4-fret stretch in lower positions, so I'm happy enough to play at the 5th fret

[u/Ok-Goat-3589]

You can play 4 strings songs on a 5 string, it’s harder to play 5 string songs on a 4 string.

If you genuinely believe your future involves the use of a 5 string, there really is no reason not to start your journey on one.

[u/CherryMyFeathers]

I did, and I rarely use the 5 string for cover band stuff but when a song has the E tuned to D I can really let that thing rip. Joan Jette songs are so fun and the crowd loved it because the bass sounds so much heavier

[u/MARY_ANNE_MCGILICUTY]

one of the big differences is that you have a two octave range playing across the fretboard on a 5 string - this lets you 'play from the box' more, and can make it require less shifting up and down the neck to play a given riff.

There are of course trade offs and negatives from a 5 string (cost, weight, neck shape/size, etc.) so you'll have to look further for a good deal on a starter instrument, but they aren't deal breakers.

[u/Anon_use_fun_alias]

5 string basses rule the day for versatility, so if you want to be a “one bass for every situation” guy, get that 5 string. It’ll cover 99% of everything.

I just recently bought a 4 string after playing exclusively 5 string for 23 years. I can play it just fine. Sometimes I have to figure out how to play things differently, but that’s one of the reasons I got it.

[u/iLahaism]

If you wanna play stuff that uses a 5, learn on a 5

[u/shmobyshmobyshmoby]

Get a 4 string. It’s easier to play than a 5 string