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Question: Should I get a 4-string or 5-string bass!?
I am getting a bass soon, and I don't know whether I should get a 4-string or a 5-string!. Help!?Www@QuestionHome@Com


Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
Hey!.!.!.

Congrats on choosing a wonderful instrument to play!. If you have a desire to play a 5 string, then do so!. One option that hasnt been mentioned!. You DONT have to go with a low B string on a 5 string bass!. Many jazz players opt for the high C!. What this means, the top 4 strings of the 5 string bass are identical to those of a 4 string bass!. Once you become familiar with playing the bass, you can then switch out for a low B!. By the way!.!.!. the high C string is also used on a 6 string bass along with the low B!.!. The E,A,D and G is standard 4 string tuning!. Another option!.!.!. just play with 4 strings until you get used to it!. May not look quite right with only 4 strings, but youve saved the added expense of buying a 5 string down the road!. If a lot of the music you have a desire to play does not require a 5 string, I would not get one right away though!.

As a new player, I would suggest the Peavey Millenium BXP for a 5 string!. Same bass would be a great first bass in a 4 string model too! Heres a link for this bass!.!.
http://www!.americanmusical!.com/Item--i-P!.!.!.

These are VERY good quality instruments for the price!. Peavey makes some of the finest basses on the market!. While most stores like Guitar Center and your on line stores like Musicians Friend, Sam Ash, Music 123 carry Peavey, its the lower to middle of the line basses they sell!. The American made Cirrus basses are in the 2000!.00 and up range, and are played by MANY professional bassist around the world!. The BXP has a great neck, very fast and easy to finger!. Hard to find a quilt top in this price range too!. The electronics are decent, and these basses stay in tune very well, and are good in many genres of music!.

Hope this has helped, and good luck!Www@QuestionHome@Com

it depends on what kind of music you are playing; look at what the bands you like are playing!. also, having the extra low B string can be quite useful if you like dropped tunings!. granted that it will be slightly more difficult to learn to play 5 string, as opposed to 4 string (assuming you are new to the instrument)!. however if the extra string on bass is anything like the extra string on guitar, it will only take about 5 minutes to get used to it (and it can be a huge help when you need those extra notes)!. remember, anything you can play on a 4 string, you can also play on a 5 (or 6, or 7, etc) string bass; however you can play things on a 5 string that you cannot play on a four string (or would have greater difficulty playing and/or would have to re-tune to play)!. ultimately, however, the decision in yours!. go play a bunch of basses and get whichever you like better!. best of luck!Www@QuestionHome@Com

If you are new to bass I would highly recommend getting a four string to start off with!. Chances are your not going to even know what to do with that 5 string for a while!. However, if you already pretty familiar with the bass and feel like you want to explore new horizons then get the 5 string!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

If you're new to the bass guitar I'd recommend a four string first!. When you feel like you want to step it up a notch, go for the five string!.Www@QuestionHome@Com