4-String Vs 5-String Bass (Which Makes More Sense For You?)

Isn’t it obvious?

One has four strings and one has five.

Yes, that part is quite obvious.

But that extra string brings with it a number of other differences between a 4-string vs 5-string bass.

And some of those differences are a big deal.

As a result, one of these two bass guitar versions is likely to be better suited to you than the other.

And we’ll help you figure out which one. Keep reading to learn all about the differences between a 4 vs 5 -string bass guitar and which one is better for you and your playing style.

 

4-String Vs 5-String Bass

We will begin our comparison of a 5-string vs a 4-string bass by looking at each type individually, before comparing them directly and discussing the advantages of each. We’ll finish by helping you figure out which number of strings on a bass is better for you.

 

The 4-String Bass

 

The four-string bass is the traditional bass guitar. It features four strings that are much thicker than those on a regular guitar. It’s typically tuned to the Bass Standard E (E-A-D-G), although dropping the tuning a few semitones isn’t difficult on most models.

Similar to guitars, 4-string basses can be acoustic, electric, or semi-acoustic. Acoustic ones usually have slightly larger bodies and are made of tonewoods that boost sonic resonance and volume, such as basswood or swamp ash, although there are many electric models that share the same tonewoods as their acoustic counterparts (e.g. maple or rosewood basses).

Four-string bass guitars usually have a string length of 30 inches. This is fairly close to baritone and 7-string guitars, while being roughly 4.5 inches longer than a normal guitar.

Simply because a bass features only 4 strings, that doesn’t mean it’s a starter instrument. Many seasoned players and professionals play on 4-string basses because they don’t need the extra string. This is the most prominent in rock, pop, and blues where Standard E tuning is still king.

 

The 5 String Bass

The five-string bass is a bass guitar with an additional lower string (B). In a sense, 5-string basses are tuned to both E Standard and the 5-string bass version of B Standard (B-E-A-D-G).

Players who are experimenting with a 5-string bass and who still don’t feel too comfortable playing all the strings can simply ignore the B string and play the instrument as a 4-string bass.

There are a few notable differences, though. The scale length of a 5-string bass is usually around 34 inches, meaning that the string tension is somewhat higher.

An average 5-string bass is more difficult to play (even without the extra string) than a normal bass because you’ll usually need to apply a bit of extra force to press the strings against the frets.

At the same time, longer scale lengths are ideal for lower tunings and lower bass guitar actions. Most people who play metal in extremely low tunings (C and below) choose 5-string basses and basically just ignore the G string when playing.

 

Difference Between 4-String And 5-String Bass

There’s far more to a 5-string bass than just an extra string installed below the E string. First and foremost, 4-string basses aren’t meant to be played exceedingly low, while 5-string basses absolutely excel in this field.

In my case, the 4-string Behringer was my go-to when I played in rock and punk cover bands while the Ibanez Gio 5-string was the instrument I mainly used for metal (Slayer, Iron Maiden, and Megadeth primarily).

Versatility-wise, 5-string basses allow you to access more notes, which opens up an entire world of possibilities. Even though they’re normally strung in B, it is possible to tune a bass in Standard E from the bottom upward and reconfigure the top string to be a C string (with the right set, of course).

No one will stop you if you decide to go off-tuning with a 5-string bass. If you need a specific note that’s outside of the scope of a normal bass, you can find it on the lowest string and simply tune the other notes to whichever tuning you like. With a 4-string bass, standard and drop tunings are the norm.

The fretboards (and frets) of 5-string basses are wider than the ones on 4-string basses. I should also point out that 5-string basses tend to be a bit heavier and larger overall than their 4-string counterparts.

It’s not uncommon for the major bass guitar brands to launch one bass model in both 4-string and 5-string variants. They have the same specs and sound, but the 5-string versions always weigh at least half a pound more. Even if the difference was measured in just a few ounces, the extra weight can become a huge issue, if you’re playing 3+ hour shows without much time to rest.

 

Similarities Between 4 Vs 5-String Bass

Four and five-string basses share more similarities than differences between each other. As I mentioned, they could be the same bass. For instance, I own a 5-string Ibanez Gio, but a 4-string version also exists with identical specs, bass pickup types, and tone.

Even though their scale lengths are different, their bodies are usually very close in terms of size and they have the same number of frets. In fact, an acoustic 4-string can be much larger than an electric 5-string bass.

Speaking of which, both types of bass can be fretted or fretless, acoustic or electric, or semi-electric. They can have the exact same bass guitar body shapes. You can use both 4-string and 5-string basses in virtually all genres of music – it’s up to you to decide which one feels better for the occasion.

I’d also like to clear one misconception that seems to be commonly associated with 5-string basses: that they are not good for beginners. They’re actually just as beginner-friendly as 4-string basses.

There’s one simple trick that can help you efficiently use a 5-string bass as a 4-string instrument: simply view the B string as a place where you can rest your hand. That way, the differences between these two types of bass guitars, in terms of playing style, are almost nonexistent.

However, many people rightly believe that 5-string basses are more difficult to learn and master. And this is especially true for players who’ve fostered quite a few bad playing habits.

For instance, I used to struggle a lot with the B string, mistaking it for the E string, but that’s mainly because I wasn’t too confident in my playing. Had I trusted my muscle memory more, this problem wouldn’t have been as much of an issue.

 

Advantages Of A 4-String Bass

The following are the main advantages of a 4-string bass guitar.

• The ideal rhythm instrument: even though they may not be as versatile as a 5-string bass, 4-string basses have everything you need to play any style of music.
• Won’t drain you as much during stretched-out shows: 4-string basses are just slightly lighter than 5-string basses, but enough to make a difference at longer shows when your back starts to hurt and your arms start to feel numb.
• Usually more affordable: although this isn’t a rule, 4-string basses are generally cheaper than 5-string basses. Fewer materials are used in the manufacturing process, which warrants a more approachable price tag.
• Perfect for immediate beginners: people who’ve never played bass before can tackle the fundamentals a bit easier on a 4-string bass.

 

Advantages Of A 5-String Bass

Next, we will go over the primary advantages of the 5-string version.

• Gives you more tones to play: when playing a 5-string bass, you have access to 5 additional semitones. It’s up to you to decide which tuning you’ll use, meaning that you’re free to choose whether they’ll be higher or lower notes.
• Gives you access to two different tunings at the same time: the purpose of the extra note is to allow you to seamlessly shift to a lower or higher tuning without touching the Standard E tuning on the usual four strings.
• Higher string tension & improved tuning stability: while standard 4-string basses don’t hold up well when tuned below D, the higher string tension of 5-string basses enables you to explore drastically deeper tunings without compromising tuning stability or playability.

 

Reasons To Get A 4-String Bass

Most bassists begin their musical journeys on a four-string bass for a good reason. They have all the fundamentals in place without the extra string to confuse you. They’re not as heavy and usually cost a bit less, so they do make for exceptional starter instruments.

However, I’d like to point out that you could just as easily compose, play live concerts, tour, and record on a 4-string bass. I played more shows with my old Behringer 4-string than with all of my 5-string basses combined.

As I mentioned earlier, every ounce counts during long shows, especially if you’ve already played a few nights in a row. As the fatigue starts kicking in, the true advantages of these simple instruments start to shine. If nothing else, you’d be less prone to make critical mistakes (such as slapping the B string by accident) and you’ll have an easier time playing simple riffs, licks and bass guitar chord progressions.

 

Reasons To Get A 5-String Bass

The best reason to get a 5-string bass is to explore different tunings that your 4-string bass won’t allow you to.

One extra string equates to five extra notes, which can be configured to be below your E string or above the G string. The latter isn’t recommended unless you know what to look for in bass strings, though.

In my case, I usually use a 5-string bass to record music. These extra notes enable me to track more intricate licks and play complex solos. With enough experience, this flexibility is present even at live shows.

Even if you’re a beginning bassist, it’s good to have one 5-string bass in your arsenal for touring. Due to the string tension being higher, they won’t de-tune in the middle of the show and will get you through the night reliably.

 

4 Vs 5-String Bass: Final Thoughts

The general consensus is that playing a 5-string bass is more difficult than a 4-string bass. And that does make sense. However, you can easily just ignore the fifth string, making them basically equivalent to play.

That makes the 5-string version more versatile. But that does not mean you should definitely go out and get a 5-string bass guitar. When comparing the 4-string vs 5-string bass first hand, you’ll notice that the 4-string version is a bit lighter.

That small difference in weight makes a big difference when playing for a longer time. 4-string basses are usually a bit cheaper, too. In the end, you’ll have to decide whether a lower weight and price are more important than more versatility.

For most beginning bassists, I would recommend a 4-string bass, unless you know you will want to use a lot of lower tunings. Then I’d recommend adding a 5-string version to your arsenal down the road.

If you’re ready to get yourself a 4-string bass guitar, this article on the best bass guitar values on the market covers the best options for 4-string basses. Some of the instruments mentioned are also available in 5-string versions.