Is there such a thing as a 5 string bass guitar?
The most common type of bass guitar with more than four strings is the five-string bass. Five-string basses often have a low-B string, extending the instrument’s lower range. Less commonly, five-string instruments add a high C-string, extending the higher range. Less commonly, the six-string bass guitar is used.
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What is the point of a 5 string bass guitar?

The biggest advantage of the five-string bass is its extended lower range. From the fretted low-E all the way down to the chest-imploding low-B, that fifth string provides a gateway for exploration into previously uncharted territory.
Is a 5 string bass harder to play?
A 4 string bass has a narrower neck, wider string spacing, and is easier to play. In comparison, a 5 string bass has an extra string allowing an extended lower range to play notes in lower keys and the choice of more scales, chords, and arpeggios but has a wider neck and a heavier instrument.
Is it better to learn on a 4 or 5 string bass?
If you’re a beginner , go with a four string bass guitar. They’re a lot easier to play, which means you’ll have a lot less frustrating learning process. Choose a bass guitar that is fretted, because playing a fretless bass guitar is incredibly challenging and isn’t suggested if you’re a beginner .

Can a beginner learn on a 5-string bass?
In general, 5-string basses are good beginner instruments. The low B string makes it easier for beginners to play in deeper tunings than tuning down and setting up a 4-string bass. As the neck of the 5-string is wider than a 4-string, it can however be a more cumbersome instrument for young bassists.
What is a 7 string bass?
7-String Bass Demo – YouTube
Can a beginner start on a 5-string bass?
There is nothing wrong with starting off on a five, but beginners will find a 4-string bass easier to navigate and learn on. There are some awesome 4-string bass guitars for beginners out there, and they typically cost a bit less than the fives.
Can a beginner start on a 5 string bass?
Can a beginner learn on a 5 string bass?
Can a beginner start with a 5 string bass?
What songs can you play a 5 string bass on?
10 Awesome Rock And Metal Songs To Learn On A 5-String Bass…
- Korn – Got The Life.
- Meshuggah – Rational Gaze.
- Metallica – All Nightmare Long.
- Alien Ant Farm – Drifting Apart.
- Heart Of A Coward – Distance.
- Between The Buried And Me – Condemned To The Gallows.
- Polyphia – G.O.A.T.
What bands use a 5 string bass?
Some Incubus uses a five-string, Paramore uses it, and Mudvayne, I think. Slipknot uses a four, but tunes to B standard, I think. Widespread Panic uses one on at least one of their songs, but they’re more difficult.
Who plays an 8 string bass?
Bassists who at some time have utilised the eight-string bass include Abraham Laboriel, Mark Egan, Nick Lowe, Jeff Ament of Pearl Jam, Paulo Pinto of Sepultura, John Paul Jones of Led Zeppelin, John Entwistle of The Who, Mike Rutherford of Genesis, Greg Lake of Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Gary Shea of Alcatrazz, Bent …
What is a 6 string bass called?
A contrabass guitar is a low-register bass guitar with four, five or six strings. It is often called, simply, a six string bass guitar. The five string bass guitar is rarely called a contrabass guitar, even though it typically has the same lowest note.
Who uses a 6 string bass?
Today, six-string electric basses are commonplace, with virtuosos like Oteil Burbridge, Steve Bailey and John Myung all-embracing the extra range and tonal possibilities that they allow.
Who plays a 5 string bass guitar?
On the heavier side Paolo Gregoletto of Trivium uses exclusively 5 string basses, Paul Gray of Slipknot played with a four string BEAD, frequently downtuned, David Ellefson of Megadeth uses a 5 string, the list goes on, alot of the heavier bands feature five string basses.
When did 5 string basses become popular?
The popularity of 5- and 6-string basses exploded in the 80’s. A couple of things caused this to happen. First, bassists in the 80’s were competing with electronic keyboards. Many bassists were being replaced by computers and keyboards because they could play lower bass notes than a standard 4-string bass.
What kind of bass guitar does Cheap Trick use?
Gretsch White Falcon 12-string
Of course, Petersson—whose sonic search started out on a 1964 Gibson Thunderbird and most recently features his signature Gretsch White Falcon 12-string—is best known as the anchor of Cheap Trick, for whom he also writes and provides background vocals.
Is there an acoustic bass guitar?
The acoustic bass guitar (sometimes shortened to acoustic bass or initialized ABG) is a bass instrument with a hollow wooden body similar to, though usually larger than a steel-string acoustic guitar.
Is bass harder than guitar?
In Conclusion. So to conclude, as a beginner it is almost universally accepted that the bass is easier than guitar. You will be able to play famous songs much quicker and mistakes should come about less often.
Is a 6 string bass overkill?
It’s overkill. And, in the beginning you should probably focus on playing the traditional role of the bass anyway. That means playing the lower notes more often. You can save the 6-string for your second or maybe third bass if you find you need one.
Can you slap on a 5 string bass?
Despite having an additional low string, it is possible to slap on a 5-string bass. While there are slight differences in slapping a 5-string and a 4-string, multiple professional bassists have used 5 basses for slapping.
Why do basses have 4 strings?
A lot of music has been played on 4-strings. The reason for having more strings is to add more range to the bass. More range means being able to play more lower pitched notes and/or higher pitched notes. Also, the more strings you have under your fingers, the more notes you have under your fingers.
Who played a 12-string bass?
But not many bassists have influenced so many players in the way that Tom Petersson has by creating a sound. Oh yeah, he also was the man behind the first 12-string bass. Maybe you’ve heard of it? For many years Tom has supplied the low-end thunder for the Rock band Cheap Trick.
Why is acoustic bass not popular?
Acoustic bass guitars are not very useful, because they’re too quiet. Once you plug them in, they’re nothing particularly special in terms of sound. They don’t have a great variety of tones either. And they’re expensive.