5 String Basses

5-string bass guitars typically feature the same 4 strings you’d find on a conventional bass, but have an extra low string that is commonly tuned to B. So in standard tuning, a 5-string bass will be tuned as follows: B-E-A-D-G.

A 5-string bass gives you a far lower register to work with than on a 4-string bass. The extra low B string extends its range and allows you to access notes otherwise unattainable on a regular 4-string bass, giving you more room to experiment and add weight to melodies or song sections. 5-string basses also enable you to play in different positions more easily and not have to move around the fingerboard as much.

There is no definitive “best 5-string bass”. However, there are some qualities that can bring out the best of a 5-string bass. For example, the low B string on a 5-string bass can sound muddy if not enough tension is provided for it. That is why most 5-string basses will have a long 35” scale length rather than a conventional 34" scale, to add more tension and make those lower notes punch through more clearly.