Should you buy a 4-string or a 5-string bass? If you mostly play rock, punk, blues, soul or classic pop, and you like a simple, familiar neck, a 4-string will cover almost everything you need. If you play modern worship, gospel, metal, R&B or pop, read charts in keys like E-flat and D, or play songs that go below a low E, a 5-string with a low B is worth it. Neither is better. It comes down to the notes you need and how the neck feels in your hand.
What the fifth string actually adds
A standard 4-string is tuned E-A-D-G. A 5-string adds a low B below the E, giving you five more notes at the bottom of the range. That low B lets you hit a low D or C without retuning, which is why it shows up so often in modern pop, worship and heavier music.
The fifth string also gives you more notes in one hand position. You can play a lot of lines across the neck without sliding up and down, which some players find more efficient once they are used to it.
How a 5-string feels different
The neck is wider. On our 5-string Thunderhorse basses, for example, the nut width is 1.8". There is an extra string to mute, so your plucking and fretting hands both have more to manage. Most players adjust within a few weeks, but if you have smaller hands, or you switch between bass and guitar a lot, it is worth trying one before you commit.
A 5-string can also be a little heavier, because of the wider neck and extra hardware. Body wood matters more than string count, though. Our Thunderhorse V in Lavender has a basswood body and weighs 8.8 lbs fully loaded. For more on keeping weight down, see our guide on how to choose a lightweight bass.
Scale length and the low B
A low B needs string tension to sound tight and clear. That is why a 34" scale is the safe choice for a 5-string. A 32" medium scale is a popular compromise if you want a more compact bass and still want a usable B, like our Thunderhorse V in Black Sands. We cover this in more detail in short, medium or long scale bass.
A 4-string works well at any scale, including a 30" short scale, because there is no low B to worry about.
Pickups and electronics on a 5-string
A 5-string needs pickups wide enough to cover all five strings evenly. We build 4- and 5-string basses with pickups from Lindy Fralin, Nordstrand, DiMarzio and EMG, matched to the string count you choose. If you are unsure which suits your style, our pickup guide walks through each one.
Electronics work the same on both. Our active basses use the McGrath Tilt EQ, and three-pickup builds add the McGrath Switch, a 12-way rotary pickup selector. A push/pull master volume lets you bypass the preamp and play passive at any time.
Which should you choose?
- Choose a 4-string if you play rock, punk, blues or classic styles, want the most familiar feel, switch often between bass and guitar, or want a short-scale bass.
- Choose a 5-string if you play modern worship, gospel, metal, R&B or pop, need notes below low E, or want more range in one hand position.
- Own both if you gig across styles. Many working players keep a 4 for feel and a 5 for range.
Common questions
Is a 5-string harder to learn on? A little, mainly because of the wider neck and the extra string to mute. Plenty of players start on a 5 and never look back, but a 4-string is simpler for most beginners.
Can I just tune a 4-string down instead? You can drop the E to D for some songs, but going lower gets floppy and changes the feel of the whole bass. A 5-string gives you the low notes and keeps standard tuning on the other strings.
Can I get any McGrath model as a 5-string? Every McGrath can be built with 4 or 5 strings, in 30", 32" or 34" scale. For a 5-string, a 32" or 34" scale gives the clearest low B. Fretless is available on request.
Build yours or play one now
You can choose 4 or 5 strings, along with your layout (P-style, J-style, Rebel or Thunderhorse), body wood, pickups and a hand-painted finish by Madelyn, in our Bass Builder. Builds currently take about 4 months, and a 25% deposit reserves your slot. Every custom bass ships in a McGrath x Protec hybrid case.
Want one sooner? Browse our in-stock instruments, or email us and we will help you decide between a 4 and a 5.
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