4-, 5- & 6-String Basses
More strings mean more range — but also a wider neck to navigate. Here's exactly what each extra string adds, and what it costs.
4-string: the default
The 4-string bass, tuned E-A-D-G (low to high), is the standard by far. It's what most players start on, what most basslines are written for, and its narrower, evenly spaced neck is the easiest to learn and navigate quickly. Unless a specific song or style calls for extended range, a 4-string covers the vast majority of bass playing.
5-string: extended low range
A 5-string bass adds a low B string below the E, extending the range downward without retuning. This is useful for genres that dip into very low registers (metal, some modern gospel and worship music, certain hip-hop and R&B production) without needing to detune a 4-string or switch instruments mid-set.
6-string: range in both directions
A 6-string bass adds both the low B and a high C string above the G, giving the widest range of the three and letting a player reach into guitar-like registers for chords, solos, and melodic lines. The tradeoff is a noticeably wider, more crowded neck that takes longer to feel comfortable navigating.
Common questions
Do I need more than 4 strings?
Most players don't — a 4-string bass covers the overwhelming majority of music. Extra strings are worth considering only if a style you play regularly demands notes outside a 4-string's range.
What does the low B string add?
It extends a 5- or 6-string bass's range downward without retuning, useful for styles that call for very low notes, like some metal, worship, and modern R&B/hip-hop production.
What is the high C string for on a 6-string bass?
It extends the range upward, letting a player reach into guitar-like registers for chords, melodic lines, and solos that would be out of reach on a 4- or 5-string.
Are 5- and 6-string basses harder to play?
The extra strings mean a wider neck with strings spaced more tightly together, which takes more time to get comfortable navigating compared to a standard 4-string.
Explore any bass tuning on screen
Melody Monkey shows 4-, 5-, and 6-string bass tunings live, with every note mapped across the neck.
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