Hi Matt,

I personal play Industral Metal to Heavy Metal. I started out on a 4 string B.C. Rich warlock, good spacing and action. Music sceen changed and I went to a 5 string Ibanez ergodyne. Again good spacing and action and seems more solid to me. I didn't have any trouble adjusting from one to the other. Just concider what your needs are going to be then go test drive a few. If you want to play then play. Your choice of style is what matters.

I almost never used the high G-string on my 4-string bass, so I restrung it with the low four strings of a 5-string set: B-E-A-D. This required some alterations to the nut grooves, bridge pieces, and action, but it was nothing I couldn't handle myself. Best of both worlds, IMO.

I have mixed feelings about the 5 string bass. I like the extra string because I would love to have an extra low string without having to downtune my bass all the time. Unfortunatly I cant really get used to 5 string. And i dont really like straying from my nice traditional 4 string. I dont like 7 string guitars either and the 12 string bass i saw scared me half to death, i couldnt play it easily.

Matt, you may find it difficult finding a decent 5 string with a limited budget. Most "cheap" 5 strings have a B string with about as much tension as a string vest!

good point!i play 4-string

Matt
I agree with all responses. When I started playing MANY years ago I had a similar discussion with my teacher regarding Fretless Vs Fretted. He recommended concentrating on one type to try to be comfortable with it then moving to the other. I did, and had no trouble changing from one to the other. So have plenty of practice on the four string to start with and you'll be fine.

Matt,
I play five strings and four string and personally I like a five string better because of the five extra notes you get and I personally think you can do more when creating your own bass-line. Also I learned to get my fingers around the fretboared. Also start with a good quallity eventhough its more expensive you dont have to get it reapered as often and has better sound. Hope this helps.
Megabass

Its all bullsh*t man!!! 5-string are sort of a fashion, i mean, i hate 90% of hard/glam/hardcore bands out there, like korn,limp bizkit, slipknot, papa roach, etc....and you know why? because they abuse that low string and downtuned guitars, they all sound the same to me, no one can really play, and they are all overrated...

John Myung of Dream Teather (besides being a virtuoso) plays a 6-string, he doesnt sound like all those players, why? because he knows how to
play.
I think that is a personal choice, but i will always be loyal to my 4 (i have a 5 also, dont tell anyone)

I hate seven string guitars for the same reason, 99 % of the time, folks abuse the B(or A). Now guys like Vai, Lynch and VanEpps used them, but they know (knew) how to play!

well, my first two bass guitars were both 4-string, and i just got my first 5-string...and i LOVe it. it doesn't feel too big at the neck, it just glides across my fingers, and my hands are rather small. definitely recommend a 5-string, but it's only better if somewhat experienced w a 4-string, otherwise, its just another guitar...