The main reason for a 5 string bass compared to 4-strings is the added low range the 5th string offers. It allows the player the use of lower notes with more choice for scales, arpeggios, and chords compared to 4 string.
How do you tune a 5 string bass?
Usually, extended-range basses are tuned in fourths. Five-string basses are normally tuned B-E-A-D-G, with a lower B string in addition to the four strings of a normal bass guitar.
Is a 5 string bass good for beginners?
Choosing a new bass guitar is tough enough for beginners, and adding an extra string into the mix just compounds the conundrum. For newbies who don't know, a 5-string bass includes an additional low-B string, which gives the instrument a much deeper range
Is 5 string bass better for metal?
The Ibanez SR305E, for example, is a lean, stripped-down five-string bass which would be perfect for technical styles of metal. The wood grain on the weathered black finish is stunning, and gives the impression of a bass which means business.