Do you need a 5 string bass to play white horse by taylor swift?

Answer 1

I believe Amos Heller plays his 5-string upright on this song. You can play any song with a 4 or 5 string bass, but it might not sound right. The main verse is played C - F - Am - F which would sound best on a 5-string with the low C on the B string. Playing the C on the A string might not sound right, but it's worth a try.

You could fake it on a 4 string by tuning your low E down to C which would put the F on the 5th fret/position. I've done it before I got my 5-string.