Lesh credited Garcia with teaching him to play the bass in the unorthodox lead-guitar style that he would become famous for, mixing thundering arpeggios ... a cheap four-string instrument his ...

It's a very personal thing, and when your string gauges are on the heavier side that also affects ... so it will be easy enough to check online if you're not sure. The most common are 9.5", 12" and 10 ...