Question for notation-reading CGDAE-instrument players

[Simon DS]

For me it’s a tie between B and D

[onswah]

I think it depends on context, but I always err on the side of readability.

Any of them would be fine if I was given the music in advance and had time to work it out. If the expectation was to sight-read I would avoid the ledger lines of A. Anything over 3 ledger lines can be tough.

Deciding between treble clef 8vb and bass clef relies on the musician's experience and what instrument you are composing for. If someone is coming from a mandolin background, they'll be more nimble with treble clef. If they read for mandocello, or another bass instrument, they probably won't have an issue either way.

If it was my composition and I didn't know the musicians I was working with, I'd choose B.

[DavidKOS]

I liked the third option best in bass clef. It's so natural and requires the least effort. No transposing, no struggle to count how many ledger lines. It's written correctly and there's no shortcuts.
.

Example 3 also is the easiest to read if you are comfortable in both clefs.

All are workable.