5 string bass issue

[cpaterso]

Hi - I am back from a month of playing a 4 string bass - and have re-discovered that when playing my 5 string bass I often catch the G string when i am playing the D string (esp. further up the fingerboard.)

Does anyone else have this problem? Any suggestions on why this happens? (Yes, it could be my bowing technique, but it doesn't happen with a 4 string.) I wonder if the bridge slots are too deep on the D string? or ??

Many thanks for any help,

Craig

[Square Bear]

a closer bow placement to the bridge often helps avoid hitting other strings, especially as you go further up the fingerboard. maybe you'll have to block the g a bit if you can manage it. it doesn't happen on your 4 string because the string spacing is wider so you have more clearance. also, you're probably used to not having to worry about clearance when you're in that bow position because you'd be on the g on your 4 string. just need to retrain yourself to "feel" it a little more sensitively.

[JtheJazzMan]

Im a little confused, were the string heights set right a month ago?

Always takes time to get used to a bass again, especially 5 strings where the strings often closer

[cpaterso]

the strings were a problem before i went away - but it seems i am less able to avoid the G string when playing D string.

i wonder if i could raise the D string - i.e. with some paper?

Craig

[JtheJazzMan]

You may want to see a luthier and ask if the curvature of the fingerboard is sufficient. I just had a FB plane on mine which has helped the clearance between the strings and allowed me to get all the strings at a much more even action.

[Square Bear]

that's true, it may be the curvature of your board/bridge. before you take the instrument to a shop and pay for all that, i'd see if the problem could be solved by adjusting your technique though.

[JtheJazzMan]

Bow tension is also another possibility... when the hair is too loose it curves downwards over the string and gets closer to the adjacent strings.

That may be a bad compromise though if you dont like to tighten your bow too much

[HogieWan]

Originally Posted by JtheJazzMan

Bow tension is also another possibility... when the hair is too loose it curves downwards over the string and gets closer to the adjacent strings.

That may be a bad compromise though if you dont like to tighten your bow too much

I was about to suggest that. I have a 5 string cello and I have to crank the tension of the bow up a bit to get good clearance without resorting to playing really close to the bridge.

The other option is lowering the string height over the board. If the action is high and you press on down (esp higher up) the string moves down a lot even close to the bridge, giving you near zero clearance for the bow

[CPike]

Originally Posted by cpaterso

the strings were a problem before i went away - but it seems i am less able to avoid the G string when playing D string.

i wonder if i could raise the D string - i.e. with some paper?

Craig

Raising the D would help avoid hitting the G, but is likely to create the same clearance issue when you play on the A string. Pictures would help. Perhaps lowering the G a smidge?
Chris

[sjd007]

+1

The curvature of the fingerboard (hollow) and the distance from the string to fingerboard both mean that when you press the D string at say the octave, it can be around the height of the other strings if the bridge is a little "flat" which is common of 5-stringers. I spaced my strings further apart (25mm each at least) and added a little curve to my bridge (which needed the addition of bridge adjusters which I wanted to do anyway) and that has really helped, but still very fine tolerances compared to the 4-string beasts. It is difficult to raise single strings without damping them (eg paper). Need to lower all the others... Perhaps file out the G a little and see if that helps (beware of lowering the action too much otherwise it will buzz, and you too will need to fit bridge adjusters, or get a new bridge!!)

All the best and good luck.