Extensions or extra strings?

[bbates77]

What do you prefer if you want to go lower than an E?

A fifth string?
Tuned to a B, a C or another note?
Or do you prefer an extension on your E string?
Tuned to what note - a C, a B, another note?
Do other bottom notes exist on extensions?
Does anyone have a regular double bass with notes lower than a B?
...and the ultimate question...Does anyone have an Octobass?

Being a bass player I love low notes, leave the solos for the celli.
Anyone else have my warped sense of thrills?

[bassist14]

low B!
here we go:

[Paul Warburton]

Low B on my Joseph Bohmann 1888. See the Talkbasses. Eye candy.

[Thomas Stone]

I have a D extension.




I'll go for a C extension on my next bass.

I'm not really a fan of 5s, although this is an opinion based entirely on prejudice rather than experience

[Pete G]

I have a 4-string with a C extension, and a 5-string with a low B.

I like them both; which is better for a given piece depends on what's written in the bass part. For some parts, a four-string is easier; for others, a five-string is essential.

[bbates77]

Originally Posted by bassist14

low B!
here we go:

very nice!

I forgot to say, I actually own a five string myself with a low B. No markings, most probably German master made in the late 1800's.

[BELLATOR]

I would prefer an extra string.

[bbates77]

Originally Posted by BELLATOR

I would prefer an extra string.

Do you have the extra string on your bass?
Or do you have a four string and if you were to buy a bass for the lower register you would go for a 5 string as opposed to the extension?
I guess I'm enquiring: why would you "prefer an extra string." Have you tried both?

[JoeyNaeger]

I like having an extension because I like being bale to change where the middle harmonic is on the E-string for soloing. I also like the additional resonance that can be achieved by setting the low string to different pitches. I imagine that a low B would be easier to play specific passages, but I also think it would make playing harder over all.

[bernie49]

Extension or Extra string:
I would prefer an extra string as an extension looks ugly.

Octobasse:
According to Wiki there were only three specimen built by Vuillaume. Now there are only two items left, one in Paris, the other one in Vienna.
http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oktobass
I saw the one in Paris in 1980.

[Silversorcerer]

Originally Posted by bassist14

low B!
here we go:

Gee, I think I've seen that gorgeous fiver somewhere before. Sweet! And that one is just not made with four.


My Avatar indicates my preference. I think there is a really detailed thread on the ext. vs. 5th string on another forum as they say. Perhaps worth a read.

[bassist14]

Originally Posted by Silversorcerer

Gee, I think I've seen that gorgeous fiver somewhere before.

please don´t tell...

[BassAxe]

Before I acquired a 5-string a week ago, I had never touched one in my life.

I did get to try a 4-string with a low C extension.
I mainly didn't like how the string moved further and further away from the fingerboard as you removed each capo.

Now that I have been playing a 5-string for a week, I see it has disadvantages, too. For one thing, I miss the acres of room in between the strings on a 4-string bass. Playing pizzicato, I could hit them with plenty of force and not worry about the vibrating string buzzing against my finger as it came to a rest on the next string down. I also don't get to play tunes which require notes between the open B and the open E often enough. It requires a lot more finger strength to hold that B string down and get a good, clear note.

Both the closer string spacing and the finger strength are problems which can be resolved with more practise. Also, I like the available option of maybe someday re-stringing it EADGC. I see the extension as more of a solution of economics and getting more out of a beloved pre-existing instrument.

I have no regrets about buying a 5-string bass. As for my previous 4-string, I would never try to convert my 4-string into a 5-string. I might add an extension if I ever feel like I need to get the lower range out of that same instrument.

[toman]

I feel the five string is the only way to go on a new instrument. To me, the only use for an extension is to get the low notes out of an old bass. I think they're ugly, hard to use, fragile and just annoying. A properly setup five is no harder to play, and is much more functional. That said, proper setup is a tough issue; the vast majority of basses, regardless of configuration, that I play have average, if not poor setup jobs. Add a fifth string to the equasion, and the bass becomes very unpleasant to play, especially since most people feel that fivers need to be an inordinately large instrument to begin with. I'm really surprised that we don't see more new instruments being made with five strings and more playable dimensions.

If I were in the market for a new bass, that's what I would want. Five strings, a managable size and weight, and well aged wood. The maker can keep the pretty figured (expensive) woods, and the workmanship doesn't have to be ultimate master quality, but as long as the wood is good and the fittings and setup are top notch, I'm happy.

[willroland]

Although I understand everyone's desire for a 5-string, I simply do not like them. My right hand technique doesn't work as well with the shorter spacing and for me anyway, I can't see changing my technique for what amounts to one or two extra notes. In a typical year I just don't run into playing situations where there is something written below low E anyway.

[Silversorcerer]

Originally Posted by willroland

Although I understand everyone's desire for a 5-string, I simply do not like them. My right hand technique doesn't work as well with the shorter spacing and for me anyway, I can't see changing my technique for what amounts to one or two extra notes. In a typical year I just don't run into playing situations where there is something written below low E anyway.

I'm one of those arrogant fellows that tends to write my own lines regardless of what someone else wrote. It's plenty easy enough to re-voice a composition and take advantage of the lower notes. As far as the four (let's be precise) extra low notes go, it is a small advantage compared to the multiple alternative positions for many notes that are redundant on other strings. Then there is the matter of having another string that contributes deeper partials to the sound even when it is not played at all. All the f#s and even the C#s and many other notes benefit from the open B string just being there.

[PaulCannon]

I like my extension, and I think it looks nice. Robertson's makes a fairly elegant model of chromatic-fingered extension. The advantage is in that with a quick flip of a switch, I can go from having a fancy-pants low C to a normal-pantsed four string bass. Virtually no relearning of the instrument required. Takes maybe a week at most to be relatively comfortable with the extension. It can take far longer to adjust to playing a five string.

I'm not opposed to the concept of a five string, but I think extensions are the professional standard in North America at this point.

[bejoyous]

I prefer an extension. But, then again, I haven't tried too many 5ers. I found having the A-String right in the middle of the bridge arch a bit confusing. Although, I imagine having the lower pitches ready to go under your fingers wouldn't be bad either.

My solution to lower-than-E notes was to tune the E-String down to a low-D and have a short extension for the low-C and C# (much like Thomas Stone's). I have found that most lower-than-E notes are usually D or Eb anyway and the extension itself is more discreet looking.

Here's the long story and a picture: Alternate Extension Solution

[bbates77]

Originally Posted by willroland

In a typical year I just don't run into playing situations where there is something written below low E anyway.

I guess you don't play much Beethoven?

[BassAxe]

Originally Posted by bbates77

I guess you don't play much Beethoven?

I ought to suggest we add Beethoven to my bands' set lists so I can exercise that B string, then?

I think it would be a fun challenge to give ol' Ludwig's tunes a touch of Bluegrass, Olde Tyme, & Irish styles!