4 to 5 string bass

[lennydog]

Hi guys, I have been playing bass for around 4 years, I would like to purchase a five string bass. Just wondered how difficult the transition is from one instrument to the other? What experience do you have of this.
Cheers

[whisper14072]

I did it and had now issues what so ever.... but when I did I had only been playing a year. If my hands were not so big I would still have it.. but to get one with the spacing I needed I would need to drop $800... with 3 teenagers.. that just aint gunna happen...lol

But seriously you shouldn't have an issue... I didn't

[rappa29]

You shouldn't have a problem transitioning. Just be sure to find a 5 string bass that feels good for you to play.

I play both, but last summer switched to 5 exclusively in the original rock trio I joined. I bought a 5 string that has tight string spacing. Was easier for me to transition. YMMV.

The main things are, find a five string bass that feels good to you and spend a lot of time with it to get physically accustomed to it. Some people even suggest stowing your 4 so it forces you to learn your 5!

There are many threads about playing five and some of the pros\cons and things to consider when buying a five string bass.

[Ric5]

I play 4 string basses for decades. Then I got in a band that needed low D. I tried detuning and was never completely happy with that. Then I got my first 5 string bass and loved it.

In the begining I had the grab the wrong string problem. So I quit playing 4 string basses and 6 string guitars for a while to retrain my brain for the low B so it would become automatic for me.

Now I am uncomfortable with a 4 string bass. I keep looking for a low D and low C.

[Krowser]

It took me about a week to adjust to the slightler larger neck size but it basically the same thing.

[bass12]

For me it depends on the bass. I have played 4 stringers for over twenty years and bought my first 5 a year ago. I found that particular 5 threw me off and I resisted taking it on gigs. A couple of basses later I ended up with a 5 that felt unbelievably natural. I gigged with it right away and hardly had any problems adjusting. Try a bunch of different 5s out (if you have the opportunity) and see which ones suit you best. Also, don't assume that a 5 string version of the model you are used to playing as a 4 will be your best option.

[MNAirHead]

Overall, it's worth a month acclimation.... easier if you string your primary 4 banger in BEAD

[Absentia]

There's very little difference, the hardest part would be getting over the larger neck. Welcome to the club you probably wont go back lol.

[FatCity]

I just made the switch myself about two weeks ago. I put away my 4 strings and have been playing the 5 exclusively. The transition has not been as difficult as I had feared, but I still am not totally up to speed. I have found that treating the B as just an extra string and only using it when needed has helped. I figured that once I get used to the neck, string spacing, and the fact that the B is not the E, then I can start incorporating it into my basslines.

YMMV.

FC

[mward69]

Yeah my thing with switching to a 5er was getting used not tuning down, and having the re-learn the songs that I DID tune to drop D on. after a month I was loving it!!

[daratter]

I recently transitioned and it definately did not take me as long as I thought it would to transition, probably about a month or less. I went from a high action stnd 4 string Fender p to a really low action 5 string fretless MTD and Im actually already a lot faster on the MTD comparetively.

One thing I did do that helped was to learn a whole new set of songs rather than trying to go back and unlearn/modify the ones I already knew. The originals that we did already have written though I did have to rewrite some of the fingering and I started to make use of the low B. In the end, there are just some notes on that low B that are golden.

[SMILEYSIXX]

My problem was avoiding the B when I played songs meant for a four-string, but that problem went away pretty fast. The total time for adjustment for me was about 3 days, aside from the occasional problem of hitting the B when I mean to hit the E, but that's rare.

[remainthesame]

it just takes about 20 minutes (if that) and you will b used to it

[waylon79]

My first bass was a 5'er, now considering going to a four. It's going to be hard for me to change the way I think about playing, and a narrow neck.

[purpletornado]

I've just recently made the switch and it's turned out to be surprisingly easier than I thought it would be.

[JimmyM]

you can adjust to anything and the only obstacles are in your mind. having said that, i never got on with 5-strings and now i only use mine for practice...haven't used one onstage for a good 4 years now. but it's more of a choice....took me about 15 minutes to adjust.

[JSK5String]

Won't take you long, you just have to pay attention for the first few practices. It will be second nature before you know it. I made the switch about 15 years ago and haven't looked back. I use the low D quite a bit and love ending tunes with the big low note whenever possible, it just thumps people!

[elroyjetsn]

I'm learning to shift my frame of reference over a string. Kind of forget the B is there except for when you need that dark, growling Eb, B,C,Db or D. I may use a marker and make the B string black to help me ignore it generally.

[grkmetlhed]

The hardest part for me was having restraint with regard to the low b string....It's new and exciting, so you want to play with it all the time, but it gets boring fast...if you do it tastefully, it sounds amazing....imho, a lot of "5 string players" would be better off with 4 strings tuned down to BEAD, since they really forget about the upper register..

[BrettTheThreat]

I started playing electric guitar then just started playing a 5 string bass a few months ago. But now when I pick up a 4 string bass I tend to ignore the E-string every once in a while!