4 string to 5 string

Thingus995 · #1 01-06-2009, 03:00 AM

I recently got a screaming deal on a brand new fender jazz 4 string (i was gonna buy a squier after the holiday but for a new mia jazz the deal was far too good to pass on) and have been playing the hell out of it... my first bass was a schecter stilletto 5 string, which i also love, but recently have taken a bit of a vacation from due to the arrival of the jazz... as i was running through some fairly simple songs and excersizes on my schecter my fretting hand (left) fatigued fairly quickly, and i was having difficulty with my fretting wrist getting comfortable... prior to playing on the jazz this was not a serious issue, and i could flail away on the schecter for hours without much issue... am i causing undue strain by switching from 35" to 34" scale and 4-5 strings or do i have a deeper technique issue??? in the lessons i was taking, i never had issues with my technique (although as a fairly new player i would get tired easily during technical or awkward passages) and therefore we concentrated on musicality and timing, etc. so far as i know things havent changed... i would really rather (and do enjoy) playing and having the extra string and extra 3 frets, so i guess worse case scenario i flip the fender for a 35" four (cause i do want a 4 and a 5)... so, i guess my really long winded question is, is the issue my technique or the fact that it takes some getting used to the longer scale again after having not played it for roughly a month???

ericmknight1906 · #2 01-06-2009, 07:23 AM

Hmmm...I would say in theory if you are effortlessly playing a 5 string with a 35" scale, your transition to a 4 string 34" should be flawless unless I misunderstood your question.

Maybe your body is used to the schector and you are overcompensating for the Fender. Just relax......

2x4strgkramers · #3 01-06-2009, 07:37 AM

Is there a substantial differnce in the action ? Could be a setup issue.

Jake of Bass · #4 01-06-2009, 07:46 AM

If it's only been a month like you say then it's pretty elementary to consider that it will take much quicker than this to find your feet again on the 5. I wouldn't sweat it one drop, just pick up and play

As an example, I hadn't picked up my fretless 5 in almost a year. Only took a couple days for 95% of it to come back.

Bassorama57 · #5 01-06-2009, 07:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ericmknight1906

Hmmm...I would say in theory if you are effortlessly playing a 5 string with a 35" scale, your transition to a 4 string 34" should be flawless unless I misunderstood your question.

Maybe your body is used to the schector and you are overcompensating for the Fender. Just relax......

This is probably it. Most folks find Schecters to have very "easy to play" action - I certainly find them positively painless to play. I can't stand the tone though, which is why I don't own or regularly play one. Make sure the Jazz is set up properly and be mindful of your technique (wrist straight, etc.). The neck profile is thicker and I'm pretty sure the instrument is somewhat heavier. If you like the Schecter sound (or can EQ it the way you like it), flip the Fender for a 4-banger.

Thingus995 · #6 01-06-2009, 12:56 PM

Awesome guys, I definitely appreciate the responses, I read through the stickied 4-5 string thread and didn't find anything too terribly helpful to my situation so I thought I'd ask... I'm definitely gonna keep playing em both, but I gotta start pickin up the Schecter again, its not fair she's gathering dust, and I really do prefer the way she plays (as well as the extra string/frets) good point on the action as well, the Schecter is set up with quite low action, and the fender is substantially higher (I haven't had or done a set up since I got it, im ashamed) so it could be that I'm fighting the fender and 'thinking too much' while playing the Schecter... Again, thanks for the responses guys, I very much appreciate it!!

Jake of Bass · #7 01-06-2009, 02:59 PM

You might find this will all turn into a positive for you. I recently had my stingray setup properly for the first time and learnt how to do it myself. Can't stop playing the thing now and that was two months ago.. A great playing and sounding instrument is one of the best motivators out there to practice, so I'd suggest either getting it setup with the lowest action possible (as that's what you seem to like) and you'll get the best of both worlds then.