Advantages of a 5 string

[Richard Lindsey]

Originally Posted by Coward Of Reali

So now that we know the advantages of the five string, what are the advantages of the six? Why do we bassists need another higher string? What are....guitar players?

Who said anything about "need"? I play a 6 because I want the two extra strings and I am capable of doing something musical with them. I can play a 4 and did for many years; I play a 6 because I feel like it. It really doesn't have to be any more complicated than that.

[GROOVEjunkie]

slapping is a lot easier on a 4 string. It's not impossible on a 5, but it takes more effort to mute those pesky strings not in use as well as adjusting to the closer distance in between strings.

I've been playing my Ibanez 3005E Prestige for 1.5yrs and, although, I love the extra range (and the look), I have to agree with the previous post that a 4 string is "home." My brain (and picking hand) is/are probably just hard-wired to the 4 string mindset from years of playing only on 4, but, for now on, it's tough love. I will only play on my 5!!!

I find if I rest my fingers on the middle A string I can play most songs I've played for years (on a 4 string) on the 5 without too much frustration. Now if I can only get the slapping tighter. practice, practice, PRACTICE!!!

[narcopolo]

i loved my five string when i was in a jazz band because i got to play a low Eb, and i like playing up the neck. however, i HATE the sound of the notes lower than that, especially the low B, and so once i got out of jazz i got back into my four string very quickly.

this may be slightly off subject, but does anyone know if there are any bassists who tune a six string bass in EADGBE? i've been thinking about doing that since it would allow me to play a lot of the bluegrass licks i've been learning.

[Richard Lindsey]

Originally Posted by narcopolo

i loved my five string when i was in a jazz band because i got to play a low Eb, and i like playing up the neck. however, i HATE the sound of the notes lower than that, especially the low B, and so once i got out of jazz i got back into my four string very quickly.

this may be slightly off subject, but does anyone know if there are any bassists who tune a six string bass in EADGBE? i've been thinking about doing that since it would allow me to play a lot of the bluegrass licks i've been learning.

That's how I would do it if I tuned my 6 from E. This isn't exactly the same, but IIRC John Turner, of this board, tunes his 7 BEADGBE.

[WillBuckingham]

There were production bass guitars that were set up EADGBE by the factory. One of them was featured in BassPlayer a couple months ago.

[VinceLovesF]

I love my 5 because I can play in a lower register, that is increasing the range of things I can do, I think it's just a matter of time to get used to....
I can't see disadvantage except for slap, wher slapping 4 is easier to me, perhaps I have to practice to get used to...

Vince

[kernel666]

The only real disadvantage I find is developing a better technique to mute the other strings while playing, and getting used to closer strings (smaller space in between).
As for advantages, pretty much what everyone's been saying..
I really like how playing the low notes really give a different feeling to songs.

[Bassmonk3y]

I always thought that a 5-string was a pretty good idea... the strings were closer together, making slapping that much more enjoyable for me, and the extended range was intriguing. Nevertheless, i didn't really stress out too much about needing that extra string, and was pretty content with my 4.

Then I joined a metal band, got a 5-string, and started tuning the low B to a low A......the monumental grumble that i get when playing at high volumes is now a complete addiction. the feel of an entire room vibrating like the titanic sinking is so damned powerful, I just can't look at four stringers the same way anymore.

6 strings sound interesting too... but until I can play one like Myung, 5 work perfectly for me.

[PaulMacCnj]

What about 4 string basses re-strung with the low 4 strings of a 5 string set and tuning to BEAD? While this most likely requires a modification to the nut and/or bridge, it seems like a nice way to get the lower bottom end without the wider neck and closer string spacing. I have a rough time with wide necks and I prefer more space between strings because I only play finger style. There are 35" scale 4 string basses on the market that seem to cater to BEAD tuning.

Paul Mac

[tepes22b]

I'm a big fan of being able to play my walking bass lines in different places on the neck, and having the lower string lets me play some low notes at higher frets so I can keep the patterns more cohesive in certain keys like C. I also like the tone of the low B when I want to have a synth-like low end.

[AZNBassist]

Originally Posted by Coward Of Reali

So now that we know the advantages of the five string, what are the advantages of the six? Why do we bassists need another higher string? What are....guitar players?

You may not need the higher string, but some other people do. Just because other bassists have six, seven, eight, or whatever amount of strings doesn't make them any more or less of a bassist. As long as they feel they can make music with the amount of strings they have, its fine. Jaco made music with four. John Patittucci makes music with six and he's just as much a bassist as jaco is. besides, not all bassists like to play with a guitar player. I personally prefer playing with a keyboardist, so that when i solo, he can play a groove while i can solo in the higher register without cluttering the sonic space.

[lowphatbass]

For me it's all about the extra notes and that's all it's about. The ability span two octaves over five fret lengths in all twelve keys is nice, but it won't make or break me. Every time I see/hear a great 4 string player I am reminded of this.
I can't say I don't have chops, but I'm more into "tasty" than "flashy", and I'm not doing any crazy solo/virtuoso stuff. From time to time I see/hear lines that are so technical that they cannot be done effectively without a five or six. What I see/hear more commonly, however, are lines that cannot be done with a four because it just doesn't go low enough, of course this could be all about what I do and don't listen to.
I think if you ask anybody who plays a 5 or 6 as their main axe they will tell those who have ANY trouble slapping that #1) They have work to do. #2) They have more work to do!! I've seen dudes with Monster Hands slapping tight little 5ers and 6ers hard and clean plenty of times, it's a matter of technique, IMO.
To me the only disadvantage of playing a 5+ string is actually playing one if you don't want to be. That doesn't mean that there aren't concerns and sacrafices. A 5+ demands more "robust" amplification. This usually means bigger and heavier. If you want compact cabs for a 5+ you'll be spending a bit more $$.

[BuffaloBass]

After checking out a few in the local music store (alas no Lackland though), I do like the easier positioning and the fact that I dont have to use the first few frets. So far, initial observations.

Also noticed a big difference in how the low B sounds between basses. Not all equal at all.

Anxiously awaiting the satiation of 5'er gas as I type.

[Redhotbassist]

More notes, (lower tones), mmm low growly B!.. more range i guess..

The only disadvantage i find with the 5 string is slapping, the space between the strings, its easier on a 4, someone mentioned and explained it better up the page, i also feel the same..

But 5 strings are nice!

[JimmyM]

Count me as one of the few who used to play 5 and went back to 4 exclusively. It always got in the way when I slapped. I could work around it and actually got good at slapping on it but I hated it. The neck is too chunky with an extra string and wide spacing, which is the only way I could tolerate it. And worst of all, I always felt like I was sticking in low notes just to show off that I could. And I was.

I couldn't care less about being able to keep my hand in one position and play all over the place. To me, that's just not wanting to put in the effort of playing. And if I need low notes, how hard is it to detune? Take me all of 3 seconds. So I'll pass on the 5 from now on unless someone specifically requests it, and they never do.

[mcbassdude]

I like the 5'r because I don't have to de-tune for most drop D tuning.
One of the bands I'm in drop the key a step or so for the vocals and I don't have to re-tune as the guitars do.

[ii7-V7]

When I decided that I was going to get serious about playing bass after playing guitar for years I went out and bought a 5 string Warwick Thumb. Now, perhaps it was the instrument itself, but I found it to be a love/hate relationship. It could be the bass that I had, but I didn't like it despite having searched for the bass with the tightes B that I could find in my price range. I would rather shift and stretch my fingers horizontally than have to play across five strings vertically, especially at the higher frets.

There are two distinct advantages to a five string; four lower notes (B through Eb), and the ability to play two octaves with minimal shifting. Heres the problems that I had. First, of the four extra notes I only found two to be useable; D and Eb. The others were just two low for my taste. Secondly, playing two octaves in one position requires you to play higher notes on the B string, and they just don't sound as good to me. What I mean is, if I want to play a F major scale across all five strings starting at the 6th fret of the B and up to the 10th of the G, then the tone of that scale doesn't sound as good as if I just played it in the lower register and shifted up to get the higher notes. Don't believe what I'm saying? Try playng an F at the first fret of the E string and then at the 6th fret of the B string. Sounds different doesn't it? Now this is a matter of taste, but I didn't find either of these advantages to be all that advantageous.

Just my opinion.

Chad