Doing slides on 5 strings

[drewsky2004]

One big thing I've noticed is how difficult slides are. I guess because the strings are thicker and are ridged more it increases friction. They just don't feel as smooth as a four string set. Therefore, doing slides is much harder. And I do a lot of slides.

Is there perhaps a set of 5 string packs that reduced friction making the slides easier? Or some lubricant or something? Or are 5 strings just like that

[mccartneyman]

Unless you've gone with a heavier set of strings on your fiver, there's only one string on a fiver that's thicker than the one on a "fourer," and that's the B. I don't find it any harder to do slides on any of my fivers. As for soother strings, there are coated rounds, half-rounds and flats. There's also Finer Ease, which you can spray on the strings to ease friction.

[drewsky2004]

I'll have to the coated. Out of curiosity, which strings do you use?

[bassist001]

im not sure how long you've been playing. but one thing i have notice with people that i teach is that when you go to slide down to a lower note. a lot of people push down really hard with their left hand to try and get the notes to sound out. when in reality very minor left hand pressure needs to be used to get good results. of course a properly set up bass helps with that also. but i play DR Long Necks (stainless steel) and i barley use much left hand pressure at all for slides and never have any horrible friction issues. And my bass is set up for a higher action since i dig in pretty hard with my right hand.

[drewsky2004]

It's weird though. All the strings are equally hard to do slides for me. And believe me, I've tried light pressure, and the note just dies off. There must be a pack of nice easy glide 5 strings out there.

[matt descending]

Try the Finger Ease spray. It's only 5 or 6 bucks. Less friction.

[drewsky2004]

Actually, it looks like a little human hand grease does the trick as well! After playing my new bass for a week, slides are much easier to do! Just had to break it in I guess. But now I can slide great! Rock on!

[stflbn]

I'm sensing to much emphasis on slides maybe...

[drewsky2004]

Originally Posted by stflbn

I'm sensing to much emphasis on slides maybe...

Well I'll admit I love em a lot. To me when nailed on the right spot they just sound so sexy. But I try to keep myself in control and try not to overdo them

[Comrade Kiwi]

WD-40.


...Okay, but seriously, sliding on a five takes a bit of getting used to, but it's not impossible. Just keep working at it, and spray the strings if you really need to. Tbh, I find the tighter spacing of the strings to be more challenging than anything, but there's not a whole lot you can do about that other than get used to it.