5 String question?

Gabriel51 · #1 10-13-2008, 12:08 PM

I play the lower register as often as possible. Would a 5 string be easier to play than a 4. It certainly seams like it would.
Maybe I'm just trying to justify a 5 string purchase?
Thanks...

Bassman316 · #2 10-13-2008, 12:12 PM

A five-string wouldn't necessarily make it any easier. In your case, if you play in the lower register as often as possible, a five-string will give you an extension as far as notes in the lower register with the low B string, but it's really not any easier than playing a four-string.

JNowiski · #3 10-13-2008, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gabriel51

I play the lower register as often as possible. Would a 5 string be easier to play than a 4. It certainly seams like it would.
Maybe I'm just trying to justify a 5 string purchase?
Thanks...

it's not any easier to play. its just got an extra string, some might say it will make it a little harder.

plus this thread is going to get moved from this section.

fretlessman71 · #4 10-13-2008, 12:14 PM

No right or wrong answer here.

HOWEVER... you can ask yourself a few questions, and the answers you give should help you decide.

* How often do you wish you had a lower D than the one you play on the A string, 5th fret? Do you wish for/hear notes even lower?

* Do you find yourself tuning down a lot to reach said notes?

* Do you play a lot of chords on your bass?

* Does the neck feel like it sticks out too far, and you wish you could play those low notes at a higher point on the neck?

* Do you like the sound of your current bass?

* Does the idea of the 5th string sound really cool?

* Does the idea of the 5th string make you wonder if you'll get lost more often?

* Have you found a 5 string that you really like the sound of?

* Do you find your current bass easy to play?

Go through this list and then reassess what you want to do. It's a good starting place anyway.

Gabriel51 · #5 10-13-2008, 12:26 PM

I guess "easier" was the wrong term to use.
Some riffs need a low E, an E open is the only choice which is harder to control and more dominate. By easier I meant from a control point of view.

If you would like to play a low fifth from the A on the E string.

AxtoOx · #6 10-13-2008, 01:12 PM

I play nothing but 5'ers, IMO, It's easier especially if you don't have large hands. I feel I don't have as much control over open strings, so I play my E on the 5th fret. We play minimum of 3 tunings at any one show. I never have to re tune, the guitarist are gabbing different guitars and also having to re tune between songs.
Life is much easier for me on a 5'er.

chaosMK · #7 10-13-2008, 01:18 PM

If lower than E is the "low register", then yes.

Gabriel51 · #8 10-13-2008, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AxtoOx

I play nothing but 5'ers, IMO, It's easier especially if you don't have large hands. I feel I don't have as much control over open strings, so I play my E on the 5th fret. We play minimum of 3 tunings at any one show. I never have to re tune, the guitarist are gabbing different guitars and also having to re tune between songs.
Life is much easier for me on a 5'er.

This is the answer I was looking for, Thanks
I never have re-tuned, I was comfortable playing all over the neck, and it worked for all the stuff I did/do.

Moving Target · #9 10-13-2008, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fretlessman71

* Does the idea of the 5th string make you wonder if you'll get lost more often?

I occasionally play 5 string and this happens to me a lot when I do! I keep starting run four full-tones flat!

Gabriel51 · #10 10-13-2008, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moving Target

I occasionally play 5 string and this happens to me a lot when I do! I keep starting run four full-tones flat!

It must be my method? I don't think I will have this problem? I hope not.

tZer · #11 10-13-2008, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gabriel51

It must be my method? I don't think I will have this problem? I hope not.

At first (almost certainly) you will - especially if you are switching between a 4 and 5 string in one session.

Plus watch the "dog hearing a strange noise" look on the face of your guitar player as he's trying to figure out what chord he should be playing by looking at your fingers!

"Dude... I have a low B string now..."

AxtoOx · #12 10-13-2008, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gabriel51

This is the answer I was looking for, Thanks
I never have re-tuned, I was comfortable playing all over the neck, and it worked for all the stuff I did/do.

Glad I was of some help.

Lazylion · #13 10-13-2008, 02:48 PM

Go for it! Once you get used to it, you'll wonder why you waited.

Gabriel51 · #14 10-13-2008, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tZer

At first (almost certainly) you will - especially if you are switching between a 4 and 5 string in one session.

Plus watch the "dog hearing a strange noise" look on the face of your guitar player as he's trying to figure out what chord he should be playing by looking at your fingers!

"Dude... I have a low B string now..."

The only switching I did was from a fretted to a fretless.
You will like this; I have a moonstone that has no position markers on the front instead it's inlaid with abalone and mother of pearl (Vine of life).
I never played with a lead player that did not know the set, however many times they would go off in lala land and not remember the root during the bridge. They get that I'm lost look "dude where are we?" I had more problems with the lead singer, I almost always had to lead him back in. I mostly played scales through both octaves so it would be hard to look and see anyway most of the time.
Remember Fretless has no front markers anyway (well they once did not), except this new Squire fretless I just bought.
Those fake frets screw me up some.

tZer · #15 10-13-2008, 03:26 PM

Seems like you'll be fine. I say go for it!

basshero1107 · #16 10-13-2008, 03:32 PM

the string spacing is VERY different on a five. if you slap, get used to a five string first because it is a tough switch. the fifth string is used a lot in rock and metal or for anybody who is sick of tuning their 4 string down.

if you have been playing on a four for a long time, i would say definitely go to guitar center or something and get the feel of a five. but in the end, its worth the trouble because switching back a breeze. now you have a greater range of skill on bass.

Gabriel51 · #17 10-13-2008, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by basshero1107

the string spacing is VERY different on a five. if you slap, get used to a five string first because it is a tough switch. the fifth string is used a lot in rock and metal or for anybody who is sick of tuning their 4 string down.

if you have been playing on a four for a long time, i would say definitely go to guitar center or something and get the feel of a five. but in the end, its worth the trouble because switching back a breeze. now you have a greater range of skill on bass.

I don't slap, though I do like it, I played Jazz/Blues until the 80's and if you wanted to work here in Texas during that time you had to play country (I had to spiff the stuff up when I could), I was looking at a Peavey Grind on line and found the nut weidth is 1.8" and at the last fret up it is 2.6". 35" scale. My Jazz is 1.5 and 2.5 so I figured that this base would be OK?

christmetal · #18 10-13-2008, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AxtoOx

I play nothing but 5'ers, IMO, It's easier especially if you don't have large hands. I feel I don't have as much control over open strings, so I play my E on the 5th fret. We play minimum of 3 tunings at any one show. I never have to re tune, the guitarist are gabbing different guitars and also having to re tune between songs.
Life is much easier for me on a 5'er.

im exactly the same way
5 strings are good for me
although barely noticeable, the strings are slightly closer to each other and in my opinion it is easier to play but thats just me
and like the guy i quoted said, you dont have to tune down ever
you just play the lower notes
you never need a reason to tune down below the low B

capnsandwich · #19 10-13-2008, 04:01 PM

Dude, it's all about getting used to the B string, the top string, not being the E. Once you're used to that it's all downhill from there. You just need some time in the cockpit but you can't get that until you get a 5'er so I'd say go get one.