Arif Mirabdolbaghi's 5 string use

[rapturebass]

Hello. Protest The Hero is fast becoming my favorite band and Arif Mirabdolbaghi is fast becoming my favorite bassist. (though i can't possibly play any of his riffs!) I'm curious though, on Kezia he always played a 4-string Spector and on Fortress he started using a green 5-string Spector. I've looked up tabs (don't criticize me! I can read bass clef!) and noted every song was only a half step down, (unbelievible for a band that heavy) even on Fortress and i'm curious about his shift to 5-strings. I'm aware it isnt just for the low notes but also for position, but im curious for his reason behind his use of 5-strings. Thankyou for your time.

[dukeisdog]

I think it's a lot easier to play some of his tapping riffs, being able to go down an octave, instead of shifting to a higher position on the neck. Take these 2 videos as an example:

Bloodmeat tapping on 4 string: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pn7uvl_tgog

Bloodmeat tapping on 5 string: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlduiVhANn0

It's tough to explain it to you without showing it, as I'm really wordless when it comes to things like this, but if you watch and compare those 2 videos, and his hand positioning, you'll basically understand it.