Advantages of a 5-string

[Carbon Rose]

I'm thinking of purchasing the new Squier Vintage Modified 5-string Jazz Bass. However, I'm unsure if this is a wise choice because I'm not certain as to what a 5-string offers, apart from the obvious of course.

A 5-string bass appeals to me more, the bulky neck and body all attract me more towards a 5-string over a 4. I enjoy playing funk, jazz, hip-hop, Latin and many other styles of music, but yet I'm unsure if I really do require that extra B string?

I have one concern to the addition of the B string, which is playing octaves, fast octaves, much like some of the Jamiroquai stuff. I'm worried the extra string may cause muting problems or may slow me down as I'm use to a 4-string. This concern also unsettles my slap and pop technique, do I have less string spacing to work with or not?

[ejackson92]

Originally Posted by Carbon Rose

I'm thinking of purchasing the new Squier Vintage Modified 5-string Jazz Bass. However, I'm unsure if this is a wise choice because I'm not certain as to what a 5-string offers, apart from the obvious of course.

A 5-string bass appeals to me more, the bulky neck and body all attract me more towards a 5-string over a 4. I enjoy playing funk, jazz, hip-hop, Latin and many other styles of music, but yet I'm unsure if I really do require that extra B string?

I have one concern to the addition of the B string, which is playing octaves, fast octaves, much like some of the Jamiroquai stuff. I'm worried the extra string may cause muting problems or may slow me down as I'm use to a 4-string. This concern also unsettles my slap and pop technique, do I have less string spacing to work with or not?

by no means do you need an extra string. but the simplification in playing long runs it would afford you is nice to have. the low b is more of a luxury item. that said, i prefer to play extended range basses as opposed to 4 strings.
to each his own.

initially, switching to 5 will be somewhat difficult, and yes, it will slow you down in a way. however, consistent practice will help you gain familiarity with the wider neck.
as far as string spacing goes, there are wide 5s, slim ones, and everything in between. definitely find what is most comfortable for yourself.

[darkstorm]

Try several fivers by diff mfg. Discover those whose necks your most comfortable with. Narrow string spacing can be an advantage if you like doing chords and multi string stuff. Esp if you play with a pick as this gives closer to guitar like performance for multi string strumming.

Fivers take a little getting used to but if you go only with bass mfg whose necks are most comfortable to you for their fivers thats more then half the battle won.

As far as muting skills, Id think fivers would help with precision once gotten used to.

Depending on the music your doing and what all bass does within that, having low B may or may not be as good a choice for fiver as having high C or high B (like guitar) instead for the 5th string.

Ive owned fivers and may again. But overall I prefer 4 string. So if I got a fiver again, itd be 2nd rather then main bass,

[Mastermold]

Originally Posted by Carbon Rose

I'm thinking of purchasing the new Squier Vintage Modified 5-string Jazz Bass. However, I'm unsure if this is a wise choice because I'm not certain as to what a 5-string offers, apart from the obvious of course.

A 5-string bass appeals to me more, the bulky neck and body all attract me more towards a 5-string over a 4. I enjoy playing funk, jazz, hip-hop, Latin and many other styles of music, but yet I'm unsure if I really do require that extra B string?

I have one concern to the addition of the B string, which is playing octaves, fast octaves, much like some of the Jamiroquai stuff. I'm worried the extra string may cause muting problems or may slow me down as I'm use to a 4-string. This concern also unsettles my slap and pop technique, do I have less string spacing to work with or not?

The pro side is extended range, sometimes less movement around the neck, etc. The con side is a wider neck, which can be less comfortable, and more weight, but for me that's about it. The Squier is a good choice to try one out since it won't cost you a grip if you don't like it and those VM basses aren't bad either.

[Journey55]

It's a but more challenging to slap with if you're used to a 4 string, but as long as you aren't just starting slapping then you should be fine adapting to the spacing

[Carbon Rose]

I was also thinking of purchasing a Cort GB75. It looks amazing and the hardware on the instrument is far superior than that of the Squier VM.

I'm drawn towards 5-string basses, however I'm afraid that I will not be able to adapt to it. Another worry is that if I'm not using the B string it is only getting in the way, slowing me down or causing me to work harder than I would on a 4 string, right? This is why I'm uncertain.

[Mastermold]

Originally Posted by Carbon Rose

I was also thinking of purchasing a Cort GB75. It looks amazing and the hardware on the instrument is far superior than that of the Squier VM.

I'm drawn towards 5-string basses, however I'm afraid that I will not be able to adapt to it. Another worry is that if I'm not using the B string it is only getting in the way, slowing me down or causing me to work harder than I would on a 4 string, right? This is why I'm uncertain.

Depends on what music you're playing. I never use a 5'er in my classic rock band but almost always do in my church band. Different tools for different jobs.

[MrLenny1]

Pros- A 5 is a 4 with a great thumb rest.
Playing a fretted low E is cool but a low B & C is the b@#$^.
You can play Classic rock or some new pop stuff & lots of fusion material
is played on 5's.
The first time I played the 5 out I was able to nail the ending note of a tune by
sliding down to low C from my once low C. That hooked me.
Now, all my basses are 5's, some Low B & some Hi C.
it's good to have options.

[rugrat]

Tons of the newer country music uses the lower register also. If you don't mind playing parts of the song an octave higher, no worries. I personally think it sounds better with the lower notes.

[seungkoo]

I prefer to have a high C as I play chords towers the nut more. The low B is nice but I use a d tuner so a low D is enough for me of I really need it

[Snarf]

Originally Posted by Carbon Rose

I'm thinking of purchasing the new Squier Vintage Modified 5-string Jazz Bass. However, I'm unsure if this is a wise choice because I'm not certain as to what a 5-string offers, apart from the obvious of course.

A 5-string bass appeals to me more, the bulky neck and body all attract me more towards a 5-string over a 4. I enjoy playing funk, jazz, hip-hop, Latin and many other styles of music, but yet I'm unsure if I really do require that extra B string?

I have one concern to the addition of the B string, which is playing octaves, fast octaves, much like some of the Jamiroquai stuff. I'm worried the extra string may cause muting problems or may slow me down as I'm use to a 4-string. This concern also unsettles my slap and pop technique, do I have less string spacing to work with or not?

If you want the extra range, you'll learn to work around any inconveniences.

[gustobassman]

Originally Posted by darkstorm

Try several fivers by diff mfg. Discover those whose necks your most comfortable with. Narrow string spacing can be an advantage if you like doing chords and multi string stuff. Esp if you play with a pick as this gives closer to guitar like performance for multi string strumming.

Fivers take a little getting used to but if you go only with bass mfg whose necks are most comfortable to you for their fivers thats more then half the battle won.

Bingo. I can't play narrow spaced 5'ers to save my life, but this is great advice if you are gonna get on the #5 Train. I've been playing my '97 Am Std. Jazz V exclusively since i bought it new in '97. the skinny neck of a 4 feels so awkward now.. I've tried so many others, but the Fender spacing works for me. Try different gauges/wrap styles of B string to see what feels right for you.. Taperwound, etc..

by the way, you also get a different timbre by using the low B to grab a quick low D or C, rather than tuning down a thinner gauge string. personally, i love having those lower fat notes just jump out when used right.. adds some real depth..

[SLaPiNFuNK]

you will LOVE the sound of playing things in the 1st & 3rd fret of the E & A string on the 6 & 8th of the B and E string

[conqr]

Originally Posted by Journey55

It's a but more challenging to slap with if you're used to a 4 string, but as long as you aren't just starting slapping then you should be fine adapting to the spacing

True - it just takes practice - muscle memory takes care of the rest. I can slap almost as easily on my very narrow Soundgear 5 as my standard 19mm 4.

[Carbon Rose]

I want a jazz bass styled 5-string, with active electronics. I'm from the UK so my budget will be under 600 GBP. what would you guys recommended for this price range. I want something that is playable with very low action, that is my main concern.

As mentioned in the first post I was thinking of the new Squier VM 5-string jazz and I've also recently been looking at the Cort GB75 and some of the Ibanez SR gear. Not sure where to look, or what to look for!

[Lichtaffen]

If you play in any type general business/cover/wedding band, you may need the extended range. Often singers need songs to be played in different keys OR you may need to play the part of a keyboard bass (which doesn't take into consideration that the E is the lowest note on a 4 string). For example "Superstition" requires a Db. That's where you really need the 5 string.

Also, when you play a major scale using any 5 fret area on the neck, you're basically getting a full 2 octaves without having to move your hand. Very handy (no pun).

It didn't take me very long to get used to the extra string, although I don't play slap so I'm not sure how long it would take to master that technique.