A couple questions about a five string

[Awkwardturtle!]

Hey so right now I have no GAS except for a five string so lets get to the questions

The neck is bigger obviously but is there some special way of playing a five string or does it play comfortably like a 4 string?

Will it be much heavier?

How can that low B be used in any band? I mean won't it be really off from the guitars don't you tune to around the same as the guitars?

so if these are stupid questions I'm just trying to wrap my head around another string o.o lol

also can any of you point me to a cheapy 5 string? it doesn't need to be good just something i can noodle with

[Awkwardturtle!]

bump nothing?

[wuzfuz]

Once you get used to the shift, you''ll never go back to a 4 string, IMO. You can find room for the B string in a lot of different applications. Weight is probably not significantly different than most 4 strings, neck width varies, obviously, but you should be able to find a model that's comfortable for you.

[Dan Knowlton]

I don't find that I use the lower notes as much as I use the ability to play horizontally across the neck with a greater range. Also, since I play with a lot of horns, the Eb comes in handy. I just play 5's now - no 4's for me.

Dan K.

[KPRott]

My band plays in drop-B for the most part, so using a five string tuned standard makes everything easier. No tuning down for me, and I can use the patterns I know without having to adjust and shift positions.

The only problem I had when I first started with the 5er was getting used to the neck width. My hand was always in an awkward position trying to reach that bottom string comfortably.

[Psycho]

Originally Posted by Awkwardturtle!

Hey so right now I have no GAS except for a five string so lets get to the questions

The neck is bigger obviously but is there some special way of playing a five string or does it play comfortably like a 4 string?

Will it be much heavier?

How can that low B be used in any band? I mean won't it be really off from the guitars don't you tune to around the same as the guitars?

so if these are stupid questions I'm just trying to wrap my head around another string o.o lol

also can any of you point me to a cheapy 5 string? it doesn't need to be good just something i can noodle with

The neck on a 5 string is usually just wider. They can be very comfortable to play on, if you have large hands or wide palms and long fingers. Those with smaller hands may find them harder to play and fret.

Weight isn't too bad, my 5 string Paolo Warlock actually weighs a bit less than some 4 strings, so it depends on construction and your physical strength.

The low B is an option. You could tune it to E, A, D, G, C instead of B, E, A, D, G. The low B can be used in conjuction with 7 string guitars, or to just play with a different tone or timbre, and give it a deeper sound without actually playing a lower note.

What are your reasons for getting one? Keep in my mind getting one because you want to is totally valid with me.

[eyecandy]

well one of the reasons why I'd look for a 5 stringer is.. I'm too lazy to tune down so i need to flat and the low B.. and especially when the guys play Drop D i won't be twisting my tuners that much...

also the low B tends to be heavy and growls a lot although it's a bit difficult to play than the 4 string esp when you're used to it..

a cheapy 5 string I've seen Squier's active 5 strings but i can't get the sound quite right for my taste but they play and feel good..

[Psycho]

Originally Posted by eyecandy

well one of the reasons why I'd look for a 5 stringer is.. I'm too lazy to tune down so i need to flat and the low B.. and especially when the guys play Drop D i won't be twisting my tuners that much...

also the low B tends to be heavy and growls a lot although it's a bit difficult to play than the 4 string esp when you're used to it..

a cheapy 5 string I've seen Squier's active 5 strings but i can't get the sound quite right for my taste but they play and feel good..

Keep in mind you possibly will need to skip strings if you want to play a drop D song. Unless you want your 5 standard with a low B, and have your 4 drop D like I do.

Or, you could tune your 5 string to drop D, and use the topmost string as solely a thumb rest. I've heard of people who do that as well.

And the difficulty usually fades. Muscle memory kicks in, especially in things like playing instruments.

[lindseyp]

Originally Posted by wuzfuz

Once you get used to the shift, you''ll never go back to a 4 string, IMO. ...

Although, on this forum you'll find a number of people who went back to playing 4-string basses and are quite happy. I'm not one of them, though, as I'm down to two 4-stringers. The fifth string gives you four extra notes when the bass is tuned to standard. I had one bass tuned down to A (MTD Artist 5). It was tight throughout the range. Experiment, see and hear what you do or don't like. The Ibanez SR range is great value for the money, IMO, I always recommend starting there. You can also tune a 4-string bass down to BEAD so don't limit yourself. Some 5-stringers have narrower necks than others, even with the same scale length, so take your guitarist to the store with you, grab some instruments off the wall and jam a little bit. See what happens.

[nato101010]

The best thing to do, is play one. Is much easier to experience then to read what someone else experiences. The b finds itself in many ways with bands.

For the record, my 5 string SX and 2 pounds heavier then my 4 string Gibson and my 4 string Warwick.

[JDeewond]

Like nato101010 said, the best thing you can do is play one. That's what I've been doing for the past week. I went out and rented a 5er for a month($50, and they had a squier for $21!) so I can try it as much as I can at home. I've been curious about how it would help me and how the tunes would have to be played. I have to say I'm extremely happy and surprised it took me a day or two to adjust and I'm still not 100% with it but right now, the pros overwhelm the cons.

We play a couple of songs in Drop D so this beats tuning, plus a bunch of songs are now a breeze to play compared to before. Weight is very similar to my Jazz 24 and I don't see myself using the low B just like I wouldn't play way way up the neck, say the F# or G on 23-24 fret but I wouldn't get rid of my G because of 2 notes.

I suggest you rent one even if only for a week, see if it's right for you.

[bassdaddyfive]

Awkwardturtle!, I can't play a 4 string bass anymore. Once you build hand memory and adjust to 5 strings, you will find that you can do much more on bass than you thought. It's just a matter of adjustment. I play 6 strings mostly now days because it gives me a chance to be more creative with bass. Try out some 5 strings to find something that will sound good to you and feel comfortable playing and go for it.

[MarTONEbass]

Originally Posted by Dan Knowlton

I don't find that I use the lower notes as much as I use the ability to play horizontally across the neck with a greater range. Also, since I play with a lot of horns, the Eb comes in handy. I just play 5's now - no 4's for me.

Dan K.

+1

Some are heavier than 4's, but some are not. Some 5 necks are actually narrower than some wide spaced 4's IME.

[Stanley Pugh]

Playing mostly on fives the only thing I can tell you is play it like a bass.
Use the low B as your lower string, you are a lot lower than the guitars witch makes both you and the guitar have more clarity. Not fighting for the same sonic space.
Some guys just prefer one or the other, You may want to rent one or borrow one if you have the option.
I have and use both but use mostly the fives, I love the lower range.

[Joe Nerve]

I played only 4s for years, needed to play a 5 for a certain gig that I wouldn't pass up, got used to it, played 5s exclusively for about 5 years, switched back to 4s and I couldn't be happier. I so totally prefer 4 strings, feel I can actually do a lot more with a 4 than a 5 simply cuz that b string isn't in my way. I have a drop D tuner on all my 4s now, so so the low notes are no problem. If we go down to C or B I"ll pick up a 5. Also found that after playing countless basses, all with different neck profiles, they begin to mean nothing. My preference regarding that is whatever I've been playing most. Takes very little time to get reaccustomed to thinner or wider necks.

As far as the neck being bigger, not necessarily so. There are some 4 strings with real wide spacing, and some 5 with real narrow spacing. Warwick 5s have narrow spacing. I had a cort curbow for a while also that felt just like my 4 strings. Same with the weight... it's all relative. There are 5 string basses out there that weigh 7 pounds, and 4s that weigh 12. Ya might want to shop around an play a bunch, or decide what it is you're looking for and ask for recommendations here.

Just reread your post and saw you're looking for a cheapo. I had an SX 5 and remember the string spacing to be pretty tight. Don't know if they still make them the same, but you won't find any cheaper. www.rondomusic.com . The squier active jazz 5 is a monster of a bass, but it's a handful. Wide spacing, big, and heavy. If you're looking for great sound in a cheap bass look there, if you're looking for light and small don't even consider it.

The extra string just takes a little getting used to. You basically get 5 extra notes and the ability to play in different positions than on a 4 if you so choose.

[ggunn]

Originally Posted by Joe Nerve

As far as the neck being bigger, not necessarily so. There are some 4 strings with real wide spacing, and some 5 with real narrow spacing.

True. I had for a very short while a Tacoma Thunderchief 5 string where the builder just crammed five strings onto what had been a four string design. I truly hated it and I sent it back (I bought it on line) immediately. It could only have been played with a pick.

[cnltb]

Originally Posted by Awkwardturtle!

Hey so right now I have no GAS except for a five string so lets get to the questions

The neck is bigger obviously but is there some special way of playing a five string or does it play comfortably like a 4 string?

Will it be much heavier?

How can that low B be used in any band? I mean won't it be really off from the guitars don't you tune to around the same as the guitars?

so if these are stupid questions I'm just trying to wrap my head around another string o.o lol

also can any of you point me to a cheapy 5 string? it doesn't need to be good just something i can noodle with

-A well designed 5 string bass will be just as comfortable as any 4. The neck will be wider , depending on the string spacing thou.
-There are light 5 string basses out there so one will not necessarily be heavier than a 4
-I use the low B mostly to avoid shifting too much on the neck, it adds a 4th below where ever you are on the neck, that's all.
-You tune the thing just like you do a 4 string bass , just add a 4th below( unless you preefer to string it any opther way...)

I'd look second hand for a cheap one. I'm sure there are some good deals to be had.

[lowendfriend]

Originally Posted by Dan Knowlton

I don't find that I use the lower notes as much as I use the ability to play horizontally across the neck with a greater range. Also, since I play with a lot of horns, the Eb comes in handy. I just play 5's now - no 4's for me.

Dan K.

^^This!

Occasional use of low notes but you use the B-string a lot

[Awkwardturtle!]

ah thanks guys
but lets say if I want to hit drop D what fret is that on the B string? or is that even on the B string same with drop C I'm just a little confused lol

[Bryan R. Tyler]

Originally Posted by Awkwardturtle!

ah thanks guys
but lets say if I want to hit drop D what fret is that on the B string? or is that even on the B string same with drop C I'm just a little confused lol

C is the 1st fret of the B string
D is the 3rd fret

You need to do some studying