Will I cause problems for myself?

[Wallace320]

Originally Posted by Evil Undead

I have a passive 4 string bass that I love (Fender P) but I'm also itching for an active 5 (Ibanez SR). I've played 5 strings before with no problems but never switched back and forth between the two on a regular basis.

Would I be better just sticking with 4 strings and using different basses for different tunings? Does anyone else here use a passive fender 4 and an active 5 with tighter string spacing?

Thanks

I play a Soundgear XXV Anniversary, the 4er, only because of its regular 19mm spacing, on par with all other regularly spaced bass necks

But in all truth, my 5ers are G&L Tribute L2500 and Peavey Cirrus BXP5, which are surely tight.

Cheers,
Wallace

[JB36]

I picked up my first 5 a few months ago and I've found my playing is better on the 4 when I return to it. The 5 is ok, but the 4 feels more like home.

[Evil Undead]

Seems to be a landslide...

[SoVeryTired]

You should have predicted this result. If the readership of TB are presented with two choices, and one involves getting another bass, that one will win.

[chef wong]

Do you have detuned heavy metal in your heart? Do you often find yourself humming smooth jazz? If so, maybe get a 5 string. That low B will just be in the way if you're the weekend warrior that plays Creedence Clearwater for $75. a gig.

[bradjonesbass]

I switch between a fretted 7, fretless 6, fretted 5, and soon a 5 string EUB all the time. The important thing is getting comfortable on each instrument so there are no issues switching.

[obimark]

IME- and Billy Sheehan says the same thing BTW- If you want to get good play on one type of bass constantly. PERIOD. I am not saying some of you folks don't have the ability to switch back and forth between all these different scale and length basses, but honestly I highly doubt you are as proficient on all of them.
That's why I mainly play P-bass type necks, becuase I DON"T have to stare at my fretboard the whole time during a gig. In fact on many songs I look at it at the beginning and NOT again the whole song, because I am engaging the rest of my band and the audience.

MUSCLE memory is a powerful thing, having to adjust your playing because the string spacing is different, and even the scale length is different is not GOING to make you better.
YOu think I am wrong- well ask Geddy, Billy sheehan, Chris Squire, Nikki Sixx, Nate Mendel, Simon Gallup, and a LAUNDRY List of others. EVEN ENtwistle primarily played one bass in those long WHO concerts, he DID not switch.
THEY ALL play the same bass/style of bass 95% of the time. There is a reason they are better and this is one of them.
I am not saying don't play a 5, I am saying if thats what you want PLAY a 5 -95% of the time.
CHEF WONG_ 100% correct- there are 2 songs my band does that need a low -D "Save a HOrse" and 1 other, I detune my bass and so long as I retune after , all is good. The value of those 4 extra notes is not for me, as I am playing rock bass with some funk.

[ggunn]

IMO, switching between a 5 and a 4 string is easier than changing between basses tuned differently. YMMV.

[Rip Topaz]

If it were me, I'd just put a D-tuner on my main bass.

[jweber76]

I did exactly that. I added a detuner to my main standard tuned bass to drop it for the three or four songs in our set that require a low D.

[Webtroll]

I can switch between a 4 and 5 of different sizes pretty easy, but the 6er gives me fits. I started on a 4 and didn't get a 5er for decades, so it was harder to start with but I got used to it, just as I'm sure if I had a need for a 6er I'd get over it. Were I starting out I'd love to have a 4 and a 5 avail.

[Steve Dallman]

I had a D tuner on my 4 string years ago, but when I found I was leaving it at D most of the time, I bought my first 5 in 1988. I haven't gigged with a 4 since. I still have a couple, and use them for giving lessons only. Playing a 4 feels like I have a finger missing.

[pklima]

Originally Posted by Evil Undead

Seems to be a landslide...

Yup, you ARE going to cause yourself problems, and they'll be financial ones because you'll keep buying more basses, LOL.

[Kmonk]

It takes a little get used to but its not very difficult. I do it all the time.

[wvbass]

Originally Posted by obimark

IME- and Billy Sheehan says the same thing BTW- If you want to get good play on one type of bass constantly. PERIOD. I am not saying some of you folks don't have the ability to switch back and forth between all these different scale and length basses, but honestly I highly doubt you are as proficient on all of them.
That's why I mainly play P-bass type necks, becuase I DON"T have to stare at my fretboard the whole time during a gig. In fact on many songs I look at it at the beginning and NOT again the whole song, because I am engaging the rest of my band and the audience.

MUSCLE memory is a powerful thing, having to adjust your playing because the string spacing is different, and even the scale length is different is not GOING to make you better.
YOu think I am wrong- well ask Geddy, Billy sheehan, Chris Squire, Nikki Sixx, Nate Mendel, Simon Gallup, and a LAUNDRY List of others. EVEN ENtwistle primarily played one bass in those long WHO concerts, he DID not switch.
THEY ALL play the same bass/style of bass 95% of the time. There is a reason they are better and this is one of them.
I am not saying don't play a 5, I am saying if thats what you want PLAY a 5 -95% of the time.
CHEF WONG_ 100% correct- there are 2 songs my band does that need a low -D "Save a HOrse" and 1 other, I detune my bass and so long as I retune after , all is good. The value of those 4 extra notes is not for me, as I am playing rock bass with some funk.

This is an interesting post, and I agree with it. However, I don't follow it, because it is not the only correct answer. I used to work with a drummer that set his kit up differently every night. He loved to go to jam nights, but hated not being able to sit down at somebody else's kit and play. So, he made every gig be like playing somebody else's kit, until he could play equally well, no matter what kit he played.

I recently started doung the same thing. I bring a different bass every show - 4 strings, 5 string, 6 strings, different nut widths and string spacings, pickup configurations, scale lengths, fanned frets, regular frets, drop D tuners, no drop D tuners, etc. My goal is to sound like me no matter what I am playing. I don't quite pull it off yet, but I am getting closer all the time. Muscle memory still applies; there is just more to "remember."

The truth is, most bass lines in "bar room" music - and many genres- are such that you can pull it off without being on your A game. The goal, is of course, to bring your A game without your gear being an excuse.

So...if you want a five string, and you can afford it, get it. Life is short. Have fun.

Edit: and while I like the music from guys like Nikki Sixx and Nate Mendel, as far as bass playing goes, those guys set the bar fairly low. They play the right part for the song, but they are no Keith Horne ( who kicks butt no matter what he plays).