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4 or 5 string bass ?

BassOutcast

BassOutcast

Guest
Oct 8, 2011
34
1
Israel
#1
Hey guys. I'll be buying a new bass soon , a Japanese Jazz bass to be precise , but I'm having trouble deciding between the 4 and 5 string version , here's why :
I currently have a 22 fret Ibanez GSR200L , been using it for years , and I'm using each fret , especially the high ones when I solo ... now , the 4 string Jazz only has 20 frets , which is kind of disappointing , so I thought of buying the 5 string version and set it up with a high B instead of a low B , thus making up for the lack of frets , but I'm worried about the neck thickness , never played a 5 stringer (although I have tried a few 4 string Jazz basses and they fit like a glove) , I don't really have anywhere to try a 5 stringer (small country , not much left-handed basses available). Any thought ? so far the only opinion I got was "get the bass that you've tried and feels right , then experiment with other basses"
 
#3
What Callum said,

also consider most of Fender's 5 string basses have a string spacing of 19mm at the bridge, some are 18mm. There are other manufacturers, such as Ibanez (SR series), Warwicks and others, that have 5 string models that have 16.5 mm spacing at the bridge, so the neck will be a little thinner, and maybe feel better.

You either need to go to a store to try some 5 stringers in person to make up your mind, or order one from a reputable online company that has a good return fee without a return shipping fee.

Also, if you do buy a 5 string but want to use the higher string, the conventional tuning to go with is a C.
 
#7
BassOutcast said:
Ok , thanks for the answers guys ! that's some speed :)
I think I'll stick to the 4 stringer ... and It has to be a Jazz bass (personal reasons)
Can I somehow add 2 extra frets to the bass ?
Click to expand...

It's up to your choice, but it were me, given your solo range and former Ibanez SR200, I'd go with an Ibanez SR505 or there abouts. Same great tone. Same great feel. 24 frets. Decent price. And the plus is ALL the advantage of 5 string extended range and cross-neck scales.

Oh wait. I did to that. Only in my case I've got a GSR206 then got an SR506. SR506 kills it. 24 frets. killer fit and finish and usual Ibbey tone and playability.

But you want Fender! Well I don't recommend it. Does not have 24 frets. I hate the neck profile on mine. It very old school in tone and look. Took considerable mods to get a decent tone and B string out of it (is a 2002 MIM Jazz V). Generally speaking the fewer frets in my opinion make for a much superior slap tone not found on 24 fret basses (something about where last fret hits the strings). This is why a Fender bass is cooler for slap and funk while the high end solo thing 24 frets makes a lot more sense (or IMHO 6 strings as well). So do 24 fret Fender basses exist? I know they do, but there aren't many. or maybe you'd need a custom clone build. Maybe the guys here can be more help in that regard.

Note that when I'm playing my 5 strings it means I'm NOT going to need to solo up at the high notes. when I want that I play my 6 string basses. Thus none of my 5 string basses have 24 frets except my Carvin AC50 which actually doesn't either because it's fretless, but does have that range. For a long time I had it strung EADGC precisely for that high end solo range.

Doesn't Warmouth or somebody make Fender necks in 24 frets?
 
#8
Thing about Fenders though is the lower cut-out in their bodies doesn't easily accommodate playing up to the 24th fret, even if your were able to get a fingerboard extension to accommodate it.

OP, one thing you can do, if you want to stick to four stringer, but get a higher range, is to tune your bass in 5ths, instead of 4ths (so instead of tuning EADG, you can tune your bass to something like DAEB). That would get you a higher range. Though you'd likely need to order your strings in singles to get a custom, balanced set. Also, your multi-string patterns would be different, and may cause a little bit more shifting.
 
#9
BassOutcast said:
Hey guys. I'll be buying a new bass soon , a Japanese Jazz bass to be precise , but I'm having trouble deciding between the 4 and 5 string version , here's why :
I currently have a 22 fret Ibanez GSR200L , been using it for years , and I'm using each fret , especially the high ones when I solo ... now , the 4 string Jazz only has 20 frets , which is kind of disappointing , so I thought of buying the 5 string version and set it up with a high B instead of a low B , thus making up for the lack of frets , but I'm worried about the neck thickness , never played a 5 stringer (although I have tried a few 4 string Jazz basses and they fit like a glove) , I don't really have anywhere to try a 5 stringer (small country , not much left-handed basses available). Any thought ? so far the only opinion I got was "get the bass that you've tried and feels right , then experiment with other basses"
Click to expand...

Sometimes you just have to take a chance. Here are my thoughts.

Short story: After playing 4 string for over 20 years, I tried 5 string back in 2000. Now, all I play is five string.

Long story: I wasn't sure I would love 5 string so much, but I took the chance on one, and after a couple of weeks of immersion (I put my 4 stringers aside to concentrate on 5) I realized how wonderful it was for me. Now, all I play is five string. It isn't just about the extra range (my fivers have low B string and I use those notes often for modern rock), but it also gives you greater range in each fingering position. And I play the B string above the 5th fret more than I do below.

Note that I have smallish hands for my size (6 feet), but I prefer "wide" fivers because they have the same string spacing as the typical four string.

Obviously what works for me might not work for you. But then again, it might. Good luck!
 
#11
If you add strings to the upper range you are creating a 1/2 bass 1/2 guitar instrument. Then you really get into amp and cab issues. I'd avoid that. Do you play seated or standing? If seated a double-neck bass/guitar might be an option. But you still need two amp/cabs for it. I switched to a 5-string about 6 years ago and it's all I play now. I use the normal BEADG tuning as most sheet music for churches and/or schools are using this. I play up mid-neck these days and the sound from the strings is different in a good way. A B-string played on the 5th fret (E) will have much more fullness and clarity than the open E string has. As others say, find any 5-string and just mess with it. I bought a $130 Rogue and learned on it. Then bought a much nicer bass - one I still use. The Rogue is long gone.
 

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