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4 string or 5 string
- Thread starter wagstaff
- Start date
Really? I think the answer is quite obvious, if you want the low B and those few extra notes, a 5 string's got it, otherwise.....
I have a 4 and a 5 string bass made by the same company and they both use the same neck dimensions so that makes the strings closer to each other on the 5 string compared to the 4 string which isn't really a problem either way.
The 5 string lets you play what you would normally play on a 4 string 5 frets higher on the neck so think about playing in E where you would normally play in A and playing A where you would normally play in D.
I usually play a short scale but the 5 string is more comfortable to use because I now can play almost everything between the 5th and 12th frets and in this area the frets are even closer togather than a short scale bass.
The 5 string lets you play what you would normally play on a 4 string 5 frets higher on the neck so think about playing in E where you would normally play in A and playing A where you would normally play in D.
I usually play a short scale but the 5 string is more comfortable to use because I now can play almost everything between the 5th and 12th frets and in this area the frets are even closer togather than a short scale bass.
i did orrigionally want a 6 string as i've played one before and like the ability to use both new regesters on the bass but sadly i'm limited to a money cap so i can't afford one. i'll probably go with the 5 cause then i can still play most of the songs i like without drop tuning (eee) although i do like to use the HC string.
Spoken like a four-stringer.
Those who play fives (or more) understand that there are MANY more advantages to five-string than the five notes below low E.I've gone from four to five and back quite a bit, but I'm going to stick with five. Every time I play a four I end up needing a low Eb or D.
Advantages of a five-string
- a low B, C, and D, so you don't have to detune to get these notes
- you can play E-string notes on the B-string closer to the body
- you can play a two octave scale in one position
- wider neck (which I prefer)
- playing one makes you look like a stud
disadvantages of a five-string
- wider neck (if you have small hands or short fingers)
- more expensive strings (the additional B-string often costs $10 or more on it's own)
- can be a challenge to find a mid-priced fiver with a decent B-string sound
- they tend to confuse dim witted 4-string players
There's nothing like having access to two full octaves (five frets across five strings is two octaves).
I played a 5'er BEADG for a while, then I realized that I barely ever used the B string, so I took it off, swapped the other strings so that the E was where the B was, the A where the E was and so one and I filled the higher spot with a 6'er's C string.
And thats it, I been in heaven ever since.
And thats it, I been in heaven ever since.
Advantages of a five-string
- a low B, C, and D, so you don't have to detune to get these notes
- you can play E-string notes on the B-string closer to the body
- you can play a two octave scale in one position
- wider neck (which I prefer)
- playing one makes you look like a stud
A couple more:
* Can play low E fretted as well as open
* Easier to transpose
* Easier to play in "jazz keys" such as Eb, Ab, Bb
I always found it easier to play fast on the A string cause my vingers landed on the E string... Now I can play fast easy on the E string too!
Using a 5er you definately need a good bass and amp so the B string do not sound like an underwater hippo fart 
(alot of money then) Happend to me i had to buy an amp cause the 5 string was sounded like a hippo fart in my old amp..
The groove of 4 is better sometimes
Using Both is nice but something missing in a 4 when you go 5.
(alot of money then) Happend to me i had to buy an amp cause the 5 string was sounded like a hippo fart in my old amp..The groove of 4 is better sometimes
Using Both is nice but something missing in a 4 when you go 5.
5 goes lower or higher than a 4, meaning, one does not need to shift positions as often as one would have to do on a 4. This to me is the main plus of the 5.
To me there are no downsides to 5 string, the slap-thing is just as easy and sound just as good.
By the end of the day , to me the difference s are limited to those 5 semitones, that's it.
Same thing apart from this.
Good B strings are also not too hard to find.
Finding a good instrument is a lot harder I think.
To me there are no downsides to 5 string, the slap-thing is just as easy and sound just as good.
By the end of the day , to me the difference s are limited to those 5 semitones, that's it.
Same thing apart from this.
Good B strings are also not too hard to find.
Finding a good instrument is a lot harder I think.
I wouldn't look at it like "pros/cons". They are different animals. What, and how do you want to play?
