Not as hard as you think. It is more or less knowing when to use it. But it definitely requires practice.
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4 vs 5 string.
- Thread starter ciananlee
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Not as hard as you think. It is more or less knowing when to use it. But it definitely requires practice.
I think I'd probably be more inclined to tune BEAD, which is a whole other matter.
I have been toying with that idea and thought of picking up a used Squier CV to try it on before I mess with my current stuff. It could be really fun....
I played a 5 stringer, exclusively, for 6 or 7 years, and then fell in love with a 4 string P bass. I only occasionally play the 5er any more.
I thought back-seat moderating was a no-no here? Anyways....
I find my 5er and 4bang have different appeal, because one is Fender and the other is Musicman. So they sound different and work in different song spectra.
For live performance, I really don't need a 17 space guitard rack and a dedicated 10 foot area for my pedals, so I usually go for my 5 for the versatility, although there are some songs where I really like my 4 for the tone
I find my 5er and 4bang have different appeal, because one is Fender and the other is Musicman. So they sound different and work in different song spectra.
For live performance, I really don't need a 17 space guitard rack and a dedicated 10 foot area for my pedals, so I usually go for my 5 for the versatility, although there are some songs where I really like my 4 for the tone
I made the jump about 2 years ago from a 4 to a 5. I was always leary..fearing I may lose my way with a new string. I found that making the jump was almost effortless..with the new string simply adding a lower octave to what I was already playing. This has increased my ability and creativity in a number of ways. Im finding myself hanging in the low end much more vs. having to run up the neck to hit a specific note (C or C#)
The necks are a little wider but within reason.
I recommend something with moderate string spacing. I personally would avoid the narrow stringed basses as they feel clumsy to me (Soundgear, Schecter, etc) I would also say extra wide spacing (19mm) can have the similar effect and feel fatiguing.
I would try a few in a store if possible to find the right balance for you. I really dont think you will find it all that difficult if youve been playing a little while.
The necks are a little wider but within reason.
I recommend something with moderate string spacing. I personally would avoid the narrow stringed basses as they feel clumsy to me (Soundgear, Schecter, etc) I would also say extra wide spacing (19mm) can have the similar effect and feel fatiguing.
I would try a few in a store if possible to find the right balance for you. I really dont think you will find it all that difficult if youve been playing a little while.
I was thinking that there has been some good advice given here. However I don't recommend getting a cheap fiver. They tend to be more off-putting than not. I would recommend something in the mid-range line and higher if you can afford it. You are more likely to have a better experience. Naturally there will be exceptions but I think it is better to aim for a successful experience.
I own a 4 string P/J and a 5 string Spector.
5 strings are most comfortable for me, and I like having that extended low range. Bass, to me, is meant to be low, so I try to stay there at all times.
I use the Spector primarily for my cover band, and break out my P/J when I need to play bands that use drop-tuning with a lot of open D to fretted riffs (a la Tool, Rage, etc).
They can be played on a 5, but it's much less cumbersome on a 4. Also, I've had my P/J since I was 15, so it's not going ANYWHERE.
I also agree with not getting a cheap 5-er. If you have a non-responsive, floppy, or quiet B string, you'll be less inclined to use it or may feel that it is just lacking too much.
Like a 5 string banjo?
5 strings are most comfortable for me, and I like having that extended low range. Bass, to me, is meant to be low, so I try to stay there at all times.
I use the Spector primarily for my cover band, and break out my P/J when I need to play bands that use drop-tuning with a lot of open D to fretted riffs (a la Tool, Rage, etc).
They can be played on a 5, but it's much less cumbersome on a 4. Also, I've had my P/J since I was 15, so it's not going ANYWHERE.
I also agree with not getting a cheap 5-er. If you have a non-responsive, floppy, or quiet B string, you'll be less inclined to use it or may feel that it is just lacking too much.
Like a 5 string banjo?
Nice attempt at being a smart arse, I'm clearly trying to find something out to my own needs, which is quite obvious as I explain my own musical tastes and what I use my basses for.
Thanks to everyone who replied with answers though, I think I'm gonna take the plunge and grab a 5 string when I have the money.
Without repeated discussions this place would become an archive rather than a forum. That being said, I dislike 5 string basses. Having the A in the middle was just too annoying for me. Having any string in the middle is annoying, in my opinion.
I've tried a few. Maybe someday. If it ever happens it'll be something high end that's way out of my budget at the moment. Unless a used Carvin 6er pops up somewhere. Great quality and shyte resale value.
Have played 5'ers for years now. Not sure how you can make a case against them because... it's a bass, only lower and even more hectic than before. Uh, win.
ciananlee, I got myself a G&L L-2500 Tribute to start with. Easily the best 5'er for the money, IMO. The only reason I don't play mine as much nowadays is 'cos it has frets. Yuck
ciananlee, I got myself a G&L L-2500 Tribute to start with. Easily the best 5'er for the money, IMO. The only reason I don't play mine as much nowadays is 'cos it has frets. Yuck
I play both 4 and 5, mostly 5 right now. There are so many "# of strings vs. # of strings" threads around. There's plenty of advantage to the added range of a 5 string. Have you even considered a five tuned EADGC? There are so many options out there. The best way to find out if you dig 5 is to get one, and just play the hell out of it for a few weeks. Of course, then you get into B strings and the subjectivity of how good B is at 34" scale, ad nauseum...
A few thoughts...
I have/play 2 4-strings, a 5-string, a 5-string fretless, and a 6-string... IMO, it's good to have variety in your arsenal and to be able to play all of them, and to switch from one to the other w. as much ease as possible...
But for me a 5er is ideal.
Why?:
- I like having the low B to rest my thumb on (strangely, this is what I miss most on a 4 string... go figure)
- I prefer the slightly tighter string spacing.
- When a tune requires something below a low E, I have those notes... a 4 string player doesn't (this is usually rare, but when that instant arises and you're on a 4 string, you're likely screwed).
- The 6 string is cool, but honestly, in most band situations, the high-C is rarely called for... it's often just there for show, unless the occasional solo pops up... at least that's been my experience.
-YMMV.
Ultimately, it's all about preference... but I'm an advocate for being able to be versatile... for example, I mostly play fingerstyle - but I regularly work on my playing w. a pick and my slapping... Why? Because when the music calls for it, when that's what works best for a tune, I'd like to be able to do it and serve the tune justice.
I know this topic has been beaten to death... but I just wanted to add my $.02.
I hope this helps.
I have/play 2 4-strings, a 5-string, a 5-string fretless, and a 6-string... IMO, it's good to have variety in your arsenal and to be able to play all of them, and to switch from one to the other w. as much ease as possible...
But for me a 5er is ideal.
Why?:
- I like having the low B to rest my thumb on (strangely, this is what I miss most on a 4 string... go figure)
- I prefer the slightly tighter string spacing.
- When a tune requires something below a low E, I have those notes... a 4 string player doesn't (this is usually rare, but when that instant arises and you're on a 4 string, you're likely screwed).
- The 6 string is cool, but honestly, in most band situations, the high-C is rarely called for... it's often just there for show, unless the occasional solo pops up... at least that's been my experience.
-YMMV.
Ultimately, it's all about preference... but I'm an advocate for being able to be versatile... for example, I mostly play fingerstyle - but I regularly work on my playing w. a pick and my slapping... Why? Because when the music calls for it, when that's what works best for a tune, I'd like to be able to do it and serve the tune justice.
I know this topic has been beaten to death... but I just wanted to add my $.02.
I hope this helps.
I think it has something to do with the Mohs Scale... like adding the hardness of two rocks...
Invalid Link Removed?
Since it's kinda my fault this went to hell, I'll try to pull off a magnificent segue here and observe that one would reasonably think a genre like math rock/core would be home to many a five-string bass, but it's not. I'm only thinking of Dillinger here don't slay me with Behold... The Arctopus okay.
Math-Rock should also only be played w. basses w. a Prime Number of strings... so a 5 would work...
Also, a 2-string, a 7-string... or a 577 string.
Also, a 2-string, a 7-string... or a 577 string.
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