4string to 5string tone issues

[Jamarvic]

I remember reading somewhere that the resonant frequency of the E string is not the same on a 5 as on a 4 string, and my ears agree.

 

[nukes_da_bass]

When you slap a 5 like its a 4 string (only slapping and popping on EAGD) you need to mute the B string or resonant harmonics will ruin the fundamentals you should be hearing from other strings. I.E. the B acts as a drone string and passive vibrations are going to be detected by the pickups.

 

[Dragan]

4 and 5 strings basses are totally different instruments,nothing strange with your observation OP.

 

[ggunn]

I remember reading somewhere that the resonant frequency of the E string is not the same on a 5 as on a 4 string, and my ears agree.

I don't know what that means. The fundamental resonant frequency of any string on any instrument is the note that is being played on it.

 

[Jamarvic]

I don't know what that means. The fundamental resonant frequency of any string on any instrument is the note that is being played on it.

It means that the E string is no longer the lowest note...so the timbre sounds different. Something I've noticed when I switch between 4 and 5 string basses.

 

[DwaynieAD]

sounds like someone just doesn't like the sound of low b

 

[Mike M.]

I have two Fender American Standards Jazz basses, a 2009 4 string and a 2011 5 string. While they both sound like Jazz basses (imagine that!) the 5 string is defiantley overall a bit darker sounding than the 4 string. It's still a very workable tone, just differant. I also have a mutt of a '73 Jazz bass and it's the brightest sounding of the group.

Lot's of variables, as others have pointed out.

 

[Ric5]

I dare anybody to find a 5 string version of a bass that slaps with the same tone as its 4 string counterpart.

I have the ultimate comparison for you ...

2013 4003 as a 4 string bass ...

2013 4003 as a 5 string bass ... the same pickups, the same electronics, the same tone ...

I convert 4 string basses into 5 string basses ... They do sound the same or maybe a little better. When they sound different its because I have changed the pickups or electronics. Here's a few examples.

http://www.3dentourage.com/425/425.htm

http://www.3dentourage.com/425/Black-and-maple-jazz5.htm

http://www.3dentourage.com/425/5pbass-tort.htm

http://www.3dentourage.com/425/white-jazz-5.htm

http://www.3dentourage.com/425/fender-bird.htm

http://www.3dentourage.com/425/fender-bird2.htm

http://www.3dentourage.com/425/fender-bird3.htm

http://www.3dentourage.com/425/05-4004cii5.htm

http://www.3dentourage.com/425/98-4004ci5.htm

http://www.3dentourage.com/425/13-4003-425.htm

http://www.3dentourage.com/425/2001 4003-5 fg.htm

http://www.3dentourage.com/425/2003-4003-bt.htm

http://www.3dentourage.com/425/4004-goth.htm

http://www.3dentourage.com/425/1996 4003-5 bt.htm

http://www.3dentourage.com/425/2002 4004cii5.htm

http://www.3dentourage.com/425/2010-4003-2.htm

With the weight of all of that evidence I conclude that 5 string basses do not sound different than the same 4 string model as long as you use the same strings, pickups, and electronics.

 

[bass12]

Are you fully muting the B string when you slap? And how many Warwicks have you compared (a lot of folks will settle on conclusions after trying out only a very small number of the instruments they're critiquing). Each bass sounds different. I play 5 string basses on about 98% of my gigs and wouldn't change a thing about their slap tones. My Sadowsky 5 slaps just as well as my Sadowsky 4 (I prefer it, in fact). I will say that the Warwick Thumb NT 5 I owned was a piece of junk that was useless for slapping, while my Warwick BO 4 was a great bass. But I've played 5 string Warwicks that slapped fine.

 

[Turnaround]

A 5-string will always sound different from a 4-string. As others have pointed out, there is a difference in the mass of the two instruments, which means differing resonant frequencies. And the mass difference isn't in the wood alone - the 5-string has one more tuner (affecting the neck resonance), longer frets adding mass to the neck, and a wider bridge and bigger pickups (affecting the body resonance), etc.

And don't forget the operational differences in the pickups. 5 string pickups must be wider, which means a wider magnetic field, a wider spread on the coil(s), differing inductances, etc. etc.

 

[Ric5]

Hey guys,

Can you elaborate as to why when I (for example) pick up a 4string Warwick bass and I slap on it and am blown away by that unique Warwick (big clear) tone, when I try to do the same on its 5string equivalent, it sounds (muddy) nothing close to the 4string?

What follows is extreme disappointment that I can't have that killer tone combined with 5-string range. Why is this and how can I get around it?

Thank you.


David

If you follow this logic then a 3 stringed bass will be a lot better sounding than a 4 stringed bass and a 2 stringed bass will really have a killer tone!!!

 

[dkelley]

most of the time I "feel" like a 4 string version of a bass is brighter. However I suspect my subjective impression is based on how I have always and will always feel more comfortable on a 4 string 19mm fender style bass than anything else, despite my preference currently not to own one (for fear that I'd only play it).

However if the difference was strong in the example you cited then I suspect the strings were different or electronic settings were different, or just something clear was different besides the wood etc.

I've played plenty of 5 strings that sounded identical to the 4 string versions, such as stingrays, ibanezes, alembics...