For me, it's not so much the few note extended range, but the ability to play in E, F, F# and have two octaves across the neck as opposed to up and down the neck.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
5-string bass going from 4-string: Does it get better?
- Thread starter toughluck
- Start date
Also, keep in mind, there's more to using a fiver than just those extra low notes. You can play parts you'd normally play on a four string in different positions with easier reach to different notes. And (perhaps the biggest feature for me personally) the sound of the notes higher up on the low strings is a different timbre than played down low by the nut on a four string. It adds a whole 'nuther layer of tonal options to your palette.
Lots of good stuff here.
Yes, it gets better.
You have to decide you need it in order to persevere through the learning curve.
BEAD tuning on a 4 can help you learn the fretboard.
I went through an Ibanez 5, a Squire Jazz 5, a pair of Sire 5s to ultimately settle on a Yamaha 5. Like any instrument, you have to journey to find what works.
The A string is always in the middle.
It's not the low notes that make it worthwhile. It's the geography.
My 2c.
.
Yes, it gets better.
You have to decide you need it in order to persevere through the learning curve.
BEAD tuning on a 4 can help you learn the fretboard.
I went through an Ibanez 5, a Squire Jazz 5, a pair of Sire 5s to ultimately settle on a Yamaha 5. Like any instrument, you have to journey to find what works.
The A string is always in the middle.
It's not the low notes that make it worthwhile. It's the geography.
My 2c.
.
I soldiered on. I was playing a Fender Jazz. 5 string basses for the last 30 years ow.
Recently got a 4 string P bass for a project & using a pick, yikes.
Recently got a 4 string P bass for a project & using a pick, yikes.
Played exclusively 4s at first. As per someone’s comment, most of the music I play was recorded on 4s so there wasn’t a lot of need for a 5. But as my purchase history for basses and pedals shows, I really like to try out new things and 2 years in I bought a 5. The transition is indeed awkward, especially early. Unlike @micguy my hands are on the smaller side so reaching was my main issue early. Even when I become competent (in my case, relatively speaking—I’m not a pro, just a hobbyist) with the 5, the B still felt weird.
Over the last few years I haven’t played the 5 super often but I’m glad I put the time in to learn it, because I do like the occasional trip down below E. (Need it for some of those Tony Levin lines.) I just bought my second 5 recently, and I really like it (Spector Dimension NS5) and I see me embracing more music that needs it. It’s multiscale and while the fanned frets are also a little weird, especially at first, I’ve (mostly) gotten the hang of it and I just love the 37” scale B string—feels right, sounds huge.
If you really don’t need a 5, there’s no reason you should feel obligated. But if you have a use for it, go for it. Yes, it’s awkward at first, but it does indeed get better.
Over the last few years I haven’t played the 5 super often but I’m glad I put the time in to learn it, because I do like the occasional trip down below E. (Need it for some of those Tony Levin lines.) I just bought my second 5 recently, and I really like it (Spector Dimension NS5) and I see me embracing more music that needs it. It’s multiscale and while the fanned frets are also a little weird, especially at first, I’ve (mostly) gotten the hang of it and I just love the 37” scale B string—feels right, sounds huge.
If you really don’t need a 5, there’s no reason you should feel obligated. But if you have a use for it, go for it. Yes, it’s awkward at first, but it does indeed get better.
I completely agree. Once I made the switch from 4-string to 5-string I could never go back. Having that low B string is an absolute game changer for my playing. It took a few months to really get used to, but I'm so used to it now that anytime I pickup a 4-string it just feels wimpy and "wrong" for lack of a better term.
5-string basses are absolutely awesome. EBMM makes fantastic 5-strings, as does Mayones and a number of others.
If you have good left hand technique, i.e. thumb in the middle of the back of the neck, the wider neck is a minor adjustment. If you rest the neck in the palm of your hand, or if you grip the neck at all, you may have some extra struggle. It's a good opportunity to check yourself on how you play the instrument and develop better habits if necessary.
I have small hands and have found that the MTD asymmetrical neck helps a lot.
In 5 strings I have an MTD Kingston LK5 which has a 32” scale neck and an MTD Kingston Norm Stockton which has a 35” scale neck and I can play both of them just fine. I’m just a bit faster on the 32” scale.
My bass teacher always told me you’ve got to find a bass that fits your hand. He was referring to upright, but the same rings true for any instrument really.
I’ve been playing 5’ers for decades and am pretty competent on both 4 and 5. Conceptually, I’d love to try a 6 again but realistically, thats not going to happen.
As per the OP’s assertion that the lower notes aren’t necessary, well that’s just your opinion man - lol - this dude abides by a different mindset in that I’ve found those lower notes can really drive a band in certain sections of a song - especially when in synth bass territory. I don’t want to have to be dependent on effects (octavers etc.) or multiple basses (BEAD) to achieve those tones.
As others have stated, try an Ibanez. The inexpensive models are surprisingly nice and they have narrow everything - which could be the right fit for you.
I’ve been playing 5’ers for decades and am pretty competent on both 4 and 5. Conceptually, I’d love to try a 6 again but realistically, thats not going to happen.
As per the OP’s assertion that the lower notes aren’t necessary, well that’s just your opinion man - lol - this dude abides by a different mindset in that I’ve found those lower notes can really drive a band in certain sections of a song - especially when in synth bass territory. I don’t want to have to be dependent on effects (octavers etc.) or multiple basses (BEAD) to achieve those tones.
As others have stated, try an Ibanez. The inexpensive models are surprisingly nice and they have narrow everything - which could be the right fit for you.
I have 3 P bass with nut width 38mm , 42mm and 44mm along with 12', 9.5' and 7.25' fretboard radius.
When i got the Ibanez SRMS725 ( 45mm nut width / 12' fretboard radius ) , my fretting finger has no problem with it.
The major different on plucking finger , 19mm Vs 16.5mm string spacing .
When i got the Ibanez SRMS725 ( 45mm nut width / 12' fretboard radius ) , my fretting finger has no problem with it.
The major different on plucking finger , 19mm Vs 16.5mm string spacing .
Depends.
I can play my 5 string Fender easily because I'm used to the string spacing (its the same on 4 and 5). When I play a stingray, I find the string spacing too narrow for me and it throws me off. BUT, I've owned and played it everyday, maybe I'd get used to it. I've tried out F bass, ken smith and other narrower 5 strings in shops here in Tokyo and it was like I'd never played a bass before! Im sure in time I would have gotten used to them.
My advice: but the 4 strings away and only play the 5. Atleast until you get used to it. I pulled my 4 strings out a month ago and they are now my fun instruments, my 5 is the serious instrument.
I can play my 5 string Fender easily because I'm used to the string spacing (its the same on 4 and 5). When I play a stingray, I find the string spacing too narrow for me and it throws me off. BUT, I've owned and played it everyday, maybe I'd get used to it. I've tried out F bass, ken smith and other narrower 5 strings in shops here in Tokyo and it was like I'd never played a bass before! Im sure in time I would have gotten used to them.
My advice: but the 4 strings away and only play the 5. Atleast until you get used to it. I pulled my 4 strings out a month ago and they are now my fun instruments, my 5 is the serious instrument.
I'm small handed, get along just fine with a 5 string.
I learned bass at church on a 4 string. Since I had decent theory from learning piano, I quickly figured where the notes would be if I had that B string.
And I really wanted those to try those notes.
The other bassist played a 5, a Schecter if I remember correctly. I asked to borrow it. Now I have four 5s.
I had no trouble adapting to 5. I already had to learn to play piano with small hands, the 'experience' just carried right over.
If you play in patterns, incorporating the 5th string just means getting used to extending them a bit.
Basically, if you can comfortably reach the furthest string, then you're good to go. Just need to get used to the extra options.
It's been mentioned, but shape of the neck is important.
I find that I only need to avoid necks with a 'peak' shape, as I need to be able to move my hand freely to reach comfortably.
I learned bass at church on a 4 string. Since I had decent theory from learning piano, I quickly figured where the notes would be if I had that B string.
And I really wanted those to try those notes.
The other bassist played a 5, a Schecter if I remember correctly. I asked to borrow it. Now I have four 5s.
I had no trouble adapting to 5. I already had to learn to play piano with small hands, the 'experience' just carried right over.
If you play in patterns, incorporating the 5th string just means getting used to extending them a bit.
Basically, if you can comfortably reach the furthest string, then you're good to go. Just need to get used to the extra options.
It's been mentioned, but shape of the neck is important.
I find that I only need to avoid necks with a 'peak' shape, as I need to be able to move my hand freely to reach comfortably.
Yes, but it depends on what you put into it.
I played 4-string basses *only*, literally for decades, about 39 years, and our band had some songs with drop D tuning that I wanted to play as per the original. In all of them, the low D was the only note played below the E. I messed around with de-tuners and downtuning/re-tuning and decided a 5-string was the only reasonable way to go for me.
You have to commit to it. I played a 5-string and nothing but for two years, modifying the way I’d played songs previously on the 4-string to take advantage of the smaller fret spacing around the 5th fret, incorporating the lower notes into songs, and having a blast with the broader range of notes under my fingers.
I had to relearn the neck to some extent, which was far less painful than it was a source of new strength and flexibility in my playing.
Then I started using my 4-string basses again. Now I can comfortably play either.
Commit to it and give it time.
I played 4-string basses *only*, literally for decades, about 39 years, and our band had some songs with drop D tuning that I wanted to play as per the original. In all of them, the low D was the only note played below the E. I messed around with de-tuners and downtuning/re-tuning and decided a 5-string was the only reasonable way to go for me.
You have to commit to it. I played a 5-string and nothing but for two years, modifying the way I’d played songs previously on the 4-string to take advantage of the smaller fret spacing around the 5th fret, incorporating the lower notes into songs, and having a blast with the broader range of notes under my fingers.
I had to relearn the neck to some extent, which was far less painful than it was a source of new strength and flexibility in my playing.
Then I started using my 4-string basses again. Now I can comfortably play either.
Commit to it and give it time.
The problem when new to a five string is right hand orientation. You end up plucking the wrong string and you literally get lost. I had this problem when playing finger style and went to a pick and after a short time became very comfortable with the five. I have since learned the floating thumb technique and as a result have no desire to go back to a four as I find the low B to be very handy, especially with newer music genres. Keep at it and you will get used to the five. Good luck. 
I play ONLY Ibanez SR 5 Strings. The spacing is closer than most basses, including fender Basses. I LIKE the narrow spacing (16.5 MM vs Like 19MM ish of most 4 strings).
The necks do NOT feel wide as you say, especially compared to a "fender type 5 String".
Now, whether or not you'll like to go back n forth between an Ibanez SR 5 and a Fender 4 type is up to you. I do NOT play 4 strings, they don't feel right to me. So I DON'T go back n forth.
YMMV
T$
I haven't played a 4 in well over 25 years, and have no intention of ever doing so, again. The 5 will take a little while to get used to, but once you do, it's amazing. I don't remember struggling with it much, but then, it was a long time ago.
This, and a hundred times this.
I'd argue that a 5-string bass is easier to use, once you adjust your technique to mute the additional string from ringing freely. My left hand moves a lot less, and it's easier to find the note I want without looking.
