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5-string bass....worth it?

T

Twenty2AcaciaAv

Feb 17, 2011
167
0
#1
Something I've been contemplating (and my band mates have been urging) is getting a five-string bass. This one in particular:

Invalid Link Removed

Anyways, my band is a hard-rock band; mainly covers but also a couple of originals. Anyways, there are times where I want a deeper sound or where I normally have to go to drop-D tuning. Is it worth getting a 5-string bass for such things?

I'm sure it's odd at first playign a five-stringer but that you'll get used to it after awhile. In fact I have used a buddy of mine at a jam session and got used to a fifth string being there rather quickly.
 
#2
I switched to 5-string years ago and haven't looked back since.

No more drop D tuning.
A whole new world of "patterns" to work with.
Singer needs to do 1 or 2 songs down 1/2 step? No problem.

Like you said.....It takes some getting used to, but the learning period is pretty quick.

I have no opinion on the bass you're looking at, but I say go for a 5-String......You won't regret it.
 
#4
Sixpack324 said:
I switched to 5-string years ago and haven't looked back since.

No more drop D tuning.
A whole new world of "patterns" to work with.
Singer needs to do 1 or 2 songs down 1/2 step? No problem.

Like you said.....It takes some getting used to, but the learning period is pretty quick.

I have no opinion on the bass you're looking at, but I say go for a 5-String......You won't regret it.
Click to expand...

I agree with all of these. I use the B string on about 70% of songs my band does, usually for a D or Eb, but it makes everything so much easier.
 
#8
I split my time between 4-bangers and 5-bangers.

The extended range of the 5 is really handy in a lot of different contexts. The obvious advantage is not having to tune down for tunes in D, Eb and B, but the other perks you'll start to appreciate are being able to easily pick up a low 5th when playing on the E string and moving lines that you would normally play in the first position up to the fifth to take advantage of the tonality in that region of the neck.

I've only recently started using it for hard rock, but in pop groups I'd be lost without it.
For blues, country and straight-up rock and roll stuff I usually stick with a 4.
 
#9
Bought my 5-Stringer for the simple reason that I thought they looked really cool!

Didn't even look at a Fender though because they just looked so "Ordinary" and the extra string looked like it was tacked on as an afterthought!

Some of these thrash/metal/grind core drop down into the lower registers ("brown notes" where you crap your pants, Etc.) and use a 5-string (guitar players using 7-stringer, Etc.) for this purpose.

What I like about a 5-string is that it allows me to play further up the neck, play higher notes, and still have the lower register without going up and down the neck as much as you would on a 4-stringer. I do use my "Bottom B" (rather than just as a thumb rest as some do) but rarely use it below the "D" on the third fret.

Another thing that is cool about a 5-string is you can tune it BEADG (Standard) and on the 5th fret, the notes are EADGC so you are now in the same range as a six-string bass except the strings are less expensive and your bass is much easier to set up! :D
 
#11
i have a 5 and a 4 but they are worlds apart! i play the 5 with my main fusion band mostly because it just works in the mix way better there but i actually love playing my 4 fender jazz much more for everything else ie all the bed room practice, jazz, slap, etc stuff so its a mixed bag really
 
#12
Five strings shall ye play, no more, no less. Five shall be the number thou shalt play, and the number of the strings shall be five. Six shalt thou not play, neither play thou four, excepting that thou then proceed to five. Seven is right out. Once the number five, being the fifth number, be strung, then playest thou thy bass guitar towards thy audience, who being naughty in My sight, shall rock it.
 
#13
Those are pretty close to the reason that I switched over to a 5er many years ago, and I'm another one of those that hasn't looked back. Yeah, it took some time to get used to it, but you will. Just don't go out and buy the 5 the afternoon before a huge gig that night then try to play it that evening...yeah, it didn't work out that well for me, I got yelled at a lot that night. :D
 
#15
I currently have three 5-strings (including that exact one you're looking at). I started off on 4's but I find anymore that when I'm playing one of my 4-strings I have to make an effort to transpose the lower notes I'm used to playing up to higher ones on the 4. Not sure that makes sense when I read it.
What I mean is I use the lower notes on the 5 instead of having to go to a higher one on a 4. Pretty much whats been said above. I didn't think the transition from a 4 to a 5 was that bad.
Get that bass, you won't regret it.
 
#16
Moved to 5 string years ago and love it. There is something about a low B that really lets you feel the music. More options are always better.

After playing 5 string for a few years solely and then playing a 4 string I felt like I 'knew' the 4 string better if that makes any sense. Now I go between my 5 and my 4s and don't think twice...but my 5er is and will be my main gigging bass.
 
#17
Rockin Mike said:
Five strings shall ye play, no more, no less. Five shall be the number thou shalt play, and the number of the strings shall be five. Six shalt thou not play, neither play thou four, excepting that thou then proceed to five. Seven is right out. Once the number five, being the fifth number, be strung, then playest thou thy bass guitar towards thy audience, who being naughty in My sight, shall rock it.
Click to expand...

Arthur: 1, 2, 3, 4, 7!
Bedevere: 5 sir!
Arthur: 5. Charge!!!!

5-strings are awesome, but if you want to get one, be sure to get one with a decent B. If the B is too loose, it will vibrate sloppily and clang into frets too easily on vibration. Ways around this are using strung through body instruments, getting a fretless 5er, using a 35" scale neck, raising the action (not great solution), giving the neck more relief (also not that great)...
 
#18
I play in a rock band and used to adjust the E string as required for the song...until I came across a song that couldn't be played with only four strings (Creed's 'Are You Ready) without a complete re-tuning of the bass.
I had the opportunity and the $ lying around so I jumped to a 5-string. The sad thing is: my Ricky gets neglected for a M-O-R Yamaha 5-string. The inhumanity!
The extra string won't take too long getting used to - I'd say go for it!
 
#20
I only play 5's and I still drop tune to D std, drop C and drop B respectively, so...
Don't let just what you read here dictate your playing methods for the sake of e-peen. Try stuff out and see what works best.

Personally, dropping your E string a step to a D is pretty simple and basic. For me if I were already comfortable on a 4 string, a 5 wouldn't be necessary. Plus there are basses w/ better B strings at that Fender's price point. If you like that neck profile at least check out a Musicman.
 

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