5 string basses: are they worth it?

[cbass717]

ive played a four string for a while. i am interested in a MIM jazz bass V. i was wondering if its worth it. like do you use those low notes a lot? cause i figured it be easy since i dont have to down tune my bass.



oops i spelled bass wrong is really late where i live hahahahahahah

 

[()smoke()]

for me, absolutely

for you, you'll have to decide

i'm really digging mine, it's the best instrument i've ever played...i can't speak for the jazz 5 you're considering, but i'd recommend playing a few of them before buying

 

[BEADGCF]

It's not just the low notes. The instrument generally has a slightly different sound (bigger neck, often longer scale), and you don't have to shift around as much to voice some scales or runs or whatever you're doing if you have an extra string to work with.

And it's more comfortable for some people than 4's are.

 

[cbass717]

for me, absolutely

for you, you'll have to decide

i'm really digging mine, it's the best instrument i've ever played...i can't speak for the jazz 5 you're considering, but i'd recommend playing a few of them before buying

yea i played the jazz before. i like it alot because i can sweep on it like a guitar. and obvi. other reasons lol

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

In general, I think 5-string basses are worth it. I use the 5th string often. I do not have to tune down for songs my band transposes (down) and I have additional options to play lower notes in higher positions. I can also cover anything a 4-string can do, so it works for me.

 

[bassmodder]

Those three octaves in a single position are kinda nice

 

[cbass717]

Those three octaves in a single position are kinda nice

oh yea i never realized that!

 

[bad_andy]

Yes! Yes! A thousand times yes! Having your first position notes available at 5th position, having extra low notes available (transforming the way you can play in B, C, Db, D and Eb), playing heavy music without de-tuning, playing "So What" in 3rd position... what's not to love?

 

[()smoke()]

yea i played the jazz before. i like it alot because i can sweep on it like a guitar. and obvi. other reasons lol

i never thought i'd be into anything but a 4-string, but i've been playing a lot of brazilian music with my instructor and the lower notes are really key to a lot of that stuff we're playing

i've even begun using it for some of the rock stuff i do as well, it opens up a lot more than you'd immediately think

 

[cjbhunter]

i like my 5 im glad a moved up, it feels much better on my hand now

 

[cbass717]

how hard it it to get used to slapping on it? i was fine with everything else but i would slapped the b instead of the e.

 

[madbassplaya]

i pretty much love playing a 5 string. for all the obvious reasons that have been mentioned above. i enjoy the size of the neck too.

i still have a 4 string that i use occassionally when i don't need the 5 or if the 4 just seems to fit a little better, but overall i'm a 5 string guy.

 

[the_fooj]

It's not just the low notes. The instrument generally has a slightly different sound (bigger neck, often longer scale), and you don't have to shift around as much to voice some scales or runs or whatever you're doing if you have an extra string to work with.

And it's more comfortable for some people than 4's are.

+1

To me, when I play 5's I'm rarely conscious of the extra string. It's more about the different feel for me and how it inspires me to play in a slightly different way than I would on a 4.

Try some out. You'll probably get tripped up by the extra string a bit at first but then you'll see what I (or rather we) mean.

 

[SAlcott]

Been playing 5 string since 1976. I can't imagine ever going back. I have a 4 string bass, but it's for very specific situations.

 

[vinxbass]

Been a 5 string player since Jan 2001 and will never go back to a 4 string. Playing a 5 has opened up a whole different element as far as bass playing goes, love the low B. I to have a 4 string fretless that I use on only 2 or 3 songs throughout the night, but that's about it.

 

[bassike]

Just my opinion

I used to think that they were not my thing
Cause if jaco recorded such amazing music with 4 strings; why would I need the 5th one.

But after I got one I think that even if I lay songs that are made for 4 strings it is way more comfortable cause the 5th string makes a nice thumb rest

About the slap it is ok, I have not tried much but I think it is good to have a 4 strings and a five

In my opinion you won’t regret.

But that is just me; there are of course may points of view

So I guess you should just give it a shot.

 

[Ryan L.]

Once again, I am anxiously awaiting Munji's reply to this........

 

[vinxbass]

how hard it it to get used to slapping on it? i was fine with everything else but i would slapped the b instead of the e.

I've got no problem slapping on the low B.

 

[DanielleMuscato]

ive played a four string for a while. i am interested in a MIM jazz bass V. i was wondering if its worth it. like do you use those low notes a lot? cause i figured it be easy since i dont have to down tune my bass.

I use my B string all the time. It's especially useful for keeping position shifts to a minimum. Also, I prefer playing fretted notes to open strings when possible, because there are a lot of things you can't do or can't do easily on open strings (vibrato, different ways to mute, etc). Playing a four-string to me feels like playing a live show with a 6' cable. I can do it, but I feel very limited and held-back on a four-string. Fives are where it's at!

 

[jimb213]

I wouldn't be at my best with a four string. Take this weekend in my case. I got a call on friday that a church needed a bass player to fill in for sunday. They have a girl leading tomorrow, so the music is all in different keys than the original recordings. Since I have the 5th string, transposing is as easy as dropping down one string (going from E to B) or moving down one fret (going from E to Eb). In both of these cases, if I only had a 4-string I'd have to do some weird octave jumping that would take a bit of time for me to work out in rehearsal tomorrow. Since I have the 5, transposing will be a snap.

Besides that, I think simply having the low D makes a 5er worth it. I don't like playing low in the G to E range then having to kick it up an octave to play a note one step away from the E. It's great being able to stay in the same position and range.

Also, I don't think it's that hard to adapt to the 5. Since the string is physically above the E string, all the other strings are still in the same place under your fretting hand; you just have one further to go after the E. IMO, jumping from 5 to 6 is a much bigger jump than 4 to 5.

So of course play on it a bit to make sure it suits you, but I highly recommend 5 strings!