I think Ken Smith has a great 5 string over at his shop worth checking out. Am I allowed to say that? I guess I just did.
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Double Bass 5-string double bass
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Well, to throw my 2 cents in, for what you are going to spend for an Englehardt my fear is you will end up with a 4 string bass with a 5 string neck and fingerboard. The reason that some 5ers sound better than others has to do with the fact that the instrument was designed around a 5 setup. Most older 4 strings(ones built as 3 strings) sound better as such because they were designed that way. I own a 5 and, while I bought it to be a classical instrument, with the right strings and bridge adjusters, it is very convincing as a jazz/theatre instrument. That said, I spent a lot of dough, to have those extra 5 notes. I hope this helps to muddy the waters.
Umm, Chas' bass is a 4string (used to be Dave Young's). I had mine converted to a 4 string with extension last summer - couldn't be happier. The bass sounds significantly better as a 4 string BTW, and is so much easier to play.
I play a 4/4 Kremona 5-er. They make 3/4 ones also. Bob Gollihur can hook you up at a good price. I like mine. I use it for everything from blue grass to classical. You can hear it recorded on myspace.com/bluerainbird. It's great for jazz and keeps up pretty well acoustically with other acoustic instruments. The set up of any 5 string bass is more critical than a 3/4. It's tricky to get string height and bow clearance just right for thumb position. Arch of the bridge and fingerboard are also critical. The neck is chunky, but comfortable.
My opinion is that the best ones come from Europe where they are more routinely used. Kremonas are built in Bulgaria. There is a tendency in America to just add tuners and a wider fingerboard and another string. In fact there should be more differences and some are internal, such as a somewhat stiffer bass bar and thicker top graduation.
I would never trade my 5-er for a 4-stringer. I love this bass. The BB string is aawwwesooommmme. It brings spiders out of hiding, shakes pictures on the walls, makes return duct covers vibrate, etc. The power of the BB is not to be understated. I can even jam out with the bow on that string up in TP.
As far as string tension goes, the strings are really all about the same tension in any given set. If the bridge is highly arched the A string (center) will put more force on the top because the bridge is higher in the middle, so you pick gauges to balance tension with force on the top across the strings. It's only 25% more trouble than a 4 string bass.
In Europe, they use a lot of them. Shouldn't be a big deal right? If you want one get one.
My opinion is that the best ones come from Europe where they are more routinely used. Kremonas are built in Bulgaria. There is a tendency in America to just add tuners and a wider fingerboard and another string. In fact there should be more differences and some are internal, such as a somewhat stiffer bass bar and thicker top graduation.
I would never trade my 5-er for a 4-stringer. I love this bass. The BB string is aawwwesooommmme. It brings spiders out of hiding, shakes pictures on the walls, makes return duct covers vibrate, etc. The power of the BB is not to be understated. I can even jam out with the bow on that string up in TP.
As far as string tension goes, the strings are really all about the same tension in any given set. If the bridge is highly arched the A string (center) will put more force on the top because the bridge is higher in the middle, so you pick gauges to balance tension with force on the top across the strings. It's only 25% more trouble than a 4 string bass.
In Europe, they use a lot of them. Shouldn't be a big deal right? If you want one get one.
http://www.thetalkbasses.com/
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Hi
I have just changed from a saxophone (of 2 years playing and being my first musical instrument at 70 years old) to a 3/4 double bass 9 weeks ago as I play (try to !) in a small local orchestra and did not want to drop out with my breathing problems. The bass was only 350 euros and is a 4 string and my first string instrument, but I am seriously considering buying a 5 string (top C) to play before I get set into playing a 4 string (muscle memory etc..) Any advice please, I am thinking of spending around 5,000 euros (I live in southern Spain).
Many thanks for any advice.
Richard
I have just changed from a saxophone (of 2 years playing and being my first musical instrument at 70 years old) to a 3/4 double bass 9 weeks ago as I play (try to !) in a small local orchestra and did not want to drop out with my breathing problems. The bass was only 350 euros and is a 4 string and my first string instrument, but I am seriously considering buying a 5 string (top C) to play before I get set into playing a 4 string (muscle memory etc..) Any advice please, I am thinking of spending around 5,000 euros (I live in southern Spain).
Many thanks for any advice.
Richard
(I excuse myself of anything ignorant said in this post, it's un-intentional)
I have a quick question about 5 sting double basses. Is having the extra notes in the same position worth a thicker neck? I have small hands, but I manage a 3/4 quite well. I'm just worried that it'll end up being too thick and I'm better off shifting back to first for F or whatever. I contacted Engelhardt about making a special 5-string EC-1, but I won't hear back from them for a while, I would say. I don't want it special-ordered and payed for, only to realize that I can't play it.
If it matters at all, I am a 5'2" (sorry if it's wrong, used to metric) 16 year old girl. I can play a regular 3/4 with no problems.
I will be using it primarily for jazz, but I wouldn't mind a little arco every once and while.
In jazz you honestly don't need a low B. Even if you got a five string you would have to tune it down to a low Bb because all the jazz I have played has got at least one flat in the key signature. But, if you still wanted to keep the positioning, you'd need an extension. Then you get into extortionate costs. Just stick to a four string. The low B isn't worth it.
check this out 5 String Upright Basses are becoming more popular these days due to the improved setup
Thomas Martin make fine 5 String Upright Basses. Very modern and playable with a big overstand & top that is not overly thick like some antique basses.
Do you have a commercial affilation with Thomas Martin?
Actually I don't have a commercial affiliation w/ Thomas & George Martin, but I'm actually a big fan of Thomas & George Martin because I love listening to how their instruments sound.
