5-String or 6-String? (Used to 4-string)

[bassbenj]

Thanks for the distinction. I've never played a 35"er. I hear that it's good for the B-string tonation but not so much for the upper registers. YMMV

I personally don't get all the hum over 35" scales. I mean it's like only a 3% difference in scale length. And I"m sure you noticed that frets get closer together as you go up the neck anyway. My Modulus 6 has a 35" scale. And I never noticed any big changes switching back and forth from a 34". People complain about 35" scales throwing them off with a fretless and I can see that, but I can't say because I have no 35" fretless basses.

Sure my 35" scale bass has a B string to die for, but I've always felt it was because it was a Modulus rather than because it was 35". My Ken Smith (6) has a B string virtually as good and it's a 34".
I have more of a problem switching string spacing than I ever do with scale length.

 

[rtav]

Hey!

I'm in the same boat as you. I've played a 4-string bass for literally 36 years (P-basses, fretless Jazz basses, Ricks, Steinbergers, Jacksons), and after I played a friend's ESP 6 string, I decided I HAD to get one.

Well, I put my P-Bass down about 2 and half months ago and am ABSOLUTELY hooked on 6 strings. The weirdest thing is forgetting that the low string is no longer an E but a B and that the high string i now a C. It's amazing how hard those boundaries get burned into your brain!

It takes a lot of determination and practice to unlearn and relearn the strings, and occasionally I'll go to the A string thinking I'm on D, but overall I'm happy with the progress and won't ever go back.

A lot of it depends upon the style of music you're playing. If you're playing straight-forward rock, blues, country, or jazz, a 4 string is obviously fine and a 5 string would do quite well for a little extra range. But I play progressive rock/fusion and really put the extra range to use.

If you decide to go 6, I'd suggest not picking up a four string for several weeks until you're very comfortable with the extra strings.

Good luck!

 

[SemiDriven]

So, after buying and playing a Few different Ibanez BTB's, which are ALL 35", I started noticing that I would be getting maybe half way through a set, and my left hand would feel really fatigued. I couldn't figure out what was going on. So, I switched it up one night and played with a 34" Ibanez SRX I had. Didn't realize it until after the show, but my Hand DID NOT Fatigue. Probably got it into my Brain that is was the scale and tricked my self, but after going back and forth between 34" and 35" scales, I Swear the Longer scale makes my Fretting hand fatigue. I AM Attributing to the fact that Mr. Frodo can beat me in Thumb Wrestling, so I just went 34' and forgot about it.

I DID have a REALLY hard time ditchin' the Ibbie's.... BUT, now that I have been playing on the CRB's for awhile and I am playing better, clearer, and harder lines than I have EVER played with NO Effort, I HAVE TO attribute it to the MTD's. I feel I made the Gooder Choice, for me Personally.

My CRB's show on our made by NASA, tells you how fat, ugly, and sad you are, Ridiculously ACCURATE Bath scale at 8.4lbs. When I Sit with it, I get a Little TINY bit of feeling neck heavy, but I sit funny when I play cause of old knee injuries. On a Neotech Strap, it holds Perfectly without me touching it. So, no noticeable neck dive, to me anyway.

Yeah I've heard that Mr. Frodo Baggins has some twisted moves in Thumb Wrestling. I politely declined when he challenged me. He is Lord of the Rings after all! I might add that he declined my challenge to pinky wrestle him. Just sayin.

Hand fatigue on a 35" could be real or imagined (probably real). It's enough of a slight difference to throw you hand (and your brain) out-of-whack.

I'm glad you made the gooder choice! It would make me extremely uncomfortable if you simply made the good choice, or for that matter, the right choice. The correct choice would simple drive me nuts.

I for one ain't going near a made-by-NASA scale. The mirror does the job for me just fine thank you. Well maybe if they need a volunteer to Mars, I'd go If half of the capsule would include some of the finest bass equipment an atrocious…er…developing bass player could have. Only then would I consider using the NASA-made scale. Man, it suddenly hit me, I could be the best bass player outside of planet earth. :scowl: Shhh…don't say nothing to nobody about this. It just might work! Solve my G.A.S. challenges for say 23 1/2 days.

Can you tell I've just gotten home from playing mini-golf with my family in 85-degree heat and humidity with the sun beating down? It hasn't helped I that just chowed down on some choice home-made brownies either. Now whose fat, ugly, and sad! Er…wait.

Definitely have to check out that CRB. I have a feeling I might like that one. 8.4 lbs! Whoa, is GC still open? Steady…steady. Little to no neck dive! Mama, hold me back!

I'm also going to check out that Neotech Strap you mentioned.

Thanks for the info!

 

[SemiDriven]

As my link will (sort of) explain, standard guitar tuning is designed to make chords easier (or even possible) to finger. Basses on the other hand, usually play one note at a time so the tuning in 4ths allows all your scales and patterns to be moved around at will which is very handy.

But you can see the deal here with a 6 or more strings is that one purpose ALSO is the creation of chords. Plus some bass players also play guitar. Hence, one can take advantage of your previous knowledge by tuning the upper strings of a bass to be like a guitar. But then you lose the moving thing. People do this.

So the bottom line tends to be sort of personal with regard to chords and scales in the upper reaches. Personally, I tune all my basses in 4ths. But I'm not very good with standard guitar tuning. I mostly play open tunings on guitar (which is another subject where you have to learn a different set of scales and patterns for EACH tuning).

But you perhaps can see the logic that drives these different kinds of tunings and instruments.

My major in college was partying. As such my minor (music) suffered. Music theory, well, put me to sleep.

However, many thousands of moons later, music theory is rekindling a little interest in me. Now I just take a brief nap.

Just kidding my friend!

If I had the time, I would dive more into music theory. It would hands-down improve my bass skills. I do get what you're saying about the 6-string bass. It certainly does open up a lot of chording possibilities.

I do appreciate your insights! As time permits I do hope to explore more about music theory on your site.

P.S. I suck at guitar. If I add up all my fingers and toes, that's how many minutes I've spent trying the guitar…all 21 of 'em. Wait…never mind. My hat goes off to you and all the bass dudes here that actually know a thing or two (or more) about guitars. Open tunings on a guitar--learning something new everyday on TB!

Thanks!

 

[SemiDriven]

I personally don't get all the hum over 35" scales. I mean it's like only a 3% difference in scale length. And I"m sure you noticed that frets get closer together as you go up the neck anyway. My Modulus 6 has a 35" scale. And I never noticed any big changes switching back and forth from a 34". People complain about 35" scales throwing them off with a fretless and I can see that, but I can't say because I have no 35" fretless basses.

Sure my 35" scale bass has a B string to die for, but I've always felt it was because it was a Modulus rather than because it was 35". My Ken Smith (6) has a B string virtually as good and it's a 34".
I have more of a problem switching string spacing than I ever do with scale length.

Used to play string bass. I can easily see how a 35 would cause challenges on a fretless to someone who is used to a 34.

I tend to agree with you that string spacing is more of a factor than scale length.

But everyone has different perspectives on what works for them. That's what every individual must decide -- what works for them and what do they want to accomplish on what instrument.

Well I can add "playing a 35 and comparing that to a 34" to my "to do" list.

Crap. I might as well add "getting a fretless" on the G.A.S. But I'll put that on the "next year's G.A.S. list!

 

[Tom Howland]

Started out on 4-string.
Went to 6-string, cool, but did not need high-C string.
Finally went to five string. ( B-E )
I never found a 5-string I was completely comfortable with.
I prefer 34" scale, 19mm spacing.
For now I'm back on 4-string.

 

[SemiDriven]

Hey!

I'm in the same boat as you. I've played a 4-string bass for literally 36 years (P-basses, fretless Jazz basses, Ricks, Steinbergers, Jacksons), and after I played a friend's ESP 6 string, I decided I HAD to get one.

Serious G.A.S. attack if I ever saw one!

Well, I put my P-Bass down about 2 and half months ago and am ABSOLUTELY hooked on 6 strings. The weirdest thing is forgetting that the low string is no longer an E but a B and that the high string i now a C. It's amazing how hard those boundaries get burned into your brain!

That and we're both in the 50+ club! (guessing you're over 50 unless you were some uberwonder child prodigy bassist. Probably not since you don't have a Warwick listed.) 2 1/2 months sans 4-string -- you are hooked!

It takes a lot of determination and practice to unlearn and relearn the strings, and occasionally I'll go to the A string thinking I'm on D, but overall I'm happy with the progress and won't ever go back.

A lot of it depends upon the style of music you're playing. If you're playing straight-forward rock, blues, country, or jazz, a 4 string is obviously fine and a 5 string would do quite well for a little extra range. But I play progressive rock/fusion and really put the extra range to use.

I think you've hit the nail on the head. I don't play progressive rock/fusion. That doesn't mean I dislike it, just that I don't play it. So, for me I don't think I'd see the big payoff in investing in one (as does my bride). Would I still like to own one. Absolutely! Would it be fun broadening my horizons and realizing how much I don't know and how little time I have to learn it? Sure!

If you decide to go 6, I'd suggest not picking up a four string for several weeks until you're very comfortable with the extra strings.

That's good advice even if going to a 5.

Good stuff!

 

[SemiDriven]

Started out on 4-string.
Went to 6-string, cool, but did not need high-C string.
Finally went to five string. ( B-E )
I never found a 5-string I was completely comfortable with.
I prefer 34" scale, 19mm spacing.
For now I'm back on 4-string.

Dude, you're supposed to encourage me.

Seriously, you're being real with yourself. I hope I can do that if the 5 or 6 doesn't work out.

Like you say "for now I'm back on 4-string." That don't mean forever. Probably means until your G.A.S. becomes so overwhelming that you spend days holed up in a GC until you find the right axe. That's my plan and I'm sticking to it.

What honey?

Well I'm off to clean the toilet. GC will have to wait.

BTW, ATK Geoph recommends a MTD Kingston CRB. Has an asymmetrical neck and .19mm spacing. Have you tried one?

 

[SoVeryTired]

As another hobbit-handed person, I've not found any problems with a 35" neck. As far as the upper registers go, I've not had a problem. In theory it shold be less cramped than a 34" but the differences are probably tiny.

The one thing I've learned from bass trying and shopping is to empty your mind (grasshopper). If you go in wanting a 35" 5-string with active electronics you'll probably leave with that, or nothing. If you go in with an open mind you'll leave with the best bass for you, regardless of what the specs might say.

I'm glad I kept my mind open or I'd never have bought the bass I did.

 

[SemiDriven]

As another hobbit-handed person, I've not found any problems with a 35" neck. As far as the upper registers go, I've not had a problem. In theory it shold be less cramped than a 34" but the differences are probably tiny.

The one thing I've learned from bass trying and shopping is to empty your mind (grasshopper). If you go in wanting a 35" 5-string with active electronics you'll probably leave with that, or nothing. If you go in with an open mind you'll leave with the best bass for you, regardless of what the specs might say.

I'm glad I kept my mind open or I'd never have bought the bass I did.

Open mind + Bass hunting. What a concept! Yeah that's the way it should be done.

 

[SemiDriven]

My journey of visiting music stores and trying 5-string basses got sidetracked this past week by a cold and then lung infection. Nasty.

So after wandering onto craigslist and eBay over the weekend I took a chance and bought a used older-model Ibanez SR-505.

I figure that if she doesn't work out at the very least I'll begin the process of transitioning to a 5-string.

Changing topics entirely, the San Francisco 49er's looked great today. It was tough watching my Packers lose!

 

[srayb]

My journey of visiting music stores and trying 5-string basses got sidetracked this past week by a cold and then lung infection. Nasty.

So after wandering onto craigslist and eBay over the weekend I took a chance and bought a used older-model Ibanez SR-505.

I figure that if she doesn't work out at the very least I'll begin the process of transitioning to a 5-string.

Changing topics entirely, the San Francisco 49er's looked great today. It was tough watching my Packers lose!

Nice bass... I recently bought an older used SR506 and love it.

 

[SemiDriven]

Nice bass... I recently bought an older used SR506 and love it.

Just got it. It's in good condition. Whoo-yoo!

Like you, I think I'm gonna enjoy it.

I'm really grateful for one of the TB members (ubnomnar) helping me identify her.

She's either a '95 or '96 SR-505NT.

Being a newbie to the world of active pickups, I'm not sure which one I have.

The '95 has an active 2-band EQ. The '96 has a Vari-Mid 3Band EQ.

Now I've got to choose some new strings for her and learn how to set her up. (The Ultimate Guide To Perfect Bass Setup & Invalid Link Removed)

The low B is sending shivers of joy through my bones…awesome! Even the Mrs. says the B string sounds good.

I'm getting a little fret buzz between the 15th and 22nd frets except on the D-string. OK that's a little weird. I'm counting on the setup to minimize/eliminate that.

Current intonation ain't bad. At the 12th fret it's either on or a smidge off. At the 24th fret it's a bit flat on the high strings and a bit sharp on the low strings. But the 24th fret always seems temperamental in getting the intonation right.

Aside from getting used to the 16.5mm string spacing, this 5-string experience is going well so far!

 

[SoVeryTired]

Enjoy!

As far as the active electronics go... it's an active pre-amp, not active pickups (they're a bit rarer, EMG being the most common example). You'll be able to tell whether it's a 2 or 3 band from the number of knobs on it. As well as volume and pickup blend pots, the 2-band will have treble and bass cut/boost, and the 3-band will also have a mid cut/boost. I'm not sure of the exact control configuration for the SR505 but if it's got 4 knobs, that'll definitely be the 2-band. 5 controls? Probably the 3-band (3 EQ, and either 1 volume and a pickup blend or two volumes).

 

[SemiDriven]

Enjoy!

As far as the active electronics go... it's an active pre-amp, not active pickups (they're a bit rarer, EMG being the most common example). You'll be able to tell whether it's a 2 or 3 band from the number of knobs on it. As well as volume and pickup blend pots, the 2-band will have treble and bass cut/boost, and the 3-band will also have a mid cut/boost. I'm not sure of the exact control configuration for the SR505 but if it's got 4 knobs, that'll definitely be the 2-band. 5 controls? Probably the 3-band (3 EQ, and either 1 volume and a pickup blend or two volumes).

Thanks for the clarification. I've got the active 2-band pre-amp model since I have 4-knobs.

Now I just have to decide on what kind of new strings to put on her.

 

[FuNkyLoWNotEs]

Just traded my Fender Jaguar deluxe in on a SR505sm (spalted maple) yesterday. I played 2 shows with it and had never played a 5 string live before... Talk about putting pressure on yourself! I had a few slips but I love the bass, i miss the jag but the dang electronics were just too damn noisy!! Cant wait to rewrite my basslines and get that low B some action!

 

[SemiDriven]

Just traded my Fender Jaguar deluxe in on a SR505sm (spalted maple) yesterday. I played 2 shows with it and had never played a 5 string live before... Talk about putting pressure on yourself! I had a few slips but I love the bass, i miss the jag but the dang electronics were just too damn noisy!! Cant wait to rewrite my basslines and get that low B some action!

Nice SR-505!

Good for you wading right into a live mix with a 5-string!

I'm not so brave just yet. I figure after a week of practice, putting new strings on, setting her up, then I'll ease her into the fast lane of live performance and hope the butterflies fly in formation!

Getting that low B action -- sweet!