5-string or BEAD?

[mini-milli]

I'm debating on whether I should convert my Ibanez SR650 to BEAD or just trade it for a 5-string. I'm mostly just looking for that lower range to diversify my bass collection and so I can play heavier music.

The biggest issue I have with trading it in is there are almost zero 5 strings on the used market where I live. I'd likely have to drive quite a ways to find a store I could trade it in.

What would yall do in this situation?

 

[Mastermold]

5 string. Wouldn’t want to lose my G.

 

[steimlem]

i personally prefer BEAD but there are situations where 5 string may be necessary depending on your needs . i just prefer everything about a 4 string though..spacing, neck, weight, appearance/look . if those things don't bother you then a 5 string seems superior.

 

[dabbler]

I have 4s, 5s and 6s. So I would recommend keeping the 4 but adding a 5.

 

[MCS4]

Well, they both work perfectly fine, so it really just comes down to the question of whether you have a strong preference for four strings or five. If you do have a strong preference, then you have your answer... and if you don't then there is no wrong answer.

 

[mini-milli]

I already have three 4s and no 5s, I've owned one before and liked the extended range and efficiency of playing further up and down without moving my hand, but the body was gigantic and it was very heavy.

I ended up selling it because I just could not get comfortable on it no matter what I tried, so I think a smaller body 5-string would work well for me, but converting the four would be much cheaper and easier in my situation.

 

[joel406]

I already have three 4s and no 5s, I've owned one before and liked the extended range and efficiency of playing further up and down without moving my hand, but the body was gigantic and it was very heavy.

I ended up selling it because I just could not get comfortable on it no matter what I tried, so I think a smaller body 5-string would work well for me, but converting the four would be much cheaper and easier in my situation.

Yeah..... no.

Get a 5.

 

[Mastermold]

I already have three 4s and no 5s, I've owned one before and liked the extended range and efficiency of playing further up and down without moving my hand, but the body was gigantic and it was very heavy.

I ended up selling it because I just could not get comfortable on it no matter what I tried, so I think a smaller body 5-string would work well for me, but converting the four would be much cheaper and easier in my situation.

If you’re partial to Ibanez they make a lot of fivers at various price points and are probably what you are looking for in terms of comfort.

 

[2cooltoolz]

If you just want a "B" singularly to play heavier music the BEAD four string is all you need.
I prefer a 5 not so much for the lower notes, although I do go there on occasion. I like being able to play more across the neck than running up and down. I play more in 4th and 5th position than in open and low positions.
Probably not a factor for you.
You already have the Ibanez. File the nut slots and try it out!

 

[mini-milli]

Yeah..... no.

Get a 5.

That's sort of what I was leaning towards, I just wanted to confirm my GAS.

If you’re partial to Ibanez they make a lot of fivers at various price points and are probably what you are looking for in terms of comfort.

I'm not particularly attached to Ibanez but I do like the idea of just switching out my SR 4 string for an SR 5 string; or if I really wanted to splurge I might get an EHB.

 

[factory presets]

I like to play a BEAD 4 string for all the reasons you mention. But I do like to have a 5 string around for running ideas and exercises around the clock. Stuff that don't really come up in gigs as such, but is handy to know from any starting note. Lucky for me I never sold my 5ers.

BEAD is cheap so that's the obvious place to start. Worry about a 5 string when and if you find you really can't get by without a G string. My thinking is if God wanted us to play 5s, he wouldn't have given us octaves to go to instead.

 

[PrimitiveMan]

If you just want the extended range I find a 4 string tuned DGCF (everything down a whole step) gets the best of both worlds.

But I play 5s since I like being able to play more notes in one position. That can't be replicated on a 4 string

 

[ItsmeSantiago]

When I played in multiple bands, a five string met my needs, but I prefer to play a BEAD because I find a four string more comfortable.

 

[Lenny JG]

Just depends what you need.
I did A standard on a 4 for years because that's all I needed.
Then I got a 5 string for drop G#.
Then I got a 6 string for drop E.
I literally only kept adding a string so that I could continue to play the same songs on one bass instead of multiple.

 

[Joybass]

What I did is consider the music I mostly play. That made me put heavy strings on one of my 4-stringers and tune it DGCF. For the songs in Eb or D. For the rest just good old EADG. And one 5 string bass for the fun of it.

 

[BarqsBitMe]

I'm debating on whether I should convert my Ibanez SR650 to BEAD or just trade it for a 5-string. I'm mostly just looking for that lower range to diversify my bass collection and so I can play heavier music.

The biggest issue I have with trading it in is there are almost zero 5 strings on the used market where I live. I'd likely have to drive quite a ways to find a store I could trade it in.

What would yall do in this situation?

I would go with the 5 as I don’t like non-standard tuning. Wouldn’t want to lose my G string. I also just like 5 string basses.

 

[Philip McAdam]

I'm debating on whether I should convert my Ibanez SR650 to BEAD or just trade it for a 5-string. I'm mostly just looking for that lower range to diversify my bass collection and so I can play heavier music.

The biggest issue I have with trading it in is there are almost zero 5 strings on the used market where I live. I'd likely have to drive quite a ways to find a store I could trade it in.

What would yall do in this situation?

There are a few nice looking five string basses here on the TB classifieds, just sayin'.

 

[mini-milli]

There are a few nice looking five string basses here on the TB classifieds, just sayin'.

I found an SR655 on there I'm trying to trade my SR650 for - the owner said they didn't like the 5th string so it might be a win-win!

 

[Gorilla Fingers]

I tune my fretted 5s (and my 6!) down one whole step to A standard. I've tried doing it with a four, and I really missed the extra high notes. You could certainly try BEAD, that being the cheapest method, but I think you'll come to the same conclusion about missing the higher end. Of course, as someone else mentioned, it all depends on whether or not you're just trying to capture the low end, or you're trying to expand the full range of your tonal palette.

Tl;dr- I vote for getting a five.

 

[Hummergeist]

I found an SR655 on there I'm trying to trade my SR650 for - the owner said they didn't like the 5th string so it might be a win-win!

This is a good outcome!