5 String stigma?

[JW56789]

My only proviso is that you play WHATEVER lets you be the best you musically, regardless of all the labels.

Having said that . . . . .

I never realized some cats had a hard-on about anything past a four-string.

After I lived in Nashville awhile, it became apparent there were two camps:

There were guys around town who played any and every style axe you can think of: 4, 5, 6, upright, you name it, interchangeably.

Then the other bunch played fours, period, and maybe doubled on a 4-string upright. In a few cases, some of these guys looked at the first group . . . . like they were from Mars.

Maybe it's this: A lot of guys, when they transitioned to a five in the 90's, would get on a gig, and wear out all the new low C's, D's, whatever way past well-done. I'll admit it's a temptation and fun for a little while, but the smart guys figure out quick that in a lot of cases, staying 'down there' can just set the song adrift, without top-shelf FOH to make those notes really work. Caused more than a few problems on gigs with the 'that's not a bass' crowd.

I got over the shiny-new-low-note-toy phase real fast, and just played the song. IF here and there the occasional 'lower-than-usual' note fit and worked, I'd use it. Otherwise I'd just forget about that sort of thing and play the tune. I knew I had gotten that correctly when playing a very traditional country cover gig, a well-respected guitarist and leader told me, 'man you did great, and you know, THAT BASS DOESN'T SOUND LIKE A FIVE-STRING.'

Well . . . . . . actually it did. I just learned not to depth-charge all the tunes with those uber-low notes. As with all things, any fool can play a bunch of notes, the good ones know what to leave out. I'm still working on that.

 

[JimmyM]

I'll take your word about rock; wouldn't be the first time I've been wrong about that! So maybe there's a contemporary rock bias against 5-strings? I wouldn't be surprised. But rock is a small segment of the industry, 14%, and it is heavily overrepresented here.

Most pop i hear these days has synth/sequenced bass, so I guess I'm wrong about that, too! No strings at all!

ANYWAY at least one of my points stands: you should always choose the right tool for the job, regardless of what some rando on the internet says. And if you're reading or transposing, a 5-string is just easier in my experience, even if you never play one of its extra five notes.

Just $.02 from an old guy who doesn't play rock. Take it for what it's worth.

Every musical situation is different, even in rock/pop But 4-string definitely dominates those charts, and there are certainly acts that frown on 5's and 6's. And I'm seeing that vibe creeping in pockets of other genres, too.

Is it really that hard? Genuine question.

I'm a fairly new player and just bought a 5 string to sit alongside my 4's, I really want to play both and switch between them whenever I feel like it.

Stay in practice on both and it's not hard to switch.

 

[Wasnex]

I would indeed say this is accurate. And also for new Americana type stuff, country that's not "pop country", and, well, many many genres. Man, and if it's a "coffee table bass", then look out! You're not even getting in the building!

My first bass was a Ric 4001 and I used to catch quite a bit of grief that I wasn't playing a Fender. That grief tended to subside after they heard me play though .

 

[Wasnex]

Is it really that hard? Genuine question.

I'm a fairly new player and just bought a 5 string to sit alongside my 4's, I really want to play both and switch between them whenever I feel like it.

After you get really solid on 5-string, it's fairly easy to switch back and fourth. But I think it's advisable to stay exclusive to the 5 until you really feel at home on it. Also as mentioned in another post. If you play by ear and shape it won't make as much difference as it does if you are using notes names, thinking in terms of music theory, reading music etc.

 

[asparaguspee]

After you get really solid on 5-string, it's fairly easy to switch back and fourth. But I think it's advisable to stay exclusive to the 5 until you really feel at home on it. Also as mentioned in another post. If you play by ear and shape it won't make as much difference as it does if you are using notes names, thinking in terms of music theory, reading music etc.

Every musical situation is different, even in rock/pop But 4-string definitely dominates those charts, and there are certainly acts that frown on 5's and 6's. And I'm seeing that vibe creeping in pockets of other genres, too.


Stay in practice on both and it's not hard to switch.

Awesome, thanks for the answers! I rotate amongst all my basses frequently but I'll play the 5 string mostly for a while until I get the hang of it.

My music teacher actually encouraged me to get a 5 string, and it would have been very rude of me to not buy another bass.

 

[Wretched Banana]

Is it really that hard? Genuine question.

I'm a fairly new player and just bought a 5 string to sit alongside my 4's, I really want to play both and switch between them whenever I feel like it.

That’s what I did, bought a 5 then a 4 within months. I play both every day. Guitar player of 20 years so not exactly new to dealing with a fretboard either. I still find them very different, but one is not necessarily harder than the other. If I was made to play at gunpoint with zero mistakes I’d actually grab the fiver.

 

[BassoSaku]

I play 4, 5, 6, fretless 4, 5, with fingers and with a pick, 4 string double bass (I'd play 5 if I had one), 6 and 12 string guitars, 4 string, uke 8 string mandolin, 5 string banjo. It all depends on what I feel like playing. So the short version of it would be it doesn't matters what Jaco played, it matter what YOU like playing.

I have only ONE bass with tortoise pickguard

My daughter's bunnies like carrots. Very much!

 

[BlueTalon]

I've never played with a guitarist that's watched my hands. My cute butt though, that's different...

It happens at jams, or sometimes when a band is learning a new song and the bass player has a better handle on it than the guitar player.

 

[JimmyM]

This topic always reminds me of the story about Lenny Kravitz holding bassist auditions, had hundreds show up and didn't want to sit through that many auditions. So he sent someone out to tell all the bassists with more than 4 strings to leave.

And Prince used to make all the bassists who worked with him use 4's because "Larry Graham only needs 4." Only Andrew Gouche got away with more because he told Prince, "This bass has those strings on it, too."

But here's the deal for most of us...you play locally, the people you play with dig you, you're not looking to play in a bunch of different acts or anything, and you can play what you want as long as you sound good and play well. For most of us, it won't be an issue. For me it was a couple of times, though usually nobody worried about it, and it wasn't like they were major career moves anyway

If I were a top bassist for hire these days, and I was trying to do the most possible sessions with the least amount of basses (electric only, upright players can add an upright to the list on their own), here's what I'd do:

1. PJ or J with rounds

2. P with flats

3. 5 or 6-string

4. Hollowbody with flats

5. Fretless if you don't suck at it

 

[A9X]

It happens at jams, or sometimes when a band is learning a new song and the bass player has a better handle on it than the guitar player.

Then they need to adjust. What if the guitarist had a better handle on the song but preferred a 7 or 8 string guitar? Should I say, no you must use a 6?

If I were a top bassist for hire these days, and I was trying to do the most possible sessions with the least amount of basses (electric only, upright players can add an upright to the list on their own), here's what I'd do:

1. PJ or J with rounds

2. P with flats

3. 5 or 6-string

4. Hollowbody with flats

5. Fretless if you don't suck at it

Agreed. But are most of us here in that situation? But that's sort of logical. I also wouldn't turn up to a job interview on site for a concreter's job with an electricians tools. Even if I don't prefer those instruments, I would play them if that was what was needed for the gig.

 

[Giffro]

I ordered and bought a 5 string Peavey Dyna bass in 1991 (had it ordered from Peavey for 6 months before receiving it here in Oz) and never regretted the purchase, had 4's up to that point, plus every band ive been in since the Peavey purchase has loved the sound of it..especially its beautiful low B. I own 5 4 string basses and 2 5vers (Peavey Dyna 5 and EBMM SR5)..I love them all, so to each their own..4 string and 5 string both sound great to me, after all they are bass guitars, but I have always loved playing my 5vers in preference to a 4. The B is there when needed..I cant see any problem owing and playing a 5 string bass.

 

[Samatza]

Hello, I posted a thread the other day about opinions on two bass models. I’m a veteran guitar player picking up a new bass, and one thing I noticed was how many people suggested that I buy a 4 string bass instead of a 5. I was a bit confused, because I was only asking about specific models, not whether to get a 4 or 5. Is there some stigma with 5 strings that I’m not aware of? I know everyone has opinions and I respect that, but I was surprised to see it pop up so much.

I'm guessing here but from personal experience there was a period where a lot of music was played on a 5 string and it was almost mandatory to have one for that purpose. Now a lot of music is played on a detuned 4 string say tuned to C so there's stuff like that going on too.

Now I'm finding that in the last 5 or so years I rarely need a 5 so I just use a 4. So depending on the music you'll be playing you would choose a bass that suits you. I don't think there's any stigma on the 5 just a change in popularity.

 

[satjhmo]

Weird. I've only played 4s but I'm thinking about getting a 5. I started a thread just a few days ago about it and not one person has made any negative comment about moving to a 5. In fact, most of the replies have been helpful suggestions about which 5s fit what I'm looking for.

For all the jokes about burst-tort-flats-P these days I never see any reference to it that's not meant in jest or irony. So I think it's just a reason to get exercised about something. Sometimes, if there isn't an opposing tribe, you have to create one .

I have both. I play the 5er less, but when I do, you bet your ass I love having to play below the E!

 

[tvbop]

Not crazy about the vibe here but each to there own.
My ye olde creaky, cobweb strewn, infested with worm four string P bass makes me feel good, makes me feel part of the classic music vibe and I don't care a hoot what anyone thinks....if you can get those same feelings with a 98 string shred machine then good on you..But don't forget, the audience don't give a damn either way.

 

[40Hz]

There’s no stigma associated with 5-string basses. Just a bunch of players with an axe to grind, or suffering from a persecution complex who are seeking affirmation.

Single smartest thing you can do as a beginner is to try out a few basses, find one you like, and start playing bass. And don’t get bogged down worrying about whether it has four or five (or six!) strings.

There’s no universal “best” for every player. Only what works for you - and what doesn’t.

 

[Geri O]

Not crazy about the vibe here but each to there own.
My ye olde creaky, cobweb strewn, infested with worm four string P bass makes me feel good, makes me feel part of the classic music vibe and I don't care a hoot what anyone thinks....if you can get those same feelings with a 98 string shred machine then good on you..But don't forget, the audience don't give a damn either way.

But what you don’t realize it that the “vibe here “ that you aren’t crazy about is borne out of the grief and angst that a lot of 5-, 6-, and whatever-string-count have had to endure over the years from the “Jaco/Larry/Chris/whomever needed only 4 strings” bunch. Doesn’t sound as though you are part of that crowd and your open-mindedness about basses not like the ones you prefer is appreciated. That open-mindedness is something that every facet of society could certainly use a lot more of.

And it is unfortunate that these kinds of thread do tend to turn into b$tchfests and alienating some players in the process.

Cheers….

 

[bigdaddybass12]

If you want to play 4-string, it's entirely fine with me. Seriously I don't care what you play, and it has no influence on what I play.

I remember doing a bar gig a year or so after I started playing 6-string in the military. This was before I had purchased my own 6-string, so I was still using my Ric 4001 for private pay gigs.

Several audience members came up to me on breaks and were giving me compliments and telling me how happy they were that I was playing a real bass. They joked about how anything with more than four string was not a real bass. I laughed along with them...or was it at them ? They will never know . We all had a good time, and I got paid .

Good time & got paid!! Cant beat that!
Dont get me wrong, I like playing my 5. Looking at getting another one. I like a 4 for the small low key joint I play at. Like I said earlier, gives me an excuse to own more basses!

 

[tpaul]

There was a 12-string bass that just sold In the TB classifieds the other day. Too bad you missed it.

 

[tvbop]

not like the ones you prefer is appreciated. That open-mindedness is something that every facet of society could certainly use a lot more of.

Sarcasm is truly the lowest form of wit......haha. But seriously bassists are so weird.....do upright players keep going down this more is better rabbit hole?....I dont think so. How about guitarists too....or keyboard players...."I need more keys" Nice to see drummers going the other way so to speak....with one up and three down etc.......
Its time for Fender to bring out the one string guitar and bass.... deal with the madness in one quick move.

 

[Brad Johnson]

True, and I try not to let it bug me, but I guess I was surprised. Why anyone would say that without asking me anything didn’t make sense. Incidentally, I’ve had 5 string basses before, and have played 7 string guitars, but they never asked.

It's the internet. And free opinions. What could go wrong?

Seriously, I'm guessing part of the joy of having baggage is sharing it.