I was planning on buying the 5 string Ibanez ATK305 until the guy at my local music store told me how 5 strings were going out of style. He advised me to be sure I want a 5 string before I order it, because if he gets it and I decide against it, he won't be able to sell it. Can someone give me the run down over why one might chose a 5 string over a 4 string, and vise versa. And also explain this whole going out of style thing?
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5 string vs 4 string
- Thread starter 2mur
- Start date
Browse through some of the threads, this has been covered a million times.
Your local shop owner is either a rabid fan of the four string or (more likely) has a lot of four strings hanging around that he can't get rid of. Which of course you should buy because fivers are going out of style.
Your local shop owner is either a rabid fan of the four string or (more likely) has a lot of four strings hanging around that he can't get rid of. Which of course you should buy because fivers are going out of style.
How old is that dork?
18 or 78 ?
A 5-string wont kill you, go get it (unless he gives away his 4-string "new old stock" full of rare 4-strings he is not able to sell, for a nickel ..)
D.Don
Forget that. Get the five if you feel comfortable getting it. After all, you're the one playing it. Not the shop guy. If you decide you don't want it once you've tried it and he has to try to sell it, well, that's the risk of doing business.
"Going out of style" ? What a bunch of crap lol. That's like saying acoustic guitars are going out of style. Some people like them and some don't. You obviously seem to like them so my opinion is find one you like at the store, then make a point to tell the salesperson thanks and that you are going to order it online right away 
That has to be the stupidest thing I've ever heard. Why do they let these jerks work in music shops?
- Oct 7, 2000
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- Endorsing artist: Musicman basses
5 string isn't something that ever goes in or out of "style", and the guy in your local shop is an idiot. Buy your bass here. http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Ibanez-ATK305-5String-Bass-Guitar?sku=517441 You'll porbably pay a lot less and not have to listen to any BS.
Even if they are going out of style (which they are not), who cares? Get what you want and don't be swayed by trends (especially ones that don't exist).
Ya, that was an out of you-know-where comment... Is the guy even a bass player? Unless it's a bass-only shop I would not assume that a salesperson in a music shop is a bass player.
I play 5, I like 4's too but for me and my money 5 is the only way to go. I just feel so much more capable going into a gig with a 5... As an example, last Sunday I walk into a rehearsal for a gig this past Friday... I had no idea other than the basic genre what I was in for. Sure enough I get handed the sheets and half of the tunes are in Eb, it was a good feeling that I didn't have to mess with my tuning or not have to go an octave up... That works for me, someone else might differ.
I play 5, I like 4's too but for me and my money 5 is the only way to go. I just feel so much more capable going into a gig with a 5... As an example, last Sunday I walk into a rehearsal for a gig this past Friday... I had no idea other than the basic genre what I was in for. Sure enough I get handed the sheets and half of the tunes are in Eb, it was a good feeling that I didn't have to mess with my tuning or not have to go an octave up... That works for me, someone else might differ.
Well, you said you were already planning on buying a 5-string when you went in, right? Don't let the goon behind the counter make you change your mind! There's nothing wrong with 5-strings at all. With me, I started on 5-string, and I'm most comfortable there.
A 5 string bass going out of style someone has no idea what they are talking about lol!!! I heard musicians friend mentioned usually they have awesome prices. Check out Invalid Link Removed too.
I bought a 5 about 3 months ago. I also have a 4. I like both of them.
It's easier to slap and pop on my 4 string. On the 5 the strings are too close together for me to hit them accurately with my fat thumb.
I play the 5 the most. I am much more versative on the for playing songs in drop D (I just move down to the B string and change position). I also have much more flexibility on runs and fills.
As far as going out of style. Don't sweat it. Play what works for you.
It's easier to slap and pop on my 4 string. On the 5 the strings are too close together for me to hit them accurately with my fat thumb.
I play the 5 the most. I am much more versative on the for playing songs in drop D (I just move down to the B string and change position). I also have much more flexibility on runs and fills.
As far as going out of style. Don't sweat it. Play what works for you.
I wonder what the mix of 4 strings and 5 strings is out there in the wild. Seems like an even mix when I see people on stage, but I tend to see more jazz type music where the 5 rules. If you judge by the strings you see in music stores, then it would seem that it's about 2/3-3/4 4 strings and the rest 5 strings.
Anyways, the guy is an idiot. Actually, no he's not an idiot. He's just giving you bad advice because he wants to sell you the 4 string that he has in stock. 5 strings are here to stay, but 4 strings aren't going away anytime soon.
Anyways, the guy is an idiot. Actually, no he's not an idiot. He's just giving you bad advice because he wants to sell you the 4 string that he has in stock. 5 strings are here to stay, but 4 strings aren't going away anytime soon.
5 strings going out of style??? On the contrary, it seems like they come up with a bass that has more strings every week 
If you were asking for a 13 strings bass, then I'd say think again, because those aren't even in style yet 
Just kidding. In all seriousness, that's just a load of garbage. Get whatever works for you.
If you were asking for a 13 strings bass, then I'd say think again, because those aren't even in style yet Just kidding. In all seriousness, that's just a load of garbage. Get whatever works for you.
He might be trying to say that Ibanez is going to stop making the ATK305 - possibly because of low sales for the fiver (just guessing). If you like it I would get it. There always seems to be an ATK305 on Ebay each week, so I wouldn't worry about not being able to find one if you pass on this one.
I've been back and forth from four to five and am back to five for good. I don't play notes on the B-string very often, but when you need that low D there's no more convenient way to get it. Plus, you've got two octaves from the B-string to the G-string. If it feels weird to play the fiver or you keep thinking that the B is the E it helps to think of the B-string as a thumbrest that you can play notes on.
If you're never going to need those lower notes you should stick with the four-banger. The neck is narrower, the strings are cheaper (usually by around $12), etc.
