5 string vs 4 string

[MattAT]

I've always played 4 strings. That it what I prefer. It's all up to you man. I've always wondered why people rave about 5 strings. I've played them and yes they are very cool. Every time someone talks about 5 string basses I ask them, "why not go 6?"

 

[StarscreamG1]

I have always played 4s but I was very interested in a 5 when I got back into it, yet I went back to a 4. It was no problem. A 4 string doesn't feel limiting to me. I mean sure there have been times I have come up with stuff thinking 'if I could go lower that would rock' but its not often that happens. Its actually the # of frets (21 vs 24 etc) that can limit me more then anything. But I finally did get a 5 and luckily for me I guess, I made the transition with absolutely no problem. I would imagine part of it is the fact Im not trained technically with music what so ever so I didn't have any 'rules' in my head to get in the way.

Sadly I haven't touched my 5er in a couple of months though. Nothing against it but its got a set up SO BAD it pushes even my threshold for lousy set ups (and my first bass had the worse set up in the world so I have no probs with NO set ups LOL..until that 5!!).

I'd like to think the 4 string will never go out of style but it wouldn't surprise me that much if it did, but I don't see it happening really.

 

[RBrownBass]

Every time someone talks about 5 string basses I ask them, "why not go 6?"

Weird- I ended up doing just that. I was looking for a neck-thru fiver with 35" scale and 19mm spacing, and the Brice Prestige Z6 showed up on eBay at a price I really couldn't resist ($300 + shipping). It had one more string than I originally wanted, but I knew I wasn't going to find anything close to that kind of deal anytime soon, so I bit. I'm glad I did.

 

[funkybassplayer]

So he prolly won't sell you a 5er but i bet he would jump to sell you a 4banger tuned BEAD.

Fivers going out of style is the sillyiest thing i have head in a long while.

 

[lowEstring]

Every time someone talks about 5 string basses I ask them, "why not go 6?"

To me, a 6-string is different than a 4 or 5-string. Not fundamentally different; there's nothing you can do on a 4 or 5 that you can't do on a 6. But you're talking about going higher instead of going lower. There's no reason not to have the option, I suppose, but I feel like it represents a different notion of the bass player's role. Not better or worse, just different.

 

[tranceFusion]

i have been hesitant to spend "real" money on a 5 string for a few reasons.. lack of a standardized scale, less options for strings, floppy b issues, less options for pickups and accessories, etc.

so I have a couple of expensive 4's and a couple of cheap 5's. maybe my concerns are unwarranted.. but that's how I've felt.

 

[tZer]

As many have already said, that 'guy at your local store' sounds rather uninformed, to put it nicely. His advice, while it may be well-intentioned, is woefully misguided.

His logic makes more sense when you get into the extreme extended range basses (6+ strings) in that those are more 'niche' basses. I don't have a problem with 6+ string basses, so please put the flaming arrows away, but statistically I am rather certain that 4 and 5 string basses make up the majority of the basses sold at most typical guitar stores.

EDIT: tranceFusion - I believe your concerns are unwarranted.

 

[Ric5]

You mean all we will be able to get are 3,4,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,and15-string basses what is this world coming to

You forgot 18 stringers and double necked basses!

 

[G2K]

Yo, I'm an old guy and just started playing again. I opted for a 4 string single pick up, yup really old. I knew that 5ers had been around for awhile and just wanted to start back in familiar territory. Having said that my next addition will be a 5 string. I can see the attraction and wonder if I should have got back on with a 5 er. From what I read and hear, 5's are becoming more popular.

 

[NKUSigEp]

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?

This plan involves 3 steps...listed as follows:

1) Order 5 string bass from said shop

2) Once it arrives, decline the bass saying it's not the right tone for you, the setup is crappy, and you could swear the finish is messed up

3) Go to a competitor shop and buy bass from there



That should teach the douchebag.

 

[StarscreamG1]

Yo, I'm an old guy and just started playing again. I opted for a 4 string single pick up, yup really old. I knew that 5ers had been around for awhile and just wanted to start back in familiar territory. Having said that my next addition will be a 5 string. I can see the attraction and wonder if I should have got back on with a 5 er. From what I read and hear, 5's are becoming more popular.

5ers are really cool I think. I have an older 5 string, a 1992 Peavey Foundation5. The necks on these don't seem as wide, though its got width, as other 5s Ive seen and its not that thick either. I recently tried a Fender Jazz 5 and wow the neck was real thick, which really turned me off to be honest. I don't know a lot of different bass brands but if you are looking for a thin necked 5 I would recommend Peavey. The one I have and the one I almost had (07ish milenium) had very comfortable necks and the string spacing didnt feel too far apart or cramped. The Fender had decent string spacing but I honestly felt like I was wrapping my hand around a telephone pole with that one. Not sure which type of neck appeals to you, but just try 'em all. In my limited exposure to 5s the necks really seem to vary from one brand to the other drastically.

 

[ggunn]

3 string? I gotta see a pic of this...

http://www.geocities.com/BourbonStreet/Bayou/5961/rhine.html

 

[MarkMyWordsXx]

i can see how lower notes arent stylish anymore..

 

[StarscreamG1]

http://www.geocities.com/BourbonStreet/Bayou/5961/rhine.html

I wonder how much that thing weighs!!!

 

[RudeMood]

The music store guy is full of crap.

Yes this topic has been covered a zillion times. Everyone has to play what is comforatable and suits them. I've played both, but have recently decided to go back to 4-strings. I'm selling my high end 5-ers and buying a couple of old P-basses. It's like the choice of driving an automatic car vs. a 5-speed; both will do the job, it's just a matter of preference.

 

[tZer]

The music store guy is full of crap.

Yes this topic has been covered a zillion times. Everyone has to play what is comforatable and suits them. I've played both, but have recently decided to go back to 4-strings. I'm selling my high end 5-ers and buying a couple of old P-basses. It's like the choice of driving an automatic car vs. a 5-speed; both will do the job, it's just a matter of preference.

I have to nit-pick on your analogy - sorry, I am compulsive like that...

It's not like a automatic vs. 5-speed - it's like a 4-speed vs. a 5-speed. They'll both get you there, one just gives you either one more or one less shift depending on which you choose. But with regard to basses, it's the 5'er that actually gives you less shifting!

 

[rarbass]

They say guitar solos are going out of style too.

A 5-string is a beautiful thing to have. Sometimes it depends on your style, though this can be overcome with practice anyway. What I mean is that if you play a lot of slap, it's harder to slap a 5-string due to there being more strings, and smaller spacing between the strings. If you play more fingerstyle (or picking I guess, haven't experimented too much) I find it's easier to switch from string to string. Not MUCH easier, but just a bit of a difference is present.
If you play heavier music, the low B-string is really useful, presenting you with those low notes so you will rarely have to tune down, even if your guitar player tunes down to C# or whatever.
They work for lighter styles as well, though.

It all depends on what you'll be using it for. Personally I prefer the SR305 or the SR505 to the ATK305, but that's just personal preference. Most of all, if you play the bass comfortably, then there should be no question of whether it's "going out of style". I see no reason why you would regret buying a 5-string in any case.

As for going out of style...the employee you spoke to was an idiot. Plain and simple.

 

[rarbass]

This plan involves 3 steps...listed as follows:

1) Order 5 string bass from said shop

2) Once it arrives, decline the bass saying it's not the right tone for you, the setup is crappy, and you could swear the finish is messed up

3) Go to a competitor shop and buy bass from there



That should teach the douchebag.

Funnily enough, the exact same thought came into my head upon reading the original post. Where is this store, I want to do this

 

[ggunn]

I wonder how much that thing weighs!!!

I've seen one. They weigh about as much as an upright bass.

 

[Arpeggiator]

i prefer the extended range of a 5er since i play alot of metal saves me downtuning its also nice the have the lower register the string spacing is also nice for a fast fingerstyle player like me