5-string vs. tuning down

[Greenman72]

Foreword - This is a follow-up to my prior thread. (4-string vs. 5-string) Again, I'm a newbie, so this isn't intended to start a fight. It's me trying to figure out the best way to move forward.

As noted in the other thread, I like to play a lot of metal. In fact, my favorite band in the world is Type O Negative, and they tuned their guitars to B-Standard. Therefore, the bass was tuned to BEAD. So if I want to play along, I need to hit the sub-E2 notes.

So the question is this: if I want to play along, would it be better to restring the bass to BEAD tuning? Or just buy a 5-string?

Thanks for any advice you can give me.

-----

My (extremely ignorant) thinking on the matter:

4-string seems a little more comfortable right now. (Probably because that's all I play and that's what I'm used to.) However, with 5 strings, you still get a little more ability to move across the neck (rather than up and down), which seems to be a little easier. (Provided you can keep the string muted, that is....) Again, this may not be an issue in a few months, once I learn how to move around.

In real life--do you ever really play those high notes? Maybe if you're trying to do the Orion solo, but that's probably not realistic for me. (At least not for many years, when I won't be looking for advice from a bunch of randos on the internet.)

The most difficult thing (I think) about tuning BEAD is--most tabs (lessons, etc.) are written for 4-string, so I think that tuning BEAD might be a bad idea for a total noob, like me. So it may not be a good strategy right now, but may be a good idea in the future.

 

[Lance Bunyon]

I'm a dedicated 5 guy so of course I'm going to promote the world of 5 string basses just like any ideologue would.
I don't play metal per se. I slap a fair amount. Id miss both my B string and G string if either were gone.

 

[Killing Floor]

After about 20 years without a D on my main bass I finally bought a 5 string and now I switch between 4 and 5. Not exclusive either way. But it’s nice having all 12 notes.

 

[chris_b]

It seems to me that if you want to play low notes and have the flexibility to easily move across the neck, the only solution is a 5 string bass. There are other things you can do, ie BEAD, but they all bring limitations that you don't get on a 5.

 

[Tpi]

If you go BEAD, learning new songs requires active transposing what you see or read. So yes, it adds a layer of mental translation. I keep a standard E for learning and then translate to the B tuned bass later. In that regard, a 5 string is better for simply having all the notes where they should be. Looking at a four and learning to play on a five still requires some mental dancing. And as you point out, it's one more string to mute. As I said in the last thread, it's easier to get lost in those extra strings. At least to start, once you get it, you get it.

I'm not voting in your poll as each answer has its own baggage and benefits. it's a tough choice you've got. If you can afford it, get a cheap 5 to see if it is right for you. Keep the 4 around as a spare and in case the 5 doesn't work out a year down the road. That's the only way to really know. Go to a store and try some for an hour. Play around unamped to avoid the self-conscious 'playiing in a guitar shop' factor.

May you find great enjoyment on your journey into bass!

 

[roccobladr]

Tough call.
5 string is probably the better choice long term to help you learn and become more fluent with the instrument.

Tuning down to BEAD would require some know how with a proper set up, but assuming you can sort that out and you really don’t want to play anything other than that style, then go rock on with your down tuned 4 string.

 

[AHaze]

You're missing the DGCF option. It may not be right for you but my 5 gets a lot less use since I set one of my 4s up in D standard.

 

[SunByrne]

Depends on what I need. If I only need to go as low as D, then I’ll use a 4 in drop D. Otherwise I’ll use my 5. I rarely actually need the 5.

 

[mmon77]

This is really a question you can only answer for yourself.

I am an unabashed 5-string lover, so I would obviously vote for the 5'er.

Can you borrow, try out a 5 string somewhere so you can see if it feels ok for you?

There are positives and negatives to either approach. So it really all depends on how those align for you.

 

[LHbassist]

There are some of us who have tuned down a half step, because of say, a singer no longer having the ability to reach some notes, due to age, voice issues, or frankly, some serious substance abuse damage to their bodies, that necessitates it. I had to do that with one famous artist that had done lots of damage to his voice. Bringing setup tools is a must- if someone asks you to do that- the lowered tension on the neck, could case enough of a backbow for it to be an issue. I played for a brief time, in a Stevie Ray Vaughn Tribute band. Half step down tuning. I actually assembled a special bass to do that gig. I play five string, but if you try to play Stevie Ray tunes on a five- you'll understand why a detuned four just, ah, works. You learn the tunes using Eb Ab Db Gb tuning, and just think of it as EADG. The fingering, is a lot simpler.
I do not like detuning instruments designed to be tuned to a specific concert pitch... because if you need conventional tuning for the rest of a set, for example- it can mess your head up being totally out of tune. Two basses is a good idea in that scenario. OR just get the band to do the Stevie Ray tunes in EADG tuning, as many do. If I need to play material, like contemporary Counry, R&B or most modern top 40, I'll bring a five.

 

[NC_Rob]

I am a HUGE TON fan and I went 5 string just because it life easier than switching back and forth between tuning (or basses) for me. I was at practice and guitarist wanted to try something a half step down and I didn't have to retune or anything. The more I started using it the more I love it.

 

[Wasnex]

It depends. In some instances using drop D is best. For example, IMHO drop D would be best if your playing heavy music with a guitarist who is using drop D.

My choice is a 6-string Yamaha TRB-6P. It's been my #1 since about 1995.

Back when I only played 4-string, I occasionally used drop tuning to cover low notes. I only did this when I felt it was really important for the song. Most of the time I transposed notes that were out of range up an octave. But sometimes this can really damage a bass line.

An example where I used drop D. In the early 80s I was in a cover band that played I've Had the Time of My Life. The original bass line has an ostinato on the open E string and octave. We transposed the song down a step for our vocalist, so the low note of the octave riff was a D. I thought it really lost something to play the open D string and octave above...so I used drop D.

Heres' the song. Imagine the octave bass ostinato an octave higher:


Sometimes they did not allow time for me to retune, so I had to practice playing a few songs in both drop D and E standard. IMHO, This is an indication that no one thought it mattered but me.

Some players use a Hipshot drop tuner for this. A Hipshot would not have worked on the bass I was playing as the neck is not stiff enough.

 

[BrianVengeance]

I have 5s and 4s standard tuned, and a 4 BEAD tuned. They are all basses. They all deliver low end fury.

For my playing style, BEAD works better - I'm more comfortable on a 4 string neck, and prefer having a low option compared to going up to the G string. it's taster's choice really. I don't have an issue switching between 4 BEAD and standard 4 and 5.

As a beginner it would probably be bette to go with whatever works best out of the box. You can't go wrong with any of the standard 4 or 5 string offerings.

 

[Ggaa]

Got a fiver dropped a half step.

 

[Jrussblues]

The best decision I made when starting this journey was to start on a 5.
I have to play a gig next Friday with songs in the following keys in descending order
A,E, Eb, D, Db and B. # of times I will retune or swap instruments = 0….and most everything can be played in 1-2 positions.

 

[BuddhaFingas]

One 5 string.
One 4 String tuned to Eb for specific tunes.

 

[Michael Stanley 2112]

I am decidedly anti-five string. I tried one, years ago. It was a piece of dookey and I just can't be bothered since.

That said, If you spend a lot of time playing songs which are tuned lower than standard tuning, you probably should consider a five string and just white knuckle it until it gets more comfortable.

 

[Yahboy]

I have a PJ bass currently, and satisfied after Dimarzio Model J bridge pup well mix with stock 13k neck pickup along with EB Cobalt flatwound.

So, i get another PJ bass a week ago, and decide to make it BEAD with reverse P pup, Model J bridge pup loaded and Sadowsky black label nickel 40-125T. Make the neck pup reverse to get tighter BE and fuller AD voice on this 34 scale PJ bass.

 

[superheavyfunk]

Foreword - This is a follow-up to my prior thread. (4-string vs. 5-string) Again, I'm a newbie, so this isn't intended to start a fight. It's me trying to figure out the best way to move forward.

As noted in the other thread, I like to play a lot of metal. In fact, my favorite band in the world is Type O Negative, and they tuned their guitars to B-Standard. Therefore, the bass was tuned to BEAD. So if I want to play along, I need to hit the sub-E2 notes.

So the question is this: if I want to play along, would it be better to restring the bass to BEAD tuning? Or just buy a 5-string?

Thanks for any advice you can give me.

-----

My (extremely ignorant) thinking on the matter:

4-string seems a little more comfortable right now. (Probably because that's all I play and that's what I'm used to.) However, with 5 strings, you still get a little more ability to move across the neck (rather than up and down), which seems to be a little easier. (Provided you can keep the string muted, that is....) Again, this may not be an issue in a few months, once I learn how to move around.

In real life--do you ever really play those high notes? Maybe if you're trying to do the Orion solo, but that's probably not realistic for me. (At least not for many years, when I won't be looking for advice from a bunch of randos on the internet.)

The most difficult thing (I think) about tuning BEAD is--most tabs (lessons, etc.) are written for 4-string, so I think that tuning BEAD might be a bad idea for a total noob, like me. So it may not be a good strategy right now, but may be a good idea in the future.

If you have the money, buy both. If you don’t have the scratch, buy a second set of strings (and maybe a new nut but maybe you won’t have to) and tune down. I did this for years and years, myself - Simple and easy. Don’t overthink all of this - just play and get good at doing what you do. As you get better, the answers to all these questions will come.

Also, practice ear training every day. Get away from tabs as quickly as possible!

 

[logdrum]

Ah that kind of detuning, You are better off with a 5 string. I personally did not dig the BEAD tuning. I ended back then with 5ths tuning (CGDA -- but not for most people), but I was not noob at that point. The timbre of G on the lower 5 fret is important for me and all over the fingerboard is important for me.