5-string vs. tuning down

[sikamikanico]

I think it depends on the budget and what else you may wanna play. I did BEAD years ago, missed the G string. Went EADG and played songs higher (I redid the lines). Now I’m giving 5 (maybe 6) a serious go, and it’s really working well. Indeed, playing across the neck is key. And a good setup etc…

 

[dbsfgyd1]

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.

BEAD is an option for sure and you do have a point about how often you would need those higher notes. Well, I have a gig coming up where I need a high D once. I’m thinking I’d feel a little more confident tuning to BEAD with a 24 fret bass.

As for reading TABs, there is also standard notation charts (finding them for metal songs might be a bit of a challenge) where BEAD would not as much of a problem.

Hope this helps.

 

[Windreaper]

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.)

Yes, a 5-string is superior if you can deal with the neck. Realistically, if you're set on playing non-technical down-tuned metal, you're not going to need the G much.

My only recommendation would be to start off with relatively light strings (like D'Addario EXL160BT - it's a .50-.120 balanced-tension 4-string set, I add a .35 to build slinky 5-string sets). I used to think you need a .145 B for metal, but lighter strings are more lively and balanced, and the tension isn't an issue if B is as low as you go, IMO.

 

[2thAche]

Seems like your best option is a fiver

 

[2112]

Now that I've found fivers I can coexist with, that's my preference. Before that, I preferred EADG-tuned 4-bangers and would use Hipshot Detuners and a Digitech Drop pedal to get where I needed to go.

The Drop pedal is a great tool, but can muddy your sound if you go too low. Also, it's DSP-based, so how well it works is heavily dependent on the quality of the signal you feed it... a nice clean, fenced-in sound without a ton of artifacts is best.

Before the Drop pedal came along, I would take four 4-bangers to each gig to cover all of the tunings I needed.

 

[G On Bass]

I play 5's as I want access to all the low notes and all the high notes.

 

[P. Aaron]

I prefer a 5-string simply because I can span decades of music simply by just playing along to the songs as recorded w/o having to re-think anything.

However, whatever one's training or desire is, is hardly a roadblock to success.

 

[SteveC]

I’m thinking about using a pitch shift on my Stomp and down tuning my 5!

No bass change. Still use Eb patterns. B string thumb rest.

 

[40Hz]

I’m inclined to go with a 5-string those times when I actually need that low B. Just like I prefer hearing a 7-string or baritone rather than listen to a heavily downtuned standard guitar. But that’s probably just me.

Suggestion: The semi problem I see with BEAD tuning is your bass needs to be set up for it. Which often means the nut needs to be recut for the heavier gauged strings besides all the usual action and intonation adjustments. If you don’t have the proper nut files ($$$) - and know what you’re doing - you risk messing up your bass. And getting it done by a pro isn’t going to be a cheap job. So if you do opt for a recut have whoever is doing it cut a new one for you and hang onto your original in case you decide to go back to standard EADG tuning. Because if you do go back you’ll need a new nut anyway once it’s cut for BEAD. And swapping out nuts that are already cut is an easy job anyone can do.

TLDR: For Metal or ProgMetal, go 5-string for the win IMO.

 

[FunkHead]

Well, if you're playing mostly Type O negative then BEAD is what you need. If you play all kinds of other stuff that uses a G string, then get a 5'r.

 

[Bill Murray]

I’m inclined to go with a 5-string those times when I actually need that low B. Just like I prefer hearing a 7-string or baritone rather than listen to a heavily downtuned standard guitar. But that’s probably just me.

Suggestion: The semi problem I see with BEAD tuning is your bass needs to be set up for it. Which often means the nut needs to be recut for the heavier gauged strings besides all the usual action and intonation adjustments. If you don’t have the proper nut files ($$$) - and know what you’re doing - you risk messing up your bass. And getting it done by a pro isn’t going to be a cheap job. So if you do opt for a recut have whoever is doing it cut a new one for you and hang onto your original in case you decide to go back to standard EADG tuning. Because if you do go back you’ll need a new nut anyway once it’s cut for BEAD. And swapping out nuts that are already cut is an easy job anyone can do

TLDR: 5-string for the win IMO.

People say this all the time but all I’ve ever had to do was adjust my action. I’ve never had an issue getting a 5 string set onto a 4 string.

 

[B-Mac]

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.

You left out a drop D tuner on your vote choice

 

[Jogobass]

The lowest E on a 4 string is E1. Bass is a transposing instrument, meaning it is written an octave higher than it sounds. Having said that, I switched to 5 string a long time ago and haven't looked back. You can play 4 string songs 5 frets higher, for a different sound and ease on your fretting hand. In any position you have an extra lower string to go down to. Less positional shifts. Plus, this tuning doesn't require relearning the position of the notes as much as drop D or D standard. It remains a tuning in 4ths and the whole 4 string bass is included, plus an extra string on the bottom.

 

[dave64o]

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.

Based on the contents of this post, I think a five-string is your best option. It's not the only option, of course, but it seems to best support the points you made.

One way to do that is to buy a less expensive five string to see what you think. Then, instead of focusing on the "quality" of the bass (playability, sound, etc.) you could use it to focus on technique. I play fives exclusively and I did that when I bought a four-string as simply a practice tool. I got lucky and it turned out to be a pretty nice bass, so I kept it for a while.

Some good values are Squires, Ibanez, Yamaha, and Sire. If it turns out you do'nt like it and want to stick with a fouir, you could sell it and get back most of your money. And, if you buy used, then you'd probably get all of it back. If it turns out that you DO like the five string, then you'd have a good bang-for-the-buck fives string to use until you decide you want to buy a nicer one.

 

[Hawk256]

I am not a fan of 5 strings at all. However, in your context a 5 string may be the best choice. I have a drop D tuner and have never needed anthing lower than that. Lower than a low D in drop D tuning doesn't sound attractive to my ears. If I needed a low B or C, I would probably just play them an octave up. Really depends on the context but I personally have never needed a 5 string. YMMV.

 

[Nedmundo]

I would recommend just biting the bullet and getting a five. They avoid the limitations of BEAD, drop-D, and other alternate tunings, and some have relatively thin necks that, at least IME, aren't a big transition coming from fours. My G&L M-2500 is a great example.

For a couple of years, I was in an original band whose principal songwriter frequently composed in D and Eb. I got by with fours in drop-D using a Hipshot drop tuner on the E string. For tracks in D this worked great, but a five would have been so much better overall, including for tracks in other flat keys, like Ab and Gb.

I considered one, but at the time I found most five-string necks uncomfortable. A few years later I took the plunge, and since then I've often used my fives. I view them as essential.

 

[Katoosie]

Get a 5.

 

[funkinbottom]

After 40 some years playing 4 string basses, I tried a 5 string and never looked back. My only regret is that I didn't switch long before that.
Being new to bass and not having years of 4 string habits to break, I would imagine a fairly easy transition. So go ahead and buy the 5. And remember, within the 5 is a 4 string.

 

[beatdatthang]

I’m probably the worst possible person to be giving advice on this because I own lots of basses tuned lots of different ways. The vast majority of my basses are 4 string and I typically put drop tuners on them.

The band I play in does a ton of different songs in different tunings and it’s a complete PITA and almost unmanageable just to use a 5 string a transcribe everything. We have songs in standard tuning, drop D, drop C, and even drop B. Could I get by with a 5er? Probably, but then I’m too focused on playing and not on having fun, plus my hands are sore after a gig because of the stretches and movement I don’t have to do on a drop tuned 4. Right now I have 4 strings tuned to standard with a drop tuner, Eb standard with a drop tuner, D standard with a drop tuner, C# standard with a drop tuner, and C with a drop tuner. That gets me all the way to drop Bb/A#. I also have two 5ers tubes standard and 1/2 step down which get almost no use but they’re nice to have at times.

So after typing all that, my advice is to have 4 string with a drop tuner (tons of modern rock/metal is “drop” tuned not just down tuned), have a 5 string, and most importantly of all, buy a good pitch shifting pedal (Digitech Drop, EH Pitch Fork, Mooer Pitch Box, etc) so you can get all the tunings you need without having to own a dozen basses like me. These days, I typically resort to only bringing one 4 string bass to gigs that’s tuned D standard with a drop tuner and I use a pitch pedal to go up to standard or down to drop B when I need it.

 

[flannel cat]

just get a 5...use that low B as a super long thumb rest until you need them low notes....