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Am I simply not a 5/6 string player?

#81
Jerry Guest said:
I generally agree with this, but I'll have to admit I do like my 5 string for certain songs. Everything moves up from your 4 string, so there is no transition time except for the 1/8" or so wider neck. I play classic country, but on some songs it gives me the option of playing a lower version of a note I would otherwise be above the 5th fret on the E or A strings. But, mostly, I just stick to my beloved 4 stringer. (However, I am currently building a narrower neck 5 string for myself, so who nows from here?)
Cheers
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I ran a country band for a couple of years when these two songs were hits.



IMHO both of these tunes would be diminished without the ability to play the notes below the open E string.

I have read that some of the Nashville study cats play a 6-string bass. Some of the tunes we played had bass fills above the 12th fret on my C string.
 
#83
Ric5 said:
or you can ignore threads with topics you are not interested in ...

:bassist::cool:
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No kidding.. comments about ‘being too good for a cliche topic’ are way worse than cliche topics.... it’s a forum, people come here not just because they want a question answered, but because they want to discuss something with someone. Musical peers aren’t always the most available thing for people, especially for those of us who play bass specifically. I think it’s helpful, sure, to suggest politely the people do searches on certain topics; if you did a search trying to get some nuance on how long and whether or not to stick with five string, You’re going to find 63,000 posts, with the most common response being eye rolls telling you to do a search.
 
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#84
I played 5 strings for about 20 years before returning to and embracing the 4 again. I like to play along with a lot of synth bass stuff, because they sometimes approach a bassline in a very different way than a bassist would consider. The 5 comes in handy for that, or anything that you may need two octaves in one hand position for. Other than that, in a cost/benefit analysis, I've used the B about 10% of the time, but have had to mute it 90% of the time...
 
#87
dave64o said:
So you're "at home" on fours
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I’ve found myself at home on ALL fours, but that has more to do with the whiskey than the bass.

Music is about what your play. Your comfort and enjoyment is about how you play it. If a four makes you happy, that’s beautiful. If a five is interesting and/or a challenge and/or makes you see playing the music in a new light, that’s beautiful too. But if not... Life is too short for making music with instruments that don’t make you happy.
 
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#88
eddododo said:
No kidding.. comments about ‘being too good for a cliche topic’ are way worse than cliche topics.... it’s a forum, people come here not just because they want a question answered, but because they want to discuss something with someone. Musical peers aren’t always the most available thing for people, especially for those of us who play bass specifically. I think it’s helpful, sure, to suggest politely the people do searches on certain topics; if you did a search trying to get some nuance on how long and whether or not to stick with five string, You’re going to find 63,000 posts, with the most common response being eye rolls telling you to do a search.
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I remember when I joined the forum … I got made fun of for asking questions that were asked before … then I used the search engine and I got made fun of for commenting on a 12 year old thread … so sometimes you can't win …

how about a p-bass with tort … and 5 strings

DSCF0848.JPG
 
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#90
Esteban Garcia said:
IIf you work with singers who to transpose songs, you might need it, and you'll soon realize it's not about the extra 5 low notes, it's about transposing by 4ths and 5ths with ease.
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Got to say my experience is the opposite. I been making singers transpose since long b4 I ever saw a 5er in the wild. (When I say making, I tactfully suggest. And they thank me afterwards.) Transposing is not something you need 5 strings to do. When you run out of strings take the octave. If your line sounds broken, move sooner.

For me it's all about the low notes. Both the extra notes and the warmer tones up the neck. Got me a 5 string and fell in love. Now years later I find myself playing a 4 again. First thing I did was go BEAD. Tumeke. Absolutely loving it. Should've done it in the first place.

I'm very comfortable playing a 5 string. Well, apart from the tonnage. But in truth that G string is seriously under-employed. Can't even rest my thumb on it. I generally need 4 strings to feel comfortable in knowing I got all the notes I need to hand. But in truth, the first instinct is to go low. It's in the job description, nuh?

Started planning to sell the 5s off.

To the OP. One more vote for giving the Squier a good long trial. In particular, use that B string at every opportunity. Might not apply to you, but I like the way it slaps as well. Sort of an E string on steroids tone. Once you're all over the 5 is the time to start the A/B comparisons. And don't forget there's also the BEAD option.
 
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#91
Ric5 said:
I remember when I joined the forum … I got made fun of for asking questions that were asked before … then I used the search engine and I got made fun of for commenting on a 12 year old thread … so sometimes you can't win …

how about a p-bass with tort … and 5 strings

View attachment 3798195
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Yeah, some of these people can be a bit rude. I also get tired of seeing the same threads get regurgitated every six months, so I understand the frustration, but I just ignore them if I don't plan to contribute. I never understand the need to attack posters because somebody doesn't like a question. It's just not that hard to point the newb in the right direction (give them the link to the thread if it's so easy!) and suggest that the search is used in the future. I provided a link to a guy just this morning who asked about something that has had about 5 threads recently running. IT wasn't that hard.

Honestly, from my experience, the search function doesn't always work well unless you happen to know the exact combination of words the previous people have used, so I can't get too upset when questions get repeated.
 
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#95
Honcho85 said:
I've been playing 4-string bass guitars for over a decade and two months ago I purchased a "starter" Squier Jazz V bass to test out playing a 5-string. Not sure why, but I'm just not feeling it and consistently fall back to my favorite 4-string bass. I'm not seeing the value in the extra string for my playing yet Am I just being impatient or am I just a 4-string player?
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If you can't see the value, you're a 4 player. Stay there.
 
#96
My BG was a 5er back when DB was my main, and I appreciated it's versatility as a secondary instrument. But when I recently decided to get a new BG and concentrate on that as a main instrument, I HAD to go with 4 strings. Historically and worldwide, most string instruments are 3 or 4 strings (or courses of strings), there has to be a reason most people have always preferred it.
 
#97
Ric5 said:
I remember when I joined the forum … I got made fun of for asking questions that were asked before … then I used the search engine and I got made fun of for commenting on a 12 year old thread … so sometimes you can't win …

how about a p-bass with tort … and 5 strings

View attachment 3798195
Click to expand...
I mean this is more like a support group than an educational forum, right? How much is there really to say about bass stringed instruments, really? How many opinions are possible to the question "do you like 5 strings?"? Of course we are just rehashing the same stuff we have talked about already 100 times, like an old married couple.
 
#100
Congratulations for pulling yourself out of your comfort zone!
Variety is the spice of life at all. New experiences is what it's all about.

I was in a "5 string only funk" for some time......and guess what.......I'm happy to play 4, 5, or 6 string basses!
But that's me. You have to make your very own choice because no one else can for you.

Some of the most talented players can jump on a 3/4 Upright which is Fretless and 42" Scale and flip over to a 30" Scale 4 string on the same stage. How do they do it? The will to do it, lots of practice, and eventually their hands adjust to it.

I wined, kicked, and screamed about hating the C string on a bass......now I embrace it!
There's a ton of things you can do on a 6 that you can't on a 4 and vice versa. Same with a 5er too.
What about fretless? Now we're getting into fun stuff!

Don't give up 4.......that's the worse thing you could do. Gradually move up to a 5, but please try another brand of 5 string, in fact, try a bunch. Tighter string spacing, flatter neck......it could open up a new world to you!
Just don't rob yourself of not trying more than a Squier. Not all basses are made equal!

Don't give up so quickly on 5 string! Life's a marathon........not a race.
But whatever you do.....enjoy life's journey!
 
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