• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Am I simply not a 5/6 string player?

#121
Moving from 4 to 5 is a bit of a challenge, suddenly there's notes below your low note, wider fingerboard and an extra string to know where the notes are. Some people find it crucial, some don't, it depends on your taste and musical situation.

Amalgam said:
I have a five string that I like, but I hardly use the fifth string. Other than that... I have a 6, and a bunch of 4's. I really like the 6 because I dig the C string, but I don't care for the B string. Instead I'm going for the baritone range once I put electronics back in it, it'll be strung EADGCF#

I know: The horror.

Usually, you're facing 35" scale or longer for a good B string. That negates the usefulness of the C string. So... you're trading off, and I'm not a fan of fanned frets. It still compromises my finger reach. I can only kind of do one finger per fret on a 34" scale. I'm sorry for any small fingered folk trying a fanned fret 35" or 36" even though I guess it'd be easier than just a standard 35" or 36" scale.
Click to expand...

Same I don't really dig the B, it has it's use it just not my jam but I dig the C. I switched my 5 to have a high C back in 2005 liked it way better, it has just become how I tune a 5 now. My main bass now is a 6 tuned EADGCF which for me was just the next step in what I've been doing for the last 15 years. I might have a low B again if I get a 7 or an extended range fingerboard.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Amalgam
#122
I started in the 60s so of course I played 4 string bass for many years. I fell in love with a Peavey TL-5 in 1995. I played 5 strings exclusively for 20+ years after that. Of my 10 basses now, only 1 is a 5 string. It's a very nice Fender Dimension V. But my other 9 basses are all 4 bangers. I don't know if it's my 2nd childhood or just returning to my roots. I'm actually thinking about changing one of my Jazz basses to B-E-A-D tuning just to give it a try. After all these years I have no problem changing quickly from one to the other. Just had to train my brain.
 
#123
CenTexThumper said:
I started in the 60s so of course I played 4 string bass for many years. I fell in love with a Peavey TL-5 in 1995. I played 5 strings exclusively for 20+ years after that. Of my 10 basses now, only 1 is a 5 string. It's a very nice Fender Dimension V. But my other 9 basses are all 4 bangers. I don't know if it's my 2nd childhood or just returning to my roots. I'm actually thinking about changing one of my Jazz basses to B-E-A-D tuning just to give it a try. After all these years I have no problem changing quickly from one to the other. Just had to train my brain.
Click to expand...
I love my 5 string, too. But you have to pay attention to that annoying low B at times. Now, I don't play very loud most of the time, but the venue dictates how loud you HAVE to be. The B will get sympathetic to the E and set to making it's own music if you don't pay attention to it. So, I use it for a thumb rest until I need it, then my thumb goes to the top of the nearest pickup when I'm playing on it and back down to the B when I'm not. Works for me. One thing you need to watch is getting the strings too light on the B. it gets really floppy on the light gauge stuff. You can get away with a .125" or a little less on a 35" scale, but on the normal 33" & 34" scales, best to stay .130" or maybe a little heavier. The light gauges have to be too loose when tuned to low B. (try tuning your .105" E string to B and you'll see what I mean) JMHO
Cheers
 
  • Like
Reactions: CenTexThumper
#126
CenTexThumper said:
I started in the 60s so of course I played 4 string bass for many years. I fell in love with a Peavey TL-5 in 1995. I played 5 strings exclusively for 20+ years after that. Of my 10 basses now, only 1 is a 5 string. It's a very nice Fender Dimension V. But my other 9 basses are all 4 bangers. I don't know if it's my 2nd childhood or just returning to my roots. I'm actually thinking about changing one of my Jazz basses to B-E-A-D tuning just to give it a try. After all these years I have no problem changing quickly from one to the other. Just had to train my brain.
Click to expand...
If I might be a little bold for a minute... Don't try to just de-tune your 4 stringer to BEAD with it's normal gauge strings. I am pretty sure you will get a pretty sloppy (read floppy) reaction you won't like. Use the regular top 4 strings of a 5 string bass set for the setup. I use .045"-.130" on a regular 34" 5 string and .45"-.105" on my 4 strings. 35" scales can tolerate a little lighter strings. Short scale BEAD tuning is much trickier. Again, JMHO
Cheers
 
  • Like
Reactions: CenTexThumper
#127
Jerry Guest said:
I love my 5 string, too. But you have to pay attention to that annoying low B at times. Now, I don't play very loud most of the time, but the venue dictates how loud you HAVE to be. The B will get sympathetic to the E and set to making it's own music if you don't pay attention to it. So, I use it for a thumb rest until I need it, then my thumb goes to the top of the nearest pickup when I'm playing on it and back down to the B when I'm not. Works for me. One thing you need to watch is getting the strings too light on the B. it gets really floppy on the light gauge stuff. You can get away with a .125" or a little less on a 35" scale, but on the normal 33" & 34" scales, best to stay .130" or maybe a little heavier. The light gauges have to be too loose when tuned to low B. (try tuning your .105" E string to B and you'll see what I mean) JMHO
Cheers
Click to expand...

I would think all of the strings, not just the E and regardless of gauge, would be pretty floppy if you downtuned them five half steps, wouldn't they? :confused:
 
#129
Jerry Guest said:
If I might be a little bold for a minute... Don't try to just de-tune your 4 stringer to BEAD with it's normal gauge strings. I am pretty sure you will get a pretty sloppy (read floppy) reaction you won't like. Use the regular top 4 strings of a 5 string bass set for the setup. I use .045"-.130" on a regular 34" 5 string and .45"-.105" on my 4 strings. 35" scales can tolerate a little lighter strings. Short scale BEAD tuning is much trickier. Again, JMHO
Cheers
Click to expand...
That's the plan, Amigo. Ain't my first rodeo. But thanks for the advice.
 
#130
Spalted Maple-Ash.jpg
Here's some of my 4 & 5 string builds. One has one of my 5 piece necks.
Cheers
 

Attachments

  • Spalted C Hickory Front.jpg
    Spalted C Hickory Front.jpg
    55.9 KB · Views: 33
  • FB Hickory.jpg
    FB Hickory.jpg
    56.7 KB · Views: 27
  • DS Front.jpg
    DS Front.jpg
    62.9 KB · Views: 28
  • DS Back.jpg
    DS Back.jpg
    54.8 KB · Views: 26
  • Chris Collins.jpg
    Chris Collins.jpg
    271.4 KB · Views: 28
#131
Jerry Guest said:
I love my 5 string, too. But you have to pay attention to that annoying low B at times. Now, I don't play very loud most of the time, but the venue dictates how loud you HAVE to be. The B will get sympathetic to the E and set to making it's own music if you don't pay attention to it. So, I use it for a thumb rest until I need it, then my thumb goes to the top of the nearest pickup when I'm playing on it and back down to the B when I'm not. Works for me. One thing you need to watch is getting the strings too light on the B. it gets really floppy on the light gauge stuff. You can get away with a .125" or a little less on a 35" scale, but on the normal 33" & 34" scales, best to stay .130" or maybe a little heavier. The light gauges have to be too loose when tuned to low B. (try tuning your .105" E string to B and you'll see what I mean) JMHO
Cheers
Click to expand...
I'm very familiar with the platform and its idiosyncrasies. But thanks for the advice.
 
#134
Discount Bassy said:
After I started to embrace the idea that there were two octaves across one position things started to get interesting. Now I feel more limited on a 4 than a 5.
Click to expand...

^
This.

Plus, the timbre is different on .125/.130 gauge string than on a .95-.105 string, playing the same notes. If you are lucky enough to have two 18"+ subs in play the audience will "feel" that low B from their sternum to their crotch and will like it.
Just sayin'.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back