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Any one having a 5'th string, but not using it ?

jsa0100

jsa0100

Apr 6, 2005
188
22
Norway
#1
should i go back to 4 string ?
I have a sr-885 bass.
This is a more expensive bass from Ibanez and it has 5 strings.
I love every thing about it, but since i started out with playing
with 4 strings i seldom uses the B string.
Only a few times when i am high up on the neck and need a deeper
quint or so, fast.
Since i am in for buying a second bass i really wounder if i should
go back to 4 strings again.
Or perhaps i should try to alter my playing a bit an take more advantage of the 5'th ?
 
#4
i'd get a 4 just because you dont have one, but i like the diversity. im currently making a 5 string, but am worried i wont want to play it much due to the 5th string, as its not something i feel ill use much. i actually feel i'd rather a 6 than a 5, but i dont know why.
 
#5
Fifth string makes a fantastic thumb rest.
Anyway, even i don't use mine much, but when i play a bass without it it doesn't feel right.


4 string like someone said is good for diversity and IMO you might be able to move faster on the smaller neck.
 
#6
Diversity? That's an odd reason to buy a bass you might not like or play much.

I was never into 5 stringers, but if you're comfortable with a 5er, why not stick with it? It's not like you're losing anything by having the extra string. (I, on the other hand, would lose that comfort factor by bumping up to 5 strings & wouldn't go for one as my main bass.)

From reading this forum, the primary reason you get a 5er isn't the super low notes, it's being able to hit the low E string notes while above the 5th fret, so if that's what you're doing, it seems you're getting good use out of it.
 
#7
There should be a new concept to help us all out: Amortization of the 5th string.

It seems some folks don't feel they get their money's worth unless they hit that B string regularly

So assign each pluck on the B a dollar value and figure after X number of plucks you've reached one fifth the cost of the guitar and after that the 5'th string is free. Maybe you'll feel better.

:hiding:


Seriously (more or less) start practicing scales working across the neck using that B. It's a great way to appreciate what a 5 can do and get you used to playing that way.

But then you might notice that you aren't playing the G string as much because you can get those same notes with different fingering on fatter strings. Then you have to amortize the G!
 
#9
MarkTAW said:
I was never into 5 stringers, but if you're comfortable with a 5er, why not stick with it? It's not like you're losing anything by having the extra string.
Click to expand...
It may seem that you're not, but you are. Playing a 5 string vs. a 4 string will affect your playing and the way you think about notes. It affects your style. A 5 string encourages you to play different notes than a 4 string because you have access to more notes without changing position. It affects your fingering choices. The tighter string spacing on a 5 will affect the way you pluck notes (and thus your sound). Having a low B to "rest on" when you pluck your E affects your playing too.

It isn't necessarily good or bad, it depends on your personal style and what you want to do. A lot of things will affect your playing in a more or less subconscious way.

For the record, I started on 5, went to 6, went back to 5, and now I'm happily settled on 4. I can't see myself ever going back to a 5 or 6 full time.
 
#15
I have been tuning my Ibby EADGC for, damn, i guess 12 years now and for a while when i just couldn't afford new string i played with it tuned EADG and just left the fingerboard open where the C string should be. It took a bit of getting used to and looked a bit funny bit i liked having the extra fingerboard on the outside of the G to do major bends and vibrato type stuff. I probably wouldn't go back to playing that way but it was something new that brought around new techniques for me.
 
#16
My first bass was a four string, within a year I upgraded to five string. I played it for years and years. Now I'm back down to a four string, and my five string collects dust. I'm MUCH happier using four strings. As people have said, it's not so simple as "if you don't wanna use it, just don't use it". For me, and my style, the B was mostly just an obstacle to work around. It was nice being able to hit a low D now and then, but it wasn't worth the trouble it caused. Now that I'm on a four string, I can play more in a style that suits me, which involves a very aggressive right hand. Muting is a lot less of an issue with a four string, and I don't tend to find myself really missing those low notes very often. So if you think you might find a four string bass more liberating, I'd advise you to seriously consider the option.
 

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