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Any players just can't get into 5'ers?

theophilus762

theophilus762

Nov 4, 2006
1,342
43
39
Arlington, VA
#1
I was just wondering if there are others of who you can't get into 5'ers because of the tone of the B string. I don't mind having the 5th string so much, and I could actually use it in the music I play, but I just don't dig the tone. No matter what bass it is, the B string is always floppy or warbly without a good strong tone. I realize that some basses do have better B strings than others, but for the most part, they all have similar characteristics.

It also concerns me that even the open E can get lost in the mix sometimes compared to the G or A on the E string, and I'm not sure how a low C or B would cut through the mix enough to be useful.

I realize that you can't change physics, so perhaps I need to check out a 35'' scale 5 string or even a Dingwall. As much as I try to get into 5 strings, I just can't do it!

Am I alone, or are there others of you in the same situation? Could use the range of a B string, but don't like the tone?
 
#3
i play one on Wednesday nights (part of the act's backline, which is nice because i can basically show up empty-handed)... but other than droning in the occasional low D i don't really use the low B for much (maybe a fretted E, Eb on occasion?)

not that i play much funk bass but i'm still getting used to slapping on the fat string (work in progress).

perhaps in time i'll get to a point where i swear by the low B but i still consider myself a passive/4-string player...
 
#5
Hey man are you down by JMU? My wife went to school there it's a pretty cool place! Just bringing it up with her will put a smile on her face.

I hear exactly what your saying, I even think sometimes that the added tension of the B string degrades the sound of the E string. Although I'm not sure if it's physically possible.

I almost always use a drop key on my e string and can get down to a D on tunes I need to that seems to be enough for most of what I do.

I'll admit I own a 5 string and just picked up another to give it another go around but I can sympathize, especially if you prefer that vintage Fender tone.
 
#7
OshKoshJoash said:
Yeah I go to school at JMU, but I'm home in Northern Virginia for the summer.

I've entertained the thought of using a Drop D tuner, but I'm not sure how I'd adjust between songs without tripping over myself..
Click to expand...

Great memories, my wife majored in Mass Communication and got a minor in music. Everything about that place is awesome. Some of her best friends live in NoVa....

I actually flip between the D and E in the middle of songs sometimes, never a problem...
 
#8
I'm right there as well...never really found a great use for a Low B.

I've owned Modulus 35" scale, Peavey Cirrus USA 35" scale, Yamaha TRB 6P, EB MM Stingray 5, Fender Jazz Deluxe 5, and a custom Jazz 5 and never found a use for the Low B. Back in the late 90's and early 2000's I had a some gigs where I was playing some Gospel/Choir music that called for a Low B...and then I did some stuff with one of my Christian Worship bands that I used Low B on. I think back to most of that stuff and realize it would have sounded better without the lower notes past E.

I just don't care for the sound either Live or on Tape.
 
#9
OshKoshJoash said:
I was just wondering if there are others of who you can't get into 5'ers because of the tone of the B string. I don't mind having the 5th string so much, and I could actually use it in the music I play, but I just don't dig the tone. No matter what bass it is, the B string is always floppy or warbly without a good strong tone. I realize that some basses do have better B strings than others, but for the most part, they all have similar characteristics.

It also concerns me that even the open E can get lost in the mix sometimes compared to the G or A on the E string, and I'm not sure how a low C or B would cut through the mix enough to be useful.

I realize that you can't change physics, so perhaps I need to check out a 35'' scale 5 string or even a Dingwall. As much as I try to get into 5 strings, I just can't do it!

Am I alone, or are there others of you in the same situation? Could use the range of a B string, but don't like the tone?
Click to expand...


I think your eq is adjusted wrong ... I love the tone of the low B on all 14 of my basses ...
 
#11
I just honestly don't care for the sound of the lower notes...they don't sound as musical to my ears, IMO and IME of course.

I listed to Low B and around there on CD's and think that it doesn't sit in the mix as well. Now given...I don't listen to a lot of Gospel anymore (any Gospel players play with anything less than 5 strings...I don't think many) and I don't listen to Death Metal, Metal, Rap-Core, or anything remotely "heavy". There may be a good place for lower than an E or D in those Genres.
 
#12
I'm not a huge fan, but it's more of a necessity now in country & metal especially. And one big advantage it has is some of the positioning you can do up high, without having to come all the way back down the neck. Same with the high C, not that it cuts through more, just that you can play in different positions.

I really don't care for when players drop everything to the lower register just because they can. Sometimes it's ok, but most times it's just distracting. Perfect example is that Hanging Every Moment song by whatstheirnames. Dude goes to a low note in the chorus that just sounds jarringly out of place to my ear.
 
#13
I own a Peavey Millennium Plus 5, and with rounds the B sounds remarkably like the E. Like most basses the tone seems to get deeper and less twangy as you go from thinner to thicker strings and that kind of sound trasition continues right to the B, but unlike other fiver's I've played there isn't a big clarity change between the E and B strings.

Unfortunately, I can't stand how roundwounds sound when I play them. I don't like the scooped tone and I don't like the feel, so I use Sadowsky flats. The tradeoff is there is that big clarity difference between the E and the B, but it's mostly lost in the mix.

As far as floppiness is concerned, I've found that 35" scale, stringing through the body, and using hex core strings takes care of any floppiness.

Using flats helps too :D
 
#14
I'm not into them myself. I also have done the drop tuned E-string thing when needed
for years. There are moments however where I wouldn't mind a low B string but when I
do gas for new toys, and have the money, a five stringer is the last thing on my mind. Oh well, I'll stick with my four bangers being the old school fuddy duddy I am for now.
 
#15
Ric5 said:
I think your eq is adjusted wrong ... I love the tone of the low B on all 14 of my basses ...
Click to expand...

+1

EQ and power of amp do have a big effect on B-string presence. Just like it takes more watts to effectively amplify bass guitar EADG strings as it does the thinner strings on a guitar I would think it would take even more watts to effectively amplify the B-string. I'm probably wrong, though. Maybe it's just about an amp and speakers efficiency. I think I also prefer 12's or long-throw 10's to 15's when playing the B. Sounds tighter to my ears - 15's sound too spread out, if that makes any sense.
 
#20
Guys, more strings doesn't really complicate it. You just have a FEW higher or lower notes. Also you get some notes repeated again and it can make it easier to play some riffs. Plus, it's great for two hand tapping and solo work. Bass doesn't only have to be In 1st or 2nd position in the first octave in standard tuning. It gets boring after while. No offence, but I find that true.
 

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