i've been using a Stingray 5 with a high c string. I somehow feel that this set up is more useful than the low B and allows you to get a full octave when playing pinky roots on the A string. I've used a low B but find it confusing sometimes and it also doesn't get much use. Anyone else feel the same?
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Any players just can't get into 5'ers?
- Thread starter theophilus762
- Start date
I can barely handle muting 2 strings when i play up high never mind 3!!!
I still have never found a situation where I need a low B (I'd buy a high C 5 String in a heartbeat though)
The only time the low b sounds useful to me is on an acoustic as a kind of glorified thumb rest (even then i hate acoustic bass guitars too)
I still have never found a situation where I need a low B (I'd buy a high C 5 String in a heartbeat though)
The only time the low b sounds useful to me is on an acoustic as a kind of glorified thumb rest (even then i hate acoustic bass guitars too)
I got a 5 when I started playing bass because my band tunes to A. But I went to a four string a month later.
I find myself playing my 5'er mostly because even if I don't use the B at all on a gig. I'd rather have it than not need than need it and not have it. I sometimes go back to a 4 string. I do think they're a lot easier to slap on since you don't have to worry about muting the B when slapping on the E but I use a scrunchie on my 5 strings and that helps me mute the B quite well.
The B string's not for everyone. It does take some time to get used to it and it's not practical in all music but again, I'd rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it.
The B string's not for everyone. It does take some time to get used to it and it's not practical in all music but again, I'd rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it.
Um . . . that's some weird stuff right there.
I've owned three 5ers I purchased for just for those low sub "D" notes, but I got rid of them being I am so much more comfortable with my slim-necked Ibanez 4 bangers tuned to C G C F. Low notes, and slim neck - its the best of both worlds IMO. 
I'm happy with all my 4 string basses. I've played many 5 strings and own one (which is collecting dust), but it never really caught on with me. The low B gets too muddy for my taste. Plus I like skinny necks. To be honest I'd rather get a high C string instead of a low B. Maybe I should take up guitar???
It would help to play some songs though, but it really wouldn't be necessary for me because I seldom go lower than D.
It would help to play some songs though, but it really wouldn't be necessary for me because I seldom go lower than D.
I prefer to play 4 string whenever possible. Some songs I want a drop D tuning. When I play at church, where we play a lot of Gospel, with songs in all the typical flat keys, I feel lost without a 5 or 6 string. I can get by on a 4, but it's not as natural feeling, and I think the music suffers because of it. When in Rome...
I used to hate 5'ers, and i thought that those who played them were perhaps pretentious (6 string bassists still are ) So, I didn't use a 5 until about 2 1/2 years ago. I would always feel lost on them and they were never as confortable. Now, I am good. everone should own one 5'er because you never know when you need it.
I still do not use my 5 string bass in my indie rock band. every few months i try to, but it just never sounds right or records right. it is weird, every time i play a note below E in that band it sounds overly intentional or nu-metalish, and that's not where we are going in that band. So no 5'er in that band.
but i started playing a church gig about 2 1/2 years ago, and my four string just felt hollow. they didn't have a keyboardist at the time, and it's a pain to haul extra equipment to double on keys. there were songs like "how great is your god" that needed a big fat low C note, and sometimes they wanted to play switchfoot, etc which has a lot of drop D, and other songs where in Eb for vocal reasons, so i needed to go lower, and i don't really like playing in drop D.
hello EBMM stingray 5. I cannot imagine doing another non-indie rock gig without it. christian, top 40, blues works perfectly with the 5! it's all in having the right tool for the job.
-but i can still play flashy stuff and slap more on the 4 for the 1% of my time i ever have to.
) So, I didn't use a 5 until about 2 1/2 years ago. I would always feel lost on them and they were never as confortable. Now, I am good. everone should own one 5'er because you never know when you need it.I still do not use my 5 string bass in my indie rock band. every few months i try to, but it just never sounds right or records right. it is weird, every time i play a note below E in that band it sounds overly intentional or nu-metalish, and that's not where we are going in that band. So no 5'er in that band.
but i started playing a church gig about 2 1/2 years ago, and my four string just felt hollow. they didn't have a keyboardist at the time, and it's a pain to haul extra equipment to double on keys. there were songs like "how great is your god" that needed a big fat low C note, and sometimes they wanted to play switchfoot, etc which has a lot of drop D, and other songs where in Eb for vocal reasons, so i needed to go lower, and i don't really like playing in drop D.
hello EBMM stingray 5. I cannot imagine doing another non-indie rock gig without it. christian, top 40, blues works perfectly with the 5! it's all in having the right tool for the job.
-but i can still play flashy stuff and slap more on the 4 for the 1% of my time i ever have to.
I use a fiver in an Indie rock setup, and we only have one song where I go below and E. I just like playing things up on the neck. We play a lot of songs in C or C# and I find it easier/more comfortable to root myself on the B string between the 7th and 12th frets.
I think that people who judge a bass player by what kind of bass he is playing and how many strings are the pretentious ones. I've used all manner of 4, 5 and 6 string basses on all kinds of gigs where they don't supposedly fit. Anyone who would make a judgement of me based on that is not someone I don't care to be concerened with. Having said that, if I were doing this for a living and trying to market myself and/or my band, I would certainly do everything I could to fit the part if I felt that were necessary. But even then I could care less if someone looking at me making my music thinks my bass makes me pretentious.
About 500 times, and I'm sure you'll see it 500 more times before it's all said and done. That's OK...that's the nature of forums. At least it's not pick vs. fingers again
About 500 times, and I'm sure you'll see it 500 more times before it's all said and done. That's OK...that's the nature of forums. At least it's not pick vs. fingers again
Pick players SUCK!!!!
Exactly. I wish I started out on a 5er. This way it wouldn't be so foreign to me. I'm comfortable on a 4-string, but on a 5er, not so much. Plus, I don't have much need for a 5er, so I don't have a big incentive to get into one.
I don't think so. I go back and forth all the time, which is easy when I do it all the time. I've gone long spouts without a 4 string, and it's harder when I come back to it. Then I'll love it and play it exclusively for weeks, and then the 5 string feels weird.
Even when using the two interchangeably, they both present their own challenges. You just have to accept it and press forward I think. I don't believe for one second that players who start out on 4 string can't get used to a 5 in a very short period of time if they are willing to put in some time. Of course, having poor technique on a 4, especially with regard to string muting and choking the neck, will make the transition more difficult. For people who've been playing that way for a decade or two, I can see how a 5 string feels impossible for them at first.
This is pretty true. I don't think it's the only solution, but it's a good one. If I was in the market for a 5, a Dingwall would be on my short list because it really does what it advertises.The cure for this, and many other problems, is as ever Dingwall!
