Any Reason NOT to buy a 5 stringer?

[Thomas Kievit]

Wasn't Jaco talking about 6 string basses instead of 5 string basses?

I see everybody talking about ''cause Jaco said it's useless'', doesn't mean we all should think like this. Look at artists like John Myung, John Patitucci, Steve Bailey, Jeroen Paul Thesseling, Tetsuo Sakurai, Franck Hermanny, Les Claypool and so on, who all use 6 string basses.

This people made the music were they are known for with their 5 and / or 6 string basses. So if you think you don't need a Low B, just don't buy it. If you want one cause you want more possibility's on your bass, get a 5 stringer.

Who cares?

 

[madbassplaya]

5 strings aren't for everyone, just like 6 strings aren't or 7 strings (What up John Turner!)

You have to play with what you feel comfortable with. If you have the need/want to play a 5, 6, or whatever, then that's another story. If you don't, then stick with what you're comfortable with.

I started on a 5 string and I like it the best. I don't use the low B a ton, but I like having it and I like the neck width on a 5er. I'm not opposed to using a 4 banger, I just prefer a 5. I would really like to play a 6 but none I've had have worked out for me and the gigs I play don't require that extra mileage.

 

[dbd1963]

I guess Jaco only needed 5 strings for this photo? Personally I need 5 strings because I'm not Jaco.

Note that he's looking down on it.

 

[Thomas Kievit]

5 strings aren't for everyone, just like 6 strings aren't or 7 strings (What up John Turner!)

You have to play with what you feel comfortable with. If you have the need/want to play a 5, 6, or whatever, then that's another story. If you don't, then stick with what you're comfortable with.

I started on a 5 string and I like it the best. I don't use the low B a ton, but I like having it and I like the neck width on a 5er. I'm not opposed to using a 4 banger, I just prefer a 5. I would really like to play a 6 but none I've had have worked out for me and the gigs I play don't require that extra mileage.

See, this is importnant as well. If the kind of music you play doesn't require a extra added string, then you just don't take a bass with a extra added string. Low B strings can work in basicly all styles, High C strings, not always and of course it's if the bass players want to use it, yes or no

 

[vin*tone]

Fret board radius of 7.25"

 

[toddoutloud]

I look at a 5-string bass as another tool in the bag for when the job calls for it, much like a fretless bass. My primary gigging bass is a 5-string because of its versatility. I play almost every style of music imaginable and I can take that one bass to a session and be assured that whatever is required of my part can be played with that instrument.

However, I feel more comfortable playing a 4-string; but I can't let my ego get in the way of what my jobs require.

 

[obimark]

You just don't need it would be a great reason, but you have to determine that.

If you want to love your 5-string that is fine.
I love my 4-string and with Drop D Tuning for some songs, it is fine for 99.9% of what I want to play. (Granted I don't play detuned metal styles anymore).
If I buy another bass it will be another 4-string. Sometimes I am tempted to step into the 5-string, but that big mammoth neck just doesn't do it for me, seems to be a certain elegance that is lost.

 

[georgestrings]

Solid advice right there - that way, should you find that a 5er is just not for you, you won't take much of a loss when you flip it.... and, if you do decide that a 5er is for you, the cheaper one will make a good backup bass...


- georgestrings

 

[Thumper]

For me, the best reason to not get a 5-string is that I wanted a 1,2,3,4, 6, 7, 8 or more...string.

I used to play 4 strings but have shifted over to all 5's. Contrary to some posters, my basses have a B string that is consistent with the feel and tone of the other strings. I have to admit, I don't use the low B every song, but when I need it, it is there.

FWIW, I went from 4 to 6 then settled on 5's.

Dan K.

I went 4/5/6 depending on band (the 6 didn't stick, mainly cuz it was too heavy). I use the 4 and more open notes when I'm doing the vocals. For the coutry gig, I've gone back to a 5. Using a 4 and 5 with similar neck width helps with the transition (1 3/4", 1 13/16" P & 55-94 respectively). BTW, what is the width on a P5?

 

[Dave Siff]

BTW, what is the width on a P5?

1.875" at the nut.

 

[Funkinthetrunk]

I had to have a 5....hardly ever play it. It just sits in its case, just not my thing.

 

[hibachiduck]

I started out on 5 and switched to 4. It's way easier to find a good 4 string than a good 5 string. There's more to a good 5 string than just slapping an extra string on there. I can pretty much do everything I want to do with 4, but if I were to ever to join a prog band or something I'd skip the 5 and go to 6 or go 5 but tune D-G-C-F-A#.

 

[bassteban]

Fret board radius of 7.25"

I am curious- what is this in reply to?

 

[Thumper]

1.875" at the nut.

Wow, maybe I'd better play one before I buy (not easy to find one here though).

 

[walterw]

In my quest for the tone I have been looking for I finally realized that the tone I am after is the classic P-Bass sound.

Is there a reason NOT to buy the Fender American Standard P Bass V?

cause then it won't be the "classic P-bass sound"

could be close, could be better for some folks, but it won't be the same.

the upshot of all these responses is that a 5 is not "better" than a 4, it's a different instrument.

(don't dig 5's myself, mostly because even the best super-long scale Bs never sound quite as good as the other 4 strings. the upper harmonics are always a little off.)

 

[RED J]

For me, I don't need a five string. I went through several, a Squier, Two Fender MB-5's and a MIM J5,and Finally a Yamaha. I liked them all. Obviously I kept going back, but something just didn't get me attached to them.
I found that when I want to scratch the "bass that sounds like a pipe organ" itch, I have a standard P tuned BEAD. To my ears, a P takes BEAD tuning beautifully.

 

[Herrick]

If you think you'll be into the lower notes & you like P basses, then get the 5-string P. A lot of people here like theirs. I'm still not sure if I'll be keeping mine

 

[micgtr71]

For me, it would be the neck and the extra strain it causes in my hand. I played a Modulus Genesis 5 and the 35" scale did a number on my fretting hand. I played 3 hour sets in a 10 piece horn band...lots of Eb and Bb. I tried to see if the 34" scale would be better for me, so I tried the stingray 5, the deluxe Fender J 5, and the Bongo. The jazz and the stingray were ok. The Bongo was the most comfortable (not sure why it was different from the stingray, maybe the 24 frets had something to do with it?).

When I went back to the 4 it was so much more familiar...I decided to get an octaver instead of getting a 5. If I need something below the e string that will do it for me. Sure, it is not the same, but I could not get used to the five for the earlier reasons...mainly the neck. If I get into a band playing things that predominately use the lower notes, I will string a 4 BEAD.

That is the reason why I wouldn't by a five...though if I were to have to the MIA Precision V is one that I would consider.

 

[dannybuoy]

1.875" at the nut.

This is the main reason I didn't get on with the P5. I sold it and bought a Yamaha BB415 which is just 42mm at the nut - a lot slimmer than 47.6mm! By the way, I hear the Squier Vintage Modified Jazz V is somewhere between the two at just over 44mm. That extra width was really uncomfortable for me when playing in the first couple of frets on the low strings. I also found that the low B sounds so much better when a bridge pickup is blended in - those low notes are quite muddy and indistinct when using the P pup soloed.

The Yamaha doesn't completely nail the P tone, which I put largely down to the pickup. The newer 1025 and 2025 have a more vintage alnico split coil, I'm hoping that they will sound more P-like!

 

[Dave Siff]

Wow, maybe I'd better play one before I buy (not easy to find one here though).

It's a really comfortable neck, at least for me. The profile is flatter and thinner than you might expect on a 5-string P-bass. String spacing is 19mm, if that matters to you.
I can't say enough good things about the P5. It's just a simple, beautiful instrument that does exactly what I need it to do and nothing more.