Anyone go 5 string and not go back?

[Mystic Michael]

Got my first 5 string a few weeks back and immediately warmed up to it. So much that I don't even want to play my 4 strings anymore. The 5 just feel right to me although I use the B for a thumb/palm rest primarily unless it's needed. Trying to justify keeping a 4 string on hand, can't come up with a good reason. Anyone buy a 5 and just play them exclusively now?

Why be so hasty? It's normal to be 100% into the new five-string, but why does it have to be at the expense of the four-string? Lots of players come back to the four-string later, either integrating it into their five-string playing, or sticking with it exclusively for a period of time.

How can you be certain that in the months and years to come, you'll not have any reason at all to play the four-string? Trust me, your perceptions and feelings will change over time. When that time comes, you'll be glad you didn't overreact to the "new toy" euphoria.

MM

 

[AngelCrusher]

I've gone back to 4, but I always have one 5 for session work. I played 5 only for 2 years recently. The way a 4 feels in the hand is something I realized I missed very much. It just is what a bass is to me. That being said, I like a low B - just not all the time.

 

[jlepre]

Do all of you guys think that the low B is just to play the notes below E? I mean I do use those notes, but I play the low B further up the neck when I have to play a pattern that keeps me in one position. That way I don't have to look at my hand at all when I'm singing. I would say that I play 95% of the time without ever looking at my hand. Not to show off or anything, but just to make playing and singing alot less cumbersome.

 

[dave64o]

I started playing when I was already an old dog and that was a hard enough trick to learn. So rather than try to learn a newer trick down the line, I just started on fives. I can't say that anything I was playing required the lower notes but I thought having more positional options would be a good thing.

I did buy a four a few years ago specifically to use once in a while just to develop some comfort level with a four. I really like that bass a lot but I haven't been able to force myself to grab it more frequently so it rarely gets played. It's up for sale now.

Do all of you guys think that the low B is just to play the notes below E? I mean I do use those notes, but I play the low B further up the neck when I have to play a pattern that keeps me in one position. That way I don't have to look at my hand at all when I'm singing. I would say that I play 95% of the time without ever looking at my hand. Not to show off or anything, but just to make playing and singing alot less cumbersome.

I didn't see your post go in above mine while I was typing, but, yeah, I started on fives mostly to be able to play more notes in a given position. Taking that to another level, the guy I bought my L-2500 from was moving to six-strings exclusively so that he could play his sight-reading gigs with minimal shifts.

 

[Mastermold]

Interesting points however I never understood the thought process behind it being weird playing a 5 string with certain music. Why? Its just a 4 string bass with an extra string on it. The way basses get stereotyped is absurd to me. Wanna play punk music? You need a P bass. Wanna play metal? You need a 5 string. Wanna play progressive? Of course only a 6 string will do! Boring. I like all types of music and Im certainly not going to buy a different bass to fit that genre of music and then trot it out to match the style because thats what other people think thats how its supposed to work. I'll play my 5 for every style Will consider keeping one of the 4s too.

Number of strings is also just one aspect of a bass guitar. Plenty of other things to consider in deciding what bass to play, whether for a particular band, project, or song. Different tools for different jobs.

 

[Agosix]

Have been playing a six however a four becomes fun to play and the mind and fingers think and react differently.

 

[Mechayoshi]

This either/or attitude needs to stop. Why can't we just all get along and love ALL basses?

 

[QweziRider]

It's up for sale now.

If you like that bass overall, try BEAD tuning before it gets sold. Extra real estate of a fiver and only losing the top five notes. You may end up using it more again.

 

[dave64o]

True, but you forget that we're on Talkbass. I'm selling it to fund another purchase!

 

[MoeTown1986]

I've been gigging with solely 5 string basses for 9 years now. Did 5 years prior to that on 4 strings. I still play 4's at home in my music room. But, always gig with 5's.

 

[bassbully]

I played a five years ago then went to fours only. Just a month ago I went back to fives and really enjoy playing them again. They can be a PITA thou with the active electronics, strings choice, amp , cab and EQ issues but overall its coming around. Finding the right 5 is also key with a neck size and profile I can handle due to my small hands.
I miss my fours truly do my fav p bass is lonely, but I'm excited with relearning a new tool and it will make me a batter player.

 

[40Hz]

I play mainly a 4-string but also play a fiver. In my case, it never struck me so much as going 'over' to one or the other as it was me just playing a completely different instrument. I don't see a fiver as a 4-string with an extra high or low string. To me it sounds and feels like totally different bass range instrument in the same way a string bass does. So I find I'll play and approach a song completely differently if I'm using a fiver. And I think most of the really good 5-string players (I'm not one) do the same.

 

[bass_lord_mutha]

I started on a 6 and went down to a 5, does that count? Lol

 

[Chinchano]

I only play 5's. Ever since I got used to it I haven't gone back. Now it feels weird when I don't have that 5th string.

 

[mc900ftj]

I go both ways.

 

[SLO Surfer]

I switched from 4-strings and played 5 strings exclusively from about 1998-2015. Now I'm in love with a simple, passive, 4-string P-bass. It's inspiring me more than I've been inspired by a bass in a long time. I still use a 5-string on occasion when low notes are required, or a modern active bass sound is needed. But with an octave pedal and my 4-string that's not too often anymore. Just go with it, man!

 

[dgrizzly]

I only play fives with the band, but I still have a couple of fours at home that I pick up every now and then for fun.

 

[jasonmatthews]

My decision for playing any given bass on any given day rarely has anything to do with the number of strings it has. I play the one I want to play for whatever reason... usually the sound. Basses are tools. Choose the correct tool for the job. Maybe having a low B is the most important thing for some people, just not for me.

 

[Clef_de_fa]

I moved to 5 very early and then 6 made a lot of sense to me and still do. I prefer to have the strings and not use it than wishing it was there.

 

[i hate username]

I wouldnt say i never went back. For me my first 5 string(wick fortress masterman) was and still is my baby, and it may be my affinity for this one bass might have made me think i prefer 5's over 4's when in reality i just prefer that bass over any of the others i had at the time. By now ive spent so long playing 5's the only 4 i still keep with me feels like a matchstick.

But i will say while back in the parents over christmas i was noodling away on an old 80's hohner p that my dad pulled off a skip back in the mid 2000's that i cleaned up enough to be playable but didnt take with me when i left the nest. Serious remorse for not keeping it with me as i had more fun plonking around on it than i had any right too. Actually writing this post has me thinking i may be better off selling the 4 i still have and using the cash to find repaires/improvements to the hohner.

I think ive forgotten my own point I guess if you do decide to forever swear off the cursed 4 stringers dont be shocked if one or two worm there way back into your heart, as a few have said already its not the amount of strings that make you like a bass, its a myriad of lots of things put together.