Anyone moved away from bothering with a B-string?

[zcwilkes]

However, the truth is that you really do not need a 5 because all you really gain are 5 notes in a lower octave. They do sound better in some songs but one problem is that many people who play 5 string use the low B too much and as a result they just "muddy" the sound of the band.

I don't play a bass with a B-string just because of 5 extra notes. I like having more range in one position and I like to spread the notes out in chords. I used to read music in 1st position, now I do it in 5th. I almost always play the low E on the B-string. If your playng a 5-string just for 5 extra notes, your doing it wrong in my opinion. This is all just my opinion though.

 

[boristhespider9]

Tell me more: I'm trying to get escape from it!

Watch Duck Dunn, George Porter, Victor Wooten, Marcus Miller, among a host of others.

When you can do what Wooten can do on a 4, then go conquer the 5. (Yea, I know that's not a completely logical argument, but it helps me realize I really have a lot to learn on the 4 before I go crazy with the 5.) I just can't understand "it's not a bass if it doesn't have 5 strings."

 

[David Jayne]

Yes.

 

[Scott Sauna]

I'm a 4 string guy myself but my band mate owns a 5 string Schecter Diamond P Custom which is an insanely versatile, great sounding, inexpensive bass. I played the 4 string version and the weight issue is something that I have problems with. I'm not the biggest guy so even my Epi-T Bird gets a bit too heavy at times. If I found a 5 string jazz that didn't weigh 15 pounds I would probably jump on the 5 string wagon though.

 

[kjpollo]

I play both but recently I'm using my 5's the majority of the time. I play modern country and I use the B string in about a third of our songs- in some instances its really needed for the low D or D# and sometimes I just use it for ease of playing because I can hit an F or F# easier that way.

 

[topo morto]

So, just ducked into a music shop as it was raining. Tried out some basses. They had no 5's at all! Felt pretty weird being restricted to EADG but have bought a set of strings to give it a go. I think it will be interesting.

 

[Jarrett]

I'd like to use a 4 more, but after playing 5 strings for a couple of decades, I never can find a 4 that feels right to me. Would be nice though as my technique opens up a lot more when I don't have to constantly mute the B, I find.

 

[rickfan63]

Really? What would you call what people like Paul McCartney, James Jamerson, Carol Kaye, etc were playing?

Whether or not a bass is 4 or 5 string is just a matter of preference. I own 4 and 5 string and use them according to what I need for the song. However, the truth is that you really do not need a 5 because all you really gain are 5 notes in a lower octave. They do sound better in some songs but one problem is that many people who play 5 string use the low B too much and as a result they just "muddy" the sound of the band.

Amen to that! I played 2 Carvin 5 strings back in the late 1990's, and hardly ever used the low B except in very certain situations and songs. Finally, I decided I could do without it. The band didn't care, and the audience didn't either, so I sold the 5ers and went back to my 4 stringers. Which are much more comfortable for me and does the job just fine. I haven't looked back since.

 

[mwig]

Love 'em both. I play progressive rock/metal and having both the 2 octave range close at hand and the extended low range is helpful. My guitarists use primarily 7 strings and I write on a 7 string guitar myself so those lower 5 notes are critical (but judiciously used). That being said, I'm still the love digging in on a 4. Yes it's more work for some phrases, but that's the point sometimes, right? I have a Warwick fortress one 5 and a thumb 5. Both very different feels, but great B's on both.

 

[Tom Howland]

I've done a 360 and am waiting for a Skjold 6-string.
Never went 6er before.
Can you say excited, and scared at the same time.

 

[topo morto]

I've done a 360 and am waiting for a Skjold 6-string.
Never went 6er before.
Can you say excited, and scared at the same time.

Congrats. How will it be tuned?

 

[Dreamsinger]

I get the feeling that a lot of players don't quite "get" that the B string is only incidentally about lower pitch. With the B I can play with more economy of motion moving *across* the fingerboard than up and down it. Of course if your band only plays in keys where the dots are there's little reason for a 5.

 

[KingRazor]

I gave up on 5-strings for a while because my bass was a bit of a lemon. Could not get the low B to sound good.

Then I played a few really nice ones at the guitar shop and started to really want one again.

 

[dukeisdog]

Yup, about 15 years ago.

I played a fiver for a few years because a band I was with played a few songs that a five string was helpful, but very quickly decided that I could do it on four.

I've played four stringers since.

This is where I am right now. I want to keep my main 5 to use for recordings and practices but I really wanna detune my 4 strings and start using them live.

 

[Jarrett]

I'd like to use a 4 more, but after playing 5 strings for a couple of decades, I never can find a 4 that feels right to me. Would be nice though as my technique opens up a lot more when I don't have to constantly mute the B, I find.

I'm glad someone bumped this thread. I recently bought a new Carvin PBJ 4-string and I have been playing it quite a bit. So much so that I don't even take my 5-string to gigs lately. Here's a pic:

 

[Dreamsinger]

I've done a 360 and am waiting for a Skjold 6-string.
Never went 6er before.
Can you say excited, and scared at the same time.

I can't quite wrap my head around the idea of a 6 but I'm in the process of changing my Lace Helix fretless 5 to an E to C setup. Baby Steps.

 

[Aussie Player]

Leo made em with 4 ...just saying

Leo also made 5 string basses back when I started but they did not take off and were discontinued. Later in the 80's the 5's started to appear again after active electronics became more established. A "B" string 5er with actives is a different animal to the version Leo introduced.

 

[Sbassman Scratch]

I don't play a bass with a B-string just because of 5 extra notes. I like having more range in one position and I like to spread the notes out in chords. I used to read music in 1st position, now I do it in 5th. I almost always play the low E on the B-string.....

^^^ This.
It's less about that low B than getting two octaves across the neck and shifting less. (Though I seem to hear that low B thump in a lot of country these days)

I'd much rather play low G or F on the B string for example. If you play a lot of jazz E-flat turns up a lot and starting with E flat on the A string and going down is a luxury.

Some people seem to think you somehow amortize the price of a 5 by how often you play low B. Fewer than a certain number of times in a year and you didn't get your money's worth. I guess for them it's true.

 

[jamestown94west]

I prefer 5 strings first of all because I like tight string spacing. I also like the wallop a good low B can produce. The extra heft of a 5 string in general, feels good to me. I don't use my low B a whole lot, but when I do, I make it count.

 

[Maxdusty]

I'm a 4 string guy myself but my band mate owns a 5 string Schecter Diamond P Custom which is an insanely versatile, great sounding, inexpensive bass. I played the 4 string version and the weight issue is something that I have problems with. I'm not the biggest guy so even my Epi-T Bird gets a bit too heavy at times. If I found a 5 string jazz that didn't weigh 15 pounds I would probably jump on the 5 string wagon though.

While not a jazz, why not try a Fender MB5? I couldn't find a Fender so I had to settle for a Squier on short notice- I know the quality's not the same of course. The Fender is actually very easy to use if you have small hands and doesn't way much at all. I would highly recommend trying one if you see one. Inexpensive too, for a Fender (MIJ). Used price usually goes for under $300.