Anyone moved away from bothering with a B-string?

[Fuzzbass]

I suppose I can see how constraints might stimulate creativity. The fact remains, however, that removal of constraints can stimulate creativity. I played four string for 20+ years, and when I tried a fiver, the additional range was an epiphany. Breaking out of the four string box made me a MUCH better player.

I don't see the point of going back to four string on occasion just to force my brain to be creative (in fact I've sold all my fours). Likewise, I'm not going to play a 6+ simply because it provides a larger canvas/palette than five... sixers don't work for me for a few reasons. I'd rather stick with the tool that works best for me, and of course it's perfectly OK for others to do the same, whether their choice is four string, fiver, 6/7/8+, or any combination. No justification required.

 

[Frenchy-Lefty]

I agree with OP, if you play a fiver you need a good one and a great amplification if you can't afford that, stick to a four banger. Also, not all styles of music call for a fiver. I only use mine for Reggae stuff.

 

[chadds]

Respectfully, the reduced drum kit size vs 4 or 5 strings is an Apples and Aardvarks discussion. On a drum all of the notes are on the drum head from the center to the rim. There are notes on the 5 that are not on the 4. (Capt Obvious)

Back to the drummer. If he tunes each drum and only hits it expecting one note then he's going to need a lot of drums. If you listen to Mitch Mitchell, Tony Williams, Elvin Jones, et al, you will hear that all of it is possible with small kit. It's not a limitation. It's knowledge of what's actually there.

Yeah, I love 5s for every kind of music.

 

[Honch]

I find this peculiar and funny. The same people who claims they not have to move around a lot on a 5ers still wants a 24 fret fretboard. Funny fuzzy logic imho. I think that the drummers drumkits vs 4or 5 discussion can well be replaced by any other thing. Say guitards using 2 100x Marshall stacks. They need it on any gig "just in case" it should turn up a loud gig, and have that reserve to spare. Or a keyboard using synths and sounds and presets that'll give them a plethora and pallet of sounds (hence the painters comparison, with lacking red color). The synth player will only use one promille of the available sounds anyway on this gorgeous sounding lush flagship synth from one of the largest manufacurers. The main difference, as I spoke of in earlier post, is the distinction if you really just NEED it, or just WANT it. If you keep on hearing, if you look for professional studio sessions, that you should bring your "5 er" and you discover that you miss gigs/session due to the lack of a 5er, well then, then it's nothing more about it. Get a 5er. Same with fretless.

It's part and parcel of the gig I was witnessing the other week. The 5 string bass player stopped in the middle of a simple blues tune, due to that his g-string snapped, but couldn't possibly carry on choosing to play on the remaining four. It didn't rattled or threw the bass out of tune. He was just a workhorse, so to speak, that has only learned to play instrument by numbers, and his muscle memory was set on a certain pattern that couldn't be varied or done in any alternate way in his brain. He was stumped, completely frozen. Yet, a high end Yamaha 5er bass, a quite hefty 4x10 - 1x15 rig, and bragged about how many basses he owned, he was a collector. Seasoned veteran player, that has been regionally around for decades. I mean that if you conditioned your fingers ONLY to a fiver, you will get too stumped, when presented with a four only, so you can't figure out where to go on the spot, should above thing happens. A guitar can very well have pauses in a band, not having to play during a string crack, but if the bass stops playing, the whole song turns a trainwreck.

That people are going back to 4, because of trouble finding a decent or good 5er can very well be the culprit, and may be a valid one, as well as the other stuff reported around here. You should, in the end, be able to play on both, in order to be comfortable on both, but in the end, it's a "bother" to deal with one string more. Or two.

 

[Korladis]

I suppose I can see how constraints might stimulate creativity. The fact remains, however, that removal of constraints can stimulate creativity. I played four string for 20+ years, and when I tried a fiver, the additional range was an epiphany. Breaking out of the four string box made me a MUCH better player.

I don't see the point of going back to four string on occasion just to force my brain to be creative (in fact I've sold all my fours). Likewise, I'm not going to play a 6+ simply because it provides a larger canvas/palette than five... sixers don't work for me for a few reasons. I'd rather stick with the tool that works best for me, and of course it's perfectly OK for others to do the same, whether their choice is four string, fiver, 6/7/8+, or any combination. No justification required.

I tend to agree.

I find four strings more comfortable. Not because of spacing issues, but because just the width of the neck. But I don't think everyone should play with just four strings because that's what I do. The earlier video I just thought illustrated that to do low F# and low B, you need better speakers. If he wants to use a twelve string, non-coursed bass, more power to him. I wouldn't, but I'm not him, and I'm doing different things.

So yeah, you won't see me playing a five string bass any time soon, but that's a purely subjective, individual preference. Why would I care what other people use if it works for them?

I find this peculiar and funny. The same people who claims they not have to move around a lot on a 5ers still wants a 24 fret fretboard. Funny fuzzy logic imho. I think that the drummers drumkits vs 4or 5 discussion can well be replaced by any other thing. Say guitards using 2 100x Marshall stacks. They need it on any gig "just in case" it should turn up a loud gig, and have that reserve to spare. Or a keyboard using synths and sounds and presets that'll give them a plethora and pallet of sounds (hence the painters comparison, with lacking red color). The synth player will only use one promille of the available sounds anyway on this gorgeous sounding lush flagship synth from one of the largest manufacurers. The main difference, as I spoke of in earlier post, is the distinction if you really just NEED it, or just WANT it. If you keep on hearing, if you look for professional studio sessions, that you should bring your "5 er" and you discover that you miss gigs/session due to the lack of a 5er, well then, then it's nothing more about it. Get a 5er. Same with fretless.

It's part and parcel of the gig I was witnessing the other week. The 5 string bass player stopped in the middle of a simple blues tune, due to that his g-string snapped, but couldn't possibly carry on choosing to play on the remaining four. It didn't rattled or threw the bass out of tune. He was just a workhorse, so to speak, that has only learned to play instrument by numbers, and his muscle memory was set on a certain pattern that couldn't be varied or done in any alternate way in his brain. He was stumped, completely frozen. Yet, a high end Yamaha 5er bass, a quite hefty 4x10 - 1x15 rig, and bragged about how many basses he owned, he was a collector. Seasoned veteran player, that has been regionally around for decades. I mean that if you conditioned your fingers ONLY to a fiver, you will get too stumped, when presented with a four only, so you can't figure out where to go on the spot, should above thing happens. A guitar can very well have pauses in a band, not having to play during a string crack, but if the bass stops playing, the whole song turns a trainwreck.

That people are going back to 4, because of trouble finding a decent or good 5er can very well be the culprit, and may be a valid one, as well as the other stuff reported around here. You should, in the end, be able to play on both, in order to be comfortable on both, but in the end, it's a "bother" to deal with one string more. Or two.

I'm not even sure what your point is.

As for why someone might want 24 frets on a 5-string, well, the upper part of the fretboard is still a position.

 

[interp]

Aside from my 62 Jazz I play a Lakland 55-94 through a WW stereo head and two Bergantino 1x12 cabs. The B string is taut, instantly responsive with a light touch and is a pleasure to have available. I play the B string sparingly, but when I need it, oh god does it sound sweet!

For me, it's all about the right tool for the right job, and very often the 5-string is the right tool.

 

[DannyBob]

And then there is me, saving up for a nice 6 string....

 

[bucephylus]

Regarding arguments in favor of the 5, the one related to increased note availability in a fixed position has never been even slightly interesting for me. Having spent a lot of time on upright where fingerings are a huge part of the playing, I have never viewed the bass guitar any differently. Shifting and shift strategies are not an impediment. Rather they are directly related to proper phrasing and dynamics. Why play a given line in a fixed position if it sounds better when played with shifts? For me the phrasing and dynamics of the line trump minimizing shifts. So, the experienced player is hindered by neither aspect, IMO.

So, for my purposes, the only advantage of the B string over the HipShot is I have 3 lower notes. So far, I need none of those in the material I am playing.

 

[bucephylus]

And then there is me, saving up for a nice 6 string....

6'ers are way cool. The trick is to find a good light one with really even string tension. Tough instrument to get right. I have a Tobias Classic 6 from the Nashville days. They got that one right.

 

[/\/\3phist0]

I find this peculiar and funny. The same people who claims they not have to move around a lot on a 5ers still wants a 24 fret fretboard. Funny fuzzy logic imho. I think that the drummers drumkits vs 4or 5 discussion can well be replaced by any other thing. Say guitards using 2 100x Marshall stacks. They need it on any gig "just in case" it should turn up a loud gig, and have that reserve to spare. Or a keyboard using synths and sounds and presets that'll give them a plethora and pallet of sounds (hence the painters comparison, with lacking red color). The synth player will only use one promille of the available sounds anyway on this gorgeous sounding lush flagship synth from one of the largest manufacurers. The main difference, as I spoke of in earlier post, is the distinction if you really just NEED it, or just WANT it. If you keep on hearing, if you look for professional studio sessions, that you should bring your "5 er" and you discover that you miss gigs/session due to the lack of a 5er, well then, then it's nothing more about it. Get a 5er. Same with fretless.

It's part and parcel of the gig I was witnessing the other week. The 5 string bass player stopped in the middle of a simple blues tune, due to that his g-string snapped, but couldn't possibly carry on choosing to play on the remaining four. It didn't rattled or threw the bass out of tune. He was just a workhorse, so to speak, that has only learned to play instrument by numbers, and his muscle memory was set on a certain pattern that couldn't be varied or done in any alternate way in his brain. He was stumped, completely frozen. Yet, a high end Yamaha 5er bass, a quite hefty 4x10 - 1x15 rig, and bragged about how many basses he owned, he was a collector. Seasoned veteran player, that has been regionally around for decades. I mean that if you conditioned your fingers ONLY to a fiver, you will get too stumped, when presented with a four only, so you can't figure out where to go on the spot, should above thing happens. A guitar can very well have pauses in a band, not having to play during a string crack, but if the bass stops playing, the whole song turns a trainwreck.

That people are going back to 4, because of trouble finding a decent or good 5er can very well be the culprit, and may be a valid one, as well as the other stuff reported around here. You should, in the end, be able to play on both, in order to be comfortable on both, but in the end, it's a "bother" to deal with one string more. Or two.

or apparently for some: one less string....
a G string would have thrown that guy whether it was a 5 or a 4 (because last time i checked a 4 string has a g string)
Oh and I also play a 12 string...
and 5,4 and fretless 5,4
play in alternate tunings while bandmates remain in standard
vive la différence

 

[Frenchy-Lefty]

I don't think the original posting meant "5 string basses are bad". It just meant "If you play a fiver you need a top notch bass and amplification and if you can't afford that get a 4 banger". He even said "when I can afford a good fiver I'll get one"
I play both and I approve this message.

All of you guys getting on your high horses and pleading for or against the fiver need to go back to English reading and comprehension class 3rd grade level.

 

[bucephylus]

I don't think the original posting meant "5 string basses are bad". It just meant "If you play a fiver you need a top notch bass and amplification and if you can't afford that get a 4 banger". He even said "when I can afford a good fiver I'll get one"
I play both and I approve this message.

All of you guys getting on your high horses and pleading for or against the fiver need to go back to English reading and comprehension class 3rd grade level.

Call me stupid if you will; but, the title of thread is "Anyone moved away from bothering with a B-string." My sub 3rd grade reading and comprehension suggests that the OP question is seeking comments about using non-B string basses. Sorry for taking up space in your universe of perfection.

 

[PortlandBass77]

Bought a 5 string for $20, sold it for $100. Just too many strings. The B string is too muddy and gets in the way.

 

[kevteop]

In the early '90s I went from 4 to 6 strings, just to see what it was all about. I found the 6 interesting to play alone, but I never really used the extra range in a band. A few years later I went back to a 4.

I do sometimes wish I had a low D, although I suppose I could fit a drop-tuner if I wanted. But no I don't miss the B string, they just don't sound full enough to be useful. They have an interesting tone in their own right, but for me they don't fit with the rest of the strings very well.

 

[smeet]

Starting to hate TB I am, just a little bit, yes.

 

[Sav'nBass]

IMO the key to appreciating a 5 is getting a bass with a decent B string...

Yes, and maybe - note the maybe - it's that why they are going back. What's decent for you is not decent for me. There's little problem with finding a good 4 with a "decent" E-string. Or much less so. The posts mostly on all bass forums, has now and then the topic "problem finding a good 5 - please advise". And from there on, the posts goes on and on. String manufacturers tries to buck this with different alloys, tapered wounds, gauges, and invents solutions to problems that are really no problems.

Never ever seen a thread "Problem finding a good 4, so I'll stick with a lame 5er" People don't have the time and patience to drop major dough in order to find out that the low B turns out always flubby, and the amp/cab equpiment needed for producing those lows are out of their price range. Remember, people here said it's nothing about the playing positions, that you don't have to move up and around the neck so much. This would also render a 4 string tuned BEAD out of question, the B will sound flubby just as well there. A F# sharp on the 7th fret on the B-string does not really sound just as good as on the 2nd fret on the E-string. Save for Dingwall fanned frets or similar high end basses. I find the notes up on the neck of the low B-string somewhat useless regarding timbre and sustain. You want the sustain and long open notes with full definition and articulation AND strong fundamental. So here we go again, with the "no money above the fifth fret" thing.

It may very well be JUST that, the timbre and core note/tone quality of a 4 that makes them go back, as you said. "Getting a bass with decent b-string" is what MAY be what's all about. That you can find a good 4, there's 13 to the dozen of'em, but to shop around and try out every 5er on the planet until you stumble up on a good one, is out of most peoples wallets/ pastime. Multiscale, or fanned frets may be just one of the mitigating designs in order to produce that "decent b-string".

My post thast you quoted above is just my opinion which I think is valid.. I would bet that anyone who has never played a 5 string bass and gets one with a floppy, dull sounding B string will more than likely decide to not play a 5 string.. because as a musician it is all about the sound.. Isn't that one of the biggest complaints about 5s..? That's what happened to me. My first 5 had a terrible B string and I tried adjusting it and several gauges of strings and they all sounded terrible on that bass. I decided a 5 was not for me until I stumbled on one I liked. Now that may not be the only reason a person would decide to not play a 5 string bass a nerfed B string .... but if that is the case, that the B string on a given 5er is too floppy .. or muddy .. or whatever.. other than a tone to that particular player's liking, then more than likely he will not want to play a 5. I am not advocating or denigrating one choice over the other in terms of being good or bad.. I really don't care what others play.. that is their business just as what I play and prefer is mine. For me .. it is a no brainer. I believe this is a discussion yes..? So we are discussing yes? .. and it is fine of we all do not agree yes? Because we are discussing... and by the way .. you don't have to travel around the planet to find a 5 string with a decent B.. all you have to really do is ask.. or listen ... or try a few out.. or not. It is no skin off my nose. I like my 5s and I use my B string up to the high B on occasion and I find that the F# on my basses sounds fine to me.. and again for me.. being able to resolve from a low B to Eb is a good thing and I can't do that with a 4 and since I like the traditional 4 string options .. the addition of the extra options that a 5 offers are not bother at all.

I suppose I can see how constraints might stimulate creativity. The fact remains, however, that removal of constraints can stimulate creativity. I played four string for 20+ years, and when I tried a fiver, the additional range was an epiphany. Breaking out of the four string box made me a MUCH better player.

I don't see the point of going back to four string on occasion just to force my brain to be creative (in fact I've sold all my fours). Likewise, I'm not going to play a 6+ simply because it provides a larger canvas/palette than five... sixers don't work for me for a few reasons. I'd rather stick with the tool that works best for me, and of course it's perfectly OK for others to do the same, whether their choice is four string, fiver, 6/7/8+, or any combination. No justification required.

+1.. I remember having absolutely no interest in playing a 6. Now I am curious.. so I plan to try one out.. but for my own musical reasons......... and i don't want to spend a lot and I do not plan to. I may never become a primary 6 string player but I want to try it out just to see what it tastes like.

Clearly yes, but I'm not one of them. And ime it doesn't take a high end bass to achieve decent B tone.

I agree 100% .. I got turned on to 5ers by an SR505.

 

[Jason3d]

I ditched the low b on my five strings a few years ago and restrung with a high C instead. I used that string quite a lot more than I did the B.

 

[Vlad5]

I drove a 69 Porsche once; while fast, it was noisy, stiff, and had a terrible turn radius for such a small auto.
I'll never purchase or even drive any small sports car again, ever.
Useless design for a car.

5pts if you see the flaw in the above logic, which has been applied several times to 5 string basses in this thread.

 

[The BurgerMeister]

I'm currently looking for a good 5-string... I almost always play 4-string, but a recent gig has turned me on to the usefulness of the low B. Fun thread, anyway!

All you can really say is, "to each his/her own!"
Or: "do what makes you happy!"

 

[Korladis]

I don't think the original posting meant "5 string basses are bad". It just meant "If you play a fiver you need a top notch bass and amplification and if you can't afford that get a 4 banger". He even said "when I can afford a good fiver I'll get one"
I play both and I approve this message.

All of you guys getting on your high horses and pleading for or against the fiver need to go back to English reading and comprehension class 3rd grade level.

You don't need "top notch bass and amplification" for a low B.

I don't know where this idea, that seems almost ubiquitous on talkbass, has come from, but in my experience, it's totally false. I only have four string basses, but one of them is tuned BEAD. I play them through the same rigs I play my EADG tuned basses through.