Are 5 strings on the way out?

[Muttleybass]

Say it ain't so! After 40 years of playing 4's, a year ago I bought an inexpensive 5 to screw around with and just bought a really nice one 2 weeks ago.

Now you tell me they're going outta style?? ...Aww, MAN!!

 

[bassballs27]

Absolutely not!
If 5s are out...you can gladly ship them to my house for “recycling”

4s are wicked...but 5s are what I play.
6s on the other hand...can’t do it.
But there are plenty of others who can rock a 6!

 

[Nephilymbass]

I think they found a low-paying, but consistent gig more so than Jesus. Here, we call it stipends. Don't know if that is a universal term for paying musicians at church. Dallas diocese published their stipend rates for musicians on the web.

Definitely some truth to that. I also think it’s partially them wanting to play for a crowd after they go through a slump where people aren’t attending their bar gigs. A few years back there was big Christian Metal trend here also(saw this on the national level as well with bands like As I lay dying who used to play churches and christian festivals a lot in their early days. I don’t think it was very genuine. More so a way to promote the bands and have a built in crowd.

 

[Lonnybass]

I have been a loyal and true 5 string guy since 1991, but there certainly seems to be a decline in 5 string popularity.
Is the 5 string out of Vogue in the session scene these days?

The session scene is what is out of vogue these days.

 

[Thumpin6string]

They are being replaced by 6 strings.

 

[retslock]

There will always be those who make their choices because someone they admire plays one. Most of us play what suits us. What’s in vogue doesn’t matter to me, I play what I prefer and that’s 5 strings. I still own two very good 4 stringers; an early ‘70s P and an early ‘80s Ibanez Musician active/passive. I won’t sell them for sentimental reasons but they don’t go to gigs. I only ever play 5 now. I’m comfortable with them and the left hand positional advantages as well as that nice fat low E on the 5th fret and low D which by the way, get used a lot, are too good to ignore.

 

[DJ Bebop]

They are being replaced by 6 strings.

What, only 6?

 

[zontar]

The local Ibanez dealer has more 5 than 4.

I still see lots of them as well.

 

[retslock]

5 strings says something about you in the same way pointy headstocks say something. But no, it's not the same thing. Here's what I mean...

If you show up for an audition with a pointy headstock, you should expect people to think, "metalhead." That may be good or bad. Depends on context. Now, you may be able to convince people with your playing and demeanor that you are more than that initial assessment, but that WILL be the initial assessment.

Similarly, 5 strings says, "I have a modern sensibility." Again, that may be good or bad. Depends on context.

Our band leader and I agree, we prefer guys showing up with 4 strings, and preferably a P-bass for what we do. And no pointy headstocks.

Interesting point of view. My favourite music to play is old style R’n’B and Soul. I only play 5 string basses and neither are Fender. I get along ok. Go figure.

 

[bassrique]

No.

This is a silly topic.

 

[zontar]

No.

This is a silly topic.

 

[DJ Bebop]

No.

This is a silly topic.

Better silly than angry

 

[Thumpin6string]

What, only 6?

That works too.

 

[dBChad]

If they are, it's only to clear the lane for 6 and 7 string basses.

A 6 string lets you cover as much ground in 1 position as 9 frets on a 4 string.

 

[Chrisk-K]

I'd be willing to bed that 95% of bassists won't miss those 5 highest notes.

It’s not about those 5 highest notes. The G string is vital to certain bass playing (eg, octaves and popping) and many bass lines.

 

[bassrique]

Better silly than angry

Ok, I'm a little angry about something unrelated.

I've only read the first page so perhaps this has been done. Has someone from the industry like someone from Ibanez come in and said that five string sales have been down for the last few years?

 

[Seashore]

That is why I am afraid to get a 6 string bass … then my 15 5 string basses become obsolete

Not at all, they just feel a little smaller when you go back to them!

 

[DJ Bebop]

Ok, I'm a little angry about something unrelated.

I've only read the first page so perhaps this has been done. Has someone from the industry like someone from Ibanez come in and said that five string sales have been down for the last few years?

Not you, the topic, better a silly thread than an angry thread
In reference to your:

No.

This is a silly topic

 

[nomaj]

I have been a loyal and true 5 string guy since 1991, but there certainly seems to be a decline in 5 string popularity.
Is the 5 string out of Vogue in the session scene these days?

I don't have the overall industry stats, but in my rock/blues/jazz circle, the percentage of 5 string players in jazz is definitely down compared to 20 years ago - but that's not because they've gone back to 4 string electrics, but instead it's due to the resurgence of the double bass as the "go to" instrument for most of the jazzers I know.
(And much of the renewed popularity of the double bass is due to the improvements in pickups/mics and amps - plus, their undeniably great look.)

Again, I'm speaking only of my musical network, where the 5 string has never been a "thing" for rock and blues. Although I'm sure that the 5 string is still the standard bass for smooth jazz and a lot of pop.

 

[Llewellen]

I have been a loyal and true 5 string guy since 1991, but there certainly seems to be a decline in 5 string popularity.
Is the 5 string out of Vogue in the session scene these days?

Just today I confirmed my order for an ACG 5 string fretless to be finished and delivered in about 10 months. Will I be hopelessly, nerdily out of fashion by then? OMG!!!