Are 5 strings on the way out?

[cbdriver]

Depends on the genre. A lot of R&B and modern country players have a low B. They are much more rare in rock.

That’s why I play 5’s & 6’s w/ my 80’s rock cover band

 

[cbdriver]

You guys are playing 5 strings now?

WHAAAAT?
View attachment 3549659

 

[cbdriver]

Hi guys





For me playing 5 string is not so much about having an extended range. It' s only 5 notes.

The 5th string allows me to play with less position changes. For me that' s the thing about playing 5ers!

A lot of players don' t realize how comfortable that is!

(because they never tried or because they don' t change their lefthand position?)


greetings

Wise(b)ass

I strongly agree!

 

[Thornton Davis]

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 couldn’t give a crap if they’re in vogue or not, in my books I use the tools I need to meet the musical needs I need to produce if that’s a 4 or 5 string bass so be it. I don’t follow trends I make my own.

TD

 

[Llewellen]

I couldn’t give a crap if they’re in vogue or not, in my books I use the tools I need to meet the musical needs I need to produce if that’s a 4 or 5 string bass so be it. I don’t follow trends I make my own.

TD

Agree. Without any conscious effort on my part, I seem to be out of step with trends a lot of the time anyway

 

[gwreid]

I understand the notes gained/lost arguments but I love my five string because I like riff patterns and hate open strings. It's great, for example, to play in E flat an octave lower than a traditionally tuned four string.

 

[PhatBottomBass1]

I couldn’t give a crap if they’re in vogue or not, in my books I use the tools I need to meet the musical needs I need to produce if that’s a 4 or 5 string bass so be it. I don’t follow trends I make my own.

TD

There are leaders and there are followers!

Some players watch things happen, some players make things happen and most just say "what happened to 5 string Bass?"

...lol...

 

[DJ Bebop]

Agree. Without any conscious effort on my part, I seem to be out of step with trends a lot of the time anyway

Me too! I'm always out of step with trends

 

[Tori2013]

You choose bass because everyone wants to be a guitarist.

You choose 5 because everyone plays a 4.

 

[Oig]

It's funny watching this go back and forth...... You can Love 'em or you can Hate 'em.....but NEW 5 Strings are selling like Hotcakes. .......and they generally don't come in BLACK.

View attachment 3554604

That is one sexy beast

 

[leerod054]

I think my photo says it all for me don't you?

 

[Oig]

My new bass! 5 strings aren't going anywhere! I prefer them for economy of motion and the lower notes when playing covers.View attachment 3554482

Sire P7?

 

[Mike Vee]

There's kind of like no popular/trendy music right now where the image of a 5er would be in style. Every "cool" style of music I can think of right now tends to prefer a vintage style guitar and bass image. Maybe the only exception is R&B / Soul.

 

[DJ Bebop]

View attachment 3554918 I think my photo says it all for me don't you?

 

[Wyvern]

What metal-head thinks a detuned E string to B trumps a F# on a 5'er?

 

[leerod054]

I feel a breez here.......

 

[Llewellen]

There's kind of like no popular/trendy music right now where the image of a 5er would be in style. Every "cool" style of music I can think of right now tends to prefer a vintage style guitar and bass image. Maybe the only exception is R&B / Soul.

You mean like some people paying extra for a factory beat up P Bass so that it looks "road worn"? Bwahahaha!

 

[AlfBrewdog]

5 string isn’t just great for songs that are drop tuned, it’s also great for flat keys.
It’s a must have on a cover gig I reckon.
Only issue is the B loses clarity pretty fast as strings age. Seems Dingwall’s don’t have this problem.

 

[Nebadon2000]

I have lived in the 'cover band world' since 1975 and played maybe 3 or 4 song's in which I had to tune to D on E string in all that time.[most of the time played SRV type Eb in E] So for me 4 works. I am sure there are many players where a 5 is needed and justified in usage. But in the Cover Band scene I see a lot of 5's where the B is mostly a thumb rest and used inappropriately To the detriment of the Song.

 

[armybass]

Yes the 5 strings are on the way out.... the way out my door every time I leave for a paying gig.