Are 5 strings on the way out?

[Oobly]

I started on a 5 stringer (because a friend was selling it and I liked it). Then I moved to 6 (because... why not? Better to have and not need than need and not have, right?).

Recently I realised I wasn't progressing in my playing (due to many factors, primarily lack of inspiration), so I bought a 4 to focus on fundamentals again. And I've stuck with it. I'll start playing my extended range basses when I feel the need for the low B or high C, but right now I'm enjoying the simplicity of the 4 and really don't feel like I'm missing anything. I really don't miss the excessive neck-dive of my 6...

Playing on the 4 also forces me to think a little more about my playing, moving up and down the neck and being more purposeful with my lines instead of "noodling" in one place. I somehow feel like I've gained more freedom with the 4, whereas logic would dictate the opposite... My playing still sucks, but I'm having more fun and my technique is improving at least.

Perhaps others are on a similar journey?

 

[Ian Lewis]

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?

From the many interviews I've recently seen with session players it appears they are (generally) taking a P-Bass and a 5 string active to most sessions. Outside of studios I think a lot of young players have gone back to a 4 because they rarely touch their B string. I find sight reading a lot easier on a 5 because of the larger range of notes available without having to move the fretting hand. And I like the tone you get when playing around the 5th to 9th frets.

 

[cnltb]

I still consider the B-G 5 to be the most useful format.

 

[bottomzone]

Nope! Mine aren't!

 

[Elusive1]

What can anyone do 4 string that one cannot do on a 5ver?

Slap freely without the droning of an extra string

It's all about the right tools for the right job at the right time

 

[bleedingfingers]

Better to have one and not need one
than to need one and not have one

 

[bassmike2010]

Better to have one and not need one
than to need one and not have one

Or have multiples of each and at the gig setup your rig and soundcheck look around and realize you forgot to load any. Of course this never happened to me. LOL

 

[Millwallsteve]

I think it’s the low B that if anything becomes a problem for most bass players, when I’ve introduced the lower note in lessons I’ve done with kids or in a group, they love the sound but struggle with the adjustment.
It’s basically a lot of work.
With a six, you can blot the high C out , bit further away.
However you can play a wider range of chords etc but as Paticucci said ‘ it’s a whole lotta work’ .
They’ll always be a place for a four , five and six ... after that it starts becoming guitar territory.
With effects these days, each to their own...... place for all three string variations.

 

[Berniez40]

Or have multiples of each and at the gig setup your rig and soundcheck look around and realize you forgot to load any. Of course this never happened to me. LOL

My dumb butt has, on occasion, gone to a gig, upright and bow case in tow, only to open up the bow case and realize that the bow is back home in the studio. "DOH!" LOL

 

[Bobo]

left my bow in a club on top of their pa speaker. luckily played there the following week too. got to a horizontal bass gig and realized my scroll top was in the mud room at home. my wife very nicely brought it to the gig. we’re still married.

 

[Nashrakh]

Slap freely without the droning of an extra string

It's all about the right tools for the right job at the right time

Now THAT's a technique issue. Don't blame the B string - get your muting together.

 

[Elusive1]

Now THAT's a technique issue. Don't blame the B string - get your muting together.

Yep, still working on that

 

[Richardnbm]

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?

No just string it E to hi C and chord it away.

 

[beniciaboy]

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?

By "popular", do you mean in stores? Other players using them? What hoards who come out to see us think?
I love mine, use all 5, will continue to do so.
Peace

 

[Richardnbm]

Ibanez has a new bass strung E to C and that BTB has a slimmer neck. They are finally listening. Yea!!! I have an old BTB that I picked up at a pawn shop and I sound way better than new.

 

[Richardnbm]

You guys are playing 5 strings now?

WHAAAAT?
View attachment 3549659

Where did you get Hendrix picture?

 

[DrMole]

maybe.. looks a lot better than some gaudy 90s exotic wood 5 string with golden knobs and blue tape-wound strings

The gaudy 90s exotic wood bass isn't trying to be something that it is not

 

[DJ Bebop]

Where did you get Hendrix picture?

Internet, have you hear of it?

 

[DJ Bebop]

Where did you get Hendrix picture?

 

[bassmike2010]

Maybe Rock, vintage past and radio recent is running 4's
but in the C&W world (very much relevant ) they're strong
on 5'ers. Last night we did Tracy Byrd in Houston and it was
nice to see Kyle sporting a Lakland Skyline 5 into Aguilar.
Says he keeps a MM SR5 in the buss (smiled when I
showed him pic of mine) good guy nice folks.