Are 5 strings on the way out?

[GreyBeard]

After reading these posts, it seems that many bass players keep a 5'er in their stable just like a trumpet player keeps a flugelhorn in their arsenal for that rare occasion that calls for it. I filled in with a band not too long ago that detuned everything down 1/2 step. If I were to detune my bass 1/2 step without adjusting the truss rod it would rattle like heck. My trusty 5 string came in real handy that night.

 

[Drummerboy2]

After reading these posts, it seems that many bass players keep a 5'er in their stable just like a trumpet player keeps a fugal horn in their arsenal for that rare occasion that calls for it. I filled in with a band not too long ago that detuned everything down 1/2 step. If I were to detune my bass 1/2 step without adjusting the truss rod it would rattle like heck. My trusty 5 string came in real handy that night.

Here's my 5 string I keep in the stable until the need calls for it!

 

[GreyBeard]

Here's my 5 string I keep in the stable until the need calls for it!

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Great looking bass.

 

[Matty Koff]

Here's my 5 string I keep in the stable until the need calls for it!

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My #1 My 4 string P-bass is the "one i keep around should the need arise." It's a skyline and therefore not lightweight, but, sweetest I own. Though my other two 5 strings I quite enjoy as well.

 

[jim nolte]

That’s all great and wonderful and stuff.

But none of this has anything to do with why I play 5-string basses.

What’s so bad about some us that simply prefer 5-string basses?

And has anyone ever seen a 5- or 6-player put down or question the validity of 4-string basses?

Exactly, when I bought my first 5 string way back in ‘92 I had no prejudices for or against it in any way,in those pre internet days my access to seeing music was MTV and can’t remember seeing anyone playing a 5, but when my local store got in a Fender Jazz Bass Plus 5 I simply fell in love with it as soon as I played it especially the wider neck,B string as excellent thumb rest and after getting it home incorporating the B into my practice routine, pretty simple,I’ve never bought another 4 string since.

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

My #1 My 4 string P-bass is the "one i keep around should the need arise." It's a skyline and therefore not lightweight, but, sweetest I own. Though my other two 5 strings I quite enjoy as well.

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We have a lot in common.

This is my number one .

I have a Sire V3-5 as backup and when I don’t want to take my nice bass.

My PBass with flats and my Geddy Lee Jazz are my passive 4 strings basses that stay on stand by when those sounds/ tones are needed.

 

[Geri O]

We have a lot in common.

This is my number one .

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I have a Sire V3-5 as backup and when I don’t want to take my nice bass.

My PBass with flats and my Geddy Lee Jazz are my passive 4 strings basses that stay on stand by when those sounds/ tones are needed.

I don’t care what the topic is, I love seeing that Stingray!

 

[PhatBottomBass1]

This IS what I like to see...5 string parade!

Bring'm on out and let your FIVE, FLAG, FLY!

No logo covers on Nordstrand/Dingwall pickups and DG Tone Capsule. Love it!

AEADG

 

[Blake Bass]

I just bought a four string after having played 5 strings exclusively for the last 25 years. I’m really enjoying it and not missing the low B so far. But I can always go back if I do.

 

[Moving Pictures]

Lately I have been playing my 4-stings (all Fenders) but I do use my 5-strings (currently Ibanez) on a regular basis. It depends on the set list and the tones I may need as to which bass gets used. While I have D-tuners on a couple of 4's it is just easier to use the 5-strings when there are significant key changes. I can't see 5's ever going away. Besides they are fun to play like any other bass.

 

[Ronzo]

After reading these posts, it seems that many bass players keep a 5'er in their stable just like a trumpet player keeps a flugelhorn in their arsenal for that rare occasion that calls for it. I filled in with a band not too long ago that detuned everything down 1/2 step. If I were to detune my bass 1/2 step without adjusting the truss rod it would rattle like heck. My trusty 5 string came in real handy that night.

Exactly. Most guitarists detune a half step after listening to Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and other famous players who did so on a constant basis. What those guitarists don’t realize is that a half-step drop affects a bass’ setup much more than a guitar’s setup; the string tension difference and the longer scale puts stress on the neck that exceeds a guitar, and must be balanced with a truss rod adjustment. (I also play guitar, so these differences are very apparent to me. Especially since I perform my own setups on all but two of my instruments.)

I agree that positional differences are a good reason to choose a 5, but I have to balance that need with the strain on my left hand relating to the neck width due to my bilateral carpal tunnel surgery. I traded my older wide-neck 5 for an Ibanez 305, which allowed me to play it when necessary.

I know I’m old, @frankie5string. No need to remind me of it.

 

[DrWhipple]

I keep seeing theater music come up as a reason to play a 5 string, but I’ve never heard of it per se, is this a popular thing I’m missing out on?

 

[Ronzo]

I keep seeing theater music come up as a reason to play a 5 string, but I’ve never heard of it per se, is this a popular thing I’m missing out on?

In some locales, community theater groups put on a number of productions with live music.

Typically, the theater group will lease the rights to put on a production for a limited run. Those rights include limited copies of the music associated with the show. The group’s Music Director hires the musicians, and distributes the “books” of sheet music to them.

These books are only provided for the specific time accorded the production. It usually includes a specific time frame for rehearsal, plus the dates the show will be performed before an audience. These books of sheet music are provided as “clean copies”; NO notes from previous productions of the show are permitted to be left on the books when they are returned. If they aren’t returned “clean”, financial penalties are assessed to the production’s officers - and they can be severe and expensive.

The Music Director usually puts the Fear Of God in the musicians about this , and insists that all of them have a) a number of #2 or softer pencils to be on hand at ALL TIMES, and b) a kneadable eraser to be used to erase all of the (copious) notes the Music Director tells you to make on your part(s). After the production wraps, you go home after the wrap party and erase ALL the notes before turning your book in the following day.

I’ve done this a few times. Lots of pressure, lots of fun, lots of woodshedding, and you are improved as a musician in so many ways by doing it. I highly recommend the experience.

 

[GreyBeard]

In some locales, community theater groups put on a number of productions with live music.

Typically, the theater group will lease the rights to put on a production for a limited run. Those rights include limited copies of the music associated with the show. The group’s Music Director hires the musicians, and distributes the “books” of sheet music to them.

These books are only provided for the specific time accorded the production. It usually includes a specific time frame for rehearsal, plus the dates the show will be performed before an audience. These books of sheet music are provided as “clean copies”; NO notes from previous productions of the show are permitted to be left on the books when they are returned. If they aren’t returned “clean”, financial penalties are assessed to the production’s officers - and they can be severe and expensive.

The Music Director usually puts the Fear Of God in the musicians about this , and insists that all of them have a) a number of #2 or softer pencils to be on hand at ALL TIMES, and b) a kneadable eraser to be used to erase all of the (copious) notes the Music Director tells you to make on your part(s). After the production wraps, you go home after the wrap party and erase ALL the notes before turning your book in the following day.

I’ve done this a few times. Lots of pressure, lots of fun, lots of woodshedding, and you are improved as a musician in so many ways by doing it. I highly recommend the experience.

I've only gotten to do one play. It was a blast.

 

[Agent0]

I keep seeing theater music come up as a reason to play a 5 string, but I’ve never heard of it per se, is this a popular thing I’m missing out on?

The music often ventures below low E, either because the composer wanted it that way, or because it was transposed from a different key somewhere along the way.

 

[Marty Forrer]

A 5 is my go to. I see no reason to play a 4, I use the B string all the time.

 

[OldSchoolFlats]

Sometimes I like my 5, with flats, for finger-style and more fingering options. Sometimes I like my 4, with rounds, for slap and fewer muting issues.

Sometimes I need a moment on my 5 to remember the B string is there (and is not the E string). With my La Bella DTF, the B actually sounds good. Didn't like the B with the OEM Ernie Ball rounds, though.

 

[chadds]

5 strings have been on the way out since the 15th Century. Just seems they are persistent. They did go to 3 back to 4 then to 5 then to 6. String extensions were an innovation. All before the present development of the New World. So I wouldn't make plans for a funeral.

 

[aus_bass]

I've been playing since 1978 & dabbled with 5er's here & there. For the last year, I've committed to only playing my 5 string. Haven't touched my 4's for nearly a year and plan to sell them. I have no plans to ever go back to a 4 string as I am totally comfortable with the 5 now.

 

[Matty Koff]

We have a lot in common.

This is my number one .

View attachment 4440206

I have a Sire V3-5 as backup and when I don’t want to take my nice bass.

My PBass with flats and my Geddy Lee Jazz are my passive 4 strings basses that stay on stand by when those sounds/ tones are needed.

Purple has a special place in my heart and reminds me of my grandmother who was pretty amazing. Your Stingray is spectacular, being rich for my blood pardon me if I drool just a little.

There's the American Special P-bass wearing Ti-flats for the last year. My first 5 was my Sire P7-5.. sitting next to it is an Ibanez TMB505. Thought about buying a CV Jazz V hanging on a wall at a luthier's shop recently just to have a Jazz, but I just don't have a need for it.

I don't honestly "need" the P-bass. I like it for learning material when I decide to actually do that.
I'll break it out on the rare occasion I decide to learn a song I heard that has no use for a low B and isn't slap, but any band setting I'd be in would be working on originals and in that setting I'm going to choose a 5 string tuned BEADG every single time and I'm probably not going to worry about a backup outside of gigs. I might leave the Ibby hanging at a band's jamspace if meet ups are regular.

The P-bass has sentimental value, and is just a sweet bass that while it's nothing way out there in terms of exotic has retained a large chunk of it's value and is no longer in production as this model. I joke about it being my obligatory P-bass regulated by rule 230898203 @talkbass.com, but for some reason from the moment I picked it up, special is more than just the model *shrug*.