5 is an adjustment. My personal preference is for a neck that is thinner back to front and a little wider across so that deals with the neck size. I have a 4 that ticks off every box in terms of tone and feel. Unfortunately I also work with a band leader that has a habit of changing song keys from date to date so the ability to keep the shapes the same and just shift positions means it's the 5 that gets played the most. That, and another singer that does half of a gig detuned to Eb and the other half in standard tuning. The extra notes are nice but the versatility is what drives the 5.
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Aversion to five strings: actual dislike, or unfamiliarity?
- Thread starter MacaroniShrek
- Start date
If you want to play 5, the best advice I can give is to get rid or lock up the 4 strings and only play 5. After a month, you wont remember the weirdness and it will feel natural. That is the only way to do it.
Technically every 5 string has a 4 string in it so for 5 string players, the 4 string might be considered completely unnecessary as we already have one.
I've owned a 5 string for years, but after trying it for awhile, I went back to playing 4s and the 5 went into the closet. The reason is that playing a 4 string is like walking - automatic with no thought required. When I played the 5, I was always having to think about how I was going to do certain things to incorporate the bottom string into songs.
About a year ago, I got the 5 out of the closet again and have been playing it since then. I'm finally getting used to the neck width, the considerable added weight and have even learned how to best use the low B string to add something more to my sound. Right now, I'm shopping for new basses and I will certainly buy another 5.
About a year ago, I got the 5 out of the closet again and have been playing it since then. I'm finally getting used to the neck width, the considerable added weight and have even learned how to best use the low B string to add something more to my sound. Right now, I'm shopping for new basses and I will certainly buy another 5.
I used to be somewhat of a 4-string purist - mostly because I never played a 5er that I found comfortable. About 12 years in, I bought a 'Ray that was "okay"... but it wasn't until I stopped by Atlanta Bass Gallery and auditioned a Zon 5/2 that I changed my mind. That bass would be my #1 for about 8 years and I still keep it in regular rotation today.
I own a few 5 string basses, but many more 4 string basses.
I also own an 8, 10 & 12 string octave basses. No 6 string basses yet.
The 5 and 10 string octave basses that I own I basically noodle on. One is a fretless tuned EADGC which I play more than any other 5 string and can actually play rather than just noodle.
For me the problem is simply not having any music for me to play using a 5 string. If I did, I'd probably be more 'into' it.
I know I should only play the 5 string basses and put the 4 string basses away, but not having any music of my liking that features anything below low E just makes me unenthusiastic about the whole matter.
As a result I'm always fretting the B string when really intending to reach for the E string.
I need to find some band/music I like that uses that B string for me to actually get at least semi-serious about it.
The "reason" for me is: a lot of the music I really liked, when I was coming up, the bands tuned down, quite a bit. As a result (and because I have a pretty good ear), I have to sing (just an example. There's lots of others) "Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love" in the key in which it was recorded. That means either tuning down (or as I'm realizing, now) finally gritting my teeth and following what I think has been the best advice to come out of this thread:
Lock up the 4 stringers and just play the damned 5 stringer for a month or two. That's where I'm at and I'm just waiting on delivery/availability of the SR305E.
I've played 4 string so long that any attempt I ever made at 5 was futile.
The thing is I would like to get one, but would have to spend a great deal of time getting used to it.
This may not happen to others, but I know how I adjust to new things, and if I'm gigging, learning the 5 will throw me off both ways; I wouldn't be good enough on the 5 to take on a gig, and my 4 string playing would be tripped up, at least for a while.
I know many don't have this issue, but I would. Also, I do things by habit, so much so that if I got used to 5, I wouldn't play my 4s anymor... and I don't want to start buying up new basses and getting rid of mine, which I would do rather than let them sit.
At the end of the day, I'm content playing 4; I know my way around on it, I can play and sing, which would take extra effort to get used to in changing... and even though I think 5s are great, they aren't for me... and I don't really like change...
The thing is I would like to get one, but would have to spend a great deal of time getting used to it.
This may not happen to others, but I know how I adjust to new things, and if I'm gigging, learning the 5 will throw me off both ways; I wouldn't be good enough on the 5 to take on a gig, and my 4 string playing would be tripped up, at least for a while.
I know many don't have this issue, but I would. Also, I do things by habit, so much so that if I got used to 5, I wouldn't play my 4s anymor... and I don't want to start buying up new basses and getting rid of mine, which I would do rather than let them sit.
At the end of the day, I'm content playing 4; I know my way around on it, I can play and sing, which would take extra effort to get used to in changing... and even though I think 5s are great, they aren't for me... and I don't really like change...
- Apr 18, 2008
- 16,026
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- Disclosures
- I'm highly opinionated and extremely self-assured
I actually have an aversion to 18mm or larger string spacing at the bridge, and a severe aversion to skinny Jazz-style string spacing at the nut. I prefer 17mm at the bridge on everything, and a nut width of 44mm for a four-string, and around 47mm for a five-string.
So I guess that just means "different strokes" and all....
So I guess that just means "different strokes" and all....
i voted "unfamiliarity." i've played a bunch of them (friend's axes) but never long enough (no commitment) to really acclimate. i think having 5 strings (or 6! or more?) is great stuff, but i've never taken the time to really test myself with one...not enough interest + too set + lazy? @Bunk McNulty suggested "stupidity" as a roadblock --- and that might figure into my experience somewhat! 
but i'm pretty sure anyone who takes the time to adjust to one could probably make it work, and i know enough great 5-string players who swear by them...and none of them are einsteins!
joking: they're all smart!
i'm with the group who would advise: play what you like --- and if you don't know enough about what you like: try 'em all!
good luck with your 5-string curiosity/quest!
but i'm pretty sure anyone who takes the time to adjust to one could probably make it work, and i know enough great 5-string players who swear by them...and none of them are einsteins!
joking: they're all smart!i'm with the group who would advise: play what you like --- and if you don't know enough about what you like: try 'em all!
good luck with your 5-string curiosity/quest!
I 100% agree but need music/band that I enjoy to do this.
I am into prog & fusion. All I can think of is Anthony Jackson, but he plays a 6
TL/DR
my 2 cents...
I immediately latched on to 5 strings. Growing up a low brass player, the extra options immediately became useful. 5s are not for everyone, nor is a 5 even necessary as a bass player. I suggest figuring out if a 5 is even right for you by getting a hold of an affordable/free option and putting it to the test in real practice and rehearsal with a band. Don't worry about the exact specs and precise tone yet... just see if you enjoy playing with the extra B. If it's not obvious, I'd say count your blessings and move on. Liking 5 strings is expensive...
my 2 cents...
I immediately latched on to 5 strings. Growing up a low brass player, the extra options immediately became useful. 5s are not for everyone, nor is a 5 even necessary as a bass player. I suggest figuring out if a 5 is even right for you by getting a hold of an affordable/free option and putting it to the test in real practice and rehearsal with a band. Don't worry about the exact specs and precise tone yet... just see if you enjoy playing with the extra B. If it's not obvious, I'd say count your blessings and move on. Liking 5 strings is expensive...
@Snert A serious reply that is actually helpful would be much more appreciated otherwise you're just trolling which I've noticed since you joined TB you have a voracious affinity to do so.
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I dunno man. That sounds pretty weird... might be time for some introspection...
I've actually made a couple in this thread (such as my first), and liked a number more where others have basically stated what I would have anyway. Quite a number in this thread have stated that they wouldn't use a five as they are so used to a 4 that they can't / won't make the mental and/or physical leap, so I thought the idea of them taking up a 6 was funny.
I don't often troll, but do, as the English say, take the p**s a bit.
Thanks.
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