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Considering a 5 string, but like my current Precision too much to make the jump easy
- Thread starter DJS
- Start date
It took me quite a while to like a 5'er. Now it's almost all I play. Everyone is different. I'd hang on to your 4 sting for sure, at least for a while. If you are determined to be a "one bass" guy, buy a nice lower end used 5'er and play it for a few months (at least) to see if its for you. Maybe a Squier jazz 5, a used Squier Protone 5 (VERY nice bass you can probably find used for about $200), and many other good choices, especially used. No sense burning the 4 string bridge until you are sure, or spending big $$ until you are pretty sure that's the direction you want to go. Personally, I like having at LEAST one of each..just because. There are also plenty of very so-so 5'ers out there, just like 4 string basses. Get one that feels good to YOU, so that you don't get one you don't like, which turns you off to all of them!
I am similar to you in that I play primarily a 4-string P bass, but have experimented with a number of 5s to see if I could find one that I liked. Had a Lakland 55-02 for a while and it was a great bass, but much diferent sound to my ears. I had a Pbass 5 for a short while and found that the neck was too wide for me - ironically I could never get used to J-width necks for 4-strings, but I found that a J-width 5 was just right. My 5 string now is a Squier 5 with a Mexican Jazz bass 5 string neck. Works really well for me. You might try a Jazz-style fiver and see what you think.
I do agree with many views here, that the 4 vs 5 thing is often overblown, unless you are playing country or music styles where you really need that low b or c below e....
As usual, just my opinion.....
I do agree with many views here, that the 4 vs 5 thing is often overblown, unless you are playing country or music styles where you really need that low b or c below e....
As usual, just my opinion.....
Good advice. Last week I bought a cheap Yamaha BB425 online and kept it for a day. I quickly decided that fivers were not for me and the bass went back without any hassle.
This is what I did! I love my 4 string P, but my guitarist has been writing a lot of songs below standard E lately. So I bought a Squier VM Jazz 5. And this bass actually turned out to be a nice bass for the money (minus being a Jazz bass
- sorry J guys 
- but I'm a P guy myself). Now I a GASing HARD for a Fender/Lakland/something else in that price range passive P5. Just gotta decide between 34" and 35" scale. The B on my Jazz is definitely a little "floppier" than the rest of the strings.
This is what I did! I love my 4 string P, but my guitarist has been writing a lot of songs below standard E lately. So I bought a Squier VM Jazz 5. And this bass actually turned out to be a nice bass for the money (minus being a Jazz bass
Thanks. I'm leaning toward a VM Squier at this point, even if it means stepping across into Jazz territory. It's surprising there is no no VM Precision 5 out there. Someone needs to get out a router and make one.
I see we live in the same city. I have a fender P5 and another on order at the HOG. I love this bass, feels great, sounds great. The last time I was at the HOG they had an Olymipc white P5 you could try. If they sold it and you still want to try one, let me know.
Background: I played four string for 20 years, but now play five string exclusively.
Your teacher is correct about the advantages to five string. Does that mean everyone should play them? Of course not -- and that's why he's not being pushy. But there are advantages.
After switching to five string, it took me awhile to realize the importance of string spacing. I too was a P-bass guy when I played fours. So, I can't deal with five strings with narrow string spacing. For example, many Ibanez fivers and all Music Man fivers have narrow spacing. I just can't get comfortable on these no matter how hard I try. I prefer fivers with so-called "wide" spacing: 3/4" (19mm) at the bridge. My right hand feels at home on this spacing. I also prefer the slightly wider 1-7/8" nut width, but that's less crucial to me than right-hand comfort.
Point being, maybe you'll feel more inspired on wider string spacing. However it can take time to adjust to the extra string regardless. It took me 2 months of steady rehearsing to get gig-ready on five string.
My advice: if you can, put your four aside (temporarily) while you are transitioning to five. That may help speed the transition. Also, in my experience it was better to learn new songs on five. When rehearsing songs I'd played for years on four, "muscle memory" (for lack of a better term) would kick in and throw me off. But when learning new songs, I didn't have to break old habits, I could map them out over all five strings rather than thinking in terms of "four strings plus one". Which is another bit of advice: don't think of five string as "four strings plus one".
Another important thing to remember: only the lowest five notes on the B string fall outside of four-string territory. So, I think it's unfortunate that some say "be careful with the B string". What they really mean is, "be careful playing the lowest notes on the B string", but some misinterpret. The B string is your friend. If you stick with fiver, you'll realize that you can move a lot of classic songs five frets up the neck, which gives you more range up top, and your left hand won't have to travel so far to reach those high register fills.
Of course what worked for me might not be the best path for you, just offering it for consideration.
Finally: I think the Fender Am Std. Precision V is an excellent bass. I currently play a Sadowsky P-style fiver (much more expensive), but want to add the Fender P5 to my collection.
Background: I played four string for 20 years, but now play five string exclusively.
Your teacher is correct about the advantages to five string. Does that mean everyone should play them? Of course not -- and that's why he's not being pushy. But there are advantages.
After switching to five string, it took me awhile to realize the importance of string spacing. I too was a P-bass guy when I played fours. So, I can't deal with five strings with narrow string spacing. For example, many Ibanez fivers and all Music Man fivers have narrow spacing. I just can't get comfortable on these no matter how hard I try. I prefer fivers with so-called "wide" spacing: 3/4" (19mm) at the bridge. My right hand feels at home on this spacing. I also prefer the slightly wider 1-7/8" nut width, but that's less crucial to me than right-hand comfort.
Point being, maybe you'll feel more inspired on wider string spacing. However it can take time to adjust to the extra string regardless. It took me 2 months of steady rehearsing to get gig-ready on five string.
My advice: if you can, put your four aside (temporarily) while you are transitioning to five. That may help speed the transition. Also, in my experience it was better to learn new songs on five. When rehearsing songs I'd played for years on four, "muscle memory" (for lack of a better term) would kick in and throw me off. But when learning new songs, I didn't have to break old habits, I could map them out over all five strings rather than thinking in terms of "four strings plus one". Which is another bit of advice: don't think of five string as "four strings plus one".
Another important thing to remember: only the lowest five notes on the B string fall outside of four-string territory. So, I think it's unfortunate that some say "be careful with the B string". What they really mean is, "be careful playing the lowest notes on the B string", but some misinterpret. The B string is your friend. If you stick with fiver, you'll realize that you can move a lot of classic songs five frets up the neck, which gives you more range up top, and your left hand won't have to travel so far to reach those high register fills.
Of course what worked for me might not be the best path for you, just offering it for consideration.
Finally: I think the Fender Am Std. Precision V is an excellent bass. I currently play a Sadowsky P-style fiver (much more expensive), but want to add the Fender P5 to my collection.
Thanks - tons of great info here. It sounds like you followed a similar path to where at least now I think I'm going. It def. was a bit tricky playing 4 string-learned songs on the 5s I tried and hadn't considered learning new songs, and how that might be different.
No way - It's great to see another local here. I haven't been to the HOG in a while, and will at least give them a call. Thanks.
+1; 5 stringers aren't for everyone. I thought I would like it, but I got one and couldn't stand it; too heavy, and felt weird anchoring off of a string other than the E. Then it occurred to me that I truly don't need one for the styles of music I play and listen to. Traded it for a 4 string of the same model and never looked back! Props to those that use them well, just not for me.
I was in the same boat as you.
My 1966-P-Bass / flats.
Bought a 2008 Fender P5, no problems.
B-string sounded great after ajusting the pickup.
If you don't want a 5 string then don't get one. Regardless of your teachers preference, there are way too many examples of great players who play 4 string exclusively. Don't spend any money you don't need to.
If the OP definitely did not want a 5 string, then I would agree... that's a no-brainer. However he's given no such indication. He's simply making the wise choice of listening to his teacher's gentle suggestions, and being open-minded to five+ string basses in general.
Essentially, he acknowledges that he doesn't have enough experience with five string to know whether or not it's right for him, and is asking here for advice/guidance -- another wise choice. Maybe the OP will wind up like Freez and decide that 5 string isn't for him, but my hope is that he'll wind up playing four and five string.
DiabolusInMusic
Functionless Art is Merely Tolerated Vandalism
If you are going to get a 5 string compare as many brands as you can. The B string is a very tricky beast and can vary greatly from manufacturer to manufacturer. In my experience, the Fender B leaves a lot to be desired. To each their own though.
If you don't get a 5 string, don't sweat it. Many guys get by on 4.
Don't sweat the transition, you have been playing long enough the change won't be too terrible.
If you don't get a 5 string, don't sweat it. Many guys get by on 4.
Don't sweat the transition, you have been playing long enough the change won't be too terrible.
I bought new a Fender Precision V in 2010.
I love it. Like the seller on a previously posted reply, I love the DR Low Rider Nickels on it.
Tone, vintage vibe, easy playability, it has all that. the best new instrument I have ever bought.
I did change out the PG:
I love it. Like the seller on a previously posted reply, I love the DR Low Rider Nickels on it.
Tone, vintage vibe, easy playability, it has all that. the best new instrument I have ever bought.
I did change out the PG:
If he's being told he needs a 5 string to assure his "long term viability and growth" then he is being told wrong.
I play in a band that required a P sound (old Black sabbath), and everyone loved my 4 string P. When I decided to use 5 string yet attempting to preserve the Fender'esk sound, I tried a G&L 2500 first which played well due to the closer string spacing. I later decided to flip that and got a Fender MIA P5. Even though the string spacing is standard wide, I get the real P sound from the Fender 5'er. Could not be happier.
I'm not sure if the instructor was quoted precisely. No bass will assure anyone's long term viability and growth, however additional strings add versatility and can certainly enhance viability (marketability) and growth.
Lots of songs these days -- not just rock, jazz, and gospel, but also blues and country -- have bass lines that travel outside of four-string land. In some cover bands you have to play lines verbatim, and also bang out one song after another with no time between songs to detune/retune, or swap from one bass to another. I've had four stringers sub for me in my rock band, and afterward my bandmates have said things like "he played well, but the Nickelback and Three Doors Down tunes didn't sound right". That tells me the sub didn't reach the low C, C#. An E string can be tuned that low, but usually not quickly, and if the player is set up with light gauge strings and low action then it's not likely.
Five is not better than four, but the fact is it allows more versatility. Likewise, six is more versatile than five (but I'm still sticking with five for various reasons). It's usually personal preference, but those who play more than four strings sometimes do so because of need, not want.
I played fretless 4 exclusively for over 5 years, then got a 5 string fretted and played a gig the same night.
Don't be scared of the change-it's just a different bass, but it's still a bass.
Sounds like you have plenty of good advice above, but, ultimately, it's really up to you to determine your needs and go from there.
Maybe tune differently, perhaps a Hipshot DeTuner, etc.
You might not need a 5 string.
wraub
Don't be scared of the change-it's just a different bass, but it's still a bass.
Sounds like you have plenty of good advice above, but, ultimately, it's really up to you to determine your needs and go from there.
Maybe tune differently, perhaps a Hipshot DeTuner, etc.
You might not need a 5 string.
wraub
