- Oct 8, 2009
- 1,511
- 138
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Babicz FCH Hardware
I have been a 4-string player but lately have been considering moving to a 5-string. Can someone give me a solid list of pros and cons of making the move?
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Convince me I should move to a 5-string
- Thread starter themacinator
- Start date
I really can't think of a con...
Pro's are the added range... the ease of playability...
THe most important thing to me is you have to want to play a 5'r... mine wasn't so much a choice I picked one up and loved it... it came natural to me.. I still have a 4 string.. always will but I pretty much allways play 5 now
I was a 4-string player for 25 years when I got a 6-string FL. Depending on how you look at and play your instrument, that low B can be a real distraction; especially after a long period of being used that that low E being what and where it is.
String spacing is often a bit tighter on a 5-stringer, which I don't particularly care for, but others may find that to be a benefit.
Certain types of music really benefit from a low B, while others don't need much from it except a spice here and there. So, consider that and go try some out. You may find the low B to be very distracting, or it may seem to be no problem at all for you.
String spacing is often a bit tighter on a 5-stringer, which I don't particularly care for, but others may find that to be a benefit.
Certain types of music really benefit from a low B, while others don't need much from it except a spice here and there. So, consider that and go try some out. You may find the low B to be very distracting, or it may seem to be no problem at all for you.
Have you ever played a 5 string? Do you play music that calls for a low B? No one can convince you to move to a five string but trying one will either move you or it won't. I'm just the opposite, I've gone from a five string Lakland 01 to a 7 string Conklin GT-7 to a Yamaha TRB-1006 and am now convinced that a 5 string is more appropriate for both my style of playing and the various genres I play.
Instead of "moving to" a 5 string, just add one to you collection. I have one 5 and two 4s. Overall, the 5 string gets the most play, but I enjoy playing the 4s, too.
In my opinion, moving on a 5 strings it just depend from want you wanna do, the low B add you more way to to extend groove in your low tone section.
A good suggestion it's just try it a cheap one and see if you like the idea of the low B and if it fit good in your playing style.
Don't move on it just because rumors etc etc, bets way to understand if you like it's just try it for a small period of time, that's it.
A lot of player play great low bass grooves also just with the regular 4, other people like to use the D tuner and other are just feel comfortable with the 5 strings.
So just try it and see how you feel with it ;-)
Cheers. Enrico
YouTube
WebSite
A good suggestion it's just try it a cheap one and see if you like the idea of the low B and if it fit good in your playing style.
Don't move on it just because rumors etc etc, bets way to understand if you like it's just try it for a small period of time, that's it.
A lot of player play great low bass grooves also just with the regular 4, other people like to use the D tuner and other are just feel comfortable with the 5 strings.
So just try it and see how you feel with it ;-)
Cheers. Enrico
YouTube
WebSite
IMHO, the number one reason to own a 5'er:
SUPER FAT "E" (on the 5th fret, B-string)
it makes the open "E" sound listless..., to me anyway!
SUPER FAT "E" (on the 5th fret, B-string)
it makes the open "E" sound listless..., to me anyway!
- Oct 8, 2009
- 1,511
- 138
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Babicz FCH Hardware
Good answers, helpful. Never practiced and played one for any longer than I wanted to stay in the music stores. We do play music where the B could be helpful for sure. I think the best advice above might be the add one and see how it goes.
So much more flexibility!
Range (the lower notes)
Timbre choices (playing in the upper frets of the B string instead of on the E or A strings for the same notes, for fat, fat timbre, and then you can shift downward for contrast)
Hand positioning (again, the upper range of that B string will allow you to maintain positioning)
Ability to play low E on the B string and ghost the notes (this is SUPER-Fat, like a bass drum with centered pitch, and applies all the way down to low C, to boot!)
I had trouble with the transition at first, and ergonomics (body size/shape; string spacing; neck dimensions; weight) seem to become more important than with a 4, but I now hardly play 4 at all - in fact I'm about to sell 2 of my three 4-string basses.
Range (the lower notes)
Timbre choices (playing in the upper frets of the B string instead of on the E or A strings for the same notes, for fat, fat timbre, and then you can shift downward for contrast)
Hand positioning (again, the upper range of that B string will allow you to maintain positioning)
Ability to play low E on the B string and ghost the notes (this is SUPER-Fat, like a bass drum with centered pitch, and applies all the way down to low C, to boot!)
I had trouble with the transition at first, and ergonomics (body size/shape; string spacing; neck dimensions; weight) seem to become more important than with a 4, but I now hardly play 4 at all - in fact I'm about to sell 2 of my three 4-string basses.
All of the above.
We play a lot of Real Book songs in F and Bb. Sitting on the low F on "Green Onions" was killing me. Bought a Yamaha 5er on TB classifieds for short money and love it -- it's just right for all purposes for me.
The switch to 5 isn't hard if you apply yourself.
We play a lot of Real Book songs in F and Bb. Sitting on the low F on "Green Onions" was killing me. Bought a Yamaha 5er on TB classifieds for short money and love it -- it's just right for all purposes for me.
The switch to 5 isn't hard if you apply yourself.
Pros- more range
Cons- cost more for a set of strings, and a little bit more weight.
I personally play a 6 string bass most of the time, but if you aren't gonna use the whole range it's not necessary. I enjoy using a 4 string more just because I like the playability of a 4 more. If you need the lower range but don't really ever use the upper frets on your G string then it might be a better option to get heavier gauge strings and tune BEAD. You will need to have your nut slots widened for the larger strings and a set up done if you go that route.
Cons- cost more for a set of strings, and a little bit more weight.
I personally play a 6 string bass most of the time, but if you aren't gonna use the whole range it's not necessary. I enjoy using a 4 string more just because I like the playability of a 4 more. If you need the lower range but don't really ever use the upper frets on your G string then it might be a better option to get heavier gauge strings and tune BEAD. You will need to have your nut slots widened for the larger strings and a set up done if you go that route.
I've played mostly 5-ers for the last 20 years, but have always kept a 4 or two around. Lately I'm finding myself spending more time on the 4-banger.
All I can do is relate my experience--when I bought my first 5, it was because my hands seemed to "want" that extra low string there. I found myself reaching for it even though it wasn't there and I'd never had a lower string. So I decided I was ready, and I was--though it took a little getting used to. The standard transitional problems all happened--I was used to that lowest string being an E, and so I'd mistakenly play a low D when what I wanted was a G--that sort of thing. I got over that relatively quickly.
What I didn't realize until my latest reinfatuation with the 4-string is that it's a lot harder to keep all the strings quiet on a 5. Muting is definitely one place where the 4 has an advantage. And the 4's out there still seem to have a better slap sound, IMHO.
So my experience is that having both is the best. When I've got a super-fast funk tune where I'm slapping like crazy, I use the 4. My main straight-ahead playing axe is a 5. I'd buy good-quality used and see if you like it, and if not you can sell it without taking a huge loss.
All I can do is relate my experience--when I bought my first 5, it was because my hands seemed to "want" that extra low string there. I found myself reaching for it even though it wasn't there and I'd never had a lower string. So I decided I was ready, and I was--though it took a little getting used to. The standard transitional problems all happened--I was used to that lowest string being an E, and so I'd mistakenly play a low D when what I wanted was a G--that sort of thing. I got over that relatively quickly.
What I didn't realize until my latest reinfatuation with the 4-string is that it's a lot harder to keep all the strings quiet on a 5. Muting is definitely one place where the 4 has an advantage. And the 4's out there still seem to have a better slap sound, IMHO.
So my experience is that having both is the best. When I've got a super-fast funk tune where I'm slapping like crazy, I use the 4. My main straight-ahead playing axe is a 5. I'd buy good-quality used and see if you like it, and if not you can sell it without taking a huge loss.
I'm struggling with this (again) right now. I played a 5 exclusively for years. I decided I didn't really need it, and wanted to try a 4 again. It seems like a play better on a 4. The neck feels nice. I sold my 5 so there would be no going back so to speak.
For the most part, I don't think you NEED a 5, even if the original version used a B string. Nothing wrong with an octave up. I think my lines/improv sounds better when I go up instead of down. That might just be me, who knows. Sometimes, a low groove really works.
I prefer the playability of a 4 string. No one I play with says I must have a 5 to play with them. I kind of want to go away from my active 4/5 phase and go to a simple passive 4 string jazz. Yet....part of me thinks a 5 string has all the 4 stuff covered with the option of what a 5 string offers...except dealing with the wider neck all the time.
You could have both. Many people do. For me, I really only want to use 1 bass on a gig. I don't like to change mid-set.
For the most part, I don't think you NEED a 5, even if the original version used a B string. Nothing wrong with an octave up. I think my lines/improv sounds better when I go up instead of down. That might just be me, who knows. Sometimes, a low groove really works.
I prefer the playability of a 4 string. No one I play with says I must have a 5 to play with them. I kind of want to go away from my active 4/5 phase and go to a simple passive 4 string jazz. Yet....part of me thinks a 5 string has all the 4 stuff covered with the option of what a 5 string offers...except dealing with the wider neck all the time.
You could have both. Many people do. For me, I really only want to use 1 bass on a gig. I don't like to change mid-set.
Fair point about the muting...my first effort to play a 5 foundered on that issue. But I've converted to a "floating thumb" technique most of the time, which has sorted this out quite a bit, and I'm now focusing more on left-hand muting as well.
Hey, you wanna try it, try it. I tried it and it wasn't for me, but there's only one way you'll figure out what the pros and cons are.
The advice to find a reasonably priced one and try it is the best idea. See if it's your cup of tea, it wasn't mine. I found I didn't use the B string much.
