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Convince me I should move to a 5-string

#22
Joospocks said:
I consider that a legitimate point. I like using the B as a thumb rest. :p
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I still use the pickups in my Spector Euro 5LX as a thumb rest, but I really dont find the neck to be very uncomfortable. It took a few days to get used to the extra string, but now it just feels weird playing my 4 string Ibanez. The neck on my Spector just feels perfect in my hands.
 
#23
AmadeusXeno said:
Cons- cost more for a set of strings, and a little bit more weight.
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That's about the only con I can think of.. Whether or not a 6 is for you is debatable and ofd course entirely up to you (well it all is really... ) .. but for me at least a 5 is a no brainer. I believe that outside of purists the 5 will become the new standard electric bass eventually primarily because of the added overall positional range and the lower notes.
 
#27
Here's a way to decide the number of strings you need:
1. What do the bassists play in the music you like?
2. What kinds of music do you like to play?
3. What is your style of playing? Or how would you like to play?
4. Why do you REALLY want the extra string?

Think carefully. If you can't justify well enough to yourself having the fifth string, then don't get a five.
However, if you try out a five string, and you like the feel, and can think of uses of the low B, then you should pick up a cheap one at first, and try it out for an extended period of time.
I heard that Squier made a nice, active J-Bass 5er that looked and sounded pretty sweet...
 
#28
Fatalistic said:
Here's a way to decide the number of strings you need:
1. What do the bassists play in the music you like?
2. What kinds of music do you like to play?
3. What is your style of playing? Or how would you like to play?
4. Why do you REALLY want the extra string?
Click to expand...

Answers below:

1. I would say a mix. Fav bassist of all time is John Paul Jones but I admire others that play 5's.

2. Bands I am in have always played rock. Mix of classic, 80's, 90's and some current. No metal, but some heavier rocking stuff like Rage Against the Machine, Seether, Foo Fighters, etc.

3. Mostly a finger player, some picks. Not a big slapper. I would say I am pretty heavy on the strings though.

4. At this point I can only say to see if it would give me an advantage in sound, easy of play, tonal options, etc.
 
#30
Fatalistic said:
Here's a way to decide the number of strings you need:
1. What do the bassists play in the music you like?
2. What kinds of music do you like to play?
3. What is your style of playing? Or how would you like to play?
4. Why do you REALLY want the extra string?
Click to expand...

I'd challenge these...
1. What the bassists play in the music you like is what they like. Not necessarily what you'd like. You can try and sound like them with the exact same gear and fail. I'd say it's only important when low notes come into play (for which you need to detune or play 5 strings).
2. Whatever kind of music you like could be played on a 4 or a 5, with the possible exceptions that slapping is supposedly more difficult on a 5 (can't say from experience), and lower notes (see above).
3. Unless you're all about the slapping, I'd say style is not an issue.
4. Erm... thumb rest? :)

I play music that doesn't require a 5-string - a 4 would do fine. Most of the bassists I like play 4. Most of the bassists I know play 4. I play mostly fingerstyle, with a little pick if the song calls for it, all of which is fine on a 4.

So, of course I play a 5. :)

Why? Because it feels right for me. I like the feel of the neck, despite having small hands. I like the ease in which I can span a wide range of notes without moving my left hand position. I like the fact that, when it's right, I can drop a nice fat low note. I like having more choice as to where I fret and the different sounds that can bring.

But that's me. I say play what's right for you, regardless of what anyone else plays.
 
#33
The added range is a pretty solid benefit. If you don't want a low b just change the strings and tune it to a high b if you want more high end range for some twiddly dee stuff. Its all about flexibility and being able to get to higher, or lower notes faster without having to stretch your fingers out. If you like tighter string spacing you'll find that on a 5 string. A lot of 5 strings also are 35" scale, which some people say leads to tighter string tension with lower tunings.

Although, if you have smaller hands, some 5 string necks will be pretty wide, so it'll take a little getting used to trying to get that lowest string. I played 4 strings since I started 5 years ago, when I switched to 5 it took a few days of playing but eventually I've gotten it. Shouldn't be too hard to do:bassist:
 
#36
I sold my 4 string and went to a 5 today. Smooth jazz and church gigs were the final factors for me and - until my self imposed year long exile from them to see what happened - I played a 5 for a long time.
 
#40
What I did was buy an absolute POS 5 string to try it on. A Rogue for $110. When I was done, I resold it for $80, renting it for three months for thirty bucks.
Like an earlier poster, I have now made the 5 my default bass, only pulling out the 4 by exception.
Why I tried it: I'm in a cover band, and the extra five low notes made a difference in the stuff we were doing, and it gave me the option to avoid re-tuning for Drop D stuff.
Why I've kept it: I'm a pentatonic fill junkie, and it gives me more range, and more position flexibility, and more sound / tone choices.
I am just learning slap, and so don't use it much, but find the string spacing on a four better for when I do, but that could be user error, or part of my learning process.
I feel like it gives me more options and I have to give up almost nothing, so to me it's a no-brainer.
 

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