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Convince me I should move to a 5-string

#61
Also if making the move it is very important to find 3 important things in feel.
1.) what string spacing at the bridge you like
2.) what scale length you like
3.) if you have a no holds bar preference for a monster B string

It took me buying and trying 5 or 6 basses before I settled on 17.5mm spacing, a 34" scale, and a MONSTER B string. Modulus Funk Unlimited 5's and Musicman Stingray 5's ended up perfect for me. I wish I would've never sold the MMSR5 I had. :rolleyes:
 
#63
Right now I'm down to two basses - a 5-string Rob Allen fretless and 4-string Fodera fretted. I've got a pair of 5-string Skjolds coming soon but will keep playing the Fodera (and I have a 4-string RA coming as well). I played only 5-strings for about 10 years before I forced myself to get back comfortable on a 4. Now I switch back and forth - they are just different instruments that require a different approach. I find that I play differently depending on which I have in my hands (even on the same song). And that's...ok.

I have repeatedly found 19mm spacing on a 5 to be too much - especially since those necks tend to be 3+" wide at the body. Too much for my taste. The Skjolds will be 18mm and a tad under 3" at the body (as is the RA).
 
#64
I mainly am a guitarist, for over 15 years, but always loved bass and dont want to waste the talent. Not coming from a 4 string being that the 5 is what I tend to grab first in the store, it feels natural to me, like someone said before, Im not used to a 4 anyways so its not like feeling the extra string is in the way. Sure its kinda strange being used to guitar having a string in front of the one you start a lot of riffs with, but you grasp it fast, or at least I did.

Anyways, the 5 feels real good and then I grab a 4 and just feel like Im missing something. I like the 5 the best, but also like someone said, just add one to your collection, I will get a 4 some day as well, so so many guitars and bass out in the world, some that even are oldies that are dyin to be fixed up, why limit yourself to just one bass, one instrument, one style, I think if you only had one bass it should be a 5 but that's me. Keep getting advice from people time to time, but dont let others totally make your mind up.

Good luck and take care.
 
#65
sonicblue62 said:
You could always string a four string to BEAD.
Click to expand...

I am going through the same dilemma and had settled on getting a 5 so I spent some time in the local music shop today playing what they had. I tried the Squier VM Jazz which I love to look at because of the natural maple. But it was only ok to play (for me). I tried a Peavey Millennium 5 AC BXP which I thought played better (for me) and which had a three band EQ that I liked. And then, well it is a small shop and the only other 5 was a Peavey grind that I had played previously and liked only almost as well as the Millennium. I want to try an SR305 and will if I can find one at a Guitar Center but this shop had an SR300 so I played that. Wow, loved it! The playing was very natural and the pickups/EQ were very satisfying as well. Hopefully I will like an SR305 as well but if not, I thought, I could get the SR300 and just tune it BEAD....

But there on the rack on the wall was a MIM Standard P Bass as well so might as well try that too. I have not played one in quite a while and although you don't get a very wide range of tones from a single pickup and a passive tone control, all of them are sweet, aren't they? So I left the shop thinking I could just get a Precision and tune it BEAD....

I suppose I will try to find the 5 that fits me as well as possible, buy it, and give it a real extended try because that is the only way to get past the ever so natural feel of a 4 in your hands to see if there is something for you in 5-land or not.

Ken
 
#67
nostatic said:
Right now I'm down to two basses - a 5-string Rob Allen fretless and 4-string Fodera fretted. I find that I play differently depending on which I have in my hands (even on the same song). And that's...ok.
Click to expand...

I would like to have a Geddy Lee as well as my Mouse and MV5 but I just can't swing it or really justify it right now. Maybe someday.

I agree about the 4/5 being approached differently even on the same tune. I like that, too.
 
#69
IMO
pros
1. Less shifting positions, you don't need to move around the neck as much and you always know where you are. Good for sight reading, etc.
2. You have the ability to play down to the low B. (I rarely go that low when I play a
3. Low E 5th fret of B string no need for open strings.

cons
1 Keeping all your strings quiet when not using them (this is a bit of a problem for me sometimes)
2 Bigger neck (might be uncomfortable and slower.)
3 A bit heavier.
4. String cost (not really a big deal/deciding factor.)

I don't own a 5 but have played a couple. For me the biggest reasons to get one would be the ability to shift hand positions less and have access to more notes at any given time. I feel like I would like it would be nice to play a 5 for these reasons but I my needs are satisfied with a for. I can get all I want with a 4 and if I had a 5 I would be distracted by keeping the extra string quiet when not in use. just my $0.02
 
#70
jordan2 said:
cons
1 Keeping all your strings quiet when not using them (this is a bit of a problem for me sometimes)

I can get all I want with a 4 and if I had a 5 I would be distracted by keeping the extra string quiet when not in use. just my $0.02
Click to expand...

I don't think that muting is THAT big a deal. I only want/can afford one fretted bass. I like my 5 but I'm still not sure if I like it enough to not go back to a 4. Sure I miss a few notes and fingering options, but part of what I liked about the 4 is that I was moving more. I think that may lead to some inspirational playing. Maybe it's just me.
 
#71
jordan2 said:
cons
1 Keeping all your strings quiet when not using them (this is a bit of a problem for me sometimes)
2 Bigger neck (might be uncomfortable and slower.)
3 A bit heavier.
4. String cost (not really a big deal/deciding factor.)
Click to expand...

1. If you learn Adam Nitti's Floating Thumb Technique keeping the strings quiet is no problem.
2. There are plenty of thinner necked 5's. You just have to look. My Modulus FBJ5 have a very nice neck.
3. My Modulus FBJ5 is 9.25lbs which is lighter than a lot of other basses I have owned. I had an 8lbs FBass BN5, and a 7lbs Zon Sonus. So again, it's all in what bass you buy.
4. EB Slinky's $20, EB Slinky 5's $24.
 
#72
I had a 5 string Lakland and a 6 string Fernandes for about 2 months...just not my thing. And in certain genres they are considered not cool...should you care? I dunno...when I see oldschool blues or country guys using a 5 or more, it kinda bugs me, though I don't know why. The best argument I could find is playing with horn arrangements that are often in Eb and Bb. When I've done those, I just tune the entire bass to Eb. On sessions, I keep a 4 string tuned BEAD...works fine and most sessions don't want or need a bunch of roaming around on the G string anyhow :) So my shallow reason is 4 strings are just 'cooler.'
 
#73
Well, assuming the 4 string and the 5 string you are comparing have the same number of frets, you get 5 more notes of range. You can also gain the exact same range on a 4 string with 5 more frets and detuning to B. I've never felt the range of a typical 20 fret 4 string limiting to my style though.

What you do gain is more fingering options and more notes in each fretting position.

You also gain another string which may or may not difficult to adapt to. Most people have no problem, but I did. I've been playing on a 4 for so long I always found my right hand going to the wrong string.

For me, tuning to BEAD on a four was the best solution. But you are not me and only you can decide if you need one. Better get your hands on one and find out.
 
#75
As usual, I agree with the advice from God :

Did you use the 5, 6, or 7 string basses on your new record?

I don't play anymore than 4 strings (I might use a five string if required on a session). For my own musical purposes, I am strictly a 4 string player because I believe that more strings will not make me play better. I believe that whatever I can't play on a 4 string bass needs to be investigated by me. All you can do on a 5, 6, or 7 string is play higher or lower, not necessarily play better music.


from here :

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f87/feature-interview-jeff-berlin-121376/
 
#76
LOL Jeff Berlin? of course he thinks that 4's are the only way to go. He has always been pretty set it in his ways about everything. Especially the 4 string thing. He has a lot of controversial opinions that I disagree with because I have seen proof of otherwise. Especially with the metronome. Sorry to derail the thread...

Has the OP made any more progress on this?
 
#77
After playing four strings for 40 years it was very uncomfortable for me to jump to a five string. With that being said, I have been through 20 some 5 strings until I found several that played and sounded good with the low "B". Not all bass's have a good sounding "B" string no matter what brand of strings are on it. Since I am using the low "B" more and more for our material,I have narrowed it down to five that are keepers at this time. Of course this is until something better comes along. Here is what I am using to gig out for the time being.

1. Fender American Deluxe V
2. Carvin SB 5000
3. Musicman Sub V
4. Ibanez ATK 305
5. G&L 2500
 
#78
Fuzzbass said:
I disagree. Four string is the easier path: they're easier to find, strings are easier to find (and cheaper), they're easier for a beginner to play, etc. So, the OP might simply be looking for reasons to take the more difficult path.
Click to expand...

Sorry, but I have to disagree here.

I started on a 5 string rather than a 4. Yes, 4 strings are more common, as are the strings (and often cheaper) but playing a 5 string is actually easier because you don't have to move around as much. You can stay in one position on a 5 where you have to move around more on the 4.
 

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