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Convince me I should move to a 5-string

#82
SheriffJWPepper said:
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/
Click to expand...

If Berlin (and 4 strings) is God, then Jackson is the Devil? :D

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]



Munjibunga said:
Pros: I say you should, and I have over 25,000 posts.

Cons: None.
Click to expand...

and Thread.
 
#83
madbassplaya said:
If Berlin (and 4 strings) is God, then Jackson is the Devil? :D
Click to expand...

Although I'm not a big fan of 5 or 6 string basses, guys like Anthony Jackson and Abe Laboriel are the exceptions. They truly play magical, mind-blowing stuff.

But Jeff can play mind-blowing stuff on just 4 strings,
so 4 strings can go a long way.

My biggest issue is when 5 and 6 string players think they are a guitar or piano. I know, art is art and why not let the bass player shine, be featured, etc., . . but the bass was meant to be a background instrument and that is where you should "shine". Plus I'm not crazy about the sound of these instruments.

Of course Jeff's word is not bible, but he makes good arguments.
I noticed that Jeff was "banned" on this forum, lol. Jeff is a riot.
 
#84
SheriffJWPepper said:
Although I'm not a big fan of 5 or 6 string basses, guys like Anthony Jackson and Abe Laboriel are the exceptions. They truly play magical, mind-blowing stuff.

But Jeff can play mind-blowing stuff on just 4 strings,
so 4 strings can go a long way.

My biggest issue is when 5 and 6 string players think they are a guitar or piano. I know, art is art and why not let the bass player shine, be featured, etc., . . but the bass was meant to be a background instrument and that is where you should "shine". Plus I'm not crazy about the sound of these instruments.

Of course Jeff's word is not bible, but he makes good arguments.
I noticed that Jeff was "banned" on this forum, lol. Jeff is a riot.
Click to expand...

I get what your saying, and while I'm not soloist and prefer to back the band up, I have no problem with someone wanting to step out front. Not my thing...but go ahead.

Also, playing a 5 or a 6 doesn't mean your one of "those" guys. Berlin and Sheehan both tend to overplay a bit IMO on a 4 banger.
 
#85
I'd recommend playing as many in a store as you can, buying a mid-grade or used one, and then poking around on it for a few months to see if it works for you. I have a 5'er and I like it, but it's not always the right bass for every song my band does.
 
#87
As an only 5 string player, I think in modern music they are more useful. Many players in all types of music drop tune and/or play 5 strings. 5 strings are starting become more of a standard these days. But in the end it is up to the player, so pick a few different 5 strings up, see how they feel.
 
#88
I managed to convice myself to try a 5er this afternoon, or rather, an Ibanez SR505 did. The Ibanez 5 felt as natural in my hands as any 4 does. Everything else I have tried so far just felt wrong somehow. There is still an extra string to learn deal with but that is an inevitable part of playing a 5, eh? I think that the moral is that even for those of us who can pick up just about any 4 string and feel at home, a 5 may suddenly make you picky about things that don't bother you on a 4. So, if you want to try one, try every one you can find before you conclude that they are not for you. Your "mate" may be out there if you look hard enough.

Ken
 
#90
5STRING.jpg
 
#93
OK, OK. Here are some reasons.

For me, playing a 5-string is less about the low notes than it is about playing where the frets are closer together. I have kinda stubby fingers, and I like playing 5 frets up on the fretboard. Then, when I need a low E, it's right there at the fifth fret on the B string.

However, there are plenty of songs that sound mo' bitchen with a low D or C in some dramatic part of the song or at the end, especially in country music. Also, playing octaves using the B string on the bottom really thickens up the sound.

It took me about 20 minutes to get used to having that B string down there when I switched from four back in 1994. But I really wanted to do it because it just made so much sense to me. A lot of people can't let go of their fear and prejudice, and end up switching back to four. I'd say if you don't really want to make the change, don't waste your time and money.
 
#97
It always amazes me when I read these kinds of threads...you don't need to choose. You can get a Hipshot D tuner and a Double stop and tune to E, D or B.

It's cheaper than buying a whole new bass. If you're not into it, you can reverse it in 10 minutes. And when you don't need extended range, well, you just don't flip to it. When you need it, it's there.

That's what I do. It amazes me that more people don't.

John
 
#100
Sartori said:
Really?

Wow. That's really cool and actually encourages me to play 4's. But then, I'm in a metal band.



In all seriousness, I've just never played a 5 I found as comfortable as 4's.
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do you have smaller hands? I have noticed that a lot of the people who prefer 4 strings do so because the neck profile is smaller. making shorter fingers have to stretch less

I am not trying to be critical, purely objective satisfaction of my own curiosity and conclusions
 

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