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Convince me I should move to a 5-string

#104
I practice with my 4 strings as well. I am not going to be one of the guys who plays a 5 to the point where they are no longer comfortable with a 4,,
Plus my 12 string bass utilized 4 courses of 3 strings, and plays like a fat necked 4 string. I do not gig with it, but I have a blast playing it at home
 
#105
I'm a 5 and a 4 player. I'd hate to be restricted to one type of bass, thats not what music's about. what i've recently done is tuned my cheap stagg to BEAD instead of EADG, and it's AMAZING, Gives me that lowend that i need for my Gospel genre. obviously you lose the high notes, but i like BEAD alot.

I tend to play 5 string live, but only because the music demands me to. I love 4 string just as much as 5 string.
 
#106
^ I agree that music is not about being restricted to a single instrument. I do see some legitimacy to the idea that focusing on one instrument, exclusively, might make you better on that instrument. That is not where I want to be though. I am never going to be the best in the world. For me the fun is constantly growing, learning, and experimenting. When it is no longer fun, I will quit and do something else
 
#107
I bought a 5'er to experiment with about 2 1/2 years ago. I haven't even picked it up in 6 months. I've tried different tunings - EADGC. I found I just don't have a need for it. Might put it on CL. I play my fretless more frequently. Right now, I am craving a T-40. Just can't shake the G.A.S.
 
#112
Sartori said:
Is the T-40's neck special? Or could you just get another neck to convert, and then be able to switch it back and forth? That would be cool.
Click to expand...

I think it's special, in that it's nice and wide, as well as thick...most likely to accommodate another string. I've seen some of Ric5's 4-2-5 mods and thought that if I were to convert one of mine, it would be my T.

Added...

Switching back and forth would be cool, if I had some kind of retachable bridge hardware, so I could just keep the strings, neck and bridge together as a system. I'd just have a second set-up for 5-string, with a quick-swap neck joint, too.

But one big fail there, is that the T-40 is strung-through...
 
#113
jfh2424 said:
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
Click to expand...


It doesn't amaze me any - a typical medium E string(.105) doesn't work worth a crap when tuned below Db, IME... I like my Hipshots for dropping a step, but they aren't magic - I've never seen a string that can be dropped 2 amd 1/2 steps, and not be REALLY floppy...


- georgestrings
 
#114
I play in a few bands consisting of rock, classic rock and glam rock. Out of 150+ song I only really need the 5er on a couple songs. I play it primarily in one band but just cause I feel it needs to be played. If you have cash to burn then get one, if you want experinent think it over, but I would asses if you need one.
 
#115
Cons:

The open E on a 4 sounds different than the open E on a 5--at least to me. I prefer the 4 string open E

Further, you can't just assume the low B on your 5 string will be as articulate and clear as the other strings.

Finally, will the increased range and benefits of a 5 string compensate for the playability you'll give up?

For me, I feel the 5 string is not needed--so I will consider it only if the neck is exceptionally comfortable and the B string is solid.
 

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