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Did You Regret Your First 5 String?
- Thread starter Misterwogan
- Start date
I disagree. My low A string is my backup/go to plan if I need to "jump out" in the mix. There's no question that I am there once I land on that 5th string
. The issue most bass players run into is cab choice+eq. Not many bass cabs are really tuned to reproduce the last few notes of a 5 string very well. With most cabs rolling off at 40-50Hz that's more than enough to cover a low E or even a low D, but not much room left for a low B (or low A in my case). Another factor is simple audio theory. The human ear doesn't "hear" pitches down in the sub frequency spectrum. Pitch recognition usually comes from the 2nd or even 3rd harmonic higher up. So if you want to "hear" the note/pitch just find the corresponding low mid frequency that makes those notes sound clear/phat/punchy, whatever you're looking for. Low and high mids are "tighter" versions of corresponding bass and treble frequencies. If you find that your tone seems/sounds/feels "too wide", finding corresponding mid frequencies will focus your tone by using frequencies that are closer together in the spectrum. Make sense? Bass tone lives or dies by the mids IMO.
Not at all... in fact for me a 5 is now standard. It took a while to adjust partly because at the time I was also getting reacquainted with the instrument it self after a 15+ year layoff .. but I think 5s are great. I always recommend that new players start out with a 5.. Some may disagree but I think of it as a cut to the chase kind of move. I play in church and having the low B-Eb without havong to retune is priceless and a no brainer.
I regretted my first fiver, mainly because I purchased one that was not a good fit for me. It was a beautiful bass (Carvin Icon5 - purple quilt), but it sounded awful, and after a few weeks, I grew to dislike the feel of the fretboard.
I traded it for a Spector Euro5LX, and I was instantly much happier. I am a big fan of the Spector sound, and my attitude toward the whole 5er thing did a complete 180 once I had the right one.
I sold the Euro5LX last year and got a Spector Euro5 Alex Webster sig model; now I'm downright giddy with excitement every time I play!
I'm mainly a 4-string guy, but I prefer playing in metal bands, and I'm usually playing in B or drop-tuned to A. The 5er is just great for that!
I do love a BEAD setup on a 4-string, tho.
I traded it for a Spector Euro5LX, and I was instantly much happier. I am a big fan of the Spector sound, and my attitude toward the whole 5er thing did a complete 180 once I had the right one.
I sold the Euro5LX last year and got a Spector Euro5 Alex Webster sig model; now I'm downright giddy with excitement every time I play!
I'm mainly a 4-string guy, but I prefer playing in metal bands, and I'm usually playing in B or drop-tuned to A. The 5er is just great for that!
I do love a BEAD setup on a 4-string, tho.
As much of a Carvin-oholic as I am, I will admit that pups/electronics is Carvin's weak link. I've never played an Icon so I don't know the size or shape of the necks compared to an LB, but they look like a Carvin tribute to the older Tobias basses. My LB75's stock pups/electronics were ditched LONG ago lol. Still, a few hundred bucks for upgraded guts and you've got a "boutique bass on a budget". Can't beat it IMO!
Come to think of it ... I did regret my first 5. it was a Jackson. I could never get the action to my liking on the B. I wound up giving it away. It was actually my second 5 an SR505 that hooked me on 5ers. Then I got the Schecter SS5 which I still have and the Fender JV24 that I use mainly now.
I like the fact that I can do a regular walking beat that can be done on a 4 string, but are able to be done further up the neck on a five string. Less of a stretch I suppose. That and playing further up on the E string sounds less muddy on a 5'er since there's more fretboard real-estate.
That's just me though.
That's just me though.
I returned the 5 after 2 weeks. Did not quite see the use.
I had been playing a six string since mid 90s then started to restring my 4 strings to B E A D. I love this set up.
A few years ago, I found a MM stingray 5 at a great price bought it and realized if I wanted more strings I would just use my 6 string.
I had been playing a six string since mid 90s then started to restring my 4 strings to B E A D. I love this set up.
A few years ago, I found a MM stingray 5 at a great price bought it and realized if I wanted more strings I would just use my 6 string.
Used my passive 4-string Jazz on a couple of sets recently. Nice sounding bass, and easier on my back at 8lb 7oz, compared to the 9lb 14oz monster in my Avatar.
The biggest thing I noticed, was how much more mental energy it took to play when improvising.
The context was a jam band, doing a lot of setlist and arrangement changes on the fly. I had to think out alternate fingerings to make up for the missing string, and really missed the bottom D and Eb.
My fiver felt much more "grab and go" in comparison...
The biggest thing I noticed, was how much more mental energy it took to play when improvising.
The context was a jam band, doing a lot of setlist and arrangement changes on the fly. I had to think out alternate fingerings to make up for the missing string, and really missed the bottom D and Eb.
My fiver felt much more "grab and go" in comparison...
I regretted my first 5 string - a Mexican Fender Jazz.
There was absolutely nothing wrong with the bass itself. I was the problem.
Why? Because I didn't persevere with it.
I recently bought a Retrovibe RV5 Ric-clone and have applied myself to it.
Now I wish I had more 5 string basses.
There was absolutely nothing wrong with the bass itself. I was the problem.
Why? Because I didn't persevere with it.
I recently bought a Retrovibe RV5 Ric-clone and have applied myself to it.
Now I wish I had more 5 string basses.
I sorta regret the one I had. It was a cheap bass with a crap tone, but an awesome design. I was young, and didn't know anything about tones. I don't regret the switch to 5, I just regret buying the one I did.
My first 5 string was a Cort C5 from about 2002-ish? Don't know the exact year.
I was quite pleased with it!
That being said, I've owned 5 strings I wasn't happy with.
Cort T-35 - No low end without the Bass EQ cranked
Fender MIA P5 - B string would not balance well with the other strings, but was tight enough
Squier VM Jazz V - Stupidly heavy & the B was weak
Fender Active Dlx Jazz V - Killer EQ capabilities, but was just too heavy for constant gigging
I'm now quite happy with my 2 5-ers
Spector ReBop5-DLX - wicked Alder body with Flamed Maple top, modified with EMG 40J pickups & the stock TonePump pre-amp. This bass is everything I want in an instrument! It's not going anywhere.
Spector NS-2000/5 - maple body wings on a maple neckthru with a quilted maple top. Passive EMG-HZ pickups and an EMG BTS EQ. Great tone, great string tension. A tiny bit on the heavy side. May sell it to get a 4 string Spector for drop tuning, though.
I was quite pleased with it!
That being said, I've owned 5 strings I wasn't happy with.
Cort T-35 - No low end without the Bass EQ cranked
Fender MIA P5 - B string would not balance well with the other strings, but was tight enough
Squier VM Jazz V - Stupidly heavy & the B was weak
Fender Active Dlx Jazz V - Killer EQ capabilities, but was just too heavy for constant gigging
I'm now quite happy with my 2 5-ers
Spector ReBop5-DLX - wicked Alder body with Flamed Maple top, modified with EMG 40J pickups & the stock TonePump pre-amp. This bass is everything I want in an instrument! It's not going anywhere.
Spector NS-2000/5 - maple body wings on a maple neckthru with a quilted maple top. Passive EMG-HZ pickups and an EMG BTS EQ. Great tone, great string tension. A tiny bit on the heavy side. May sell it to get a 4 string Spector for drop tuning, though.
No but I regret selling my first fiver. It was a silver Ibanez SR645 that played great but the tone was so-so. I wish I'd swapped out the electronics for Barts or EMG's.
Ultimately, I've decided that I'd rather have 6 than 5. I wish I had ordered these basses as 6ers instead.
Never had this problem with any 5er I've played. They come across just fine, unless the dude mixing cuts you down to like 1/2 of the guitar's volume.
The best decision I ever made musically was to switch to 5 string. I hated de tuning my E string and having a loose string that I had to play different scales on. I see no advantage to playing a four string today. It feels like somebody cut off one of my fingers when I have to play one. Five strings are now very common. They are available at all price points. Initially you will make some mistakes and it will feel weird. That will pass. Having the Low B, C, and D ready to drop at any moment is pure awesomeness! Go for it!
I'm going to revive This Thread and ask anyone who has the 5-string how they dealt with a little extra weight and a little bit wider neck and whether they were able to slap base just as easily or? Also how did you handle the muting in comparison to your 4-string?
I regret my first one because the string spacing was so tight I couldn't go between 4 and 5 without a weird adjustment period of right-hand-stupidness. If you want to mix one in with 4 string play, look for something with 19mm bridge spacing.
