I love my first 5string. It is a Birdsong Hy5. My next bass will also be a 5. It will be a Kiesel PB 5. I love the extra low notes you get from the B string. I use it a lot with my country music.
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Did You Regret Your First 5 String?
- Thread starter Misterwogan
- Start date
Weight is always relative. My goto 5er these days, an Ibanez, weighed only 3.05 kg, which is probably lighter than most mainstream 4 string basses out there.
A bit wider neck, slapping, and different string muting technique are things that could be familiarized with lots and lots of practices. In my case, I got my first 5er in 1992 and I've practically almost never used 4-string ever since. So, just to conform with this original thread, I have no regrets or whatsoever.
And just as one of previous posters, choosing the string spacing is something that you might want to pay a little attention more, cause most 5ers aren't built with 4-string standard 19 mm string spacing. But as always, with lots of practices, any string spacing would do. I could even slap my 15.5 mm string spacing 7er, although when I know lots of slaps would be involved from the gig setlist, I'd bring my BTB 5er cause this one has 19 mm string spacing on which I could slap more clearly.
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Wow, 3 kg! That's 1 kg lighter than my 4 string! Well, I'm definitely going to check things out. I'm burning on this "guitar acquisition syndrome" at the moment. And I wonder I should. I know I can upgrade and get a much better sound. But only through headphones and my monitor speakers. I don't have an amp anyway. I got a couple effects. I think I'm tempted a lot because I saw this excellect Cort A4 bass, a four string, and the price was equal to my 2 inexpensive ones (Smash [by Swing] SB-1 and Ibanez Mikro), about $280-330, but has some pretty awesome upgrades, passive/active, neck through, better pickups, bridge, has an EQ, very beautiful etc. Right now I couldn't find a second hand A4, but I found the same beauty in an A5 for about $400, a 5 string. But that put me in a big indecision. Same bass I wanted, but a whole new territory... 5 strings. I could go for it, but not sure if a 5 string is what I'm looking for. Certainly I'm curious.
I transitioned to five-string in the late 80's and never looked back, and have played fives exclusively ever since. Last year I bought a Squier James Johnston as I always wanted a Lake Placid Blue Fender with a matching headstock, the first four I've owned in 30-odd years. It seems like a toy after years of 24-fret neckthru fives, but it's fun.
I did come to hate my first five-string, but not because of the five strings. A Dyna Bass Five Peavey, with a rubber band neck (though it was like having a tremolo) and those god-awful 'Super Ferret' pickups. What a sled. Later replaced with a first-generation BB5000, and all was right with the world.
I did come to hate my first five-string, but not because of the five strings. A Dyna Bass Five Peavey, with a rubber band neck (though it was like having a tremolo) and those god-awful 'Super Ferret' pickups. What a sled. Later replaced with a first-generation BB5000, and all was right with the world.
Artisan A series is like the flagship of Cort bass lines. I owned an A6 few years ago. It was a good bass and the reason I sold it was because I found a much lighter weight 6er (the Cort A6 was roughly 5.95 kg vs. my current 6er Ibby SRFF806 is 3.8 kg).
If you don't mind the weight, I agree with the above clip that the A5 is an awesome value for the money. IIRC, the Hipshot Trans Tone Bridge on current A5, like the one on the clip, has quite wide 18 mm string spacing for a 5er. Though it's not 19 mm, still it's wide enough for slaps on a 5er.
Awesome, it seems most people who got into the 5 string never regretted it. That's good to know. I keep thinking I've described my question wrong. My thinking (I'm restating it quite a bit) has been like this: I've been playing guitar for a while. Started bass about a year and 3 months ago. And so I got a couple basses. I like my "Smash" by Swing SB-1 bass. I had some hand pain and also got an Ibanez Mikro. The pain cleared up so I'm playing both, but mainly the Smash. I went to the shop and really liked the new Cort A4 FMMH bass. It is quite an upgrade I think. It was a bit pricey for me and I saw some go second hand for about $280-$330. So I thought I could do that and sell my other two and I'd have that much. But I could not find a second-hand Cort A4 right at the moment. What I could find was an Cort A5. Wow, that put me in indecision. It's the right bass, but a 5 string. Am I ready for it? Could I use it? I'm not quite sure even how to come to an answer. Perhaps I should wait for the A4. Any tips you could throw my way? I want to learn funk, blues, rock and slap bass. I'm also a singer song-writer and play guitar, keyboards and vocals.
Although I put these questions above, I wonder if this analogy would be better. Like a motorcycle, is going to a five string a bit like a larger or more powerful bike, or is it a bit like going from a bike to a trike? There are a great many riders who would never ride a 3 wheel monster and be just as happy. But almost any motorcycle rider wants more power. I wonder if one of these analogies is closer to the dilemma of 4 and 5 string bass choices.
Although I put these questions above, I wonder if this analogy would be better. Like a motorcycle, is going to a five string a bit like a larger or more powerful bike, or is it a bit like going from a bike to a trike? There are a great many riders who would never ride a 3 wheel monster and be just as happy. But almost any motorcycle rider wants more power. I wonder if one of these analogies is closer to the dilemma of 4 and 5 string bass choices.
Yes there is an analogy. A 4 string bass and a 5/6 string bass are really two different animals played in different ways. One plays a 4 string up and down the neck and there are certain limitations say in horn keys. A 5 string is played across the neck and often at higher frets. Since patterns can move around either up and down the neck or side to side from string to string, transposition to any key is a cinch (can be useful for singers, down-tuned songs and general ease of playing. As someone noted a 6 string bass really forces you to "get" it. I never "got" what a 5 string was about until I had 6 string. It's not about those few lower notes. That said you need to know that if you are into old school music where 4 strings were used, getting a classic sound on a 5 string is hard to do. Furthermore, there is some resistance to ERB in some circles. Often a 5 string can "pass" unnoticed in blues, but a 6 string will immediately get Blues Nazis on your case. A 4 string is usually much easier to slap and tends to sound more authentic. But people do slap 5 strings in spite of the narrower spacing they may have. Playing keys and vocals will mean a 5 string will easily make sense to you in my opinion (I play guitar, keys and vocals too.) Playing blues etc. my main axe is a fretless G&L L2500 5er. I love that bass when I don't need the extended upper range. If I do then a 6 string is a better choice. If you are used to playing 4 strings the ERB necks may seem wide to you, but I got used to them quickly.
For a quick newbie guide to playing across the neck see my book here: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
My first 5 string bass (in the mid 90's) was an '89 Honeyburst MM Stingray 5.
It was nothing more than an interesting project, to push my bass playing into new directions. I pretty quickly discovered I loved everything the 5 string bought to my playing and sound.
After a few years, I realised I preferred a single coil sound so the MM was replaced by a Lakland, then a Lull and now a Sadowsky. I'm still in love with 5 string basses. Every day it's a joy to play bass. I just wish I'd started earlier, than I'd have had all this fun for longer.
It was nothing more than an interesting project, to push my bass playing into new directions. I pretty quickly discovered I loved everything the 5 string bought to my playing and sound.
After a few years, I realised I preferred a single coil sound so the MM was replaced by a Lakland, then a Lull and now a Sadowsky. I'm still in love with 5 string basses. Every day it's a joy to play bass. I just wish I'd started earlier, than I'd have had all this fun for longer.
No regrets here. It took me a while to adapt, but well worth it. The 6s are still a stretch for me, but I'm comfy on 4s and 5s after years of work.
the lightest bass i've owned was a 5er. If the neck really works for you the extra width isn't noticable. "I" think slapping is easier on 4, but i'm an awful slapper. i went to floating thumb right hand, helped with muting and reach. as always- ymmv
Got my first 5-string last christmas. So far, no regrets. I like it a lot.
I don't find it any more difficult to play than the 4-string. I've always used floating thumb a lot, so muting the B-string hasn't been much of an issue. Slapping is a bit more difficult, but I am not much into slapping anyway.
But I have still to find out whether I actually NEED a 5-string. My band only has two or three songs that requires a low D, and I might be able to find another five to ten songs were I can incorporate the B-string in a meaningful way. The rest of the time the 5-string is gonna be little more than unnecessary extra weight and neck width.
I don't find it any more difficult to play than the 4-string. I've always used floating thumb a lot, so muting the B-string hasn't been much of an issue. Slapping is a bit more difficult, but I am not much into slapping anyway.
But I have still to find out whether I actually NEED a 5-string. My band only has two or three songs that requires a low D, and I might be able to find another five to ten songs were I can incorporate the B-string in a meaningful way. The rest of the time the 5-string is gonna be little more than unnecessary extra weight and neck width.
I regretted it only because the string spacing was too narrow, and I kept flubbing notes because of it. Currently looking at getting one of the new Squier Classic Vibe V basses due out soon.
No, worked out great for me. My playing venue has changed drastically so I am back playing a 4. But I still have the 5. Its a ESP/LTD B205.
I regret being slow to go with the flow and accept change.
I'll drive my cars until the wheels and fenders fall off or the engine blows. Then buy another cheap but dependable car or truck that's big enough to lug my gear around.
In the music/video world, I was the last of my friends and neighbors to switch to cassettes when vinyl was on the way out.
I was the last of the group to buy a CD player
In the glory days of Blockbuster Video and Hollywood Video rentals, I was the last to upgrade to DVD. The only reason I finally bought a DVD player was they stopped making and renting VHS tapes.
I've played a 5 string bass a number of times and for certain genres it's a God send but we're doing mostly classic R&B and rock which were all recorded on a four string.
We also mix in some new country pop and other newer genres that are recorded with a five string. Maybe 6 songs total.
I just work around it or drop the E string to D.
I suppose when they stop making 4 string basses, which will be in the year, 'never'. I'll buy a 5 string...maybe.
Obviously I don't handle change very well.
To be honest I periodically scan craigslist for an inexpensive 5 string and may end up breaking an old habit and buy one before every song our band plays requires a 5 string. I'm sure once I'm fairly decent at playing a 5'er, I'll wonder how I ever lived without one.
My current truck transports basses very well, trout and catfish too!
I'll drive my cars until the wheels and fenders fall off or the engine blows. Then buy another cheap but dependable car or truck that's big enough to lug my gear around.
In the music/video world, I was the last of my friends and neighbors to switch to cassettes when vinyl was on the way out.
I was the last of the group to buy a CD player
In the glory days of Blockbuster Video and Hollywood Video rentals, I was the last to upgrade to DVD. The only reason I finally bought a DVD player was they stopped making and renting VHS tapes.
I've played a 5 string bass a number of times and for certain genres it's a God send but we're doing mostly classic R&B and rock which were all recorded on a four string.
We also mix in some new country pop and other newer genres that are recorded with a five string. Maybe 6 songs total.
I just work around it or drop the E string to D.
I suppose when they stop making 4 string basses, which will be in the year, 'never'. I'll buy a 5 string...maybe.
Obviously I don't handle change very well.
To be honest I periodically scan craigslist for an inexpensive 5 string and may end up breaking an old habit and buy one before every song our band plays requires a 5 string. I'm sure once I'm fairly decent at playing a 5'er, I'll wonder how I ever lived without one.
My current truck transports basses very well, trout and catfish too!
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Absolutely. Just like 4’s, it took me a few of them to realize how much the string spacing, fingerboard radius, and especially scale length mattered for my preferences. My problem was that the first half dozen I tried or owned had super flat radii and/or 35” scale necks with tight string spacing. As insignificant that stuff seems to many, it makes a huge difference for some and having that knowledge can go a long way toward saving a lot of time and money when shopping for a bass.
My first 5 was a MTD Beast back in 2000/2001. Great bass but the 35 scale was too much for my small hands .
My next 5 was MTD Kingston Andrew Gouche. Yep I tried to tell myself that I could handle 35 scale . Nope still didn’t work. Went to MTD CRB5. Felt great. But started wanting that active 2 pickup versatility.
Next was a Sire V3-5. Still have it. It’s my backup bass.
Fender American Elite Jazz 5 was next. Played great, weighed too much, preamp a little to bright. Returned it for a Ernie Ball MusicMan Stingray5 Special . Wow!! Perfection!!
So glad I kept trying until I found/ they made the perfect fit.
Now a 5 is all I want to play.
I keep a passive 4 around just in case. But I’m seriously considering going all 5.
My next 5 was MTD Kingston Andrew Gouche. Yep I tried to tell myself that I could handle 35 scale . Nope still didn’t work. Went to MTD CRB5. Felt great. But started wanting that active 2 pickup versatility.
Next was a Sire V3-5. Still have it. It’s my backup bass.
Fender American Elite Jazz 5 was next. Played great, weighed too much, preamp a little to bright. Returned it for a Ernie Ball MusicMan Stingray5 Special . Wow!! Perfection!!
So glad I kept trying until I found/ they made the perfect fit.
Now a 5 is all I want to play.
I keep a passive 4 around just in case. But I’m seriously considering going all 5.
