Do I really need a 5 string bass?

[SanDiegoHarry]

Yes - for some music. Not much, mind you - but I'm in a smooth jazz group where there are a handful of songs that actually use low C's and B's. If you aren' tin that situation... then, no. You don't.

 

[mat666]

Buy the MIM, you're over thinking. The 5'er thing is completely different than gassing a P bass.

Unless you plan to sell your schecter to buy the Fender, just keep it in case you need a 5.

You could also buy a stingray 5 and close the 5 strings problem.

Either way just buy the MIM and see how it goes from there

 

[Dug2]

c'mon brother....if u have to ask it means "yes" ha!!!! i have 4,5, and 6...i use
em all. versatility is nice

 

[Jim Carr]

Yes, you need a 5-string, and moreover, you need to learn to play the snot out of it. Get one that is active and has a 35" scale. A few good choices USED for under $800 are Lakland 55-01, 55-02, 55-60, or MTD MIK passive Kingston/Artist (add an outboard pre with a passive instrument). There are others, which no doubt are shilled above, but I'd skip the Fender for the most part. YMMV, IMHO, etc.

5-string engenders a different kind of technique that will elevate your approach to 4-string and give you a wider tonal pallet—tone being 80% in your fingers, technique, and strings, IMHO.

 

[fretlessguy]

Well, do you really want to play five? Does it fit your musical styles? This is a decision that in the end you will will ultimately have to make. I primarily play fours these days, but I am not going to get rid or my 5s. They do help in some of my musical adventures. So no, I won't be selling them anytime soon.

 

[MrLenny1]

You need a 5 string.
it's the best thumb rest you can get.lol

 

[Neon Blues]

I recently moved to 5's. After several failed attempts at the jump. I have found I hardly ever use the B but it's there if I need. I have the comfortability of using it for songs in E and have feel it sounds better playing higher on the B than lower on the E.

Of course I don't need it. I also like the flexibility of different positions for chord changes. Great for Walking Bass Lines.

 

[Rogatien022]

You should go with whatever you like and stop caring about what people think or play.

 

[beaglesandbass]

"Need" is a very subjective word. I play a 5 and a 4 at gigs. In a night we'll play anywhere from 40-50 songs. I'll probably play my 5 string for maybe 8 of those songs. I only use a B, C or C# (if I need a D or D# I'll just detune my 4 string) in about 3 of them. I could get away with playing those notes on the A or E string, but they just don't sound right. So I don't "need" a 5 string, but I much prefer to have one.

 

[Mike Sorr]

I prefer to play a 4 string, but for some gigs a 5 is expected. I play some roots reggae gigs and the music director probably wouldn't let me on the stage with a 4. Having said that, if you're not playing music that requires a 5 you can have a long and happy playing life with a 4.

 

[bordinco90]

If you only need the low D a few times in a set I would suggest this. I usually keep mine set so my bass can drop to Bb.

Yeah that would be cool. I just don't play the b string that much. Playing on the higher strings (D and G) really cuts through and sounds good.

 

[bordinco90]

Everything on a B-string just sounds off to me. I've had Lull, Sadowsky and Laklands which are supposed to be the best of the best when it comes to fivers but they just never worked for me. Always found myself transposing the notes to the lower end of the fretboard (and I've never "needed" to play the low B or C). Interestingly enough, I noticed that when I completely switched over to four strings basses, I developed a better sense of understanding of the fretboard. I'm sure I'll go back to owning a five string bass eventually but four is where my heart is at the moment.

I agree 100% I have owned a few mid range priced 5 string basses (SBMM Ray35 and a Ibanez BTB675). The B strings on both basses just did not sound right to me.

 

[bordinco90]

To the OP, so your current bass is only an OK bass. Maybe that's the reason you're not playing on the B string.

My 5 string bass is a quality instrument and I get such a great sound out if it that I play on the B string pretty much every number. I often play below low E. . . simply because I can.

Get a bass that makes you happy to play all of its notes.

Yes it is just an OK bass, but I have owned better 5 string basses and I just don't like the way the B strings sound on the 5 strings that I have owned. I don't really have the $ to fork out for a really expensive bass (Lull or Sadowsky). I have made several attempts to give 5 string basses a chance and I really just don't like them. Just my opinion on it.

 

[bordinco90]

this has been mentioned many times
playing a 5 isn't necessarily about the additional lower notes
it's about having a larger range of notes available from the same hand position

if you only use the B string a few times in a night of playing, then I'd say
a) you learned to play on a 4 string
b) you may have a 5 string in your hands, but you're still playing a 4 string. You're not really playing a 5 string.

Not that there's anything wrong with that.

but here's an example
I play G more often on the 8th fret of the B string than I do the 3rd fret of the E string

Yes I did learn on a 4 string and I do play G more often on the 3rd fret on the E string. I just like the way it sounds as to on the B string.

 

[bordinco90]

Yes - for some music. Not much, mind you - but I'm in a smooth jazz group where there are a handful of songs that actually use low C's and B's. If you aren' tin that situation... then, no. You don't.

Well I play in a Zydeco/Cajun music band. Like I said, most of the bands that play that kind of music play a 5 string bass (Particularly MM Stringray 5's, almost every Zydeco band plays that kind of bass). But most bassist do not play on the B string, so I figured why not get a nicer 4 string bass and rock that.

 

[bluesblaster]

no, but you might enjoy more than four strings, many do. I just tune down to C or D and adjust accordingly, works for me. Your experiences may differ. Many pro players get on just fine with a four string

 

[bordinco90]

Buy the MIM, you're over thinking. The 5'er thing is completely different than gassing a P bass.

Unless you plan to sell your schecter to buy the Fender, just keep it in case you need a 5.

You could also buy a stingray 5 and close the 5 strings problem.

Either way just buy the MIM and see how it goes from there

Yeah I guess I am. I really like the MIM and since its active and has a jazz pickup. It should give me all the sound that I need. Plus Fender 4 string basses feel so good in my hands.

 

[nostatic]

If you don't play a 5-string, god will kill a kitten.

You don't want to cause dead kittens, do you?!?!?

Clearly you need a 5...

 

[nostatic]

I find the bass in this song to no longer be musical. It is more of a low frequency effect rather than part of the music. Sort of like controlled rumbling. I want him to come up an octave and join the rest of the band.

Maybe your definition of "musical" is narrower than others. A "controlled rumbling" can be incredibly musical in the right time/space. There are lots of parts of the music that aren't mecessarily clean notes.

 

[basslayer]

Yeah that would be cool. I just don't play the b string that much. Playing on the higher strings (D and G) really cuts through and sounds good.

It can be set as a momentary switch so if you need to go between any two tunings. I played it today with a song in Eb. I tried it with the bass tuned to Bb, D and Eb. It felt best set to Eb. So do you really need the low notes since they are so rare for you?