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Do I REALLY need a 5 string?

Lichtaffen

Lichtaffen

Sep 29, 2008
1,734
239
56
Rhode Island
www.pliableimaging.com
#1
I bought a 5 string a while back because I thought I may really need it with some of the gigs I was doing, but I've found that I haven't needed it with any of my gigs thus far. I can play it fairly proficiently, about the same as a 4 string. It really makes sense to me, I picked it up rather quickly. The thing is, I was going through my music collection and quickly realized that none of the music I listen to (besides an Erykah Badu live album) incorporates a 5 string. Most, if not all, of my favorite players are 4 string players. When jamming with others, it's fun to go lower than an E sometimes, but never necessary. In fact, anything lower than an E flat sounds a bit unnatural to me. I'm thinking about dumping it, but I wanted to see if anyone had a reason why I shouldn't. Not like I'm in desperate need for cash, but I don't like having unnecessary gear lying around.

Any opinions?
 
#2
I bought a G&L L2500 a few years ago after playing only 4 strings for 20+ years. Even though I do love it and will keep it for a long time, I found that I dont ever go below a low D. It just doesnt sound good to me even in my band playing covers that DID use 5ers and lower notes. Weird. So that is leading me to think about just getting Hipshot Detuners instead for when I need it.
 
#3
I own a 4 string and a 6 string..... It's just fun and giggles. And the newer stuff DOES use that 5/6 string sound.... And I make my own songs.. So I don't care....

That 6 string was given to me by my wife.... Love her. So I will never part with that bass.
 
#4
You don't 'have' to play lower than E. 5-string gives you the option to play E higher on the neck on the B string and have access to more notes... also makes it very easy to transpose songs learning this way.

Personally, I don't care what was originally recorded with. Tasteful use of a B-string can add to ANY music style.

IMHO.
 
#6
Lichtaffen said:
I'm thinking about dumping it, but I wanted to see if anyone had a reason why I shouldn't. Not like I'm in desperate need for cash, but I don't like having unnecessary gear lying around.

Any opinions?
Click to expand...

Considering your situation, tastes, and practical needs, a fiver seems to me a non-essential part of your bass playing.

I went 25 years playing 4 strings before I finally bought my first fiver. I waited until it was necessary. Now that the 5 string has infiltrated a lot of the pop and country music I play, it makes sense for me to have one.

A nice 4 string with a D-Tuner on the E would probably suit you just fine. I used one of those for many years for the rare occasion I needed to go below E.
 
#7
On "the world is a ghetto," by War (I know, kind of vintage,) it has this cool, rumbly low sound, but I couldn't figure out how he was getting the Eb, and then I realized, he played the Eb on third string, fourth fret, and then played the rest of the phrase on the fourth string. So basically, the first note of the phrase is an octave higher than the rest of the phrase.

It amazed me how it gave me the sonic impression that he had detuned!

I don't know what he played on, probably a P-Bass.

Anyway, I don't detune anything. My wife detunes the fourth string to D for some newer songs we play, but I don't actually play on any of those. I really don't care for dropped D much. If someone ever writes a great song in dropped D, I'll get me a hipshot, I guess.

I'm old and grouchy and cranky, and I LIKE it that way!
 
#8
stflbn said:
You don't 'have' to play lower than E. 5-string gives you the option to play E higher on the neck on the B string and have access to more notes... also makes it very easy to transpose songs learning this way.

Personally, I don't care what was originally recorded with. Tasteful use of a B-string can add to ANY music style.

IMHO.
Click to expand...

+1 It a lot easier to play with guitars that tune down to Eb and I've played quite a few songs that benefit form a nice low pedal on D. I also like having that octave down 5th right next to whatever note I am playing on the E string. It works great for country. The B string also has a heavier thicker tone than the E string when playing the same note so offers another color to play with.
 
#9
No way do you have to , tons of people play 4 strings and do the job great . If you can do what you need with one good for you .

On the other hand stflbn make a good point about playing in one position like at the fifth fret to play in E . Once you get used to playing that way with a fiver it makes it easier to play just about any kind of music . It's not just about having the notes lower than E . I play five strings exclusively and find it a chore to go back to a four string but if a four string works be happy with it .
 
#12
Thanks for all the opinions so far. They all make valid points. The most valid one for me personally is that fact that you can play a 2 octave scale in any 5 fret position on the neck. I do love that, but don't feel it's really necessary to me for anything other than soloing, which I do very rarely. I should have mentioned the styles of music I generally play: in a Chicago style blues band, playing with an Alt Country artist who is heavily into vintage sounds. I also play a lot of old soul and R&B (pre-5 string days). I had a possible subbing gig for a wedding band where I would definitely need a 5-er, but I'm not planning on pursuing that type of gig anymore. Maybe I'll leave the 5-er in the closet and see how long it takes before I really need it for something besides an "it's fun to play" moment. My girlfriend was like "if you don't play it for 6 months, then you don't need it."
 
#14
On some of the coversongs my band currently plays, I replace the original synth bass and need lower notes, but on others I use a fretted E or F on the B-string when it was almost certainly originally played on the E-string.

So for the latter I don't really need the B-string. But then again, on probably half of the songs I don't use the G-string, and I could play the notes in the songs where I do use it also higher up on the D-string. But for easier playing and often different tonality, I prefer to have both the G- and B-strings. And I prefer the neck profile of a fiver over a 4-string too.

You might decide otherwise for yourself of course.
 
#15
mellowinman said:
Girlfriends, wives, or boyriends, whatever, must never tell us what we need for musical instruments, accessories, gear, etc.

That's a rule I live by. I could keep it in the closet for sixteen years, and I still might need it!
Click to expand...

Honestly, she said what she did only after I asked for her opinion on the matter because it's been on my mind for a while. She's a musician as well and understands gear lust to some degree. Although she is a classical pianist and their type never needs more than one instrument. Ha!
 
#16
I play in a cover band and use mainly (99% of the time) 4 string basses, one is equipped with a Hipshot D Tuner, but also own a 5 string.
They both have their uses.

In my last band a 5er was needed due to key changes to fit the singer's vocal range and maintain the feel of the song.
My current band does a few drop-D songs, and the 5 string doesn't have the same feel as using an open low D, since I'd have to fret the D and adjust playing positions and patterns.

Two different solutions for two applications.

As others have already said, tasteful use of a B string works in many songs.
I think you may find it better to keep the 5 around in case you need it rather than have to go looking for another when that occasion arises.
 
#19
kellyrojo said:
I do well on 4s only and I play all kindsa crap. I don't think you ever "need" a 5 its more about how and what you want to play. I used to have a 5 and it was cool but I'm a four guy. To each their own whatever floats yer boat! Good luck!
Click to expand...

And most bands don't "need" a bass either. The bass is a tool to get a job done.

I don't see the benefit to using a 4 exclusively if you own a 5, other than string sets being cheaper. I like having the options the 5th string brings - expanded tonal palette, options on playing positions, extended range should the mood strike me, and when doing gigs where you are reading and the arranger isn't a bassist - many notes below an E - it makes life so much easier.
 
#20
I bought a five string a year ago (an ATK 305) because I always wanted an ATK and I thought it would be good to have a fiver just in case I need to drop tune. I found that I rarely if ever use the low B and I'm not playing in drop tunings enough to warrant a 5. The music I play / like never uses a five string so I'm glad I didn't invest a lot of $$ in my 5 string. I'm going to keep it just because its an ATK and I like it but I will probably never gig with it. My next bass will be another 4.
 

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