Do you have to have a 5?

[Jazzdogg]

I play fours and fives, both fretted and fretless. I treat them as somewhat different instruments because, if I don't, I'm likely to be flat or sharp by a fourth!

In addition to notes below E, I like the fingering options afforded by fivers.

To be happy, the playability of the bass, string choices, and amplification/speakers are all important considerations to me.

If I were buying a new bass today, it would probably be a five string with fanned frets because of the above mentioned prerequisites - especially a good sounding B string.

Good luck in your quest!

 

[Maxi Funkl]

Do you need one I'd say no.
Could it be a great tool to have absolutely yes.

I own 2: Ibanez fretless and EBMMSRS 5H
I sold 1 Squire Contemporary Jazz 5HH Sweetwater Exclusive. The neck was to got darn big made my hands hurt. It went to a family member rather than sit around here and collect dust.

I am far from a 5 string efficient player yet. But the neck width and string spacing is very important for me.
I'd like a Jazz & P/J 5 string bass it would completely round out my collection. Based on neck width Ibanez with big singles or Sire will work. I'm going to try out V5, V8, or P8. That V5 Champagne Gold 5er is damn sexy. Meets all my needs Roasted Maple neck nut width and string spacing is on point.

But with that said none of favorite players are 5 string players Stanley, Marcus, Graham, Mark Adams, Victor, Louis, etc etc.

 

[Mark Karwan]

I like the idea of having that low B string. As a practical matter though, what are the real benefits of it. I'm not sure if the perks of having those couple of notes out weighs the practical advantages of the lighter weight, smaller neck etc that would be in play 100% of the time.

I am considering options for a very "modern" bass. I have a 6 string and that neck is so wide the instrument is a beast to play. It is not really giving me a good read on the value of the low B. I am still leaning towards a modern 4, but I don't want any personal bias' from my experience with that 6 to influence the choice

A lot of people have covered most of the territory here. I will just add that to me there is a world of difference between a 5 and 6 on managing the muting and other "beastliness" to which you refer. I have played 4 and 5 string for a very long time and switching around is completely natural to me. When I pick up someone else's 6 it feels totally bonkers. Of course that's my own lack of experience, but the point is, 5 may feel "easier enough" and reduce the beast vibes for you. I currently have an Adamovic soul 5 that is absurdly comfortable and easy to play, and weighs under 8 lbs. I Used to have a Peavey Cirrus 5 that was also wonderfully comfortable. Both of these are 18mm spacing and feel easier to play than my 'full spacing' 19mm lakland. The 18 spacing doesn't feel too different from J or P basses but saves enough real-estate in the aggregation of strings to feel nicer overall, to me. You alone can know if you "need" the low range of a 5, but lots and lots of 'modern' music does call for it, including theater work.

 

[klattman]

I had all 5s, now I have all 4s with drop tuners on the E. Comes in handy when needed (which is actually rare). Much more comfortable to play is what it really comes down to for me.

 

[TheArchitect]

I play fours and fives, both fretted and fretless. I treat them as somewhat different instruments because, if I don't, I'm likely to be flat or sharp by a fourth!

In addition to notes below E, I like the fingering options afforded by fivers.

To be happy, the playability of the bass, string choices, and amplification/speakers are all important considerations to me.

If I were buying a new bass today, it would probably be a five string with fanned frets because of the above mentioned prerequisites - especially a good sounding B string.

Good luck in your quest!

That's a good point on the B. The B on my 6 feels a little sloppy. That is one of the issues I struggle with

 

[MultiScaleMale]

If you have a six, you know the benefits of the low B. I don't play sixes, but I've had gigs with fives where it will be a thumb rest for all but one or two notes. If I were in a band that does a lot of key changes, I'd probably use the B more.

 

[thmsjordan]

The quick answer is:
Do you play music that requires it? If so the answer is yes.
For all else it is a matter of preference.

Addendum:

For those here that insist there is no gig that requires it. There are gigs that do. Need an example?
Professional theater work does. All electric bass parts I have seen written or re-written and played since about 1985 (or so) are written for 5 string, and you'd better have one if you want to work in that world. Gospel, Country, Modern Jazz don't "require them" but there is a lot of music in those genres that were recorded on 5 and it is very helpful to have one.

 

[themickster]

I like the idea of having that low B string. As a practical matter though, what are the real benefits of it. I'm not sure if the perks of having those couple of notes out weighs the practical advantages of the lighter weight, smaller neck etc that would be in play 100% of the time.

I am considering options for a very "modern" bass. I have a 6 string and that neck is so wide the instrument is a beast to play. It is not really giving me a good read on the value of the low B. I am still leaning towards a modern 4, but I don't want any personal bias' from my experience with that 6 to influence the choice

If 5s were that big a deal, all basses would be 5s. I had one years ago, when my band leader gave us loads of songs in D. I don't miss the 5th. You might want to look at Ibanez SR series for slender necks.

 

[Ric5]

I like the idea of having that low B string. As a practical matter though, what are the real benefits of it. I'm not sure if the perks of having those couple of notes out weighs the practical advantages of the lighter weight, smaller neck etc that would be in play 100% of the time.

I am considering options for a very "modern" bass. I have a 6 string and that neck is so wide the instrument is a beast to play. It is not really giving me a good read on the value of the low B. I am still leaning towards a modern 4, but I don't want any personal bias' from my experience with that 6 to influence the choice

I hate playing 4 string basses. I need a low D but I also want an open E string. The 5 is the best way to get that in a bass.

 

[Crash 56]

I own one 4. I own four 5's. I love the low C at the right time.

 

[Pings Bass]

The five-note range extension is sometimes needed or desirable, but usually you can play those notes 8va and nobody will care.

The real benefits of a 5 to me are transposition and reduction of position shifts.

If you don't think you need any of that, you probably don't.

 

[bucephylus]

Most are making like the number of strings is some kind of personal statement thing.

Reality is that the instrument that is most appropriate for the gig is whatever works. If the lower notes are needed for parts to be played correctly, then it’s not some personal affectation.

The HipShot Extender on the 4 string will get a lot of lower parts done. But, fingerings need to be sorted out. One example is the tune “Stuck in the Middle,” which one of my gigs transposes down to C. For some real fingering fun, try laying that groove down with the detuned E string in the key of C. Oh, yeah; what was simple isn’t so much any more.

The appropriate bass guitar configuration is that one which gets the gig done. People need to get over themselves, and see the tools for what they are.

 

[alex1fly]

I like the idea of having that low B string. As a practical matter though, what are the real benefits of it. I'm not sure if the perks of having those couple of notes out weighs the practical advantages of the lighter weight, smaller neck etc that would be in play 100% of the time.

Advocates will say yes. Naysayers will say no. Fact is, the extra string offers some more options but also comes with quirks of its own to deal with.

Pros - More position playing options. Lower notes.
Cons - Bigger neck. Time spent learning how to use lower notes effectively. More expensive strings. Low B string has a particular timbre which you either learn to use or you spend time tone chasing to get a B string you like.

I had a 5. I sold the 5. I have a 5 again. I don't play it much but its there for when I want to feel like a certain type of bassist.

 

[Scarysharkface]

I like the idea of having that low B string. As a practical matter though, what are the real benefits of it. I'm not sure if the perks of having those couple of notes out weighs the practical advantages of the lighter weight, smaller neck etc that would be in play 100% of the time.

I am considering options for a very "modern" bass. I have a 6 string and that neck is so wide the instrument is a beast to play. It is not really giving me a good read on the value of the low B. I am still leaning towards a modern 4, but I don't want any personal bias' from my experience with that 6 to influence the choice

5 gives me more options, and I am a big fan of more options. 6 gives me even more options, but I'm struggling with the ergonomics. I just really like more options. I know most of the great music was conceived with a 4, but I'm not going to impose some arbitrary limit on how or what I play. I can get through any gig on a 4 or a 5, but 6 is more difficult right now because I don't have enough hours on the instrument.

John

 

[57pbass]

I have a five but primarily play my 4 strings. Im just so comfortable playing the 4 string bass. When I play a 5 and since my muscle memory is not quite the same as a 4 string it changes the way I play. I know practice is important. I might start bringing the 5 to some show.

 

[TheArchitect]

Guitar is my main instrument. I gig a bit on guitar in addition to working on original material of my own and for friends. My bass playing is pretty much limited to the studio. I love playing bass but my skills are lagging well behind my guitar skills but I am working on it.

As such, I get to determine for myself what I "need" I suppose. I like the idea of it, but not all low B's are created equal. Some will punch through a brick wall and some are virtually inaudible. Is that the instrument? MY lack of technique? things I ponder...

 

[WG Plum]

I don't.

 

[dave64o]

There are other reasons to play a five string than just a few notes below the low E.

I don't often go below the low E, but I do take advantage of having more notes available to me in a given position and I also use the extra string to simplify changing key signature.

Not going to debate the applicability of the word "need", but five strings make sense for me so that's what I play. YMMV.

 

[GregT]

If they ever make a five string bass with a much, much closer string spacing, I'd probably get one if I liked the bass itself. I bought a five string Jazz once and it was just rediculous. Check out how close the strings are to each other on a Hofner violin bass; it certainly can be done. If they can't do that, then no, I don't need one at all.

 

[bass12]

Out of the eleven or so basses I own only two are fours - the rest are fives. I barely ever use the fours. For many of the gigs I play a five is essential. As for weight, the lightest basses I've ever owned have been fives.