Exactly…it may not have been intended but it insinuates that 4 string basses are the only necessary basses.
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Do you really need more than 4 strings on a bass?
- Thread starter SoulReflection
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Exactly…it may not have been intended but it insinuates that 4 string basses are the only necessary basses.
Very timely thread for me; I'm still a pretty raw beginner but I've been toying with the idea of buying a 5-string after having learned or attempted a couple songs that have required lower notes than available in standard tuning.
I have the added challenge of being an unrecoverable southpaw, so my chances of trying any instrument before buying are nearly zero, and doubly so for less common types like 5's.
Threads like this really help understand why people go to different setups and instrument types.
I have the added challenge of being an unrecoverable southpaw, so my chances of trying any instrument before buying are nearly zero, and doubly so for less common types like 5's.
Threads like this really help understand why people go to different setups and instrument types.
I consider myself kind of "old school" as well. Been gigging for 5+ decades. So, in my experience, there were no 5ers when I started out (1969). When synths and disco became a really common part of pop music in the late 70's, there was more need/opportunity to play below E, and so 5ers became more of a thing. As a working pro with an open mind, I did try a few 5's but found the low B to be pretty bad on the early 5s. I guess they improved some because 5s are reasonably common any more. I can't say anything meaningful about 6 (or more) instruments as I have no experience with them at all.
So, do you NEED more than 4, probably not in most cases. Can more than 4 be useful in various ways ... sure!
As an old school 4 string player, it's worth trying a 5 out, but I find it kind of a challenge to re-arrange my 4 string playing style. But your experience may be better.
good luck!
So, do you NEED more than 4, probably not in most cases. Can more than 4 be useful in various ways ... sure!
As an old school 4 string player, it's worth trying a 5 out, but I find it kind of a challenge to re-arrange my 4 string playing style. But your experience may be better.
good luck!
I started playing 6 string out of a desire to work on simultaneous bass line/melody and chordal playing. Not that that can’t be done on a 4 string but the extended range helps to facilitate things.
Honestly, a 3 string bass would be enough to cover most working situations!
Like many others have said, in some situations a 5er makes more sense - if there are a couple tunes in D or Eb on the set list, you don't have to detune or flip an Xtender or swap basses mid-set. You can play across the fret board instead of up and down the neck. Or it might be as simple as liking a tighter string spacing if you have a 16.5mm or 17.5mm 5-string instead of a 19mm 4-string.
I've also done the cycle on these - played 4s only for 10ish years, then almost exclusively 5s for another 8-10, then back to mostly 4s for a handful of years. I have and play both now. In my current trio both the other guys like it when I drop a low D or occasional C on some some tunes because it fills up the room more. I can (and do) play our set list with one of my 4s, but for this band it's looking like I'll transition to a 5er for most of the gigs...
I've also done the cycle on these - played 4s only for 10ish years, then almost exclusively 5s for another 8-10, then back to mostly 4s for a handful of years. I have and play both now. In my current trio both the other guys like it when I drop a low D or occasional C on some some tunes because it fills up the room more. I can (and do) play our set list with one of my 4s, but for this band it's looking like I'll transition to a 5er for most of the gigs...
I am a total amateur and the only place I play outside of home is church.
I got my first 5er just to have one, and the fact that it allowed me to use closed fingering for every key was good for me, and it also allowed me to not have to move my hand so much.
But the first time I had to play "Total Praise" (Richard Smallwood) I was really glad I had it! Some music really needs a bass to go below E.
So, while not everybody needs/wants an extra string (or 2, I also have a few 6ers, not because I need them, but they are a nice diversion from time to time), there are good reasons for me to have a 5 string.
Different strokes for different folks, and diversity is a good thing!
I got my first 5er just to have one, and the fact that it allowed me to use closed fingering for every key was good for me, and it also allowed me to not have to move my hand so much.
But the first time I had to play "Total Praise" (Richard Smallwood) I was really glad I had it! Some music really needs a bass to go below E.
So, while not everybody needs/wants an extra string (or 2, I also have a few 6ers, not because I need them, but they are a nice diversion from time to time), there are good reasons for me to have a 5 string.
Different strokes for different folks, and diversity is a good thing!
I’ve always experimented with extended range.
I started on classical violin, standard of course with 4 strings tuned GDAE.
After string to play electric violin in the late 70s I got a 5 string violin tuned CGDAE.
Then on to violectra tuning, which is GDAE, a full octave down on the same scale length!
So when I started on bass in the early 80s I wanted a 5 string, but couldn’t afford a good one until I found a 6 string 35” in 2000. It was great on the lows but the high C was too tight sounding and feeling. So eventually I settled on 34” 5 strings as my happy place.
I play modern metal, 70s funk, 80s fusion, and 60s Motown on 5 strings - active and passive, with fanned and straight frets, strung with rounds and flats.
Nobody ever complains and I enjoy all my instruments. I play the low B when it feels right. The original line for Superstition goes down to low Db, so it’s not really genre or era dependent.
I started on classical violin, standard of course with 4 strings tuned GDAE.
After string to play electric violin in the late 70s I got a 5 string violin tuned CGDAE.
Then on to violectra tuning, which is GDAE, a full octave down on the same scale length!
So when I started on bass in the early 80s I wanted a 5 string, but couldn’t afford a good one until I found a 6 string 35” in 2000. It was great on the lows but the high C was too tight sounding and feeling. So eventually I settled on 34” 5 strings as my happy place.
I play modern metal, 70s funk, 80s fusion, and 60s Motown on 5 strings - active and passive, with fanned and straight frets, strung with rounds and flats.
Nobody ever complains and I enjoy all my instruments. I play the low B when it feels right. The original line for Superstition goes down to low Db, so it’s not really genre or era dependent.
That (entering a new music genre) is what made me buy my first five string, and then another, and then a six string electric bass. But even on melodic Jazz from decades ago I often like use something with a low B because I can get a different tone on a different part of the neck, AND honestly there are also a lot of those old tunes that (IMHO) benefit (a lot) from the bassist having (for instance) a low E flat.
But I also very much like to switch-up my string-count fairly frequently these days because it makes me think differently and opens different veins of creativity, and to me that's just fun.
If, after playing a bass for any length of time long enough to consider yourself a bass player, you can’t already understand the point of extended range basses, then seriously, you should probably just give up and play tambourine or harmonica.
Not saying someone should *want* to, but you should already be able to see the pro’s and con’s.
Posts like this reek of “poke them and see if they’ll fight” mentality. Low effort.
Not saying someone should *want* to, but you should already be able to see the pro’s and con’s.
Posts like this reek of “poke them and see if they’ll fight” mentality. Low effort.
A long time collaborator of mine writes a lot of music in C# tuning. Do I need a 5 to play his songs? No, but it sounds a whole lot prettier. I’m also known for stringing a 4 banger BEAD…
Find what works for you. Then do it.
Find what works for you. Then do it.
There sure are a lot of triggered people in this thread. And over a thread why more than four strings is necessary. Good lord.
I need 5er only for playing in pop cover band. For other situations 4 is enough. Especially with D Tuner.
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It's easier to play Bach's cello suites on a 5 or 6 - in fact they become relatively simple on a bass vi. Playing them on a 4 string is difficult at best.
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