Do you use your B?

[Wasnex]

What up TB!
Been considering a 5 or 6 string for a while. Just to experiment with, i’m not a working musician, just play by myself mostly. Have an opportunity to purchase an mim Jazz 5 for $250. But I only have 4 strings, and I don’t really know how to use the low B. I’m considering buying it to string it to EADGC, just for fun, I like to play above the 12th fret a lot. So i’m sure this question is beating a dead horse, but do you really use your low b string, and how often? If not, do you roll with a 5 string like I’m considering (eadgc).
And........ go

I play a six string and find the low B is essential for popular music. Often vocalist cannot sing all songs in the original keys. If the necessary transposition drops a bass line below E,with a 4 string you have to play some notes up an octave. IMHO, This can really change some bass lines and make them sound foreign. With a low B you have the extra range of a perfect fourth in which to maintain the integrity of the original bass line.

In regards to playing songs that originally included notes below the open E string, the benefit should be obvious. The song will not sound authentic if part of the bass line must be moved up an octave. With older songs that were popular before the 5 string became common, taking notes down an octave also does not sound authentic. I typically don't play a lot below the open E for these songs unless we are transposing down to accommodate the vocals or if we are playing an arrangement in a more modern style.

The C strings allows you to play higher notes without the need to shift up and down the neck. With high tempo technical passages, it is sometimes easier to cross strings on the 6 string instead of shifting on the 4 string. I find some patterns are actually harder on the 6 string though, especially patterns that jump back and fourth across non-adjacent strings.

 

[tlc1976]

I play primarly 90s+ country, and the low B is pretty much a requirement. I felt the need for it from day one, starting with a 4 string. Then with my cousins I would play stuff like Man In A Box, Sweet Child O Mine, .... just play them as they lie on the 5 rather than detuning strings. I prefer to keep one tuning on my bass.

It is convenient to have a B string when you need it. It ain’t so if you need to play a low B flat though. Then you have to get a 7 string bass with a low F#.

That was actually the main reason I chose a 7 for my new fretless. There are a half dozen songs I can think of off the top of my head that use low Bb. And more that I'd like to apply it to. And maybe 1 or 2 songs that hit low A. Lately I've been thinking the best choice for the future might be a 6 string fretless tuned A D G C F Bb, it'd get me everything I want.

 

[Gizmot]

Whenever I play my L-2500, I do use the B, but not all that much. When I play my 4 strings, it’s all automatic and I play what I feel. When I use the 5, I have to think about what I’m doing.

I’m glad I have a 5, but I can get by without it.

 

[CaseyVancouver]

I find the low B string notes have a serious lack of note definition. Really stands out when practising solo.

Another thing thats irritating is the strings just feel way too close together compared to a four. You may love it, but I do not.

If you get reading show gigs and musicals, they are written for 5 string. Also very cool for reading cello music ...!

I have a really sweet 5 string, it should get played more.

 

[GERBY]

Yes I love my B. It makes the complicated runs easier. You will be more flexible and you will definitely have more B-alls and lows.

 

[GERBY]

I find the low B string notes have a serious lack of note definition. Really stands out when practising solo.

Another thing thats irritating is the strings just feel way too close together compared to a four. You may love it, but I do not.

I have a really sweet 5 string, it should get played more.

Hi Sir, which bass are you using?

 

[Solarmist]

The whole purpose for purchasing a 5er in the first place was for the low B string ... for me anyway back in the early 90s.

 

[CaseyVancouver]

Hi Sir, which bass are you using?

Well, this is the bass I'm NOT using.

I have a number of 4 string basses ...old fenders, alembic fretless etc that I would rather play.

 

[GERBY]

Well, this is the bass I'm NOT using.

I have a number of 4 string basses ...old fenders, alembic fretless etc that I would rather play.
View attachment 2895951

It is a beauty sir.

Maybe you should consider a 5er with wider string spacing, then you might love the B. I am using a Lakland and it is my only bass right now. I always use the B. Love it. It's in my profile BTW.

 

[CaseyVancouver]

It is a beauty sir.

Maybe you should consider a 5er with wider string spacing, then you might love the B. I am using a Lakland and it is my only bass right now. I always use the B. Love it. It's in my profile BTW.

I have heard high end 5 strings and 35" scale basses have better definition on the low B string notes. (mine is nice but not high end, and 34")

I really should play my fiver tomorrow

 

[MAJOR METAL]

I do and I love it. I even play it above the 12th fret.

 

[MobileHolmes]

For a long time, no. I had a 6 that I treated more like a High C 5 with a .130 thumb rest. Lately, however, I've been playing in a more singer focused group than I'm used to and we've had to transpose some stuff into slightly odd keys. For some of it, having low E flat is handy, or alternately, being able to hit notes on the B for accents a fifth below F and G is nice once in a while.

I do still play the bulk of stuff on a four, largely because I don't have real big hands and 3 sets on a six gives me a little cramping once in a while. Also, several of my fours just sound better than my particular six

 

[Element Zero]

All the time. Most of the music I play doesn’t not ride on the E.

 

[mikewalker]

Yeah, this summer I used it for 3 songs on one gig - but nevermore.

It's 35 inch scale bass and I had it downtuned A D G C F - because one song needed an open D string. Sounded fine, and the "a" string 7 and 9 frets came in very handy for the open D string riff. And though the open low A itself was nearly inaudible through the wedges - I used that a bit for fun too. We had these three songs running together so I stayed on the 5-string till I could switch back to the "real" bass for the rest of the show.

Problem is, the net experience of "fiving it" on the bass was wholly un-natural and un-settling. Perhaps the technical term is "icky"? It's not like I am any stranger to playing on more than four strings - I was a lead guitarist / bandleader for much of the previous decade. But five string electric bass guitar is entirely unpalatable for me! As soon as spring comes I am going to haul it out of the case, take some pics for eBay and get it outta my life forever. Out, damned spot! Out, I say!

 

[Korladis]

I use my B on my BEAD tuned basses in Catapult the Dead, and Dustern. Mostly because those bands tune lower than E. I don't need it for other things I do.

 

[devnulljp]

I use the B all the time -- I'm lazy and can't be bothered moving down the neck sometimes.

 

[Bobthedog]

All the time. Not so much for the extra notes, although they are good at the right time, but more for limiting runs up and down the neck. Also means not having to worry about retuning the 4 for many songs.

 

[interp]

I use mine a lot, but in your situation it might make more sense to go with EADGC tuning.

 

[Spidey2112]

I'm new to 5's... I try to incorporate it, whenever appropriate. Right now, I consciously have to commit my thumb either on it, or in between the B and E, to quell sympathetic vibrations from playing on higher strings.

 

[ThinCrappyTone]

also liked the B string for grabbing lower notes in higher fretboard positions, which IMO is one of the B string's best uses.

Agree. I think this is a very practical use case that isn’t really obvious at first.