All. The. Time. But like many have said, more for left hand efficiency than the extra low notes. But I do use those, especially the D.
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Do you use your B?
- Thread starter KIL0117
- Start date
Just bought my first 6 string bass, an Ibanez SR506 in November 2017 after playing casually/as an amateur for about 7 years. What can I say? I should have got it a while ago! Not only do you get the lower notes on the B and the higher range on the C string, but playing in Flat keys is easier without position shifting. I play originals and covers with a group of friends and the Low B adds depth to any rock/electronica inspired rhythm section. The High C adds nice chordal voicings more guitar-like lead abilities.
One thing I did do to tighten up the B string is getting a .145 gauge B string. Lots of standard sets have .125 or .130 - I find this to be too floppy and not clear enough for 34 in scale instruments.
Mine is strung with
D'Addario D'Addario EXL170BT Balanced Tension Nickel rounds
:
B0 = .145
E1 = .107
A1 = .80
D2 = .60
G2 = .45
C3 = .32
One thing I did do to tighten up the B string is getting a .145 gauge B string. Lots of standard sets have .125 or .130 - I find this to be too floppy and not clear enough for 34 in scale instruments.
Mine is strung with
D'Addario D'Addario EXL170BT Balanced Tension Nickel rounds
:
B0 = .145
E1 = .107
A1 = .80
D2 = .60
G2 = .45
C3 = .32
I don't really need it for most of the stuff I play but it sure can come in handy. Many tunes are written in Eb, and it does suck to not have the low root available without tuning to Eb standard (thus likely messing up your reference points like C and A, I know it would for me). Depending on what style you play, e.g. neo-soul like Erykah Badu, Hiatus Kaiyote etc, the few extra low notes can really add something. I chose to get an octave pedal, simply because they're fun and because it can give you a bit of extra low range, although I will never claim that it sounds the same as a 'real' low note.
If you opt to go EADGC, it'll open up a lot of options for chords if you're into that kind of thing. Personally, I don't use or miss a low B or high C enough to warrant a 5-/6-string. When I did use them on my 6'er, I would only really use the B-string from the low E down, and the C-string from the 12th fret up. All the rest was sort of neglected, mostly because I didn't really like the way it sounded (mushy on the B, shrill on the C) and because the C-string always felt too thin in a way. I don't believe that was due to the quality of that bass, which of course can be a big factor.
If you opt to go EADGC, it'll open up a lot of options for chords if you're into that kind of thing. Personally, I don't use or miss a low B or high C enough to warrant a 5-/6-string. When I did use them on my 6'er, I would only really use the B-string from the low E down, and the C-string from the 12th fret up. All the rest was sort of neglected, mostly because I didn't really like the way it sounded (mushy on the B, shrill on the C) and because the C-string always felt too thin in a way. I don't believe that was due to the quality of that bass, which of course can be a big factor.
I've read some of the answers. I'm an avid 5 string player, though if I ever get an acoustic it would be four.
A couple important ways to use a B string:
- the obvious being the lower notes, which I do use. Provides that low organ-ish sound to a lot of tunes, traditional and new.
- a new way to get tones typically associated with the 4 string range. Start at fifth position on the B string -- first finger, fifth fret. Compare what your licks sound like with when you start on a 4 string.
I agree with Scott Divine, if your B string is going to be just one more string for you to mute, it's probably not worth it.
I've never played a 5 string with the high C instead of the low B. I imagine could be pretty nice for those competent enough to play a lot of jazz, something I'm not.
I guess I feel like the low registers is something only I have, as opposed to playing up in the guitarists' range. I had to learn how to stay out of the way when I was a keyboardist, so I try and apply those same lessons in a bass context where I can. And being able to operate down low like that really helps, in my opinion. And yes, I've played plenty of 70s 80s covers with a 5 string. Just have to be mindful.
A couple important ways to use a B string:
- the obvious being the lower notes, which I do use. Provides that low organ-ish sound to a lot of tunes, traditional and new.
- a new way to get tones typically associated with the 4 string range. Start at fifth position on the B string -- first finger, fifth fret. Compare what your licks sound like with when you start on a 4 string.
I agree with Scott Divine, if your B string is going to be just one more string for you to mute, it's probably not worth it.
I've never played a 5 string with the high C instead of the low B. I imagine could be pretty nice for those competent enough to play a lot of jazz, something I'm not.
I guess I feel like the low registers is something only I have, as opposed to playing up in the guitarists' range. I had to learn how to stay out of the way when I was a keyboardist, so I try and apply those same lessons in a bass context where I can. And being able to operate down low like that really helps, in my opinion. And yes, I've played plenty of 70s 80s covers with a 5 string. Just have to be mindful.
I used a 5 in a blues band for a few years...mostly to drop a big, fat D or C at the end of a song. I'm playing a local musical that uses a lot of low D's, so I picked one up again. I need to learn how to play more up the B string to simplify some patterns...
All the time - mostly to play five frets up the neck, but an occasional low C or D is cool too.
^^^^ This. A 5 string isn't about going lower as much as it is about having more options for the left hand to finger notes. It's also great for chords. I use the B string for chords above the 12 fret all the time.
Bought me a 5er Warwick to use for downtuned metal but that never really happened. Took med quite a wile to adapt to it and when i came out the other end i had actually developed a new approach to bassplaying. Instead of kepping track on strings and frets, i just play patterns! With the B string you can be sure never to run out of low frequency as long as the band uses fairly standard tuning. Say you play a walking bass pattern in E, advantages are you use the same pattern all the way with no open strings and (to me) its easier to mute a fretted string than an open one.
Another good reason for playing a 5er is playing in horn keys like Bb, Eb, and Ab. Want to drive a horn player nuts, play in E. That puts the Alto sax in the key of C#. Puts the trumpet and tenor sax in the key of F#. Very uncomfortable keys for horns. That added B string makes playing in Flat keys more comfortable for me.
Constantly.
I try to repeat patterns and licks all over the neck on my Mod Q5 and going up the neck enables use of the B on a frequent basis with the option to drop bombs down the neck.
I try to repeat patterns and licks all over the neck on my Mod Q5 and going up the neck enables use of the B on a frequent basis with the option to drop bombs down the neck.
When I had 5 string basses I used the low B note only rarely. However, I used the Eb and D on the B string quite alot.
Currently I have only 4's and am considering converting one to BEAD in order to get these lower notes. A drop tuner isn't really an option for me as I'm pretty locked into the traditional intervals between bass strings and while it wouldn't be hard to buy a 5, I just really like the feel and comfortable spacing of a wide necked 4 string.
Currently I have only 4's and am considering converting one to BEAD in order to get these lower notes. A drop tuner isn't really an option for me as I'm pretty locked into the traditional intervals between bass strings and while it wouldn't be hard to buy a 5, I just really like the feel and comfortable spacing of a wide necked 4 string.
I've had a five string for only a couple months now. I've fully incorporated the B string into my playing.
My four strings feel foreign to me now. I still carry one as backup, and it's for this reason alone that I force myself to practice on the four strings twice a week for a half hour or so.
The five string gets about 20 hours a week with gigs, personal practice, and band practice/rehearsal.
My four strings feel foreign to me now. I still carry one as backup, and it's for this reason alone that I force myself to practice on the four strings twice a week for a half hour or so.
The five string gets about 20 hours a week with gigs, personal practice, and band practice/rehearsal.
If I had a B I'd use it. I have a Xtender and drop to D when I need to, and would use an Octave pedal if I needed to go lower. If you think you'd use it, buy it. I always thought I'd want a 5 string if I played bass more. And when I started playing bass as my main gig, I decided I didn't want a 5. But I still have to have the low D occasionally.
I'm sort of a traditionalist and never thought much of 5-string basses. But now I use the 5th string all the time and it's tuned down to A. I play a lot of worship music and the notes below the open E including the Bb and the A are very useful as well as having more options up on the neck. We have d&b amps and subs for FOH and they are absolutely amazing! Notes below about the low F down to the low A are awesome for background fill in quiet passages when used appropriately, think pipe organ pedal notes. When I first switched from 4 to 5 I was also playing in a classic rock band and my bandmates loved the 5er. I sold my collection of 4s and switched to 5s exclusively, never looked back.
ROCK ON!
ROCK ON!
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