Finding a great 5 string is so much harder than finding a great 4 string.

[Jason P Bass]

I haven't played a 35 inch scale 5 string, is there much of a difference from a 34

IMO, yes, and it is worth it. I used to hate stretching to play 35" scale, but for a long time my primary bass was a 35" 5 string.

I bought a 34" EBMM Sterling 5 (not the cheap brand) thinking I could "upgrade" back to a 34" 5 string, but I felt that the B string was a soft & floppy - and I thought the E string was soft and floppy as well. I traded it for another 35" 5 string and never looked back.

(I bought a 35" scale 4 string recently and love it as well... I used to hate 35" scale!)

Obviously 35" is my personal preference and lots of people like 34", but to answer your question, yes, I think there is a difference.

 

[chump stain]

PASTED FROM ANOTHER THREAD FROM ME...
If you haven't ever owned a 5, (I owned 6 before I knew what I liked) here are a few quick suggestions.

1) String Spacing at bridge- I prefer the tighter than 4 string 17.5mm spacing. I can deal with 18mm too, but 19mm is just too much for fingerstyle.
2) Scale Length- I prefer 34" scale so my left hand doesn't have to stretch like crazy when playing in lower positions. Plus it makes the neck smaller and manageable.
3) B String- Does it matter to you how tight and defined it is? I like a MONSTROUS B string.
4) Weight- No more than 10lbs.

This lead me to Modulus Funk Unlimited 5's, Musicman Stingray 5's, and Fender Precision American Standard 5's. Which I was pleasantly surprised that left out expensive Sadowsky's, Lakland USA's, Fbasses, MTD's, etc...

I'm just the opposite, I like wide string spacing (19mm), and a 35" scale. Those are my biggest factors when choosing a 5.

 

[Musicman20]

Tried many Lakland's (35"), went for EBMM Stingray 5 HS in the end. Tight, consistent low B. I prefer 34" scale length, and the EBMMs I have are higher quality build than the Lakland's.

Thing is, 16 years ago, I always admired Ray 5s, and owned (and still own) Ray 4s. No idea why I didnt go for the Stingray 5 straight away!

The journey took me over a year to get the right one, now I own 3+ EBMM 5ers.

My advice? Don't sell the 4s, they are still fun to play, useful, and feel different.

 

[naruki]

Or a G&L or G&L Tribute.

Or a Dingwall

 

[Lync]

If you are on a budget, check out an MTD Kingston Artist. 35" scale, has a super comfy neck, and rings like a piano on all of the strings.

 

[madbassplaya]

What Josh means is it's easier to find a cheap 4 string than it is a cheap 5 string.

 

[JoshuaTSP]

Hey now!

What's funny was I played a Fender Jazz V in a cover band.....only using the EADG strings.....loved that bass. Got into an original band that tuned to C Standard, needed that low B.....that's when I realized that not all low Bs are created equal.

 

[georgestrings]

Hey now!

What's funny was I played a Fender Jazz V in a cover band.....only using the EADG strings.....loved that bass. Got into an original band that tuned to C Standard, needed that low B.....that's when I realized that not all low Bs are created equal.

Yeah, and I think I told you back then that Fender's don't do low B well, right???


- georgestrings

 

[JoshuaTSP]

I wanted you to be VERY wrong....since I wanted to love that bass.

 

[madbassplaya]

Hey now!

What's funny was I played a Fender Jazz V in a cover band.....only using the EADG strings.....loved that bass. Got into an original band that tuned to C Standard, needed that low B.....that's when I realized that not all low Bs are created equal.

If I were a 4 string player, I'd have no problems playing a Fender.

 

[JP Morin]

I prefer 4 or 6 string... I don't know why but the few 5 strings I've tried or owned doesn't do it for me... they don't response like a 4 or 6 string at all IMO... I've own a cort curbow fretless 5, an Ibanez SR 5 string too, the one with 2 jazz pickups...

But the best I've tried so far was a MM sterling with two humbuckers config... Nice lows !!!

I think the string gauge is important too, especially on a 34 scale lenght bass. If I feel the low B too stiff I change for a lighter gauge so it opens the low vibration a bit IMO

 

[georgestrings]

What Josh means is it's easier to find a cheap 4 string than it is a cheap 5 string.

This...


- georgestrings

 

[georgestrings]

I wanted you to be VERY wrong....since I wanted to love that bass.

You know, once I *thought* I was wrong - but I was mistaken - hahaha!!!!


- georgestrings

 

[georgestrings]

If I were a 4 string player, I'd have no problems playing a Fender.

Yup - I loves me some Fender, but NOT for 5ers...


- georgestrings

 

[bassist4dalord]

I would agree, to an extent. I have found a lot of 4-strings that I love, and I want a good 5-string, but they require more careful inspection.

 

[JoshuaTSP]

What's cheap about my Wick Corvette $$ 5 (low B kills on that)? hmmm?

Sure, I also like my Peavey Foundation 5....but that thing kills any fender I've tried.

 

[Lync]

For the record, my AmStd Precision 5 has a decent B that although not as defined as my MTD Kingston is still usable and good.

I have had dogs too...I have a Schecter Deleo 5 that has an awful B string. Shame, since the other 4 strings really sound nice on that bass.

 

[MNAirHead]

I'll agree with the original poster.

Coule of opinions (after owning 600+ basses)

Many folks go into the buying all wrong "I love my 4... I'll get a 5" etc...

There are tons and tons of basses that are a 5-1 or 4+1 ===

Mahy folks have forced mfgs to design basses that don't make sense..... string spacing etc.

As the neck becomes wider, the ergonomics are more profound.

 

[MNAirHead]

oh yea "floppy B" is commonly bad setup or dcheap strings... not a result of the bass

 

[stflbn]

Every 5-string i've had has been fine. No B-string problems. Apparently I'm to stupid or dense to realize all the problems that so many people have with B-strings.