I just purchased my first 5 string. It is yamaha bb-235-rr with seymour duncan quarter pounders any hints,tips,tricks thanks in advance
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First 5 string
- Thread starter Atknerd
- Start date
Just bought it but I will post a picture when it gets here and yes I will have fun even of I play it like ba regular 4
"I will have fun even of I play it like ba regular 4"....which is perfectly fine!
If you've decided to be a 5-string player, be consistent and keep at it.
And beware the "Jaco played only 4-strings" nay-sayers. They are no help.....
If you've decided to be a 5-string player, be consistent and keep at it.
And beware the "Jaco played only 4-strings" nay-sayers. They are no help.....
JeezyMcNuggles
Inactive
- Feb 23, 2018
- 14,723
- 20,970
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- I suck, but nobody really notices
Forget that that string is there.
The E is your second string. Once you get used to playing everything a string lower, start adding it in.
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Instead of playing an open E, play it on the 5th fret of the Low B. Once you get used to that, you'll discover all the other notes on that B string. Once you get the 5 down, you'll need to get a 6er for even more fun.
When I got my first 5-string, I made the mistake of stringing it with the heaviest gauge B string I could find (0.135) because I wanted the tension. But it always sounded kind of flubby, no matter what I did with the EQ. Now, I use a 0.125 exposed core B string and a slightly lighter touch. And I have a B string that sounds much more like a natural part of the instrument.
That's my tip, which I wish I knew when I got my first 5-string.
1: put your 4 strings away and only play the 5 until it becomes completely natural.
2: get an instructor at least for a while who plays a 5 like a 5 and not a 4 with an extra string.
3: go back and woodshed all your scales again, starting with C on the B and realise you now have 2 octaves under your hand and can play more efficiently across the neck much of the time rather than along it as you often do on a 4. Then relearn your repertoire playing it as if you first learnt it on a 5. Then transpose down a step for the practice because you never know when you'll get a singer who want's to sing in a different key.
4: ignore tone and other stuff until you've done the above. Get your fretting hand sorted first.
It doesn't take that long to make the change if you have a flexible mind and like learning new things. And try to ignore the 4 only players who can't and will give you every excuse to stay with a 4 because of their limitations.
What he said.
Learn the neck.
Don’t think of that instrument as a 4 string with an extra string.
The bass has more potential than extended range.
Don’t think of that instrument as a 4 string with an extra string.
The bass has more potential than extended range.
Really good advice already.
My advice is "just stick at it".
For me it's a very different instrument to a four-string: two octaves in every hand position, a fretted bottom E with a four-string built in at the 5th fret!
Throw into the mix that you've got the circle of 4ths and 5ths at every fret and what's there not to love? As long as you're happy with the neck width and B string tension you'll be laughing!
Just stick at it because there's definitely a (re-)learning curve.
Now, about those pics
Advice?
Other players can be very negative. Don't bother to listen to them.
Stay positive and stay focused. Learn and relearn.
You've made a good move, but you will require some technique modifications. Those differences will add up to making you a more flexible and all encompassing player.
Other players can be very negative. Don't bother to listen to them.
Stay positive and stay focused. Learn and relearn.
You've made a good move, but you will require some technique modifications. Those differences will add up to making you a more flexible and all encompassing player.
I had a bb235 and it was absolutely fantastic to play and sounded great! Maybe the best value bass I have owned. That's a really nice first 5 string!
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There could be moments where its gonna mess with you, and you may want to smash it, or sell it, or toss it into a group of angry rabid beavers for a sacrificial disposal...but it will pass and you will fall in love, and you will find that you can jump from 5vrs to those fours with ease.. congrats and enjoy! 
The thing with a 5 string is orientation on your right hand. Try to use the floating thumb technique and playing finger style will be easier. If using a pick then the transition should be easy. Good luck, now rock that puppy!
When I bought my first 5 string I didn’t care for it; I kept it in playing rotation with my other basses and played it like a four string with an extra string. It also had string spacing like my P and J basses and my fretting fingers ached after playing it.
I then bought my 2nd five string, a G&L M-2500 Tribute, and committed to only playing it for one year (instructions from Scott’s Bass Lessons). The G&L 5er fit me much better with closer string spacing than the other 5 string I owned. I learned to play scales up and down the neck plus have the choice of playing the same notes across the neck. Wow this is cool!
After one year of learning and only playing the 5 string I picked up one of my four strings and it felt so odd. I had a hard time playing it accurately. That was 3 years ago. Now I can confidently switch between my basses however the 5 string is my go-to choice due to its’ flexibility. Very easy to change a song’s key to fit the vocalist.
I I can offer anything it’s stick to playing the five string and really get to know it. Best of success to you!
I then bought my 2nd five string, a G&L M-2500 Tribute, and committed to only playing it for one year (instructions from Scott’s Bass Lessons). The G&L 5er fit me much better with closer string spacing than the other 5 string I owned. I learned to play scales up and down the neck plus have the choice of playing the same notes across the neck. Wow this is cool!
After one year of learning and only playing the 5 string I picked up one of my four strings and it felt so odd. I had a hard time playing it accurately. That was 3 years ago. Now I can confidently switch between my basses however the 5 string is my go-to choice due to its’ flexibility. Very easy to change a song’s key to fit the vocalist.
I I can offer anything it’s stick to playing the five string and really get to know it. Best of success to you!
Put away the four stringers and play the fiver only for several months. People often complain that they get confused easily on a fiver and then confess that they switch back and forth, four to five.
I bought my first fiver in the early 90's, and I switch back and forth regularly, four to five. No issues at all.
Enjoy. But commit to it.
I bought my first fiver in the early 90's, and I switch back and forth regularly, four to five. No issues at all.
Enjoy. But commit to it.
