Five or four?

[MalcontentBunny]

I've always played four strings and I've pretty much decided on brand. It's gonna be a Warwick Thumb Bolt-On. I'm trading in my MusicMan Sterling for it because even though the MusicMan is very very versatile.. I love the aggresive punchy Warwick sound and that low-end growl. I play lots of everything.. but mostly a lot of scene music. Melodic Hardcore, Grind, Screamo, lots of metal-esque type things.

Now... I'm not really sure if I should go for the five or the four. I know this would depend more so on my play style but I dunno.. I've tried both and I just can't decide. I'm much more comfortable with a four string, but I feel like I'll have a lot more options creatively with the five string. (I'm not a low-end hog or anything.. I do more than just cram everything on the low-end guitar roots. I don't play Nu-Metal junk. I live for Melody.)

Opinions and advice would be much appreciated.

 

[Tyler Hole]

I personally don't use my low B that much on my 5er, but it's there if I need it.

 

[supernaut]

how about 6 or 7, more is always better

 

[Danham]

If you've never owned a 5 you should definitely get one. When I got my first 5 I told myself that I would still use my 4-strings just as much. I eventually sold my 4-strings. Only 5-strings feel right to me now. I don't use the B string alot, but it's REALLY nice having it there when I need it.


The other great thing about 5's. I NEVER have to downtune!!!!!!!!!! My brain is hardwired to standard tuning and I don't feel like changing it.

 

[XxBlackOrchidxX]

Not cool, buddy. This is a warning - keep it clean!!!

 

[Groovecenter]

Originally posted by XxBlackOrchidxX
Deleted

By the way, can't go wrong with five, just make sure you like the neck profile and can deal with extra string. I find it just makes sense for me to have the low B string, more so for alternative fingering options than for low ass notes.

 

[Oliver]

yeah, i'd get a 5er if i was you
Low B is there if ya need it. you never ever have to downtune as already mentioned

 

[Mr. Goody Good]

Deleted

Who among us could quarrel with that logic.

The added range of the B string is great. For me, it's not a matter of knowing it's there if I need it. I use the B as much as any string.

 

[In Flames]

Down tune a 5 stringer to GCGCF

 

[ilfretless]

the point is that a 5 string bass will give you more freedom while playing. you can keep your hand still and you have two octaves to play. personally i like four and five strings equal. I use a tight spaced five and a large spaced four and i think this combination gets the best out of each bass

 

[JayAmel]

From Dec 02 to June 03, I've been the owner of what was my first 5-string bass : an MM SR5.

Though I loved it, and though I could get used to this extra string at no harm, I didn't bring me all I expected it would. But that's for MY playing.

At least, I didn't feel addicted enough. And when I had to sell either it or my Fender MIJ P-Bass (I needed money for purchasing a new Rickenbacker), the SR5 didn't resist and that's the one I sold.

Finally, I believe going against one's nature is unappropriate. My own nature is that of a 4-stringer. I believe I'm gonna stick to it now.

But that was just my very own experience.

Cheers,
JL

 

[Somebassguy]

Well I for one never did think I would like the 5 stringers. I always liked the feel of 4 string necks (my hands aren't really that big). But since last week when I got my 1st 55-02 I can honestly say that I can't go back to 4 strings again. I tried picking up my beloved 4 string Schecter the other night and it just didn't feel complete anynmore. I don't use the B that often (yet) but it sure comes in handy when playing a 12 bar progression and it sure makes a fine thumb rest when not in use

You owe it to yourself to at least give a 5 string a shot

 

[Mud Flaps]

Why don't you just start a thread, "Telephone, or Cheeseburger?"?

 

[MalcontentBunny]

I realize that the question isn't easily answered and for the most part it is a matter of opinion. But even opinions can help. I've been playing for about 6 years now and I've always used a four string. I don't feel restricted when I play it.. but I feel like I owe it to myself to give a 5-string a shot. I was also kinda looking at opinions of Warwick basses. I know they're a bit heavy in the neck, but that growl is just too hot to pass up for the tone I'm looking for.

And yeah... Thanks for all the help and replies, I think I'm gonna go ahead and give the 5-string a shot.. I can always trade it back in for a 4 string version if I don't like it.

 

[Fuzzbass]

Since you're asking: four is nice, but I say GET THE FIVE.

I originally got mine because I was tired of detuning to reach notes below low E. The problem wasn't transposition, it was simply the hassle of frequent detuning and retuning of my low E string, to reach low notes ranging from C to Eb. The detuning hassle started for me in the 1980's, playing hard rock and metal. But nowadays, fiver is pretty much standard. Below-E bass lines are frequently heard in many forms of music, even country.

After I got the five, I realized what an advantage it was to have two full octaves in each hand position. It's also nice to play a fretted low E, and you have more options for playing bass lines. For example: that stretch from F to A-flat is much easier when you start from the 6th fret B string rather than the 1st fret E string!

I've thought about getting a 6-string too, but I simply don't want or need one. 5 is it for me: I wish I'd started on 5-string, but that wasn't a realistic option back in the 70's.