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Five string fears

#21
I have a G&L tribute and I find the narrow string spacing hard to get used to. But what really puts me off is the weight. The five is significantly heavier than my fours.

Getting used to the fifth string was natural. And it does help for a lot of songs. I should probably just look around for a different bass.
 
#25
Jim, I recently bought my first 5er too. I've been playing 4s for years, and worried a bit about the transition to a 5er, and how much more difficult it might be.

So I bought an OLP Tony Levin 5 as an entry level model to try out. Straight away I loved it, with no problem at all with the low B string. I play a lot of R&B, hip hop, funk at home, as well as rock live, and found the low B to be a fantastic extra level to have access to, especially with the R&B and jazz type stuff. Also the string spacing at the nut is quite narrow on the OLPs, which makes it easier for a 5er newbie, but can be a pain for slapping as there's not much room for error, many people prefer the spacing a bit wider.

Anyway, I loved the thing so much, that I just bought a used Ibanez K5, which is a stunning bass to play. So I don't think you'll have a problem jumping straight into 5 strings, especially with the OLP, and if you don't like it, sell it, no problems.
 
#26
For me, it comes down to:
  • String-spacing
  • Muting
  • Where to place the thumb

I love both my 6 and 4, but they are completely different animals. I really like both, but all 3 areas above need to be adjusted when I switch between them. While this thread is about 4&5 (not 4&6), the issues should be the same.
 
#27
russjm said:
Jim, I recently bought my first 5er too. I've been playing 4s for years, and worried a bit about the transition to a 5er, and how much more difficult it might be.

So I bought an OLP Tony Levin 5 as an entry level model to try out. Straight away I loved it, with no problem at all with the low B string. I play a lot of R&B, hip hop, funk at home, as well as rock live, and found the low B to be a fantastic extra level to have access to, especially with the R&B and jazz type stuff. Also the string spacing at the nut is quite narrow on the OLPs, which makes it easier for a 5er newbie, but can be a pain for slapping as there's not much room for error, many people prefer the spacing a bit wider.

Anyway, I loved the thing so much, that I just bought a used Ibanez K5, which is a stunning bass to play. So I don't think you'll have a problem jumping straight into 5 strings, especially with the OLP, and if you don't like it, sell it, no problems.
Click to expand...

I started off on an rbx375 cos I wanted to start on a 5er, have used my teachers 4 and 6 strings and altho I played well on the 4, just didnt suit me... felt like something was missing! like the close string spacing so much I went and bought an Ibanez K5 too... I LOVE this bass... its making it very hard for me to learn slap (even tho it sounds ace, so much better tone for slap than the rbx375!!!) but nothing that I havent been able to clear up with slowing down my practice and ingraining good technique... if its something that just clicks with you, do it... I dont think I could ever go 4 string... oh and for some reason I never had a problem with using a 4/5 ie getting confused as to what string was what...
 
#30
Ric5 said:
I am totally hooked on 5 string basses ... When I play a 4 stringer I keep looking for a low D or some other low note ...

I got rid of all of my 4 string basses ...

:hyper:
Click to expand...

I have more than a few bucks wrapped up into my fours. And I'm using them in drop D for quite a few songs. I like Drop D tuning. I'm worried that if I got a five, my fours would become obsolete to me, and I'd feel like selling them to feed the ensuing five string gas pains.

I go back and forth on this. I need to get a five, I don't need to. I'm getting by with fours so far.
 
#32
jimmy rocket said:
I shied away from the 5 string OLP even though it was such a deal. At 4 strings it would be in my practice room by now. So...have any of you hand experience switching between 4 and 5 strings where you've played both interchangeably, and has it caused you any difficulty?
Click to expand...

Yes, I had some issues initially. After I purchased a 5 string, I practiced it several hours at home, but had some issues during the first rehearsal where I used it. I had been used to playing lines on my 4 string, and I knew that the 2nd string from the bottom was the A, 3rd fret as C, etc. It took a couple of songs. When I began practicing it as its own instrument, all of the issues about the 5 strings vs. 4 went away. It was really a question of muscle memory.

imp
 
#35
When I switched from g***ar to bass, I bought a five string bass straight away. Five strings is all I've ever known so, when I play a four string bass it's quite awkward and the main reason is the wider string spacing. Nowadays I play in a band that uses B-tuning so the g-string is not that much in use. Therefore I have been thinking about buying a 4 string bass that I would tune to BEAD. Has anyone got recommendations for a four string bass that has got a 35" scale and narrow string spacing?
 
#36
This may seem kind of weird, but I practice at home on my 4 string and play my 5 string when performing. To get reacquainted with my 5, I just play a D major scale starting on the low B string. After a couple of scales, you muscle memory takes over and I don't even think about it, it just happens.

I try to stay off the B-string as much as possible anyway. I think too many players fall in love with that string and abuse it. It does come in handy on songs like walking from low D to G.
 
#40
Play your B, C, C#, D and E scales from the B string until you've deprogrammed the "open E" from your brain and it will be easier to incorporate the big fat one to your playing.

Slapping is no problem either IME. Fenders and other similar widely spaced 5ers call for almost no adjustment to my slap style. Narrow spaced 5ers (like Warwicks and SR5s) simply call for me to hold my thumb parallel to the strings.
 

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