Five-stringer as second bass?

Five-stringer as second bass, and as first too.
If that's what you want, go ahead and do it. Don't worry about not being good enough, if you're good enough for four strings then you're good enough for five as well period. My second bass was also a five-string and I never looked back - actually, I wouldn't mind if my first one had been a fiver as well.

 

Great idea. Lots of fun to have the extra string, the C. I would throw out a question (seeing if there is a consensus on this) of whether over the long term, stringing a 5-string E-C, as opposed to B-G will warp the neck/cause neck damage or not. I mention this as the ONLY bass I know which is intended to come specifically strung as built from E-C is the Citron (brand) bass that Steve Swallow uses. I expect that would be "safe" bet from Citron, but for other manufacturers, who knows? I don't. But I think it's an important question to ask.

 

Go for it. There is great demand for 5-strings these days (much more than when I started 20 years ago).

I have my G&L strung high-c also. Lots of guys are using the low-b, but I always loves the way double stops sounded in the upper register.

You might have to have work done on the nut, but maybe not. Just get a good set up, since most 5 strings (IME) have been low B. Plus when you buys strings, don't just ask the GC guys for a 5-string set....

Good luck.

 

It is probably an issue of correct nut depth. I'm betting that a nut cut to accommodate low B through G would be cut too deep for E to C. Easy fix, but something to consider.

 

I have been playing my 5er tuned EADGC for the past 13 years and have had no probelms with the neck warping or twisting or anything like that. I also still have the factory nut on the bass. i have thought about having a new one made out of different materials but there is nothing wrong with the playability of this nut.

GO FOR IT!!! playing a cheaper 5er i was never able to get the string flop to stop when i had it tuned to a B but with the high C it has been a hell of a work horse for me.

 

Me personally? I would order a blank 5er nut and have it custom cut by my long trusted tech.

 

In the price range mentioned i would get this;
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Squier-Affinity-Active-5-String-Jazz-Bass-V?sku=512618
I like the black but white is sexy too.

 

Check out www.rondomusic.com

 

I played 4 string for more than 30 years. Bought a 5 string and loved it. I don't know if the advantage of tuning higher outweighs the advantage of having the low "B", but having more strings can be a blast. I'm now up to 7 strings and feel I have found my "happy place."

 

I say go for it. I would think a Low-B would be more practical than a High-C, but to each his own. My only reason for this is you can only go so low with a E-C tuning, whereas with a Low-B, you can have those sweet walks up to your Low-E using the B-string. When you need that upper register, you can always go up the neck. Either way, there shouldn't be anything stopping you.

 

Go for it. I've only been playing 6 months and I have a 4 and a 5. I feel like it's help me in my advancement playing both. You won't regret it.