For 4 and 5 string bass players.... 6, 7 & more, also invited...

[dmibass123]

Do you really need the extra B or C or more string/s?

Why?

 

[jnuts1]

yes i do, my main band tunes to Eb & i do not. so i play a 5 string. but i do have a Eb tuned 4 banger just in case.

 

[RedLeg]

The group I play in has a variety of music and singers. Singers ranges are hard to change, but key changes are simple. It is just nice to have a nice low fat sounding D or Db without drop tuning.

 

[Darkstrike]

Yes, for when I want to play really high, or low notes, more complex chords, or easier reaches/patterns.

 

[CrispyDelicious]

Do you really need to play bass?

 

[5string5fingers]

Yes. Keeps me from having to change the tuning of my 4 string. Do you know how annoying it is to play a song tuned in D#G#C#F# and then go back to standard tuning,and then your next song is in CGCF? It's a waste of time when I can jsut go grab my 5 string and transpose the song. No changing tunings. Just unplug,and plug. Sure you could have 4-5 different basses tuned in different tunings,but I don't have the money for that. Plus Low B strings sound amazing,even if you play E instead of playing your open E,it just sounds better.

 

[73jbass]

Play a 5,and a 6. Dont need to play the 6,but I like to. Dont need any more reason than that.

 

[TolerancEJ]

I've owned my 5-string for about 18 years, so I usually expect the low string to be a B if I hit it. I've only recently purchased my new 6-string. I love using chords because they sound very clear. It's also nice to have access to a full 2 octave range within a span of 4 frets.

 

[bigfatbass]

Because one lower is cool. Not so sure on the one higher thing. My jury is still out.

I love having the B. It makes many figures I have to play for extended periods, at breakneck speed, much easier on my fretting hand. For instance, a box shuffle in C at a 120 clip used to be deadly. With the low B it becomes a much easier job. I also love having it on the americana/country stuff. There is a reason they invented the hipshot!

Lets say it's a funky tune in E with a James Brown-esque bridge on the 5. You save that big fat B bomb until the last pass through the bridge, the one when the band REALLY means it, and the ladies will need to change their panties.






I still own and adore my 4-bangers, but for most gigs I'll never go back.

 

[wdinc01]

Of course I need the extra B string. Where else would I rest my thumb?

 

[Double Agent]

dmibass123,

Why do you want to know? The only question that matters is "Do YOU need to extra low B or high C?" If you don't, then play a regular 4-string in happiness.

I play a 5-string as my primary because I like to have those extra notes available when I want/feel a need to use them. In a lot of modern R&B and smooth Jazz, the styles that my primary band plays in most, there are many occasions where the song we are playing calls for low C/C#/D. However, I have no need/use for a high C, so I don't play a 6. Some guys do want those notes available to them, so they DO play a 6. Other folks have no need for those any of those notes, so they play 4-strings. I have a couple of 4-strings and, when I know I'm not going to need the low B, I will gig with them. It's all about what inspires you to play and what fits your needs as a gigging musician. Many great bassists get it done on a 4-string, but that doesn't mean that we should ALL play them.

 

[okcrum]

I love having the B. It makes many figures I have to play for extended periods, at breakneck speed, much easier on my fretting hand. For instance, a box shuffle in C at a 120 clip used to be deadly. With the low B it becomes a much easier job. I also love having it on the americana/country stuff. There is a reason they invented the hipshot!

Lets say it's a funky tune in E with a James Brown-esque bridge on the 5. You save that big fat B bomb until the last pass through the bridge, the one when the band REALLY means it, and the ladies will need to change their panties.

For a 5, that is all there is to say.

 

[bunkaroo]

I only have a couple 6's and don't use the high C a lot except for melodic leads where having the lower fret position helps.

The low B on the other hand IMO is indispensable. As long as I've been playing I've always felt the A string B to D range was weak to hold up the bottom end in songs based in those keys. That's not to say I use the low notes their exclusively, but I couldn't imagine not having it available.

 

[Disco Batman]

I don't play a 5 because I'm too dumb to learn again. I'm comfortable on a 4 I don't play dropped stuff much cept the occasional drop d song, and that's easy to handle.

 

[Cosmo420]

It's all I can do to keep up on 4 strings. Don't need extra strings complicating things...

 

[Chrisk-K]

I don't own a fiver (yet). I grew up listening to classic rock and pop and a fiver doesn't look like a bass to me.

 

[FunkMetalBass]

I play an 8 just so people have 3 other strings to eternally question.

 

[capnsandwich]

Depends the gig but in most of my gigs here lately I've needed the B string. I use the high C a lot in church. My motto for this question is I'd rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it. YMMV.

 

[DWBass]

Yes. I've been playing 5's since 1991. All the music I play tend to go below low E.

 

[kcole4001]

If you're always changing keys due to the singer's range, then a B is almost a necessity.
Sometimes 'going higher' just doesn't work.