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Four string, or a Five string?

J

jamisonsalamand

Aug 15, 2008
103
0
#1
So I'm likely getting a new bass sometime soon, and I had planned on a Schecter Stiletto Studio(I'm currently using a Yamaha RBX170). Originally I had planned on a four string version, but things change over time and I'm thinking now that I'll definitely want a five string eventually.

I know the five string version is 35" scale instead of 34". I play slap and pop, and finger style. Do you folks have any advice on whether I would or wouldn't want to get the five string version instead of the four string? It will be a while after I buy this that I'll be able to get another bass.
 
#2
A lot of bassists like a 5 string. I will probably never own anything but a 4, since that gives me everything I need, personally. But....
I'd say the right way to go about it is to look at the music you play. Would a 5 string fit it well? Has there been a time when 4 weren't quite enough? Have you ever wished for the lower notes a 5 would give you? If so, then there's your answer.
I'd also point out that if you really want a 5, regardless of the questions above, there's no logical reason I can think of not to get a 5. You may not use the lowest string a lot, but I've gotta believe that if it's there you'll find a way to take advantage of it. Also, since this might be your only bass purchase for a while, you never know, you might grow into needing a 5 in the future. I think you are wise to consider that. Nice to have the option.
Were I you, with the considerations you've listed, I'd get the 5 string. MHO.
 
#3
jamisonsalamand said:
So I'm likely getting a new bass sometime soon, and I had planned on a Schecter Stiletto Studio(I'm currently using a Yamaha RBX170). Originally I had planned on a four string version, but things change over time and I'm thinking now that I'll definitely want a five string eventually.

I know the five string version is 35" scale instead of 34". I play slap and pop, and finger style. Do you folks have any advice on whether I would or wouldn't want to get the five string version instead of the four string? It will be a while after I buy this that I'll be able to get another bass.
Click to expand...

Ever since I switched to 5 strings I have no use for a 4 string. But for me, slapping and popping are more difficult on a 5 than on a 4. But I don't do much slapping, so that makes your decision a bit more difficult than mine.

As for 35" scales, I don't get the people who claim that there is some "huge" difference between them. I mean we are talking 1 inch out of 35? Maybe you'd notice on a fretless, but you'd have to be at your absolute limit of stretching intervals or something to sense any difference at all on a fretted. I've got a 35" Modulus and for the life of me I can't figure out what all the whining is about.
 
#5
I say go for a 5-string. You currently use a 4-string, so you must be comfortable with it. A 5-string simply has an extra B string on top. It literally takes minutes to get accustomed to the fifth string. The string spacing might be sllghtly less, but after a few more minutes it should feel as natural to you as your 4-string. It is possible to slap/pop on a 5, it just takes a little more practice. (Once you can slap/pop on a 5, you can pretty much play anything.)

The other good thing about a 5-string... It's the middle of the road between a 4-string and a 6-string. If you become proficient at the 5, it'll be a step closer to easing into a 6-string, if you're inclined to try one.
 
#6
TolerancEJ said:
I say go for a 5-string. You currently use a 4-string, so you must be comfortable with it. A 5-string simply has an extra B string on top. It literally takes minutes to get accustomed to the fifth string. The string spacing might be sllghtly less, but after a few more minutes it should feel as natural to you as your 4-string. It is possible to slap/pop on a 5, it just takes a little more practice. (Once you can slap/pop on a 5, you can pretty much play anything.)

The other good thing about a 5-string... It's the middle of the road between a 4-string and a 6-string. If you become proficient at the 5, it'll be a step closer to easing into a 6-string, if you're inclined to try one.
Click to expand...
I have 4, 5 string basses and they all came with the 5th sting a low B.
A 5 string allows you to play the low E fretted instead of open, and you can get it from the 5th fret. You have extra notes at any fret, comes in handy!;)
 
#7
IMO it depends on the type of music you play.

I prefer the 4 string basses, not only because the spacing between strings, but because my 4 string basses have much better tone than the 5 string basses. it's hard to get a bass with a good 5th.
If you don't need the 5th string I'd say go for a 4 string. In my case the 5 string basses are used because i play in a covers band and sometimes the 5th is necessary for some musics or because we need to change the tone down.
 
#8
i have seen bassists slap and pop a 5 string, so it's possible... but i would test drive the bass if you can before buying. Some low B strings can be kinda floppy IME.

the advantages to a 5 string are that you can play lower notes. if your band plays alot in drop D, i'm told it's useful. i like to hit the octaves under the low E. you can drop a bomb at the end of a phrase that ends on, say, a D or a B... drop that low octave into the room for just a hair of a beat and it's like the elevator just fell out...

the Big B string also has a different tonality... a bit more Punch to the fretted low E--- you can also slide Up to the low E...
 
#9
Unless you're going for a gig where the band image necessitates a visual presentation that includes a Fender P or J (i.e. applying for Lenny's band ;)), there's no reason NOT to get a 5-string.
 
#10
TolerancEJ said:
It literally takes minutes to get accustomed to the fifth string.
Click to expand...

I'd agree with you on that part - in the last few months, I've been trying some 5ers after 35 years of being 4-string only. I got accustomed to that extra string pretty quickly.

BUT I'm still having difficulty reading music, particularly difficult music, with the 5 string - my brain tells my fingers to go somewhere, but my fingers end up in the right position on the wrong string. I guess it'll take a while, not sure I have that much patience.
 
#11
StuartV said:
Unless you're going for a gig where the band image necessitates a visual presentation that includes a Fender P or J (i.e. applying for Lenny's band ;)), there's no reason NOT to get a 5-string.
Click to expand...

That's one reason I bought this:

lull1.jpg


On quick glance it just looks like a P bass...and since most musicians can't count past 4 anyway :hiding:

As for 4 vs. 5, I switched to 5 over a decade ago. I recently picked up a 4-string 30" scale and that has been fun, but it did take some adjustment and when I swap between 4 and 5 in the same set I will sometimes get confused. Truth be told I may end up just going back to 5s. And it isn't about the notes below E - it is about having more notes available in positions above the neck. But as others have said, depends on your gigs.
 
#12
jamisonsalamand said:
I'm thinking now that I'll definitely want a five string eventually.
Click to expand...

For this reason exactly, you should get a five string now.


P.S. I have smallish hands, and found the difference in playability between 34" and 35" to be insignificant. My first 35" bass seemed tougher, but then I realized it was because the OEM strings had much higher tension than the strings I was used to. I switched to one of my usual brands, and all was well.
 
#15
my rule of thumb is - if you have to ask others, the answer is no.

If you don't have a need for the fifth string, there is no need to have a bass with one. If you will not use it, it will get in your way. If you will use it because you have it, you will not use it based on need, but based on availability - you will not improve anything...

Now, I don't always follow this rule of mine, but when it comes to fivers, it's an easy no for me - I dislike how those notes sound!

What you may do (I did it, however it may not be the best way) is to try putting the lower 4 strings of a 5 string set on your Yamaha and see whether you like playing like that. I didn't...

I'm not saying you shouldn't buy a 5 string, but it may save you some time and money if you stick to what you actually need and not just choose what is available.
 
#16
I have got to say you really have to ask this question, "What would I use that 5th string for?" If you can't answer it for yourself, then stay with a 4 string. Oh, Thumb Rest is not a good answer either. I see so many bassists playing crappy 5 string basses and only play the 4 strings. Spend the extra money on a better 4 string and be happy with it. Unless you are going to put that 5th string to use, why get one?
 
#18
sikamikanico said:
If you don't have a need for the fifth string, there is no need to have a bass with one. If you will not use it, it will get in your way. If you will use it because you have it, you will not use it based on need, but based on availability - you will not improve anything...
Click to expand...

Your opinion is based on the completely misguided concept that the B string is only useful for playing below low E. I've been playing five string for a decade now, and the fact is that the B string is *always* useful, even for bass lines that stay in four-string land. A five string gives you extended range at every playing position, not just down low. Meaning, you can cover a full two octaves without having to shift positions.

And while this won't be true for everyone, I became a better bassist after switching to five string.

I'm certainly not saying five string is better than four... it's merely better for some of us, and for more important reasons than the low notes.
 
#19
I switch from 4, 5, and 6 string basses (this includes my upright bass). I highly recommend a 5 string bassed (pun) just on the difficulty to teach your brain how to go 4 to 5. For some reason it's really easy to go 5 to 4 for your brain.
 

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