Going on two years now and I can't even think about... [5 string content]

[CoffeeLove]

...going back to 4 string.

As the late George Burns would say (in another context); "I still remember how. I just don't remember why". And that's sort of how I feel about playing 4 string bass anymore.

Like others, when I first picked up a 5 string I felt like a fish out of water. My left hand was so confused. Perhaps I'm slow, but it took me a full 6 months to get to where I wasn't fumbling, a year I think, not to be in my head about 5 string. But here I am, approaching the two year mark and 5 string is home. I'll play my (one) 4 string occasionally as I did tonight. But now the 4 string feels odd, knowing that I could have that extra lower string, if only I'd put the 4 banger away and pick up any of my other basses.

As an extra, I've been fiddling with 6 string during the pandemic and got some relief of 3 outdoor summer performances where I did play my 6er for the first time at one of them. Going from 4 to 5 feels like it was more difficult than going from 5 to 6. I just needed to spend some quality time with the 6er, but it took only a week or two of practice to add the extra upper string. I supposed I'd have had a longer adaptation if I'd jumped from 4 to 6.

Anyway... I thought I'd share that for anyone contemplating making the jump to 5 string or might be hesitant to do it for some of the above reasons. All I can say is, if you've been thinking about it, now is the time. Why let a perfectly good pandemic go to waste?

Yep, I moved to a 5-string about 7 years ago and there is no turning back. I can still play a 4 string when wanted/needed, but love the 5-string.

A lot less movement required up-and-down the neck, easier to change keys on the fly, and the extended range is nice (especially the D on the B string, super fat). They are awesome, but not for everybody, and some of the greatest players of all-time did it on a 4 string.

It did not take me long to adjust, but that was probably because I only played the 5-string, and also started on a fairly narrow 5'r neck, both probably helped me acclimate fast. I think too many people start out on a wide-ish 5-string neck which can just kill the experience. Still only want a 5-string with 1.75" nut and max 18mm bridge spacing (max). Thus the Stingray has been my favorite, along with my Roscoe 5, just perfect.

 

[CoffeeLove]

I just did. View attachment 4068930

Nice. And you chose something that looks like it has a somewhat narrow nut and bridge spacing, very smart for first-time 5 people. I think too many players start out on one of the many larger nut or bridge 5-strings, and that can be a problem. Still don't know why Fender doesn't make a 5 string with a narrower nut amd bridge spacing option, the jazz and P 5's are super uncomfortable, for me anyway. There Dimension bass played great, it had a narrower nut and bridge, but now gone. Nice bass

 

[vindibona1]

I bought a 5 string Sterling Ray25ca this summer. It's probably because I haven't spent enough time with it, but the 4 string basses just feel so much more natural. When I do pick up the 5, it's rare that the big string is used as more than a thumb rest. I can understand the advantages of extended range with shapes and scales, but muting is challenging. ...Maybe if I put my P and J in cases and forced myself to work on the 5 things would click.

That's the thing. You have to give your brain time to make the switch to 5. Once you've got it down going back to 4 can be done at will. So yes, put your 4 bangers under the bed and don't touch them for 6 months. You'll thank me come June .

... I put the 4 string away. It was the right move because the 5 covers every thing I could want to play and a 4 doesn't. Also, I want the same geography under my fingers every time I pickup my bass. I want the notes in the same places, and, because I own a fantastic bass, I want the same great tone every time I play.

That's the thing. For me, there is nothing more that I can get out of my 4 that one of my 5's won't cover. The 4 has that drop d tuner, Aguilar noiseless pickups that are wired for both parallel and serial. I'll pull it out of the closet once in awhile just because. But gigging, as far as that low string goes, it's better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it. And while a lot of tunes don't go below low E, that extra string provides a good degree of economy of motion. The trick is to make it sound like the other strings.

Yep, I moved to a 5-string about 7 years ago and there is no turning back. I can still play a 4 string when wanted/needed, but love the 5-string.

A lot less movement required up-and-down the neck, easier to change keys on the fly, and the extended range is nice (especially the D on the B string, super fat). They are awesome, but not for everybody, and some of the greatest players of all-time did it on a 4 string.

It did not take me long to adjust, but that was probably because I only played the 5-string, and also started on a fairly narrow 5'r neck, both probably helped me acclimate fast. I think too many people start out on a wide-ish 5-string neck which can just kill the experience. Still only want a 5-string with 1.75" nut and max 18mm bridge spacing (max). Thus the Stingray has been my favorite, along with my Roscoe 5, just perfect.

Some interesting comments... Yeah, some of the greats only played 4 string. Back in the day when I first started playing bass as a kid in a 60's rock group nobody knew of 5 string basses. I don't think 5's even appeared until much later. So a lot of the music was kept within the range of the 4 string bass. Most writers wouldn't even think to write below low E. One day I'll do some research on the development of the 5ers.

Funny you should mention that wide-ish 5 string. I bought my first 5, a BTB 675 because of another deal I couldn't refuse... $500. I had 45 days to return it and there was no way I was going to let someone else steal that deal. With a 35" scale and wide-ish neck and 19mm string spacing I thought it was going to be too big for me. So shortly thereafter I ordered a Yamaha TRBX605, pretty much the antithesis of the BTB675. Narrow neck. 18mm string spacing, lighter weight. I thought for sure I was going to return the Ibanez. But after a month I was no longer uncomfortable with the size. The short story is that I ended up keeping both, then adding a Fender 5 to the collection (and over-improving it, probably by a lot...but it's a great bass all around).

But as a stroll down memory lane, below is a photo of the model of my first bass; a Teisco Bass. I got it used for $15 in 1966 and gave it away in 2007, with the strings that I had put on it back in '66 :0. I can't believe what these things are selling for these days!

 

[SJan3]

Nice. And you chose something that looks like it has a somewhat narrow nut and bridge spacing, very smart for first-time 5 people. I think too many players start out on one of the many larger nut or bridge 5-strings, and that can be a problem. Still don't know why Fender doesn't make a 5 string with a narrower nut amd bridge spacing option, the jazz and P 5's are super uncomfortable, for me anyway. There Dimension bass played great, it had a narrower nut and bridge, but now gone. Nice bass

Thank you. The Yamaha is very comfortable for me.

 

[bassist4dalord]

I've owned two 5ers and enjoyed them while I had them. My first was a Squier Affinity Jazz V that was a really great bass. My second was a Squier Standard Precision V (P body, Jazz pickups). That bass had an awesome neck and feel but the pickups were essentially four-string Jazz pickups that made for a lackluster B.

I've been exclusively playing four strings for two years but I'm starting to get the it itch for a 5 again.

 

[bassb66]

About twenty years ago I returned to music after stepping away for a couple years. Had always been interested in fivers so took the opportunity. Took to it easier than anticipated. Lots of fun. Still love playing fours and can go back and forth easily. For me it's about what works for a given style or project. No rules, play what you want!!

The one problem w/ playing 6 string is that it limits my GAS attacks. I bought an Sr506. So ibanez is covered. There isn't a lot in the new market in a price range and scale that I can consider. Although the Atelier Z 6-32 looks interesting... I have gained some practice time since I'm not obsessing about the next shiny thing

 

[two fingers]

I've been primarily a 5 string player for years now. But I own several 4s and do play them. I'm nor emotional about it at all. They are tools for specific purposes.

Fretless. My only fretless is a 4.

P with flats. If ai need that sound I grab that bass.

Duff bass. I own an 80s parts PJ bass that nails the Duff picked tone.

Aggressive P. I have a parts P bass with a a DiMarzio pickup that growls like crazy..

You get the point. My main player is a pretty versatile 5. But I'll grab a 4 in a heartbeat if it fits the sound I'm going for that day.

 

[dfloresjr]

I switched to the 5 in the late 90's and that's all i play on stage anymore, although I will never sell my Ric 4001 or my Hofner 500. The biggest advantage for me is the ability to adjust to key changes, such as when the guitars tune down to Eb or drop D. The guitarists need to change axes; I just adjust using the Low B and keep going. I am very comfortable with that flexibility. And who doesn't like dropping a low B thunderbomb now and then?

 

[bluesblaster]

If you can dodge a wrench you can dodge a ball....I dont know what else to tell ya