Has anyone ever (like I’m finding myself contemplating doing) given up with 5 string basses completely and returned solely to 4 strings?
Many years ago my bass collection was mainly full of 5 strings and I wouldn’t even look at a new bass unless it had a low B.
I’ve played on hundreds of 5 strings over the years and of the ones I’ve actually owned, I would rate them as among some of the better examples available: Status(s), Musicman Stingray 5, Lakland, MTD (Kingston and Heir models), Conklin, Yamaha(s), Bass Collection, Ibanez(s), Jaydee and even a terrible old Aria Pro!
But I am finding myself trying to decide once and for all whether I’m going to sell my last 5 string now, seeing as all my main basses are 4 strings.
I know there are a lot of people who swear by them, not just because they use the 5 extra low notes regularly but because they like being able to play lower notes whilst playing in the one hand position a little higher up on the neck. However, I just keep on finding myself avoiding the B string for anything other the first low 5 notes that it gives me. Even then, I would say I find myself mainly using only the B, C and D notes!
I’m finding more and more that I can hear / notice unpleasant ‘overtones’ on B strings when playing above the 5th fret (all my basses have suffered from this) and I much prefer playing the lower notes on the E string to those on the higher frets of the B.
I’ve tried different scale basses, many different brands of string (also the various tapered types too), but there is just something ‘bad’ to my ears with the notes after the D# on the B string. It kind of ‘warbles’ and has a mild ‘wolftone’ thing going on, regardless of pickup height, light or heavy gauged strings and the quality / timbre of the higher notes never sound as consistent with those of the other strings when played higher up the neck.
I’m now thinking of just using a synth or an octave pedal if I ever find myself ‘needing’ to hear those 5 extra low notes now, but at the same time I’m also well aware as to the pains of GAS and equally know I could well regret not having at least one bass with 5 strings……
At least for some time now I’ve been finding it difficult to justify having a 5 string and making rare use of those 5 extra notes. Especially as because they then come at the cost of giving me more strings to mute when I’m playing, having a much wider fingerboard to contend with and (usually – dependant on model) some kind of compromise with regards to string spacing……
I'm sorry for a lengthy post but seeing as this is ‘TALK’ bass I would be very grateful for any comments, experiences and observations from my fellow bass brothers and sisters.
So, has anyone else ever felt like this and regretted it afterwards?
Many years ago my bass collection was mainly full of 5 strings and I wouldn’t even look at a new bass unless it had a low B.
I’ve played on hundreds of 5 strings over the years and of the ones I’ve actually owned, I would rate them as among some of the better examples available: Status(s), Musicman Stingray 5, Lakland, MTD (Kingston and Heir models), Conklin, Yamaha(s), Bass Collection, Ibanez(s), Jaydee and even a terrible old Aria Pro!
But I am finding myself trying to decide once and for all whether I’m going to sell my last 5 string now, seeing as all my main basses are 4 strings.
I know there are a lot of people who swear by them, not just because they use the 5 extra low notes regularly but because they like being able to play lower notes whilst playing in the one hand position a little higher up on the neck. However, I just keep on finding myself avoiding the B string for anything other the first low 5 notes that it gives me. Even then, I would say I find myself mainly using only the B, C and D notes!
I’m finding more and more that I can hear / notice unpleasant ‘overtones’ on B strings when playing above the 5th fret (all my basses have suffered from this) and I much prefer playing the lower notes on the E string to those on the higher frets of the B.
I’ve tried different scale basses, many different brands of string (also the various tapered types too), but there is just something ‘bad’ to my ears with the notes after the D# on the B string. It kind of ‘warbles’ and has a mild ‘wolftone’ thing going on, regardless of pickup height, light or heavy gauged strings and the quality / timbre of the higher notes never sound as consistent with those of the other strings when played higher up the neck.
I’m now thinking of just using a synth or an octave pedal if I ever find myself ‘needing’ to hear those 5 extra low notes now, but at the same time I’m also well aware as to the pains of GAS and equally know I could well regret not having at least one bass with 5 strings……
At least for some time now I’ve been finding it difficult to justify having a 5 string and making rare use of those 5 extra notes. Especially as because they then come at the cost of giving me more strings to mute when I’m playing, having a much wider fingerboard to contend with and (usually – dependant on model) some kind of compromise with regards to string spacing……
I'm sorry for a lengthy post but seeing as this is ‘TALK’ bass I would be very grateful for any comments, experiences and observations from my fellow bass brothers and sisters.
So, has anyone else ever felt like this and regretted it afterwards?
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