Help an Old Guy Change!

[mikeluch]

I have been playing bass for 35 years and always played 4 strings. It became evident this week that the old guys (including me) need to sing in different keys, which makes it necessary to transpose many of our songs.
I am looking into some recommendations for (gasp) 5 strings. I have not tried many, but my concern is with my meaty fingers. I presently play a 4-94, sadowsky P/J and a Sterling as my main basses.
I have read about the string spacing and the scale sometimes being an issue, but would appreciate help from those who have made the move from 4s to 5s and maybe some recommendations.
Thanks!

 

[jsingles]

Why not look into a lakland 5 string? not only is it a brand you are obviously familiar with, but lakland makes a hell of a B string. Their 5 string necks receive alot of praise.

As far as the switch goes. When I did it, I just did what everyone told me to do, and that is DIVE RIGHT IN! Just take it head on, and try not to pick up any 4 strings for awhile.

 

[Mark Wilson]

+1 on the lakand.

what a comfortable neck!!

 

[J-chot]

if you need to play in different keys as opposed to songs with a WIDE range of notes, you should look into tuning your bass up or down a step. instead of buying a whole new bass.

*thicker strings: make tuning down a step easier
*thinner strings: make tuning up a step easier.

 

[mikeluch]

Thanks guys, this is great info, keep em coming!!

 

[bassteban]

I had to quit smoking(not cigarettes ). Helped in other areas, too.
I do best switching between 4, 5 & 6's when the scale & spacing is the same(also nice going from fretted-fretless & vice-versa)or at least close. Play a bunch & see what you think.

 

[mikeluch]

I have a chance to trade my Sterling for a Bongo HH 5er. Any thoughts??

 

[bassteban]

Keep at least one 4 in case it takes awhile to get comfy w/the 5. You might like to switch it up as well; I do.
Beyond that, the respective values are similar, right? I'm not a huge fan of either(Sterling or Bongo), but a 5 is my main player.

 

[blindeddie]

DON'T DO IT!!! stick with the 4 strings! seriously. if you like 4's, then stay with 'em. you don't really need a 5! i've had several 5's AND 6's, and i can tell you, you really don't need the extra strings. the thing is, you have to make sure you use the extra range TASTEFULLY, and i honestly found that the times i needed it were very few and far between. AND it's hard to find a really good sounding B string, in my opinion.

 

[bassteban]

DON'T DO IT!!! stick with the 4 strings! seriously. if you like 4's, then stay with 'em. you don't really need a 5! i've had several 5's AND 6's, and i can tell you, you really don't need the extra strings. the thing is, you have to make sure you use the extra range TASTEFULLY, and i honestly found that the times i needed it were very few and far between. AND it's hard to find a really good sounding B string, in my opinion.

Nice open mind, dude. The man has two other nice 4s, & he never said he intended to play tastelessly, so let's give him the benefit of the doubt. Lastly(for the moment )there's the available range- in other words, more notes-per-position, which for me equals less shifting. And no one's telling you(blindeddie)to dump your 4s.

 

[jsingles]

I would make that trade... even if you decide its not for you, It's kind of nice to just have a 5er lying around, and its still a nice MM bass.

 

[mikeluch]

Thanks again sometimes an old dog needs some new tricks.
The Sterling just lays around and for no cash, I could have a good 5er to work with.
I have my 4-94, Sad, plus I have a JO4, Dunn 4, and some others.
You are right bassteban, I don't plan on using it to bang on the B string all day. I want it for position and some new challenges. I do not plan on it becoming my main bass, but who knows, if I learn to like it enough, I might go for some other 5ers like a jazz or whatever.

 

[mophead]

Try a Lakland 5er because the string spacing stays the same as your four. Great B string also.

Spector has an even better B string but the spacing is 17mm. I don't find that too bothersome unless you are a slapper and plucker, which I am not.

 

[Dbassmon]

I think part of musical growth is taking chances, trying new stuff and going for it.

Go ahead, get a 5 string bass. You will learn to feel compfy is couple of months or so. Practice, practice, practice. Reasonable string spacing on Lakland or Stringray/Bongo will not be a problem for your hands.

The low B adds beautiful depth when used tastefully. Fretting a low E on the B string has a completely different sound than an open E. You will love it.

 

[gillento]

Maybe a Sadowsky Metro 5er?
Roger will be releasing the PJ on the forthcoming Namm Show.

I am looking forward to one myself.

 

[yellofury]

I dunno I always just tuned a half step down to help my singing on my 4 strings
but if you can give it a try why not get a cheap 5 string with a decent B
just to test the waters?

 

[mikeluch]

I must say, it is great to be a member of this community and have fellow bassists to help clueless guys like me

 

[lpdeluxe]

The only reason I don't have a 5 is that I'm not playing that much bass these days.

But I had a 5 in the past and quite liked it. I was playing with some capo-wielding folkies, and I had to be ready to play in some unusual keys.

Tuning down a 4 is an option, but not ideal. So you tune down to D, then play a song in C? You lose the advantage. Better, I think, to dedicate an instrument to lower keys.

There's not THAT much of a learning curve: the bass is still pitched in 4ths; it's a small adjustment to remember that the bottom string is no longer E. I found the hardest part was finding notes on the B string in keys I didn't frequently play in, like F#.

Go for it. And report back.

 

[Rhythmron]

Played years with 4 strings jumped to a Carvin lb76 6 string stayed with my yamaha 4 string i guess 6 months playing out, before using the big 6 string. Now because of weight I use a Schector 5 String really like this Bass I guess it's the weight and those big EMG's Pickups, I'm an old fart, but we can change and adept you will get use to spacing I'm not a slapper more funk finger player. Hope this helps.

 

[etoncrow]

Mike, I'm an old guy too and I love my Lakland JO5 with Labella deep talkin' flats...