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Help me make a decision...

Resonance129

Resonance129

Feb 15, 2011
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Purgatory
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#1
I know these threads are not very popular, but I'm a little indecisive about my next bass purchase. Right now, all of my basses are the "lesser" versions of real models (Squier P, SBMM Ray, Rockbass Corvette, etc), but I'm planning to buy my first "real" bass at the end of the year, maybe after Christmas (hopefully, there'll be some good sales).

I've decided I want a true German Warwick Thumb or a Streamer, but I'm having trouble deciding on whether I want to get a 4 or 5 string. Seems minor to most, but I'm truly torn. It's a pretty big purchase (probably between $1.5k-$2k buying used on Reverb) and I'd like to try to prevent buyers remorse to the best of my ability before I send my money anywhere lol.

I learned on 4's and admittedly feel more comfortable on 4's. But earlier this year, I decided wanted a 5 to learn on, and my LAST purchase was a cheap 5'r (Squier VM V). I've been attempting to familiarize myself with all the ins-outs of playing 5's and I've improved a bit, but the level of concentration required is significantly higher. Not as fun to play as 4's, but there's nothing like peppering your music with that low B string. I don't want to limit myself with a 4 on such a nice instrument, but don't want to get a 5 and it ends up constantly sitting on the rack because I don't enjoy playing it.

I realize it's up to me in the end, but if you've ever been in a similar situation, or have some good advice, please... Do share.
And thanks, in advance.
 
#3
Stevorebob said:
I would hold off on the purchase until you determine whether a 4- or 5-string is best for you. Not exciting advice, and it violates a TalkBass tenant (buy!), but that’s what an have to say.
Click to expand...

That's valid. And I appreciate that.
I honestly feel like I could go either way, which is why I'm indecisive lol. I think I'd be super happy with a 4 just due to familiarity, but with a little more time on the 5, I feel like I'd have more bass and become really happy with that. The 5 would be a little bit of a gamble, but if it DID prove to become something I liked a lot, I'd be even happier.

I've obviously got a bit more research to do, but I guess I just need some Pros/Cons to help make a decision.
 
#5
Resonance129 said:
That's valid. And I appreciate that.
I honestly feel like I could go either way, which is why I'm indecisive lol. I think I'd be super happy with a 4 just due to familiarity, but with a little more time on the 5, I feel like I'd have more bass and become really happy with that. The 5 would be a little bit of a gamble, but if it DID prove to become something I liked a lot, I'd be even happier.

I've obviously got a bit more research to do, but I guess I just need some Pros/Cons to help make a decision.
Click to expand...
I played mid-price 5-strings until I knew for sure that was the way I was going before I invested in a top-quality 5-string bass.
 
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#8
Resonance129 said:
the level of concentration required is significantly higher. Not as fun to play as 4's
Click to expand...
That's just a mindset. Mindsets can be changed.

Like many of us here, I started on a 4, and like you, I eventually purchased an inexpensive 5 to see what it was all about. Today, my herd is a mix of 4s and 5s, and I frequently go back and forth between them. Don't rush the purchase. There will always be pre-owned Warwicks out there looking for a new home.
 
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#11
garp said:
That's just a mindset. Mindsets can be changed.

Like many of us here, I started on a 4, and like you, I eventually purchased an inexpensive 5 to see what it was all about. Today, my herd is a mix of 4s and 5s, and I frequently go back and forth between them. Don't rush the purchase. There will always be pre-owned Warwicks out there looking for a new home.
Click to expand...

Very true.
When I DO pick up my 5'r, I end up having a pretty good time after a good hour of play. It just takes me THAT long to kinda get used to the extra string. I gigged with it once and it actually went pretty well. Another reason I'm on the fence. I have a good feeling I'd really like the 5'r with time.

You're also right about the fact that there'll be more used Warwicks and I shouldn't rush the purchase. I'm just eager to get my hands on the thing lol. There aren't many brick/mortar stores that have German Warwicks sitting on the racks, so it's something I'm going into with limited knowledge.

Either way, I'm gonna try and hold out for a while, but if I see a deal I'm jumping. There's really one on Reverb right now that I'm tempted to send an offer for lol.

:sour: Patience...
 
#13
King Kong Bundy says choose a FIVE string!
king-kong-bundy-6.jpg
 
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#14
edro said:
I don't think extra string.
A V is a V... Not a IV+1....

Just semantics I guess.... :cool:
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In my mind, it kinda IS IV+I lol.

I started on a 4, so the minimum AND maximum amount of strings to ever consider at a time has always been 4. The 5 is like a completely new instrument. Feel, sound, weight, string spacing... Practically everything is a little different.

That's not an excuse to avoid 5's, and I can appreciate the mindset to help overcome the involuntary extra brain usage over the extra string, but ya gotta acknowledge the fact that there are some significant differences there. Just a matter of familiarizing myself with the new bass outfit.
 
#16
Get the 5. Then (literally) get every single other bass you own out of your house. Take them to a friend's house. Take them to your mom's house. Take them to a storage unit. Whatever. Get them out of your house.

I went from 4 to 6 string years ago. I was so perplexed to begin with I kept grabbing my fours and didn't play the new bass. Then a cousin who also plays asked to borrow a bass in an emergency. I told him he could take one if he took all three. Best decision I could have made. It forced me to get ready for a gig on the 6.

I eventually settled on the 5 string. But I had to get rid of my fours temporarily to get there on the 6.

Go 5 and don't look back! :bassist:
 
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#18
two fingers said:
Get the 5. Then (literally) get every single other bass you own out of your house. Take them to a friend's house. Take them to your mom's house. Take them to a storage unit. Whatever. Get them out of your house.

I went from 4 to 6 string years ago. I was so perplexed to begin with I kept grabbijng my fours and didn't play the new bass. Then a cousin who also plays asked to borrow a bass in an emergency. I told him he could take one if he took all three. Best decision I could have made. It forced me to get ready for a gig on the 6.

I eventually settled on the 5 string. But I had to get rid of my fours temporarily to get there on the 6.

Go 5 and don't look back! :bassist:
Click to expand...

Ya know, that's a good idea... I actually tried to "hide" my 4's from myself when I finally got that 5 earlier this year, but just couldn't do it. I enjoy playing them all, and for different reasons/sounds.

I'm gonna seriously try locking my 4's up and play nothing but the 5 from now on until the very end of the year and see how I feel. Maybe my views on the 5 will have changed by then, and I'll be able to make a better decision.
 

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