• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Hey, I'm a 5 stringer!!

E

emblymouse

exempt
Jan 22, 2006
5,395
1,475
#1
After a few false starts and retreats back to my 4 strings, I achieved my 5 String Bassist merit badge last night. :bassist:
I'm rehearsing a new band debuting this weekend and last night we ran down all 3 sets. I used my 5501 on every song without looking back (while singing I might add :)).
It may not seem like much to some of you, but it is a major achievment for this old dog after 35+ years of 4 bangers.
The award ceremony was attended by only me on the drive home. I have to share because without you all on TB this would never have come about. Keep on growing!!:hyper:
 
#5
Congrats emblymouse.

i have played a 5 for 11 years now, i never did see a change in dropping to a 4. although i did train myself a few weeks leading up to my first 5 string, i imagined what notes i could play while i was in practice just to get an idea of where i would be 'grabbing' for those lower notes.

when i picked up my yamaha BBG5A it was as if id always played with the B :P

its always handy to keep the good old 4 string at hand, it wasn't until i got my sandberg PM5 that i could manage to play EVERYTHING i can on a 4 just as well on a 5, i think its all down to comfort and confidence on an instrument.
 
#6
Yeah, this brings up a good point-am I at a fork in the road here? Can't imagine giving up on my 4 strings. I am using a Precision for a different project, but I really don't HAVE to. I think I can switch back and forth between the 2 bands, but but going from 4 to 5 to 4 in one set seemed so ridiculous that I made myself do it all on 5. I'm not yet at the point where I can really fly on 5 strings yet though. In time perhaps. Hey, does this mean I need a spare 5ver now? :eek: Cool, GAS I didn't even know I had!
 
#10
Congrats on the move up to 5 string. After 3 decades of 4 strings I switched to 5 back in 2000 and have never looked back since. I only wish they made more 5 strings with vintage style basses, i.e. - 51 P-bass in a 5'er would be cool if you ask me. Some people will say I'm crazy, but that's just me.;)
 
#14
I started on a 5 and that's all I've ever owned so I have the exact opposite problem - playing a 4 really messes me up. Threads like this always make me think I should eventually get a 4 string just so I can finally work out those kinks.
 
#15
birdie num nums said:
emblymouse, can you tell me if you felt any BIG difference between 34" and 35"? :)
Click to expand...

Good question, I now want to try a 34" 5. Apples to apples comaprison is only fair. The extra length is only apparent to me when I'm stuck way down low for a long time (for example, playing Green Onions). Other than that it's really not a biggie. But if I start spending more time on a 5 I have concern for my hands. They are aging too, no problems yet but I want to be as nice to them as possible for as long as possible. I do like the standard spacing though, so that narrows things down for sure. I would love to try a Fender Roscoe Beck V. If the B isn't firm I may have to stick with 35" scale.
 
#16
embly: good on ya!

34 vs 35: it's like 3% diff...not much.
where the bass hangs, and how many frets it has can have more effect on percieved reach than scale length.

imo, there's many other factors that impact b string response than scale.
i've played 35's that sucked, and 34's that ruled.

i switch b/t DB, 5 string, 4 string and various scale lengths all the time. you get to where you don't hardly notice after a while;)
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back