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How often do you play 5-string (or more) basses?
- Thread starter Greenman72
- Start date
I hit the less than 10% of the time radio button because I'm not currently using it at all. What drove me to buy it was the group I was playing with in Virginia back in 2009. We had about 6 songs that required me to down-tune my E string. and every once in a while I'd forget to tune it back up and then have to transpose my fingerings on the fly...that sucks! Swapping back and forth between basses was a better answer, so I bought a 5-string. It's not of the caliber that my 1982 Jazz is though, so I don't use it for anything except songs that require using that B string.
Op here.
Wow. Lots of love for the fives around here. Why is that?
I’m a rookie, learning on a four. Don’t really know the difference. Don’t know if they’re more or less the same, or vastly different.
Wow. Lots of love for the fives around here. Why is that?
I’m a rookie, learning on a four. Don’t really know the difference. Don’t know if they’re more or less the same, or vastly different.
Probably because us fivers are more interested in answering the poll! I don't think we're a majority of TB though.
I only play 4 string basses. I owned 2 different 5 string basses at different times in my life. In both cases, I was not able to bond with them. However, I’m open to trying one again in the future likely with a different tuning.
I’ve never owned a 6 string bass, but I have played several in music stores. They’re not my teacup of bass.
I’ve never owned a 6 string bass, but I have played several in music stores. They’re not my teacup of bass.
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I participated in the survey. When do I get my consulting fee?
After a million years playing a four string bass, I moved 100% to fivers for the past three years. In the past month, I have been forced to use a four for a new (old) project.
It is really weird. I used to get confused sometimes about where I was on a fiver. Now I have the same problem with fours.
It is really weird. I used to get confused sometimes about where I was on a fiver. Now I have the same problem with fours.
I started on 4 and still play them 90+ percent of the time. When 5 strings seemed to be important tools, I went to my local store (specializing in bass at the time) and played all their 5s. My budget was open - the most expensive were neck-throughs, but didn't feel they had more to offer than the Ken Smith Burner 5 I bought. Although heaver than I like, it's a fine instrument. But I've never enjoyed playing. I'll take any of my 4 stringers first.
The 5 makes it so much easier to switch keys on a song in my praise band that I'll only take a 5 there. Since that's the only place I play out that's pretty much all I play any more.
But I will pull out a 4 from time to time for alternate tunings that want/use that open Eb or D. The 3rd fret on the B just doesn't work the same.
But I will pull out a 4 from time to time for alternate tunings that want/use that open Eb or D. The 3rd fret on the B just doesn't work the same.
I take two basses to every gig, a 4 and a 5. I played 5's exclusively for several years, before deciding that there were some amazing bassists, making some amazing music, on 4's, so I decided to get back into a 4.
To me, and I'm not sure why this is, but Drop D sounds better on a 4 than a 5. I dunno why, it just does. We divide our sets into tuning blocks, so depending on the tuning, I'll play a 4 or a 5. I like switching during shows, it keeps my brain and my fingers engaged and in sync.
To me, and I'm not sure why this is, but Drop D sounds better on a 4 than a 5. I dunno why, it just does. We divide our sets into tuning blocks, so depending on the tuning, I'll play a 4 or a 5. I like switching during shows, it keeps my brain and my fingers engaged and in sync.
I had one and ended up selling because it was heavy. I didn’t spend enough time with it to make use of the b string. Was more of a bouncy thumb rest lol. I have nothing against them. I’m happy with my gear and don’t have gas, so I need to keep it that way
All of my basses either already have 6+ strings or I modified the 4-stringers to have 5.
My collection includes an 8-string with a secondary course like a 12-dtring guitar.
A 6-string.
A 4+3 fretless.
My jazz bass came with 4 but, I added one more on top that's between regular distance and "paired" so I can play it carefully on its own or easily play a chord.
I have a short scale cello guitar, too. That's got a similar modification but, with more of a regular string spacing.
I like to tune low and feel like these days it's easy enough for subcontra electric basses to be the standard.
No, I don't need the extra range, high or low, for every single song but, it's really nice to have and does not get in the way.
My collection includes an 8-string with a secondary course like a 12-dtring guitar.
A 6-string.
A 4+3 fretless.
My jazz bass came with 4 but, I added one more on top that's between regular distance and "paired" so I can play it carefully on its own or easily play a chord.
I have a short scale cello guitar, too. That's got a similar modification but, with more of a regular string spacing.
I like to tune low and feel like these days it's easy enough for subcontra electric basses to be the standard.
No, I don't need the extra range, high or low, for every single song but, it's really nice to have and does not get in the way.
4 string BEAD for me. Skinny neck, low B, no G, and I get to play many songs a bit further up the neck. It’s not for everyone. But it works for me!
