I don't like the sound of the B string

[marcusbrown]

I love the 4 string bass, I was playing bass long before the 5 and 6 string bass came out.

I've never liked the sound of the B string.

Every B string I've heard sound muddy.

One day I was talking to Marcus Miller, and he said the same thing.

 

[Cadillac_Mike]

I'm not that good but I honestly don't get how in 99% of songs you'll be moving around enough to justify the extra strings unless you're playing fast jazz fusion or something lol....

 

[marcusbrown]

I'm not that good but I honestly don't get how in 99% of songs you'll be moving around enough to justify the extra strings unless you're playing fast jazz fusion or something lol....

I see a lot of bass players playing the 5 string bass and they don't even use it.

I think people are just following the crowd and buying 5 string basses because they see other people buying them.

 

[pepj]

If the B string doesnt sound very good, then maybe the bass isnt build well enough or set up.
I have 6 5st and all the B strings sound good and you can slap on all of them and they have defined sounds.

So, Bass first. Amp next. Then look at technique.
The days of buying 5 str blind and being quite fraught because the B might be flubby are largely gone, ime.
I've bought 5 'blind' and only sold 1 and that wasn't about the B. It was a Sire.

 

[El Spearo]

I am 100% pro choice, and support your decision not to play 5ers. Let the rest of us that want to play 5ers do as we please. It does not affect you at all...

 

[AuBassMan]

I love the 4 string bass, I was playing bass long before the 5 and 6 string bass came out.

I've never liked the sound of the B string.

Every B string I've heard sound muddy.

One day I was talking to Marcus Miller, and he said the same thing.

OK.

 

[xroads]

If you don't like the sound of a B-string, don't use it.
My goal with 5-stringers is to improve my technique
and the setup of the bass so that the transition between
say a E on the E-string and a D on the B-string sounds
pretty much seamless. It can be done...

 

[Aloe]

hi and welcome to TalkBass! not sure, what advice are you looking for, if you're playing bass since 60s and prefer 4 strings, I think, that's it and you don't need my advice.

I love the 4-string basses, but sometimes want a low Eb, D or C, that's why I have a fiver, it's that simple.

 

[spade2you]

Quality bass, good setup, good amp rig, and technique. I'd agree it sounds bad when it's done wrong. It's not impossible to get great sounds if you do your homework. It's far from impossible if I have done it a few times.

 

[ModuMan]

I see a lot of bass players playing the 5 string bass and they don't even use it.

I think people are just following the crowd and buying 5 string basses because they see other people buying them.

I suppose there's some truth to that... I wanted a 5-string bass after I heard someone else playing one.

 

[Snert]

I see a lot of bass players playing the 5 string bass and they don't even use it.

I use mine all the time. It's much nicer playing across the neck than along it even for songs that were written for a standard tuned 4 string. Plus it makes transposing on the fly a doddle.

I think people are just following the crowd and buying 5 string basses because they see other people buying them.

Rubbish. I was using a 5 when they weren't common at all. And all I really play now are 5s and 6s.

We'll see if you turn out to be just trolling.

 

[RichterScale]

A lot of times when people are intimidated or envious of something, they will feign dislike for it.
Embrace your curiosity. Touch the B string. Go on, touch it. You know you want to.
Order one online and ask them to deliver it in plain brown wrapping. Play it in a closet with a headphone amp when no one is around, so your friends don't find out.

 

[Snert]

^^ I LOL'd.

 

[Nashrakh]

In before the lock.

 

[Watchootognbout]

I see a lot of bass players playing the 5 string bass and they don't even use it.

I think people are just following the crowd and buying 5 string basses because they see other people buying them.

I've never understood why some ask the the question "Do I need a five or six string bass"?
Don't they know what their musical goals are?
Does the music drop below E?
Do they have a vision that goes beyond what you are doing now?

 

[RichterScale]

Kick that closet door open and yell it. Yell it for all the world to hear,...
I LOVE 5 STRINGS AND I DON'T CARE WHO KNOWS!!

 

[India_Sierra]

One day I was talking to Marcus Miller, and he said the same thing.

It didn't seem to stop him putting his name on a bunch of basses to sell though, huh.

I could perhaps understand if he was just referring to his Fenders, I've often found Fender basses don't have a great low B.

 

[p12bassnut]

I primarily play in church and use the B string a lot.
The modern christian praise music lends itself to self expression and the low notes make good impact when desired.
Also, I prefer the feel of a wider neck of the 5. I have long fingers, it just works better for me.

 

[Snert]

It didn't seem to stop him putting his name on a bunch of basses to sell though, huh.

Not to mention the 6s. Quelle horreur!

I actually like the M series basses.

 

[mcnach]

I see a lot of bass players playing the 5 string bass and they don't even use it.

I think people are just following the crowd and buying 5 string basses because they see other people buying them.

hilarious