I played a five string today...

[Mechanical]

...and I liked it.



I must be getting old.

 

[chris_b]

With age comes wisdom.

 

[pacojas]

enjoy the advantages.

 

[basslifter]

4 strings confuse me

 

[Gorn]

The A string does not belong in the middle. There should be no middle. It's just wrong.

 

[petrus61]

I've always liked 5's, but it took me a while to figure out that it was a certain feature set that I gravitated toward. I struggled for a while until I realized 19mm string spacing, 34" scale and a 1.75-10in fingerboard radius were what worked for me, as opposed the more common uber flat radius, 35" scale and 16-17mm specs that seem to be all the rage for fivers around here. But then again, I'm an idiot.

 

[MrMerrey]

I usually play a 5 string, just gives you more options, but I keep a 4 strings around as well.

Problems is once your comfortable on a 5 you will play a 4 and may wish you had a that extra string for more scale runs and easier chording options.

 

[wrench45us]

I've always liked 5's, but it took me a while to figure out that it was a certain feature set that I gravitated toward. I struggled for a while until I realized 19mm string spacing, 34" scale and a 1.75-10in fingerboard radius were what worked for me, as opposed the more common uber flat radius, 35" scale and 16-17mm specs that seem to be all the rage for fivers around here. But then again, I'm an idiot.

Everyone knows it's the 12 inch radius, 34 inch scale, 17 mm string spacing that's all the rage -- or at least should be. Anyone who can play a 35 inch scale can probably handle and prefers 19mm string spacing -- which is where most 'boutique manufacturers have gone. 19 mm spacing and 34 inch scale and 10 inch radius almost sounds like a Fender and really how many of those are around?
[sarcasm intended]

I do think it's important to figure out what dimensions work for you and go from there. Really filters the whole GAS universe.

 

[MrLenny1]

Bought my first 5 string in 1991.
Now all my basses are 5strings with one being a Hi-C setup.

 

[Fuzzbass]

The A string does not belong in the middle. There should be no middle. It's just wrong.

HAHAHA. I thought I was the only one. When I first played five, that middle string did not compute.

After two months of woodshedding I got used to it and now I don't even think about it. I now play 5 string exclusively.

FWIW, 5 string was an epiphany for me. It broke me of many bad (or lazy) habits that I'd developed in the two decades I played four -- "muscle memory", whatever. Opened up new avenues, and I'm not just talking about the five notes below low E... it's great to have a full two octave range in each fingering position.

It's possible I've developed bad/lazy habits on 5 string as well, but I am definitely a better player on 5 than I was on 4, and not just because I'm older/more experienced.

I could play six if I wanted to, but I don't need the additional range, nor do I want either a wider neck or narrower string spacing. For those same reasons, plenty of bassists stick with four. It's all about what's best for each individual.

 

[Bassman Spiff]

I have a love/hate relationship with my 5. I love the extra advantages of the 5, but hate that I cannot play it as naturally as my 4s (yet). That said, the 5 has made me a better player.

So, my upcoming custom bass will be a 5 due to the simple fact that my band's music is better, sonically, with the lower available notes and fingering options.

 

[Fuzzbass]

I do think it's important to figure out what dimensions work for you and go from there. Really filters the whole GAS universe.

I've always loved MusicMan basses, back when I was four-bangin' I had a Cutlass I and a Sabre that were well-worn workhorses. I love the tones of the Stingray 5, but hate the string spacing. I gotta have 1-7/8" nut, 19mm bridge spacing. Those few extra mm make all the difference in the world to me.

I also learned that I can play 35" scale just fine, but I prefer the slightly more traditional timbre of 34". With TLC and proper setup, a 34" B string sounds fantastic.

And yeah, great point about the GAS filter. If a bass doesn't fit my preference I don't give it a second thought.

 

[mimaz]

4 strings confuse me

I haven't gigged with a 4 since back around 2000, and anymore when I pick one up I feel...confused.

 

[jim777]

...and I liked it.



I must be getting old.

I swear I saw this heading, and as I clicked on it to see the thread I thought "I bet he liked it" lol

 

[basslifter]

To expand....
Once I dedicated myself to playing 5, I had no issues. I now play 5 exclusively. I can play a 4 if pressed, but I would rather not. Once I got used to the available shapes and patterns on a 5, it is hard to go back to essentially being at a disadvantage on a 4. There is a lot less moving up and down, and more moving across. I also don't have to worry about drop tunings. A note is a note and I just play it. I don't need to be concerned about a song being 1/2 step down or in drop D. ....while the guitarists scramble to change tunings or change guitars, I can just play.
The only thing that is a little sad is that is seems as if some manufacturers are not offering as wide of a style/color selection in a 5 as they do a 4. But, I'm very happy with the one I have.
I decided to try a fretless experiment not long ago and bought a 4 string fretless. Big mistake. Long story short, I sold it and found a 5 string fretless and I'm sooo much more comfortable. I won't even consider a 4 now; it's just not worth it. I want to be comfortable and not have to think about hand position....just play.

 

[Nephilymbass]

I'm another that hasn't gigged with a 4 string since the 90s. In fact the only 4 string I've bought in the last 15 years was a fretless jazz which was the first fretless i owned. When i got it i wanted to keep it simple as i adjusted to playing fretless, found as I'm a lefty that plays right handed fretless was actually a very easy transition but i missed that low b, i missed the slightly bigger neck so i sold it and am hunting for a fretless 5

 

[Joedog]

Is this the internet version of the Groundhog Day movie???

 

[Sid the Kid]

Some songs just make more sense in drop D. It can be easier and it can give you a more gritty/grindy tone with the lowered tension on the open D. So for those songs i drop the E on my 5 to D. Gotta have my thumbrest!

 

[StuartV]

I mostly play 5. But, I switch back and forth fairly often. Having more strings can be a little harder to play - mainly when it's a new thing. But, playing some things with only 4 strings can also be more challenging than playing it with 5.

I switch back and forth to help myself improve on those skills that are harder on each type. Same reason I have and play my fretless some of the time. It really helps me (moreso than playing a fretted) improve my finger positioning when I'm playing my fretted basses.

Plus, if I were ever somewhere and got offered a chance to sit in with a band where I actually wanted to sit in, I would feel exceedingly lame if they handed me a 4 (or 5, for that matter) string bass to play and I sucked because it had less (or more) strings than I was used to. If it was a 6-string (which I did get handed to play once at an open jam), I wouldn't feel SO bad about throwing out some clankers. But, I personally want to be able to pick up any 4 or 5 string and play it like I'm not a total rookie.

 

[Fuzzbass]

if I were ever somewhere and got offered a chance to sit in with a band where I actually wanted to sit in, I would feel exceedingly lame if they handed me a 4

That's my only concern about playing 5 string exclusively. A couple times I've sat in with bands and had to play four string; it's a challenge.

On the other hand, I once had fun when someone sat in with my band, not realizing I was playing a five string. I laughed with him, not at him. He was as uncomfortable on fiver as I was on four. I've felt your pain, buddy!