I think I've decided I'm more of a 4-string guy...

[Big Hoss]

I tried a 5 before (Ibanez) and hated it, even though I loved the 4 string counterpart. Sold it... I have noodled around on fivers in the guitar shop, and REALLY like the Squier Vintage Modified Jaguar Bass Special V, I love the neck on my SX Ursa 1, so I figured it was worth it, especially at the rock bottom pricing, to order an Ursa 2 (Jazz type bass) in 5 string. It should arrive Tuesday.

It I hate the 5 string Ursa, I know I can sell it for what I paid for it on Craigslist. Which is partially why I didn't buy one used, when they come up used, they sell that day pretty much, for full price I am guessing...

 

[spade2you]

Yeah I'm sure the 5-string version of the same bass will be lighter than the 4.

You're dealing with a string, a slightly wider neck, a slightly bigger bridge, slightly bigger pickups, and a tuner. I can't see this being that much additional weight. Wood density can vary from bass to bass. My 6 and 7 string basses are lighter than a few 4 string basses I have picked up.

 

[Menorahman]

So you're selling both of your five string basses?

I'll probably sell 3-4 of 7. One is my only acoustic, and for some reason I think the low B on an acoustic bass is kinda nice.

 

[spade2you]

I dunno, 4-strings are cool and all, but at the end of the day they are kinda pointless for most music. Despite every brand saying their G string is the best ever, most just don't sound very good. The only high G's I like are on my Dingwall NG2 and, to a lesser extent, my Ibanez SR 5205 Prestige. Really the Dingwall is the only one that sounds like it truly belongs. Even then, you get 5 extra notes that are kind of a gimmick for most music and the rest of the string will still sound better played on the D. Then there are all the drawbacks...

- heavier
- 35'' scale usually
- more muting required
- more expensive to buy and maintain

I just find it funny when people say they need a 4-string for a certain situation, and then they hit the G two or three times. Sure there ARE times when a 4 is useful, but if it isn't using fanned frets it will likely be suboptimal, especially for recording.

Isn't this copy+past of the OP???

 

[Menorahman]

He was trying (and failing) to be clever.

 

[Malak the Mad]

And since I seldom need anything other than an occasional low D, a drop tuner installed on the E string gives me all that I really need without needing an extra string. So it's only rarely I'll use my Spector 5-string these days.

Mad Love for those Drop-D tuners!

Word, it's like people thinking they need a certain bass or pickup for one style over another. Except in those cases you are always utilizing the different feature, whereas most people I see playing 5's almost never hit the low B.

This kinda reminds me of all the five-string bass demos I've seen where the play-tester will noodle/twiddle/slap around for four or five minutes and only hits the B-string once or twice. Then to add further insult, they immediately choke it off, not letting us here what makes the G@#damned thing stand out from other four-bangers!

 

[Not yet]

Still getting used to my first 5 at 58....but more I gig out w it more I dig it. Been using a 4 for last three weeks of low volume supper club gigs, five is coming out tomorrow just cause I missed it.

Not an easy switch for me, but came together after 18 hours of put up or shut up gigs over labor day weekend. Something about home shedding just didn't get it over the hump....gots to play out w it to appreciate (for me)

 

[Malak the Mad]

Isn't this copy+past of the OP???

He was trying (and failing) to be clever.

As someone who's done a fair share of stand-up-comedy-style presentations, I have to agree. It's the comedic-equivalent of repeating everything someone says right as they're saying it…schoolyard, third-grade annoyance humor.

 

[Menorahman]

You're dealing with a string, a slightly wider neck, a slightly bigger bridge, slightly bigger pickups, and a tuner. I can't see this being that much additional weight. Wood density can vary from bass to bass. My 6 and 7 string basses are lighter than a few 4 string basses I have picked up.

I think you're forgetting the body, which is bigger on a V. All of these things add up, especially on the neck.

Only on TalkBass would people argue that something larger weighs less than something smaller. Sure density varies, but really, how many 6-strings are lighter than a 4 of the same material? Maybe an alder 6 would weigh less than an ash 4, but it'll still most likely be heavier than the same bass in alder 4.

 

[Leaux-b]

I like my 4 string better too, tuned BEAD.

 

[wmhill]

I reached that same sentiment somewhere around 1994......... and no regrets!

 

[flashgod]

Honestly i never understood, why 5 strings are necessary. I tried it several times but the b string never felt right im my hands. Simply 1 string to much on the neck and irritating over all. In practical matter i do not need the extra notes. An extra string is not needed, because i love sliding over the strings. Even the d-tuner on my Fender is pretty much unused and useless for me. So i guess i am old fashioned when i say there is nothing like a good old 4 string.
For all 5 string lovers, be happy and keep on going, but i am headin another way, cheers

 

[BassChuck]

Nearly every 5 string claims to have 'killer B string'. What bothers me is not clearly hearing a difference between the B and C down low. Maybe it me, maybe the amp, but it just sounds thick and rumbly. The other problem is higher up on the neck there is all kinds of resonate sounds. Reminds me the 'wolf' sound on some cellos.

I'm happy with the 4 string. I have a D-tuner but rarely use that.

 

[Menorahman]

As someone who's done a fair share of stand-up-comedy-style presentations, I have to agree. It's the comedic-equivalent of repeating everything someone says right as they're saying it…schoolyard, third-grade annoyance humor.

I actually like this technique, but it has to actually make sense. Like a rant about one political party could easily be transposed to another to make a humorous point.

 

[Doner Designs]

BEAD is the standard for me now. I probably couldn't play a standard tuned 4 anymore.

 

[wmhill]

I think you're forgetting the body, which is bigger on a V. All of these things add up, especially on the neck.

Only on TalkBass would people argue that something larger weighs less than something smaller. Sure density varies, but really, how many 6-strings are lighter than a 4 of the same material? Maybe an alder 6 would weigh less than an ash 4, but it'll still most likely be heavier than the same bass in alder 4.

you mean like the dudes that argue that an "8x10 is much easier to move than a 4x10" ? Those guys make me laugh!!

 

[Freez]

For me, I couldn't get used to the feel of a fiver. I like the idea of having some lower notes available, but I had a 5 string Jazz (briefly), and it just felt wrong; couldn't get comfy on it. I quickly traded it for a 4 string Jazz and was much happier. If I was just starting playing though, I think I would learn on a five string; maybe even a six. I'm an old dog with no interest in new tricks!

 

[Luke19Boarder]

He was trying (and failing) to be clever.

Clever? I hardly know her!

As someone who's done a fair share of stand-up-comedy-style presentations, I have to agree. It's the comedic-equivalent of repeating everything someone says right as they're saying it…schoolyard, third-grade annoyance humor.

Oh snap - shots fired!

I'm so blessed to have a comedy expert grace us with such an insightful post. Thank you so much!

No, I wasn't trying to do a bit (though it did get more likes than your unnecessarily condescending post, so *insert annoying tongue-sticking-out-smiley*). I used the OP's same wording to point out that the ideal number of strings is pretty darn subjective, and you can make a parallel argument for/against any number of strings. To say that most B strings "just don't sound good" or are essentially "a gimmick," is silly. This type of thread has been done to death ... use however many strings you want, but you aren't going to logic your way into convincing anyone else that a certain number is better.

 

[Menorahman]

Nearly every 5 string claims to have 'killer B string'. What bothers me is not clearly hearing a difference between the B and C down low. Maybe it me, maybe the amp, but it just sounds thick and rumbly. The other problem is higher up on the neck there is all kinds of resonate sounds. Reminds me the 'wolf' sound on some cellos.

I'm happy with the 4 string. I have a D-tuner but rarely use that.

Yeah the resonance thing really bothers me. Even though it's only 'one more string' to mute, it adds a significant amount of noise if you aren't on point. It'd be like trying to take a test with someone shouting at you. Sure if you really know your stuff you'll still ace the test, but why would you want the distraction in the first place?

 

[Menorahman]

Clever? I hardly know her!



Oh snap - shots fired!

I'm so blessed to have a comedy expert grace us with such an insightful post. Thank you so much!

No, I wasn't trying to do a bit (though it did get a couple likes, so *insert annoying tongue-sticking-out-smiley*). I used the OP's same wording to point out that the ideal number of strings is pretty darn subjective, and you can make a parallel argument for/against any number of strings. To say that most B strings "just don't sound good" or are essentially "a gimmick," is silly. This type of thread has been done to death ... use however many strings you want, but you aren't going to logic your way into convincing anyone else that a certain number is better.

I mean, if you dig 5's that's great, but the laws of physics and frequency responses aren't subjective. There's a reason a lot of mix engineers are against too much playing on the low B.