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

[tonemachine]

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.

"Only on TalkBass" would a person state a bass preference in their title...and then go on to editorialize against the preferences of others and attempt to diminish fine things that many people happen to like and play well. Very well, even. Maybe those people just have some abilities and taste that you never got around to figuring out. Fine that you prefer 4 after having trouble with the weight and other challenges and perceived shortcomings of non-Dingwall 5's but not sure why you would feel compelled to attempt to diminish things that others can handle masterfully. I think a few guys have done some great stuff on many different 34" 5 strings (don't quote me on that, maybe I imagined all of those recordings). Maybe you meant to stop with just berating the guys who "only" play a couple of notes on the B, of which there are probably many (just like there are many bass players who don't use much of what even a 4 string offers- odd that you don't mention them and generalize about them nor the fact that there are many lousy 4 strings) but you went beyond nitpicking about guys who you don't feel make good use of a 5 string. Weird double standards.

 

[kkaarrll]

before this thing gets locked

I started on a 5, got a 4, then started playing both (the transition back and forth wasn't too hard for me)

I truly think I prefer a 4, like others have said around here, having a 5 may make certain things easier (it does) but it also lends itself to former guitar players noodling instead of playing bass (guilty)

I want to play bass better--the 5 just always dares me to use that extra string for no reason--just to doodle

no thanks

and

that's ok

 

[DwaynieAD]

I came here because I understand the feelings in your title OP, then I read your first sentence and feel like you're just trying to stir up the crap pot.

Anyway. My five string jazz is far and away the best sounding bass I own or have ever owned. I'd rather play one of my four strings... Except my dean, id rather not play my dean.

 

[Mike Sorr]

I own a few 5ers and use them when needed, and I admit that they do make it a lot easier to be a lazy player. Staying in pretty much the same position on the neck all night does have its benefits, but I'm a 4 string player at heart. My MTD Z5 is super light for a 35" scale 5 string weighing in at only 8.4 pounds. The B string sounds fine and this is easily my favorite 5 to play. But I'd still rather play my Spector 4.

 

[mjetter432]

Ok

 

[crucislancer]

I dunno, 5-strings are cool and all, but at the end of the day they are kinda pointless for most music. Despite every brand saying their B string is the best ever, most just don't sound very good. The only low B'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 low E. 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 5-string for a certain situation, and then they hit the B two or three times. Sure there ARE times when a 5 is useful, but if it isn't using fanned frets it will likely be suboptimal, especially for recording.

I had a similar revelation years ago, it took two 5-strings to get it through my head that I prefer a 4-string bass. In the end, it just wasn't worth it to have one for the music I play. It was kind of a bummer, however, because I had a really lovely Tobias 5-string that sounded great. Just rarely used it.

 

[scubaduba]

I dunno, 5-strings are cool and all, but at the end of the day they are kinda pointless for most music. Despite every brand saying their B string is the best ever, most just don't sound very good. The only low B'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 low E. 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 5-string for a certain situation, and then they hit the B two or three times. Sure there ARE times when a 5 is useful, but if it isn't using fanned frets it will likely be suboptimal, especially for recording.

Guess you don't play gospel much... Or accompany orchestral/large choral projects. Ever play the B on a Roscoe... Or Ken Smith... Or MTD?

 

[dougazbass]

4 strings 4evr

 

[Menorahman]

I said there are some situations that can benefit from a 5-string, but I doubt most people are in them. And no, I don't have any $6000 basses, but somehow I doubt their B sounds better than a Dingwall.

 

[scubaduba]

Two best B's I'v experienced were my Dingwall and Roscoes. MUCH prefer the feel of Roscoes though which is why I no longer have any Dingwalls.

 

[Mr.Ace]

We're all bass players here. 4,5,6,+ strings. We should all respect each other, and each other's instrumental Preferences.

 

[Mr.Ace]

All of these replies or subjective, including mine

 

[Mr.Ace]

Are subjective

 

[rogerbmiller]

I dunno, 5-strings are cool and all, but at the end of the day they are kinda pointless for most music. Despite every brand saying their B string is the best ever, most just don't sound very good. The only low B'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 low E. 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 5-string for a certain situation, and then they hit the B two or three times. Sure there ARE times when a 5 is useful, but if it isn't using fanned frets it will likely be suboptimal, especially for recording.

Try a 6 string and you may change your mind

 

[Mr.Ace]

4 strings 4evr

That's what I always said. Never say forever, I just made that up.

 

[ScottyDont]

I dunno, 5-strings are cool and all, but at the end of the day they are kinda pointless for most music. Despite every brand saying their B string is the best ever, most just don't sound very good. The only low B'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 low E. 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 5-string for a certain situation, and then they hit the B two or three times. Sure there ARE times when a 5 is useful, but if it isn't using fanned frets it will likely be suboptimal, especially for recording.

F Bass BN5. It is so choice. If you have the means, I highly recommend picking one up.

 

[4andnomore]

My user name pretty much states my preference Whatever floats your boat though.

 

[Session1969]

How about how fretless basses are show offs that are trying too hard?

Come on, not another one.

 

[chuck3]

For my main band, which is very eclectic, I use a 5-string. We do a lot of different things and I like the freedom to go below E or go way up the neck and play the root on the B string. But I play in other groups as well. I play in a vintage rock group, use a 4 for that, and love it. I play jazz with a jazz guitarist and use my upright for that, and love that too. It's all good, I don't see much point in arguing about it.

 

[Kmonk]

I dunno, 5-strings are cool and all, but at the end of the day they are kinda pointless for most music. Despite every brand saying their B string is the best ever, most just don't sound very good. The only low B'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 low E. 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 5-string for a certain situation, and then they hit the B two or three times. Sure there ARE times when a 5 is useful, but if it isn't using fanned frets it will likely be suboptimal, especially for recording.

I played a 5 string for several years and then went back to 4. When you think about it, a 5 string only gives you 5 lower notes than a 4 string bass (B, C, C#,D and D#). I do like the fact that a 5 string gives you options in terms of playing position on the neck and there have been times when I wish I still payed a 5. The notes on a B string are often muddy and lacking in clarity. Many players who play 5 string basses over use the Low B. 5 string basses seemed to become more prominent during the grunge / alternate tuning era of the 90's and early 2000's but you don't see as many people playing them as you did 10 or 15 years ago.