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I'm not sure I could ever get into more than 4 strings..

#41
When I took up bass I started by buying a five-string because I wanted the options of notes lower than low E, and of being able to play low E to G# higher up the neck, and I didn't want the confusion of starting with a four-string and later moving to a five.

In practice I don't use the B string very much, but I very much like having it available. On the odd occasion that I pick up a four-string bass I can play it but it feels awkward because I'm not used to it.

Regarding "weak" B strings, I've never really had a problem with the way the B string feels under my fingers, but it does have a different tone - how different depends on the quality of the instrument. (But then, even on a four-string bass playing notes higher on the E string gives you a different tone to the same notes low on the A string, so...)

As for whether every bassist should play a five-string instrument, of course not. Play whatever works for you in your main musical style(s).
 
#44
I'm just a Luddite... For years I thought five string basses were really cool, and actually I am still enjoying them - when they are medium scales, tuned EADGC.

Then one day I bought one especially for tuning BEADG ( but actually tuned it ADGCF, because I needed an open low D string for a couple of songs ) and suddenly realized that Low-B fivers are "just not me". Strange, but true :)
 
#45
I always sense some sort of inferred test of musicianship when the 'gee, I just really like fours, but I keep thinking about a five' threads show up.

It makes no difference at all. Their are giants that only play fours, and other amazing cats play fives and sixes. It's down to what fits you, that the ONLY thing that matters, what speaks to you.

I went to fives exclusively in 1987, and it's all I've ever played since (. . . . you'd think I'd be better at it by now . . . .). I was a little backwards to most guys: A four-string never made much sense to me. I came from playing keys for a long time, and was too used to the notes being laid out in a linear fashion. Every time I'd start a scale or some sort of maneuver, I'd have to shift from here to there to complete two octaves or some wonderfully inventive embellishment I just thought up. Hated it.

So I bought a five and the light went on: I could play across the fingerboard. I basically combined first and second position. And on 24-fret necks, geez, I could go all over the world. It just made sense. I suppose I could do even more on a six, but instead of hating the infamous 'floppy B' (get over it, just play the damn thing, he thought to himself, it is what it is), the high-C just sounded too guitar-like, so that was that.

And yes, approach it as a similar but separate instrument. I can absolutely guarantee you it's NOT the way to pick up some extra low notes, what a pain. It ain't a four with an extra string. It's a five-string-bass, and that's how you think of it and approach it. But there are no points deducted if you are at home on a four.
 
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#46
I too doubted that I would bond with a 5er.
Just to test the waters, i bought a used Squier J V.
I got such a deal that I felt certain that I could at least break even if I turned right around and sold it.
Turned out that it was better than I expected, played easier than I expected and the B wasn't floppy.

Strings make a huge difference on the B.
.136 taper wound is very clear.

What really showed me the usefulness of a 5 was getting a call from a friend.
Friday night.
8:40.
He was onstage and his bass player hadn't arrived for a 9 o'clock gig!
Across town, of course.
I grabbed my P and amp and hauled butt.

Almost every song was in D or E flat. o_O
I spent 2 hours faking my though stuff I didn't know and wishing I had my 5.
His guy showed up for the 3rd set...drunk, but able to play.
 
#47
I've tried and bought (and ultimately sold) so many 5ers over the years... I want to love them so badly but they just don't feel right in my hands. They're like wierd mutants that are so close to what feels normal but just far enough away that I get that "Uncanny Valley" thing every time I pick one up. Lol

The only 5er that felt good (but sounded horrible imo) was the old Fender Marcus Miller bass. The neck on that thing is pure gold... If it didn't cost a months pay, I'd have bought one when they were readily available and I'd probably have a different opinion today.
 
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#48
glocke1 said:
I've debated getting a 5 string for awhile now, but every time I go into a music store to try one I am always left feeling "meh".

The B strings generally feel floppy and sound undefined/muddy to me is the largest issue I am running into. Granted most of what I've had access to in the stores are Fenders/Ibanez 5 string basses.

There have been a couple of 5 string basses on Reverb that have caught my eye, specifically some G. Goulds. I can't try without buying but I am assuming these would be leaps and bounds better in terms of B string sound/feel over what I've tried.
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I agree. 35" scale 5 strings are the only acceptable models to me. I have a Lakland, its nice. That said, after years of playing a 5 string, I'm back to 4 and doubt Ill ever go back. Just don't need it and I find the width of a 4 string neck far more playable.
 
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#49
superheavyfunk said:
I've tried and bought (and ultimately sold) so many 5ers over the years... I want to love them so badly but they just don't feel right in my hands. They're like wierd mutants that are so close to what feels normal but just far enough away that I get that "Uncanny Valley" thing every time I pick one up. Lol
Click to expand...

This.

I started playing fivers in the mid 80s, gave up in the mid 90s. Bought one six months ago and sold it yesterday.

There's got to be a five string neck somewhere that I'd feel comfortable with, but I haven't met it yet. And I've gone through quite a few very different ones...
 
#50
I run .120 or .125 B-strings - no issues with 34" scale. You often need to treat the B a bit different in the way you pluck, but I find all the strings ideally take a bit of individual care.

Not everyone wants or needs a 5'er. Should come down to what you want out of the bass. Are you looking for notes below E? Then a B will get you there, so will a D-tuner but that opens up other complications. Looking for more notes in a given position up the neck? Then a B will get you there. To me that is one of the most important features, but it also opens up some challenges with damping.

No single right answer. But if you have something you're trying to attain, or just want to explore, then a quick noodle in a shop won't really cut it. It takes time and deliberate practice to figure out if/how it will work for you.
 
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#52
My hands down favorite 5 string was a Peavey Dyna Bass. I’ve tried a bunch of others, even bought a really nice old Cirrus neck through fiver a while back and none of them did me like that Dyna did.
Much as i love my four string J’s i have yet to pick up a j fiver that passed even a brief warmup before i knew it weren’t for me. I don’t think i’d ever go back to a fiver but if the right Dyna fiver came along...
 
#53
I've decided I'm quite happy with 4 strings. Recently sent just about all my 5's off to my new bass playing nephew. I did keep my BTB405QM, haven't given up on it and plan to give it a better try. I'm really considering playing a 4 in Drop D more than anything. I've always dug the sound and feel when I do.
Peace N Chicken Grease
 

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