I'm ready to throw in the towel (5 string).

[Greg Waldon]

I tried for several years to get used to a 5er but I never could. They work for a lot of people but I ain’t one of ‘em.

 

[godofthunder59]

I've no use for a fiver. Bought one once out of pity but soon sold it.

 

[dmt]

...Bought one once out of pity...

 

[dmt]

Can I wait until I'm possibly 70 years old before it comes natural to me?

That’s a number that does have a way of putting things into perspective.

Still, it’s not like you suddenly shrivel up and blow away on your 70th birthday

A 67 year old can gig, but a 70 year old gigging is ridiculous?

Anyway, play what you want, experiment with what you want (or don’t), and keep on thumpin’.

Les Paul was playing and sounding sweet into his early 90s; you might still have a whole multi-decade career in front of you!

 

[godofthunder59]

Seriously it's the truth! A Cataldo five string Nonreverse Thunderbird was languishing on ebay so I bought it. Being a NR Thunderbird and a Cataldo I thought maybe I could over look the fifth string. No can do. I eventually sold it to someone who could appreciate it. Btw I am a endorser of Cataldo basses and own two.

 

[chris_b]

When I bought my first 5 string bass I just saw opportunities. Everyone I've owned has lived up to that promise.

 

[Copperhead]

I bought two 6's last week. Something about an even number of strings and the symmetry of a 6 makes it feel more familiar. I do need to practice more on the 6, and I hope to remain a die hard 4 string player, but the 6 gets me what I never had with a 5.

This was my experience and seems to be a common occurrence.

 

[zontar]

Nothing wrong with having an instrument that is not your main thing, but having it in case
I play guitar, bass & kind of play mandolin.
They can't all be number 1
So keeping a 5 string bass & playing mostly 4?
Sure--go for it

 

[JimmyM]

Now that I'm finally out of my last band and just freelancing ATM, I've been playing the 5 more in case I need it, and I will be needing it on upcoming gigs. But I'd always rather be playing a 4, too. Even put a Hipshot on my E string that lets me go to D or B just in case I need those notes on the fly, though I usually don't. But it's easier to play songs that require a 5 on a 5, so I'll suck it up and do it.