I'm so confused! Advice please :)

[tom once dead]

I definitely feel more comfortable on a 5. Even if I (very rarely) play a song that doesn't actually use the B I'll definitely use it. Now I play in GCGCF, it took a while to get used to, but I really like the way you play with this tuning.

 

[thegoodfunk]

i play a 4 string tuned to standard and a 4 tuned to BEAD (5-string without the high G) so i can bring a 5 string as my back up so i have two basses for both tuning. I prefer the wider string spacing of the 4 strings but it don't like wide necks either.

 

[Fretless1!]

I'd stick with the 5 string. You'll adapt to it. There's no downside.

 

[pff]

Hello to all in the Bass world,

Maybe some of you could clear something up for me?
If I'm using a 100 watt tube head with a 2x15 cabinet, and I add another 2x15 cabinet does that increase my "db"output? What is the science behind more speakers/ or more output/ or acoustic output?

 

[Alvaro Martín Gómez A.]

One of the requirements for me to consider a bass my "main axe" is having five strings (standard tuning). But I don't have any problems playing regular 4-strings. Anyway, my vote went to a 5-string just because of personal preference.

On a side note, I hate 5-string basses with a narrow string spacing.

 

[Fuzzbass]

I'm having trouble deciding between 4 and 5 string basses. As it feels too weird to keep swapping between them, one is gonna be going in a case under my bed for a while, so I need to decide which.

I've always felt more physically comfortable on a 4, but that B comes in really handy on occasion. And it certainly will if I play in a metal band in the future. I don't really like messing around with drop tunings (like drop D, drop C and all that) as I get confused and don't know where the notes are

The downside is that the B tends to get in the way on the odd song. My current band (for the last 2.5 years) only plays in E standard so I don't really need a B string, but it does come in handy on a few of our songs.

I played four string exclusively for over 20 years. I had Hipshot Xtenders on them to make it easier to reach low notes. In 2000 I tried a fiver. I now play five string exclusively, and no longer own a four.

For me, fiver is a better choice: I get more range in each fingering position even above the 5th fret (where the low notes reside).

Fiver isn't best for everyone, but based on what you're saying I think it would work for you. My advice: immerse yourself in five. That is, put your four string away and just play five... that's what I did. Also, it helps to learn new songs on five. I had the most trouble playing songs that I'd played for years on four, but learning songs fresh on five allowed me to think of the bass as "five string", rather than "four string plus one". IMO it's a big mistake to think of fiver as "four plus one". Why limit yourself? Use all the real estate at your disposal!

 

[Musikill]

I have 5 basses - all of them 4 string. I have resisted going to a 5 string for a couple of reasons. 1. I find them to feel cumbersome, not sleek and fast like a 4 string. 2. I prefer standard tuning but will do a drop D. 3. 5 string basses just don't look sexy like 4 strings do. 4 string basses look much better in my opinion.

I play in a metal band and the guitar player does everything in drop tunings - the dark sound gets tired sounding after a while - standard tuning never does.
That's my 2 cents - I do understand why so many players like the 5 string basses though. Whatever works best for you is what you should play and don't try to talk yourself into something or justify your postion.

 

[MrLenny1]

5 string, options are good, and if you don't use the Low B much
it is the ultimate thumbrest.

 

[lowendfriend]

Hello to all in the Bass world,

Maybe some of you could clear something up for me?
If I'm using a 100 watt tube head with a 2x15 cabinet, and I add another 2x15 cabinet does that increase my "db"output? What is the science behind more speakers/ or more output/ or acoustic output?

Better chance of an answer if you post this in the Amps section. Most amps will deliver more power into 4 ohms (2 cabs) than 8 ohms, but your specs need to be telling you that. For example, my GK 700RB-II puts out 320W into an 8 ohm cab and 480W into two 8 ohm cabs (ie., 4 ohms.)

 

[sephiroth.rahl]

I chose 4 string because of the string spacing (I feel cramped on a fiver) and not standard because I love the deep roar of C standard tuning ( C-F-A♯-D♯ ). But the band I play in thinks it's "too low". So we mostly play in E or drop-D.

 

[IngerAlb]

@OP: I know exactly how it feels - I've played on 4 string basses for around 13 years. Then I tried 5ers. I hated the transition so instead I stringed all my baases BEAD. That worked, but the basses I was using at the time (Warwick) felt quite uncomfortable compared to my old players (Ibbys SR & EDB). After I got used to the idea of that low B, I switched back to Ibanez SRs - this time only 5ers. For 2 main reasons: 1. converted 4 string Ibbys don't sound that good, so I prefer the 5ers; 2. the narrow spacing of the Ibby 5ers means the neck is still pretty slim & narrow, so the transition is easier.

As for how helpful that B string may be for someone playing in standard tuning...try converting your band's older songs - use the notes on the B instead of the ones on A for a change. Once you get the hang of it, it will be easier to decide when you need to go lower and when not. You don't have to abuse that B, just have it ready for a bit of extra heaviness & brutality


PS: Warwicks vs Ibbys...ppl should try the new SRs and stop listening with their eyes...

 

[/\/\3phist0]

I play 5 string 4 string
5 generally standard tuning- one band Full step down ADGCA
4 bang standard EADG BEAD DGCA ADGC
4 bang fretless EADG (tuning 99% of the time)
Ive had a 6 and just found it pointless (to me) i dont need to get up into the Guitards range..nor do i need a low F if so, i get a detuner OR as i do for drop D a quick twist of the tuner (i know it so well i can do it on the fly...)

I suggest that you keep the one that has the TONE and variety you like

I love me Wicks...

 

[tjnkoo]

There's only been one five string Ive really really liked, and I'm lucky enough to have it as my main bass.

Dingwall ABZ5.

I imagine other Dingwalls are just as good, I've just never had a chance to play another one.

 

[tekhedd]

Great for learning the fretboard though, and I will typically learn songs as if I'm playing them on a four string.

When I play a 5 I still think of the 4 top strings as the "real" bass range, and this really helps when switching. This works for detuning as well: I think of a detuned bass as a short scale bass with extra frets at the bottom of the range, and the dots painted wrong for some reason. Hey, it works.

OP wants to avoid these mental brain teasers, which is probably wise. I never claimed to be wise.

My 2c: 5 string is indispensible when playing covers, but 4 string is more fun for just about everything else unless your band is spectacularly prog. So, if you *need* the range, you might want to stick with the 5. This is one of those life decisions...

DGCF is an awesome general purpose tuning, if you can live without the extended low range. It also lets you use an unmodified 4-banger off the shelf and standard strings. Occasionally you might need to use drop-C tuning though, which kind of sucks.

So you might want to try BEAD--I tried it, and I'd only recommend that if you had an extended scale bass. It's just so limiting.

CFBbEb could be a great compromise in an original setting but will probably require custom gauge strings...and would be my first choice for an original hardcore/metal band at this point. Well, my first choice would be DGCF with an extension, but that's kind of rare these days. Yeah, I know, it's basically BEAD, but for some reason that doesn't work for me. I guess the real point here is that I'd stick to 4ths and go as low as you need to for your band but no lower.

 

[jmbjandfam]

So you might want to try BEAD--I tried it, and I'd only recommend that if you had an extended scale bass. It's just so limiting.

What is it that you find limited in?

 

[Stevorebob]

After 30-plus years on 4 strings, I made the switch to 5 a year ago, and I'm never going back. Well, I'd be tempted if I had that Warwick of yours, OP.

Overall, I like the flexibility the 5 gives me -- fewer hand-position changes. I have an Ibanez and the close string spacing works for me. It took a couple of months to get used to the spacing, and I understand why some just don't like it.

 

[boodakon]

Dude, you gotta go with the Wick. I love 5's and 6's because of the range, but the Wick's have such a prominent sound in the mix. Given that it's a Wick, I could live without the low B.

I get maximum range and best sound with my Thumb BO6 and it's the first one in line when a recording comes up.