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Is having 5+ strings really worth it?

#81
Well, my user name kind of indicates where I am at on this issue...

I play mainly blues, reggae, trad. jazz, and funk which seem to utilize the B-string rather well. With most blues on a five, I have a handy 5th, or a flat-7th, right there; and I really dig the extra lows on the turnarounds.

Also, after playing the L-2500 for not too long, I realized how much better the fretted notes sounded than open strings. Tone control and muting is virtually automatic. Note that I came to the bass from playing the guitar on which I primarily played finger-style blues using mainly open chords (mostly with palm muting), so that was a bit of a revelation for me.

I personally have no desire to go to six strings, but then I am more traditional in my playing style, and not given to extravagantly indulgent soloing (not that there is anything wrong with that, just not my style). Actually, I have been toying lately with the idea of learning some Bach pieces to play for friends and family, but I still don't think a six would be all that necessary for such.

+1 to the poster who asked, "why stop at E0?"

That's my $.02.

Cheers!
 
#82
It depends on the genre. When I play classic rock in the bar, don't need a 5, but for church we do a bit of Gospel and I use the B all the time, not only for low notes, but also to reach over and complete a few licks up high.

If I could only have one bass it would be a 5 string.
 
#83
kevteop said:
On the plus side you get a broader range of sounds, which may or may not be useful for the music you're making.

On the negative side you get a heavier bass, that is a bit harder to play, and some bands will not want to work with you. And string changes are of course more expensive.
Click to expand...

DING DING DING!!! I forgot that one in my list of cons. That's really the biggie in the "is it worth it" question. I HATE changing strings which makes my love of stringed instruments laughable.
 
#84
For me, more than 4 strings is totally worth it. I've given up 4 string basses... been about 15 years since I've had one. A 4 string feels very funny to me now. 6 stringers only for me (although the Roscoe 7 string on the classifieds now is tempting). I love having more notes under my hand as well as additional tonalities.

Is it the right answer for you? That's kinda up to you, isn't it? It might serve you to get a beater (read "inexpensive") 5 or 6 and test the waters. It will be strange at first, but not forever. Make your decision after you've gotten used to the 5 (or 6). You can always resell it later or if you like it, get a nice one.

The way I see it: if a band doesn't want to work with someone because of the number of strings on their bass, they aren't someone that I'd like to play with anyway.
 
#85
I started on a 5. Then got another 5.

Five strings are great, although people think they just add 5 extra notes, they do however add quite a few dynamics across the fretboard.

However I have just purchased a 4 string. It feels weird but in some way I feel slightly secretly very happy. (I was nervous about losing a string) Bit I feel free in some strange way. It was sort of like learning the bass all over again when I got it. I suppose I'm lucky I have the option to choose now though.

I digress, my answer is that they are worth it... Just because you can
 
#86
Fuzzbass said:
I go up and down the neck on five string as much as I did on four, for the same reasons. Plus, I have the B string which gives more tonal possibilities: sometimes I play open E, but sometimes I play low E on 5th fret B string.

If I'm playing tricky run that covers a lot of range, then sure, it's nice to reduce position shifting.

I'd never say 5 is better than 4 for everyone, but it's better for me.
Click to expand...

I can see that for sure but for me the extra string just isn't worth the tighter string spacing and fatter neck. Less room to really beat the hell out of the strings :bassist:
 
#88
OP - it's like this kid. Pricewise, on your typical 4 string bass....
40% of the price is the body.
20% is the neck.
20% is the electronics
20% is the bridge and tuners. Each string accounting for 5% of the total.
After paying for everything else that extra string at only 5% is a darn good deal. Get one at very least while you are buying all the other parts. (Actually 20% divided by 5 would be 4% but who's counting)

kevteop said:
And string changes are of course more expensive.
Click to expand...
But you can go longer since each string is getting worked less. :)
 
#89
I don't play the really low notes very often, but it's nice to have them there, available.

Having that low 5th right there, on the same fret as the root, is really handy!

When I play my 4, I really miss the extra string.
 
#90
bigmoosepi said:
I can see that for sure but for me the extra string just isn't worth the tighter string spacing and fatter neck. Less room to really beat the hell out of the strings :bassist:
Click to expand...

That's pretty much the way I feel about six strings! :p

It's also why I play "wide" fivers: the string spacing is the same as on the four strings I used to play. Yes, that does involve a wider neck, but even with my smallish hands, the only issue I have is that it's harder to reach the A and E strings when playing way up high on the fretboard. I don't care about that because I typically use only the D and G up there for fills, I don't like soloing.
 
#91
I play bass for a living so I look at the 5 as the future for me. It allows me so much flexibility in terms of being able to slide into any situation.

It's different if you have an original band and that is your main gig. I used to have that, and as a result was able to use whatever bass I felt like.

I definitely think the 5 string is the way to go moving forward if you want to have flexibility and be able to get hired into more situations. Just matters your style as a player and what you want to do in your career.
 
#92
Is having 5+strings really worth it?Yes!

But YOU have to make it worth it.A tool is only as useful as the user.

I am completely open to basses with 5,6,7,9 or even 12 strings.No multi-stringed bass is useless IF the user has a use for it.

There are those who have musical ambitions beyond what many have.They find a 4 string bass too restrictive for their vision.A 6,7 or 9 string bass can do everything that a 4 stringer can do.Slapping becomes much more constrained,but is not impossible.

But when you add more strings,it becomes a different beast.It opens it's self up to "Chapman Stick" like tapping.
Two handed melody/bass line or bass solo/chord things.Contrapuntal.

This is a good thing for those who play alone.Who play music that no one else wants to play.Or CAN play.

A man with a few tools can do a few things.A man with far more can do far more things.

There are those who walk while looking a the ground.
There are those who walk while gazing at the sky.

It's a good thing to do both periodically.

Submitted for your approval.Scott Fernandez.12 string bass
 
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#93
Watchootognbout said:
Is having 5+strings really worth it?Yes!

But YOU have to make it worth it.A tool is only as useful as the user.

I am completely open to basses with 5,6,7,9 or even 12 strings.No multi-stringed bass is useless IF the user has a use for it.

There are those who have musical ambitions beyond what many have.They find a 4 string bass too restrictive for their vision.A 6,7 or 9 string bass can do everything that a 4 stringer can do.Slapping becomes much more constrained.but is not impossible.

But when you add more strings,it becomes a different beast.It opens it's self up to "Chapman Stick" like tapping.
Two handed melody/bass line or bass solo/chord things.Contrapuntal.

This is a good thing for those who play alone.Who play music that no one else wants to play.Or CAN play.

A man with a few tools can do a few things.A man with far more can do far more things.

There are those who walk while looking a the ground.
There are those who walk while gazing at the sky.

Submitted for your approval.Scott Fernandez.
Click to expand...


What Scott does is really cool but it's not really bass. More like piano on a stick. ;)
 
#96
I've been playing 5, 6 and 12 string basses for years. Love the lower notes the 5 and 6 give me, and you really cant play Cheap Trick or early King's X without a 12ver. Even the bass line for Pearl Jam's "Jeremy" was performed on a 12 string bass. I used to tune my 12ver to dropped D and it made everything sound HUGE.

Yes I do have a 4, but only to give bass lessons.
 
#100
I have plenty of use for a 6 or 7-string bass, and I'll be getting one in a few months. If I get a 6 though, I'll be pulling the B in favor of a high F. But the trick is that I DO play a lot of double hand tapping, and I love sweeps when I have the flexibility to run them. Sweeping on 4 strings is just kind of "Meh", in my opinion.
 
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