So, I originally wanted to reply with...why use 5" paint brush when a 4" works just as well. That thought morphed into the following, after a bit of thought. My personal opinion is in favor of setting up a 4string for BEAD tuning. Although, it would require a pretty specific setup, making the conversion back to EADG a bit of a task. So, in your situation of only being able to own 1 bass...it may be worth looking for a 5er if that's what you want. To address your developmental concerns...as long as you find a 5er that's comfortable for you, I wouldn't worry to much about it. In some cases it can enhance your development as you'll be able to extend the range of the scales and such into a lower register. So, I suppose bottom line, is, if you want to play a 5er, go for it, but definitely try out a few before you buy/trade for one. You seem at a stage where, it's more important to find the right instrument for you, than the number of strings.
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is it worth buying a 5 strings ?
- Thread starter 10emmanuel
- Start date
My Fender Jazz V weighed a ton and had a giant neck. I bought an Ibanez SR as a backup and loved it so much I sold the Jazz and bought two more SR’s. They are much lighter and smaller, and the necks are thin and strong and easy to play fast. I’m sure there are others out there but the SR’s are very well known and liked.
Everyone is different and there is no right or wrong answer. It is personal preference 95% and 5% need for certain songs (even without there are ways around). As for me I am a 5 string player and have been since the late 90's. Also, now more than ever there are so many options...I have both Jazz and Precision style passive basses where that "organic tone" is needed. If you prefer a 4 that's fine as well. And before anyone says you won't see 5's in studios that's a lie. I have played many sessions for many genre's with a 5 string j bass and my Lakland basses in Nashville, Chicago, and the west coast.
I just play a 4 personally. For me it's about feel. A 4-string just feels like home. I can play a 5 but it never feels right.
I would argue a 5 doesn't really get you much. First, it's only 5 more notes. It opens up possibilities for new fingerings but to my ear those notes on the low B don't sound the same so I tend not to use them. And now I have another string I have to mute . . .
My $.02 is not to buy one just because you think you should have one. Only buy one if you really want one. If you aren't sure then I wouldn't bother.
I would argue a 5 doesn't really get you much. First, it's only 5 more notes. It opens up possibilities for new fingerings but to my ear those notes on the low B don't sound the same so I tend not to use them. And now I have another string I have to mute . . .
My $.02 is not to buy one just because you think you should have one. Only buy one if you really want one. If you aren't sure then I wouldn't bother.
I switched to different strings on my Fender Jazz V (now with TI flats). Problem solved! Note: the neck on a Jazz V is tapered a good bit, so it's narrower at the nut than some other Fivers.
Hmmm... < 7.75 pounds.....I have a pretty light SR655. Would you mind listing your light basses?
Its easy to say " go get one" , just keep in mind that I dont have a big budget to own 2 basses so I would have to sell mine 4 string to get a 5.
What do you guys say? [/QUOTE]
Do you NEED one? No.
Do you have a bass? Yes. Then, you're all set!
Do you WANT one? Ah, that's another question!
I would NOT sell my only bass to TRY something different I'm not sure about.
I would personally get another job, borrow one from a friend - whatever, to see if it could be useful to you.
You can buy inexpensive, used CNC-made basses from Indonesia or wherever and they're really decent instruments.
_________________________________
Now, why do any of this?
To me, a five string is VERY useful if you are a utility musician. You work in different situations and don't know what you'll be up against. They offer some more range, fingering positions, and allow you to slide fingering patterns up and down the neck to instantly play in any key - like to accommodate vocalists.
You will also think and approach playing differently with a fiver. That could be worth it. And, have a fiver just because you can. That could be worth it.
If I were a three-chord rocker, it wouldn't be worth it to me. You never said what you played. If you did later than this quote, forgive me.
What do you get?
You said that money is tight, so, whatever you can that is a decent instrument.
What? 34-inch or 35-inch scale?
Big subject. I cede the floor to others on that topic.
Good luck!
What do you guys say? [/QUOTE]
Do you NEED one? No.
Do you have a bass? Yes. Then, you're all set!
Do you WANT one? Ah, that's another question!
I would NOT sell my only bass to TRY something different I'm not sure about.
I would personally get another job, borrow one from a friend - whatever, to see if it could be useful to you.
You can buy inexpensive, used CNC-made basses from Indonesia or wherever and they're really decent instruments.
_________________________________
Now, why do any of this?
To me, a five string is VERY useful if you are a utility musician. You work in different situations and don't know what you'll be up against. They offer some more range, fingering positions, and allow you to slide fingering patterns up and down the neck to instantly play in any key - like to accommodate vocalists.
You will also think and approach playing differently with a fiver. That could be worth it. And, have a fiver just because you can. That could be worth it.
If I were a three-chord rocker, it wouldn't be worth it to me. You never said what you played. If you did later than this quote, forgive me.
What do you get?
You said that money is tight, so, whatever you can that is a decent instrument.
What? 34-inch or 35-inch scale?
Big subject. I cede the floor to others on that topic.
Good luck!
5 string can open up more avenues for work- ie subbing in bands or shows where a 5 is part of the established repertoire. I subbed on a broadway show where they wanted me to use the 5-string fretless that the regular player left set up in the pit. In that case it was helpful that I played 5’s already. The bulk on the score was on fretted, and some of those low D’s and C’s were written in.
To add to Bass12's excellent answer, another consideration is the performance setting. For certain situations, like the Americana band I play with, a 4-string is all I need (I do use a hip-shot on the low E from time to time). But in the wedding band I play with, I always use my 5-string. There's always a bit of unknown on a gig like that... WIDE range of musical genres/styles, someone sitting in, a song with a signature bass line but in a different key, etc. I like having the options of extended range and/or alternate fingering positions for those scenarios. In the studio, I bring my 4-string Jazz, my 5-string Stingray, and my 4-string fretless G&L just to cover all my bases (basses?
).The idea of "upgrading" to a 5-string (or more) is really not the way to think about it. Every instrument variation has a functional purpose. Don't get a 5-string because you think it's the next logical step to your playing. Get one because you need one for the musical work you're doing or simply because you want one.
Groove on!
I bought a Harley Benton PJ 5-String for $188 new a few months ago.. It is a great bass for the price.
The number of strings has nothing to do with how good you are. "I'm an intermediate player" doesn't mean anything when it comes to wanting/needing a 5-string bass.
Get one if you need one. Get one if you want one.
You can't afford having 2 basses? Replace the 4-string with a 5-string. (Unless the 4-stringer is something very rare or you have grown attached to it.)
Try and find out yourself if it's good for you or not. If you end up liking it, that'll be great! If not, you can go back to a 4-string bass.
Get one if you need one. Get one if you want one.
You can't afford having 2 basses? Replace the 4-string with a 5-string. (Unless the 4-stringer is something very rare or you have grown attached to it.)
Try and find out yourself if it's good for you or not. If you end up liking it, that'll be great! If not, you can go back to a 4-string bass.
Personal choice IMHO. I play big band, small jazz, musical theater pits.
I've never seen notes below E in big band music, but then I'm not dealing with the very new music there.
With small groups the choice of note and range always falls under 'fielders choice'.
In music theater there is the occasional low notes, but in 20 years of playing shows I've never encountered a Music Director that demanded it and taking those notes up an octave always works fine. Sometime you need to do a couple notes before and/or after the low note, but that's not that hard to scope out.
I do own a 5 string, but never use it. the neck is way to wide for my taste, string sets are more expensive, clarity of the low notes is all that great, and it just seemed too much a hassle for the 5 notes I'd gain, but rarely use. Stringing it up with a high C isn't all that great an advantage since I do know the neck and really don't mind shifting.
I've never seen notes below E in big band music, but then I'm not dealing with the very new music there.
With small groups the choice of note and range always falls under 'fielders choice'.
In music theater there is the occasional low notes, but in 20 years of playing shows I've never encountered a Music Director that demanded it and taking those notes up an octave always works fine. Sometime you need to do a couple notes before and/or after the low note, but that's not that hard to scope out.
I do own a 5 string, but never use it. the neck is way to wide for my taste, string sets are more expensive, clarity of the low notes is all that great, and it just seemed too much a hassle for the 5 notes I'd gain, but rarely use. Stringing it up with a high C isn't all that great an advantage since I do know the neck and really don't mind shifting.
First, 5 strings are less about extended range as they are for economy of motion (more ways to move *across* the 'board than up and down it). Most bass players play rudimentary music in common keys that don't really present any challenge that a 5 string would help. For me at least, once I got used to 5 it's hard to go back to 4.
Jaco played 4, Victor, Marcus, Jameson, Bootsy. I say you need a damn good reason to move to 5, like you're covering gospel music or some other style that uses that low B frequently. Otherwise it's just an anchor and a thumb rest. I bought a 5 b/c I wanted to play the Bach Cello Suites. That's a good reason!
I use 5s because we play covers at pubs and events. You don't know what will be thrown at you. Loads of songs in the tracklists contain notes lower than E e.g. Friday I'm in Love - The Cure (D), Basket Case - Greenday (Eb), Pray - Take That (C), She Will Be Loved - Maroon 5 (Eb), Uptown Funk (C), Don't Start Now - Dua Lipa (bridge needs the low B), Greatest Show (B)... Then there are songs we drop the key on for the singer's comfort such as Summer of 69, when you drop it to C you need the Eb for the bridge. Yes I could get these notes at the next octave but that kills the vibe of some of the riffs. If you drop She Bangs the Drums to D it doesn't sound right when the bass is almost an octave up. It took me a while to transition to a floating thumb to mute the strings and I kept getting my notes confused at first. After a few weeks though it's like I've never played any other tuning.
Everything has been set already, so I’ll just add the one thing I haven’t seen (unless I missed it): if you do get a five string, just be sure to do some research, because there are five strings out there where the main complaint about them is that fifth string.
I know that may sound obvious, but there are basses out there where people are like “it’s a great bass… except that 5th string is a little weak.“ so it’s easy to miss. And it would obviously be tragic to move to a five string, especially if you had to sell your other bass to do it (as you said), only to find out that the very reason you made the move in the first place is the instruments weak spot. For example, that’s definitely the knock on dimension basses and the fender jazz bass plus V; people say they’re great overall, but the low B string just doesn’t sound that great.
I know that may sound obvious, but there are basses out there where people are like “it’s a great bass… except that 5th string is a little weak.“ so it’s easy to miss. And it would obviously be tragic to move to a five string, especially if you had to sell your other bass to do it (as you said), only to find out that the very reason you made the move in the first place is the instruments weak spot. For example, that’s definitely the knock on dimension basses and the fender jazz bass plus V; people say they’re great overall, but the low B string just doesn’t sound that great.
It depends upon the type of music you will play now and maybe the future. Some music even rock will call for the low “B”.
