If my laughter was not an original response it means you get it often...
Maybe something to ponder about. Why do you think that's the case?
edit: kind of funny to be called a '5 string wanger'
ah, if you only knew!
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is it worth buying a 5 strings ?
- Thread starter 10emmanuel
- Start date
If my laughter was not an original response it means you get it often...
Maybe something to ponder about. Why do you think that's the case?
edit: kind of funny to be called a '5 string wanger'
ah, if you only knew!
Of course, It's great playing a 5 string. Extended instruments are fantastic things, but more importantly it will breathe new life and inspiration into you (if you are feeling a little same-same -meh). It will certainly make you think about your playing. Some make it a low B, others make the G a high C, the latter works well if you are using a hipshot thingy to detune the E.
You need to be VERY sure that the instrument sounds and feels how you need it to. I would take some time over that, as you will not have the fallback of having your original bass. If it is at all possible: Can you put this off for a while? possibly saving some more money (like I can't) and buy second hand, privately? That would be the optimal setup - just until you decide.
Make sure that none of your current playing techniques are compromised by the extra string.
But honestly, the right 5 string will give you a whole 'nother decade of phun before you go for a 6er.
Simply do not rush this and get carried away like the rest of us, and you will be fine.
T. Xxx
I played a Peavey T20 and really wanted a five string just for the lower notes. I dropped the G and shifted everything down and put a B on top. Played it like that for a couple years before I could afford a Five string. They really are cheaper now depending on what you get. I bought a new Yamaha Attitude Standard 5. That was a great guitar. It really earned it's keep.
I'd say don't do it, or if you do, don't do it unless you have a 4 string you can gig with until you've learned your way around the neck of a 5 string.
I had a Music Man 5 string that I tried bringing on gigs thinking "oh well it's just one more string" but when you go for a note where you think it has always been and you end up being off by a 4th, it can be super disorienting.
Also you don't need one. 4 strings gets like 90% of all music done. You don't really need those lower 5 semitones that the 5 string adds to your arsenal. If you really do need them, you can also just string your bass up with thicker strings and tune down to BEAD. I did that for a Nirvana cover band, since they switch around from album to album with their tunings from E standard, D standard, Drop D, drop C, etc, I was able to play it all on just the one tuning. (The blue bass in my profile photo is my BEAD bass)
Or, on the other hand, you should totally get one, and bring it to practices, do nothing but play on it all the time, and then when you go back to playing 4 string, you'll be totally disoriented
That is where I have landed, for now. I have flats on the Jazz V, too.
"If I had three (3) Basses, then one would be a 5 string B-G, the P 4 would have flats and the J … would have rounds, both in standard tuning."
Perfect! -But only if they were all short scalers and the P would hafta be a Mustang...
Perfect! -But only if they were all short scalers and the P would hafta be a Mustang...
The Jazz V is my go-to. It’s just easier to play two octaves in one position. Plus, I like the wide neck on it. Some players of 50s-style 4-string P basses like their wide necks too, I’ve heard.
I subbed on the Broadway (Richard Rodgers Theatre) production of In The Heights back in 2008-2009, and played the first national tour 2009-2011. The score had two pieces specified for fretless, which was great because it counted as a double!
I play all 5 strings. There have been a lot of pros and cons here and I think most are valid. Ive been wanting to buy another 4 string, but when it comes time to spend them money, I cant bring myself to purchase a bass that is going to have fewer options, despite my knowing that I am in situations regularly where a 4 string would be superior.
I didnt read through all of the comments, but I didnt see anyone at the top address "buzz" of the 5th string (maybe this is what was meant above by "floppy 5th string"). You will have to learn to play in such a way that the 5 th string is always muted unless you are playing it. Rick Beato does a great youtube video on this when giving tips for recording 5 string bass.
I didnt read through all of the comments, but I didnt see anyone at the top address "buzz" of the 5th string (maybe this is what was meant above by "floppy 5th string"). You will have to learn to play in such a way that the 5 th string is always muted unless you are playing it. Rick Beato does a great youtube video on this when giving tips for recording 5 string bass.
Here's the way I see it.
You can do everything with a 5 string that you can do with a 4 string....but not the other way around (at least without drop tuning or pedals).
If you have big hands like me, the wider neck feels great. I'm 6'5" tall and weigh 230lbs...so another 10lbs hanging off my shoulder really doesn't bother me.
I own both 4 and 5 string basses (and have even owned a 6 string). The fivers always feel more comfortable to me. Far less moving around the neck when playing.
You can do everything with a 5 string that you can do with a 4 string....but not the other way around (at least without drop tuning or pedals).
If you have big hands like me, the wider neck feels great. I'm 6'5" tall and weigh 230lbs...so another 10lbs hanging off my shoulder really doesn't bother me.
I own both 4 and 5 string basses (and have even owned a 6 string). The fivers always feel more comfortable to me. Far less moving around the neck when playing.
ALWAYS nice to have that double! Back in the 80's I nearly took up tuba for that same reason.
Congrats on that. I have a fretless and have had very few calls for it over a period of three decades. Glad you had that experience.
In your opinion. I hate the things. The only decent drop tuner was on a Kubicki.
I had a 5 for a while but ended up selling it. It WAS fun to play and you can cover more in 1 or 2 positions but I found that I continuously kept "pulling" the "G" string off the fret board. They have to find a balance of fitting 5 strings on a fret board without being too fat. I also found that I wasn't really crazy about the sound of the low "B" string... Only MY opinions for sure and there are many, many players out there, so do what you think is best but I wouldn't sell the 4 string... just un case!!!
Totally agree. As others have said playing from that 5th fret acroos the fretboard saves work. Also in church F, E flat and B flat are a much better deal on a five.
I've used 5 string basses since the 90's and I've had quite a few. My pride and joy is a Warwick Fortress Masterman from '97. Yes it's heavier than a Les Paul but not when wearing due to perfect balance. My main basses now are all Ibanez SRs and they are spot on 5's. Slim, comfortable necks and light. They sound incredible and look superb. The cheapest only cost £300 and playability and sound is up there with my Premiums. It's a sr375 blackberry burst and worth every penny. So, I if you want to dip a toe in the 5 string waters then I highly recommend an Ibanez.
I had the exact same problem with a StingRay5: The neck was too narrow, so the G string hung off the edges of the frets. Other basses don’t have that issue. Yes, a slightly wider neck is slightly heavier. The solution is just to make sure that the instrument is well-balanced.
I have both. Which do I play/use more ? The 4's. So, did I really need to buy that 5 string ???
Probably not, but I'm glad I've got mine.
This weekend at church we're playing a song that we normally do in D or C, like the original recording, but instead we're doing it in B. Most of the notes are 3rds, 4ths, 5ths, and 6ths, so when we play it in D or C the song goes we go mainly from the higher sounding root note to those other ones. On a 4-string In B that's reversed and higher on the neck so a lot of the notes I'd be playing are invading guitar and keys territory.
As much as I want to play my recently modified/improved 4-string I might just bring my 5-string because of that one song.
Why don't you practice on your 5 string all week and leave your four string home? At least try to do the whole thing on your 5 string and if you have to bring the 4 bring it as a BAIL OUT plan only. I think the worst thing you can do is have the mentality that you're going to play both somehow. Just focus on the 5 string and I'll bet things will work out just fine.
The best piece of advice I ever got was "Put your 4 string under your bed for 6 months". Getting fully acclimated to a 5 string isn't a 20 minute proposition. But once you are you will have been fully "assimilated" (like The Borg). Resistance is futile.
