My plucking hand works harder on my 5 with the added B. But after adapting, I can't do without my 5. Only a few extra notes, but that boom is addicting.
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is it worth buying a 5 strings ?
- Thread starter 10emmanuel
- Start date
I’m a guitarist originally. When I decided to purchase my first bass, I knew I wanted a fivr string. I was listening to a lot of Allan Holdsworth and his bassist Jimmy Johnson played a 5-er. I listened to a lot of Chick Corea Elektric Band where John Patitucci hits those low notes. Listened to a lot of Anthony Jackson and he hits those low notes.
So, in ‘94 I purchased a $400 Ibanez 5 string. But, I had issues with the low B not being as pronounced. When I played an E on my low B string, it sounded like a muffled mess.
I waited about 10 years and saved up to buy a bass with a fifth string that had the same tone/timbre as my E string. Meaning that if I play an open E and then fret an Eb, you can barely tell you switched a string.
In order to get a low B with the same tone as the other strings cost me dearly. I ended up buying a new F-Bass BN5 in 2006. The low B sounds like a thunderous piano instead of a flubby fart.
I am in the camp that if you want an extra B string, you will end up paying double the price of a good 4 string. I have not played a used 5 string under $3K that had a well defined low B. I know this sounds a bit anal, but I really think buying a low priced 5 string is a waste of money. I saved up for my F-Bass, it played so well that I have virtually stopped playing guitar.
If anyone knows an inexpensive 5 string with a well defined B, please let me know.
So, in ‘94 I purchased a $400 Ibanez 5 string. But, I had issues with the low B not being as pronounced. When I played an E on my low B string, it sounded like a muffled mess.
I waited about 10 years and saved up to buy a bass with a fifth string that had the same tone/timbre as my E string. Meaning that if I play an open E and then fret an Eb, you can barely tell you switched a string.
In order to get a low B with the same tone as the other strings cost me dearly. I ended up buying a new F-Bass BN5 in 2006. The low B sounds like a thunderous piano instead of a flubby fart.
I am in the camp that if you want an extra B string, you will end up paying double the price of a good 4 string. I have not played a used 5 string under $3K that had a well defined low B. I know this sounds a bit anal, but I really think buying a low priced 5 string is a waste of money. I saved up for my F-Bass, it played so well that I have virtually stopped playing guitar.
If anyone knows an inexpensive 5 string with a well defined B, please let me know.
Yes, absolutely. However at the upper end boutique rage of 5-ers, the body and neck are well balanced. My F-Bass BN5 sits on my lap and balances perfectly on my knee. Playing it with a strap, the neck does not tilt the nass toward it. The neck is a monster, but the whole bass is incredibly balanced.
This is my situation, but it took me a long time to find a 5-er with a killer B string and balanced. My old 90s Ibanez SR bass it NOT balanced at all.
I havn't had that problem with any five string I have. Maybe I am not fussy enough lol
20 or 30 years ago, the B could be an issue.
Nowdays, any reasonably put together 5 should be able to be tuned for balance and clarity.
Having said that, most decent basses are going to cost $2k plus anyway..but the B isnt the sole defining issue.
Nowdays, any reasonably put together 5 should be able to be tuned for balance and clarity.
Having said that, most decent basses are going to cost $2k plus anyway..but the B isnt the sole defining issue.
Of course we want all of the strings to have as close to the same timbre as the others, especially low B and open G. It's not always the bass in and of itself. Often it can be dealt with. Have you tried a set with a TAPERED B? The tapered B has a lot more clarity than a standard B string. I was playing NYXL's on my BTB675 and usually installed a tapered B that D'Addario was happy to send me. Sometimes the problem is solved with a 125 low B rather than a 130. The stiffness of the set will also have a lot to do with the tone. A stiffer low B will sound less fart-like than one that is more flexible.
If when you speak of the difference of the cost of a "good" 4 vs 5 I think you'd have to be looking at boutique basses or higher end models with brands like Fender.
Sometimes things can be more balanced at the bridge. A Yamaha BB735A has saddles that have both a rounded contact point or a sharp contact point if you flip he saddles over. Some guys use the round side for strings 1-4 and the sharp side for the low B. The BB735A sells for $840 (US). Yamaha punches way about their weight. Also, in terms of the clarity that a saddle provides, I'm sure there are different replacement saddles out there that even if you bought a full set it wouldn't be so outrageous as to only use one of the set.
Speaking of Yamaha, I have a TRBX605 and the sound is quite even across strings. If in doubt which bass to grab for a gig, the 605 will always get picked because it is so easy to play and dial in sound quickly. A better bass deal is rarely had.
Yes, I’m talking boutique… because that was the only way I find to get a great B. I may not of played enough lower end models.
I sorta can agree with your opinion, however, in my case the B was my defining issue. And, having a killer low B is one of the telltale signs of an excellent bass according to many. I agree 5 strings are MUCH better than 20 years ago. That being said, every 5er bass on the wall at Guitar Center had a weak B string in tone and sustain. I really believe you need to really pay for an excellent B string, and there is still a lot of chatter about what basses have excellent Bs. In my case, I was looking for the best B string. I played all the boutique brands and came up with the F-Bass. The other high-end basses definitely have nice Bs (not boobs), but there is always room for one at the top.
I have not found any sub $1000 bass to have a decent 5th string good enough for my liking. That’s just me. I did not know of any affordable basses with a good B.
SORRY ABOUT MY TYPOS AND BAD WORD COMPLETION!
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Gonna check out that 605 you mention. I have to agree that Yamaha pronablt has excellent 5 strings as I have seen big pros use them.
I think this is still an excellent topic because I totally want to try out that 605.
On another note, my bass did have a tapered B, but it was worn out evidently.
I am so glad my viewpoint is getting less creedance, because I am learning a lot in the process.
I could be wrong but I think the answer may be in your question. "...every 5er bass on the wall at Guitar Center had a weak B string in tone and sustain."
I've not played a guitar off the wall at GC (or anywhere else, for that matter) with a decent setup. Even my MIA Fenders from Sweetwater needed everything adjusted. So I'm pretty sure taking something down off the wall is not going to give a reasonable representation of their potential especially when what you're looking for is largely dependent on setup.
I have a Sterling Ray5 and its B is loud, deep, full and resonant. But it has a killer setup on it. Definitely plays and sounds WAY beyond its $400 price tag.
Tim
One thing about the 605. It is VERY sensitive to almost everything. String selection. String height. Pickup height. neck relief... and the way the electronics respond. You'll have to experiment a bit with it. The two sets that I've liked on it so far are the DR Pure Blues and Ernie Ball Cobalt Flats. The stock D'Addarios that come on it are a non-starter and I almost sent my 605 back until at the 11th hour, with return label already printed, I tried the DR Pure Blue and kept it. The EBCF's are mellower, but still have some punch that sneaks in and feel great an of course with limited string noise.
But I can sneeze at my other 5 strings either. I got a 2010 Fender MIM Jazz 5 for $400. Put $100 in for fret level and crown. $180 for Aguilar Noisless pickups and another $150 for an Audere preamp and $125 for Hipshot ultralite tuners. Even though the MIM label "downgrades" the status of the bass, for under $1000 I'm not going to find a better bass than this one. I have all of $500 into my BTB675 which I got used. It was my first 5 string and I could have stood pat right there... and then came the Yamaha and I kept both, added the Fender... and then I stole a Gio 6 for $100 with case included.
